• Makati

    Beyond the CBD: Makati’s Century City

    Normally when one thinks of Makati, the mental image would pertain to the Central Business District area which happens to be the most well-known part of Makati. But that does not say it is the only part of Makati that is fully developed in an urban sense. In recent years, other parts of Makati are undergoing their own urban transformations as development in the city is moving beyond the CBD area. One such neighborhood is the Poblacion-Bel-Air area north of the CBD. While it was originally, and still is, for the most part, conceived and developed as a sort-of suburban residential community, over the years, significant developments have been sprouting around…

  • Checked Out

    CinemalayaX at the CCP

    It is that time of the year once again when the moribund Philippine cinema manages to come alive for a while. No, I’m not talking about the Metro Manila Film Festival, when the opposite usually happens…but I digress. It is the season of Cinemalaya, the Philippine independent film festival which is now marking its 10th year. For those who are not familiar with this event, Cinemalaya is an annual film festival organized by the Cinemalaya Foundation (headed by Tony Boy Cojuangco)  with the support of the Cultural Center of the Philippines that is meant to showcase contemporary, independent Philippine cinema, as well as to give opportunities for new filmmakers and…

  • Checked Out

    “History and Her Story”: The Corazon Aquino Exhibit at Glorietta

    August 1 this year marked the 5th anniversary of the death of former Philippine President Corazon Aquino. And in the Philippines, we commemorate not only birthdays, but also death anniversaries as well. I don’t know, but it’s a Pinoy thing. Thus this year, an exhibit sponsored by the national daily the Philippine Star and its sister publication PeopleAsia Magazine put up a special exhibit on the former president at the Glorietta Activity Center. Entitled “History and Her Story”, the exhibit gave one a glimpse of the life of the former president told in words and photos, that is if one is not that familiar about her yet.

  • Roamer's Roundup

    Towards a Cable-Free City

    There was a recent news item that reported about the Intramuros Administration’s actions in taking the first steps for the Walled City to be completely “cable-free,” which would mean that the distracting overhead wires coming from electrical, phone, and cable utilities would now be placed underground, giving an unobstructed view of the many landmarks in the area. This development is the latest episode in the question of putting these cables that have long been seen overhead  in most parts of the metropolis, something that has been a source of contention for some time.