The Urban Roamer

the park at Salcedo Village

August 3, 2014August 14, 2011 by The Urban Roamer

First things first, Salcedo Village is not an actual village filled with residences, except perhaps for some high-rise condominium residences scattered throughout the area. It’s known more as a business address, where companies like Shell, Chinabank, RCBC, and PhilamLife to name a few; schools like the Lyceum Law School and Ateneo de Manila Professional Schools; and embassies like the Saudi and German embassies are located.

In the midst of the busy character of this area, it’s interesting and good to note that at the heart of Salcedo Village a wide green space known as the Salcedo Park, or, officially, the Jaime C. Velasquez Park, one of those who helped develop Salcedo Village and the Makati Business District as a whole to what it is today.

the quiet sentinels of Makati

August 3, 2014August 5, 2011 by The Urban Roamer

The stretch of Makati Avenue in the busy commercial business district of Makati is an interesting sight by itself, not much because of the tall buildings along this road, but of the 3 monuments that gives this part of the city a distinct flavor, not to mention a reminder of what Philippine heroism is all about.

They also share a common history: all 3 were erected in 1972, a project of the Ayala Corporation in, for which sculptor Jose Mendoza was hired to do the work.

Punta and the Iglesia Ni Cristo

July 25, 2014July 27, 2011 by The Urban Roamer

To those who happened to have read my previous roaming adventure in Punta, I mentioned this particular landmark well-preserved in its pre-war glory. I wasn’t able to further check it out the last time. Thankfully I got to correspond with the landmark’s curator, who was able to arrange a schedule for a visit to see what’s inside.

This is the Iglesia Ni Cristo Museum at Punta, which was the first formal place of worship for the Philippine Christian group the Iglesia Ni Cristo. (INC) While, the structure itself was built in 1937, there was already a deep connection between the INC and Punta, going way back to the establishment of the INC in July 1914 by its founder Felix Manalo, (after whom the narrow street along the museum was named after)

revisiting the Manila Zoo

August 3, 2014July 20, 2011 by The Urban Roamer

Ever since it first opened its doors in July 1959, (making it 52 years old this year) Manila Zoo has become a well-loved landmark in this side of the city. If you were born or raised in this metropolis of Manila, chances are you’ve been to this place at least once in your life. Speaking from my personal recollections, I remember my visits there as I got to see various animals, as well as close encounters like me feeding the giraffe once.

For its time, Manila Zoo was considered the best zoo experience in this part of the city, with the amenities and the variety of animals found there. I guess I was lucky to have experienced those Manila Zoo visits as a kid when it was still a “top” destination to go to. But as work and other things took priority as I grew up, my visits have become less frequent.