Going postal at the Post Office Building

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liwasan

Here in this part of Manila called Lawton, or Liwasang Bonifacio as it’s officially called nowadays, you simply cannot miss this imposing edifice proudly standing along the banks of the River Pasig.

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Yes, I’m referring to the grand old Manila Central Post Office Building, the head office of the Philippine Postal Corporation who is the by itself sadly one of the few remaining landmarks of American-influenced neo-Classical architecture in the country. Having risen after a devastating war and an in the midst of an ever-changing (and sadly deteriorating) landscape that Manila experienced over the years, it’s good to know that the Post Office Building is still standing proud and has somehow retained the grandiose architecture as it was originally envisioned.

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Roaming at the Feast of the Black Nazarene

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New Year’s celebrations aside, the first big feast/spectacle of the year this urban landscape looks forward to s the feast of the Black Nazarene held in the chaotic but colorful district of Quiapo right in the heart of the City of Manila. Without a doubt, it is Manila’s pride as far as festivities are concerned, in the same manner as Sinulog is to Cebu City and Kadayawan is to Davao City, to name a few.

What makes the feast of the Black Nazarene stand out from many other feasts in the country is that it is not the usual feast filled with dancers with colorful costumes and “Ati-Atihan” rip-offs. Rather, it proudly shows off a city’s “spiritual” side that’s unlike any other. While the “spirituality” of the feast itself is subject for debate, there’s no doubt that the devotion to the Black Nazarene is something that has already become embedded in the psyche and culture among many Filipinos, regardless of class and age.

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the most awkward-looking Rizal ever

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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 Rizal however, takes the cake for having a “unique” representation of him.

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a little Christmas Day post

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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!