Federalism and Metro Manila – Part 1

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In the coming weeks and months, the discussions to amend the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines will go full force. These amendments, if passed by the constituent assembly and ratified by the people, will mean a radical transformation of the way things are being run in the country.

One of these key amendments is the shift from a unitary form of government to a federal form of government. This means that the traditional highly-centralized powers based in Metro Manila will be devolved as the different regions of the country will have more say with regards to their respective development.

With that said, the question being asked is what and how will Metro Manila benefit from federalism. What does Metro Manila stand to gain from it, if any? Let this post provide some insight to these questions as we look at the metropolis’ own problems that not many people realize it has.

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The Urban Roamer’s Featured in a Calendar…Sort of

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Happy New Year! I hope the holiday season was a season of blessings and fulfillment for you all!

And with your kind indulgence, allow the Urban Roamer to share some piece of exciting news to kick off 2018.

And that is…the Urban Roamer is being featured in a calendar!

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The Army and Navy Club Transformed: A Peek Inside Rizal Park Hotel

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The Urban Roamer has talked about the Army and Navy Club a number of times now, bearing witness to its sorry state, a then-unknown future, and its renaissance-in-progress. And after years of work, the Army and Navy Club reopened recently, this time as a new hotel near Rizal Park named, Rizal Park Hotel.

The hotel actually opened back in July this year though from what I understand, there are still some parts of the hotel that are yet to be finished. But it is seeing a good flurry of activity since its opening, despite the competition from nearby hotels, most notably the other historic hotel named after the park area, and the Grand Dame located a few meters across it.

Going back to the topic at hand, a visit to this storied hotel and how it looks now is long overdue. And taking advantage of the Christmas festivities going around Rizal Park at this time of year, it figures it is time to revisit the Army and Navy Club and how it is faring in its iteration as the Rizal Park Hotel.

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