In an era of rapid and somewhat unchecked urbanization, it is always the city’s open green spaces that are endangered the most. The case is no different as to what has been going in Metro Manila in recent history, as open spaces had to give to way to the needs of a city’s alarmingly overflowing population. But thankfully, there are bright spots to this otherwise grim story as efforts are being made to preserve and enrich the remaining green spaces in the city. For this entry, we will be visiting yet another one of those places known as the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center. Despite the name, it is…
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The great Sunday market of the North
Weekend markets have been sprouting all over in the metropolis for the past few years. In the midst of what may look like a crowded affair, there are a proud few that stand out for their longevity (in this case, those existing for more than 5 years) and the loyal patrons who regularly spend their weekends there. One of those proud few is the feature of this entry today: the SIDCOR Sunday Market, known to some as the great weekend market of the north. The SIDCOR Sunday Market also happens to be one of the oldest (if not the oldest) weekend markets regularly held in the Metropolitan Manila area, having…
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Of conquistadores and libertadores: the case of Intramuros monuments
The southwestern portion of the area outside the walls of Intramuros is a curious sight to say the least, for the presence of a hodge-podge of monuments which have little to do with each other nor do have any commonalities with a single aspect of Philippine history…if any. I have blogged about some of these monuments before: the Ninoy-Cory monuments and the Cardinal Sin one located near the corner of Padre Burgos and Bonifacio Drive, which are part of that particular monument complex. A bit farther is the most imposing of all the monuments in the area, and also the oldest in existence. This is the Legazpi-Urdaneta monument erected in…
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The Grand Dame by the Bay (Part 2)
With the many changes the Manila Hotel underwent through over the years, there is still this old world charm that it has managed to somehow retain today. This is evident the moment you step in its doors and be greeted by its iconic grand lobby. From the lobby to the room, every inch of the hotel manages to still retain an old world charm that reminds you of what Manila was in the past. Manila Hotel (album 1) VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL As far as hotel dining is concerned, the Manila Hotel has managed to make its mark thankss to its Ilang-Ilang Restaurant which offers a rich buffet of…