The Urban Roamer

Welcome to the Ark (Avilon)

August 3, 2014September 9, 2011 by The Urban Roamer

The Bible tells us of a large vessel, an ark built by Noah as commanded to him by God as a means for him, his family, and the animals to be safe from the rains and the floods that God sent to submerge the earth. Even in modern standards, the size of this ark is huge, huge enough to accommodate the various pairs of species of animals, big and small.

The story of Noah’s ark has been one of those Bible stories that has captured the imagination of generations. It’s this particular inspiration that has led to the country’s first indoor zoo: the Ark Avilon.

the Cartimar at Pasay

August 3, 2014September 3, 2011 by The Urban Roamer

The Pasay area these days (and by that we mean the old Pasay, not the reclaimed area) is not one of those places you find yourself at that often. Sadly, it’s one of those places here in the metropolis that has suffered much from urban blight, coupled with the government’s lack of will to face this issue.

Despite all these, there are still some good old gems found in old Pasay. One of which would probably the number one reason that puts this part of Pasay on the map. With that, we are referring to none other than the Cartimar Shopping Center located right between the busy intersections of Taft and Gil Puyat (the former Buendia) Avenues in the north and of Taft-A. Arnaiz (the former Libertad) Avenues in the south.

remembering “the Guy”

August 3, 2014August 27, 2011 by The Urban Roamer

August 31 marks the birth anniversary of one of the most popular and well-loved presidents the Philippines ever had. We are talking about “the Guy” himself, Ramon Magsaysay who served as president from 1953-1957.

His life and achievements have been immortalized; some may say they are a stuff of legend. I guess it is a testament to how much admired and well-loved was Magsaysay that until now his campaign theme song still resonates among the people who still suffer the same problems and are still hoping for the same ideals as was the case in 1953, the year Magsaysay ran and won as president.

“Can we defend it at Plaza Miranda?”

August 10, 2014August 20, 2011 by The Urban Roamer

The title of this entry refers to the famous quote of Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay (whose birthday falls on the month of August as well) whenever a national policy that was to be implemented is something the public would support or not. It was a testament to the importance of Plaza Miranda as the venue for public opinion. But we are getting ahead of ourselves here as it is important to know first the story of this particular spot that has become a national landmark of sorts.

History tells us that Plaza Miranda was named after Jose Sandino y Miranda, the Spanish-era Treasury secretary from 1853-63. While his “claim to fame” is something remotely connected to free speech or even religion, (after all, the famed Quiapo Church/Basilica of the Black Nazarene is located along the plaza) it was something that is usual in the business of naming places, trying to fit a person’s name to a certain place even if the person has nothing to do whatsoever with that place, which otherwise would have been more symbolic.