If you have been to Intramuros these past few days, particularly at the area of Plaza Roma, you may have noticed a unique-looking structure in the plaza that is being visited by a number of people. While one may first look at it as some modern art installation, upon closer look, you will realize it is actually something different.This structure is actually a pop-up library known as The Book Stop.
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Happy Birthday, Heneral Luna!
Today marks the 149th birth anniversary of one of the most colorful personalities in Philippine history, not to mention one of the most renowned Filipino military geniuses, the “Heneral” himself, Antonio Luna. And this year’s commemoration of his birth comes at an interesting time, right at the heels of the unprecedented success of the film “Heneral Luna,” the biographical film based on his life. Thanks in large part to the film, more and more people are becoming more aware of this man, his legacy, and his life’s tragedy. Thus, today the Urban Roamer pays tribute to this man on his natal day, in an urban roaming way that we often do here, as…
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The Case of the Ayuntamiento: A Costly “Restoration”?
Recently, the Urban Roamer came across an interesting news item through one of Facebook groups dealing with Philippine heritage news and issues. The news item was actually part of a series of reports broadcasted on CNN Philippines last February that talked about the “restoration” of the old Ayuntamiento de Manila building to become the new home of the Bureau of the Treasury. It would have been an interesting read, had not it been for the maliciously anti-heritage slant put forth by the report of Fiona Nicolas, which put the restoration as “costly” and that the Php 1.188B spent on this project would have been better spent elsewhere like poverty alleviations,…
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It’s Intramuros Pasyal Sunday Again
It’s been a while since the Urban Roamer checked out the last Intramuros Pasyal Sunday event, the one I last attended was last year. So I’m glad to be back at such an event. Throughout the afternoon until the evening, a portion of Gen. Luna Street was closed off to vehicles as that part of the road became a lively outdoor fair of sorts as various stalls were set up to offer their different wares and goods. There is also al fresco dining, or some street food choices as well if you’re into it. Intramuros Pasyal Sunday is also an opportunity to promote biking as a healthy and green form…