The Urban Roamer

A Dream Plan for Metro Manila

July 17, 2014June 26, 2014 by The Urban Roamer

Metro Manila as we know it today sadly has been borne out of unrealized plans coupled by shortsighted planning that did not take into account how fast it would grow over the last 30 years or so. (something I have talked about in the past here) Now we are suffering the brunt of these problems as a result: the traffic, the lack of proper housing, the overpopulation in the metropolis, pollution, and unchecked urbanization to name a few.

typical EDSA traffic (taken from the web)

informal settlers along the creek (taken from the web) — informal settlers along a creek (taken from the web)

With all these problems the metropolis is facing right now, and considering what happened before, is there hope for Metro Manila? As critical as I am of what is happening in the metropolis, the Urban Roamer still believes there is hope for the metropolis. I’m glad that this optimism is shared by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which recently jointly came up with a “dream plan” for Metro Manila that will not only address the aforementioned challenges, but will also serve as a catalyst for the future growth of the metropolis, as well as the surrounding areas that is envisioned by the year 2030. A video was posted online about the details of the plan, as posted here below:

Araw ng Maynila 2014: Return of the Carnival (sort of)

June 24, 2014June 23, 2014 by The Urban Roamer

Today, the City of Manila celebrates the 443rd anniversary of its founding, a day more popularly known as “Araw ng Maynila” or “Manila Day.”

This would also mark the first Araw ng Maynila celebration that its mayor, the former Philippine president Joseph Estrada, will spearhead. To his credit, his administration is bent on making this year’s Araw ng Maynila a bit different and memorable than previous celebrations. And what better way to do that by getting some inspiration from one of the city’s most colorful events of the old: none other than the Manila Carnival.

Checked Out: ToyCon 2014

June 23, 2014June 23, 2014 by The Urban Roamer

It is that time of the year once again when the country’s biggest toy convention hits town. And the Urban Roamer was there as usual at ToyCon 2014, held at the usual venue which is the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall last June 20-22.

20 and Still Has The Beat: Fete de la Musique 2014

June 20, 2014 by The Urban Roamer

It is that time of the year once again, especially for music-lovers in the metro. Fete de la Musique, the annual music festival organized by Alliance Francaisede Manille, (the French cultural body in the country) will once again bring rhythms of different genres on June 21, Saturday at various venues around the metropolis. This year marks the 20th year of this music festival. To mark this occasion, Fete de la Musique will be celebrated simultaneously on the 3 main stages across 2 cities and 19 pocket stages where one can check them out for free.