Today marks another commemoration of the martyrdom of the Philippines’ national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. And being the country’s national hero, you can never escape his name and image almost everywhere you go, from the streets you traverse to the matches you use. Then again, he is THE national hero so there’s not much one can do about that. That principle will also apply whenever we come to see him standing in front of some town plaza or municipal/city/provincial hall in his trademark long black overcoat and, sometimes, holding a book or two on his chest as if he was about to sing the National Anthem. This particular monument of…
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a little Christmas Day post
Like this giant Christmas tree at the Araneta Center (the biggest in the country as they claim) may this Yuletide season be filled with the brightness of hope and joy in each and every one of you, in spite of the tragedies and sorrows that came our way. Maligayang Pasko sa inyo!
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Christmas in the city: the moving Christmas displays
It was 52 Christmases ago when a small department store located along Rizal Avenue in Manila thought of a creative gimmick to entice prospective shoppers to go to their store. Without much funds to do advertisements on print and radio, Alex Rosario thought of putting up a belly dancer plaster doll which was fitted to the motor of an electric fan to make it move. It became a hit for his department store known as Manila C.O.D. Who would have thought that this simple marketing strategy would be the beginning of what would become a well-loved Christmas tradition? Who would have foreseen that it would soon evolve into a tradition…
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Christmas in the city: the Christmas spectacle at Policarpio St.
As part of this year’s Christmas in the city 2009 series, the Urban Roamer takes you to one of the most famous streets in the metropolis during this season. Located within the vicinity of Barangay New Zaniga in Mandaluyong City, is a street known as F. Policarpio. I have yet to find out who exactly is F. Policarpio but I can surmise he’s some Mandaluyong politician or some prominent figure there. While it looks just like any other middle-class neighboorhood typical here in the metropolis, this neighborhood shows a different face every Yuletide season. A face some may find too flamboyant or extravagant. But hey, it’s the Christmas season…