Before August became known lately as the month of the Aquinos, (being the month when Benigno Aquino Jr., and his wife Corazon, the former president died) this month has been identified mainly as the month of the first president of the US-sponsored Commonwealth government, the“father of the Philippine national language”, and the “father of Quezon City” Manuel Quezon whose birth and death fall on the same month. (being born on the 1st and died on the 19th) As such, it is but fitting that we dedicate this entry to this feisty character and his contribution to the urban landscape we know today. For all the things, good or ill, that…
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That 70’s Bistro Show
We’ve roamed along streets, buildings, monuments to name a few. Today, allow this roamer to take you somewhere different this time…where one can rock his heart out. So I found myself one night at the famed 70’s Bistro bar along Anonas St. in Project 2, Quezon City. For one thing, you might find the location a bit far off from the more “commercial” part of Anonas St., particularly the area near the corner of Aurora Blvd., not to mention the place looking “out of place” in a surrounding that is mostly residential in nature. But being an “institution” in itself that has established its footing throughout its almost 20-year existence,…
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the “other” mansions of the President
We all know that Malacañang is the house associated with the President of the Philippines, but who would have known that the President, or to be more specific, the Office of the President, maintains a number of other houses (some of them function today as guesthouses) around the area of the district of San Miguel in Manila? The probably most renowned and has figured in the news recently is the Laperal Mansion or the Arlegui Guest House. Located along Arlegui St. just a few walks away from the Malacañang grounds itself, the closest among the houses to the Palace.
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Malacañang from outside the gates
For a place as powerful and rich in history as Malacañang, it is somehow frustrating how much limited access an ordinary citizen has in visiting this place. While the restrictions are understandable given the importance of securing the country’s seat of power, it would have been nice if perhaps there can be some occasions when at least some more leeway can be given for citizens to get to see a bit more of Malacañang and the treasures the Palace holds.