The Urban Roamer

The Uncommon Capitol Commons

August 10, 2014January 19, 2014 by The Urban Roamer

Last time I wrote about the area once known as the second site of the Rizal Provincial Capitol, it was all fenced out as the Ortigas & Company (the owners of the property that was originally donated to the Rizal Provincial Government but was reverted to them by the deed of donation) was laying the groundwork for future development in the area.

Here we are almost two years later, and we are now seeing that development christened as the Capitol Commons taking shape. At this time of writing, there are still significant portions of the complex that have not yet been completed like the mall and the residential buildings. But from what I’ve seen, this is one development that bears promise.

A Day At The National Museum (Part 2: Museum of the Filipino People and the future National Museum of Natural History)

June 6, 2018January 12, 2014 by The Urban Roamer

Right across the National Art Gallery building of the National Museum, right in the northern part of Rizal Park, stands two neoclassical buildings with a shared history, from the style to the architect and their usage, past and future.

Both buildings were remnants of what Daniel Burnham had in mind for Manila to be a “city beautiful” with the area where the buildings stand was envisioned to be the equivalent to the “National Mall” of Washington DC. Also, both were designed by the same architect who helped design the current National Art Gallery, Antonio Toledo, who himself started as a partner of Burnham’s longtime associate William Parsons. Both were completed by 1940, damaged by World War II and were restored after the war. Now both these buildings serve to show a bright future for the National Museum.

A Day At The National Museum (Part 1: the National Art Gallery)

June 6, 2018January 5, 2014 by The Urban Roamer

I wish I could say that museums in the Philippines are as well-visited as museums in the countries. The fact is sadly, museums here are not much promoted as destinations to be visited by locals and tourists. Yes, for some reason, some travel books and sites about the Philippines do not emphasize that visiting a museum here is a must-do.

Do Filipinos couldn’t care less about museums and the things being showcased there? Do they generally find museums boring compared to malls and beaches? Do some think our museums here suck? While I have no answer to the first 2 questions, I must say that the answer to the 3rd question is a definite no. Sure, the country does not have museums as stunning and rich as those in Europe but that does not mean we do not have anything worthy to showcase. If you wish to see what I mean, try to pay a visit to the country’s premier museum, the National Museum.

Manila’s “Arsenic” Mayor

August 10, 2014December 30, 2013 by The Urban Roamer

Last December 26 was actually the 101st birth anniversary of one of the most colorful figures in postwar years of the City of Manila, and the Philippines as a whole. His name is Arsenio H. Lacson.

Born in Talisay in the province of Negros Occidental, he was once actually a boxer, lawyer, World War II guerilla, dabbled as a journalist and broadcaster, elected as congressman of Manila’s 2nd district, then eventually becoming mayor of the City of Manila from 1951 to 1962. He was actually the first elected mayor of the city, as before that, Manila mayors were actually appointed by the President of the Philippines.