Provoked oddity

(River between Intramuros and border of China town)

(The old City Wall – looking over the new city built around it)

(Mataki area – modernity – a crossroad)

(Painting in the Banana Leaf diner – Rockwell PowerPlant mall)

….of Manila was strikingly addicted…painfully to the point where I want to go back to absorb more, to take it all in..more and again.

A city of big contrast. I could not imagine how the city is shaped although one of my client’s travel pieces touched a few points on travelling to Manila. The article mentioned slightly visiting the Wall, the contract between the new and the old. In fact for me the difference is even more vivid when I was surrounded by the glitter and glamour of the Mataki city – CBD the ‘rich’ financial area of Manila and just across the road comes the ‘slum’ or rundown place where people looks tough, almost macho.

Just like along the river near the Intramuros area – acclaimed colonial area, across from the river is the high rise building from the 80s and on this riverbank, there’s people who called bridges and pavements home. The area is now much for tourist. With just a printed map, I found the way to the Intramuros. First stop the Manila Cathedral – one of the oldest churches in Asia,  around a 400 years old, then the San Agustin – newly painted, built in the 1600s.

(Inside Manila Cathedral)

(Outside Manila church)

(San Agustin – newly painted)

For 1 hour, any visitor can quickly get a quick glance and view the area comfortably on the back of the carriage – with a private tour guide with his horse. For 250peso, approx 5 – 6 USD, for 30min although I would recommend 1 hour then the tour guide can even take you to the China town, it’s a relaxing way to exploring and talk to the local.

And what do you see???? Plenty of history indeed

(This i s uniform for all of them…..old but still have to wear the tourist outfit….)

(A prison turns into trendy cafe – how weird is this?)

(The Sn is shining over presidents generation)

(Colonial artitek blends in with the modern 247 store, classic)

(Dorm for the rich students)

I had 2 nights and 2.5 days for the Xmas weekend. Manila seem to be an odd choice at the beginning. Some of my friends ask why? Well very simple…it was the place both of us have not been to, and as usual we need to get out and relax.Booking a late flight was not such a good idea. But we think it’s ok to splurge a bit during the festive season, after all we dont fly to Manila every month. For the trip, fly with Phil Air costs around 5mill (but if return a few days after 27th, would be much cheaper). So that is that.  Followed an advice by a friend, we stayed at the Intercontinental hotel – an old one in its global network, right on the shopping madness and among all conveniences, only 150USD per night plus breakfast. It’s a good decent deal for 2 and great location. There’s a massive pool in the hotel, 2 cafes, 1 security dogs, and  bunch of security guards.

Location of hotel is great, stepping right outside is the series of shopping mall….next to each other.

(Photo by: Christian Berg)

We arrived on the Christmas evening, so spent the night in the hotel, enjoyed the 40USD buffet and 1 bottle of Cloud Bay NZ White (80USD) in room service. I was not totally happy with the selection, service and food taste of the buffet, compared that to the 40USD in the Saigon Intercon, it was not up to that standard.

(Room size is humble – I guess it’s the standard offer inner city style)

We woke up early around 7am, and tried to get most of the sight-seeing things done. Well…on such a tight schedule we cant afford to snooze for long. Breakfast for the Manila people can include some heavy digest such as garlic fried rice and chicken. They must love chicken to their bones. And there are bones.

Armed with a printed map and well research in advance, we headed to Coconut Palace – built by the infamous Imelda Marcos – the crazy woman who in this age, still sitting in the hotel lounge of the Peninsula, awaiting for her fans and worshiper or any nutty citizen to go pass, witness her shipping tea and paying that extra respect. It’s a big estate but situated near Manila Bay and the waterfront area. The surrounding area is odd….buildings look old like in the 70s, and not being maintained properly. On top of that the residents dont seem to be in tune with the amount of historic buildings crowding their land. Not a particularly proud history where the Film Center rumoured have regular ghosts visits and spirit linger in the Palace area (product of rushing the builders while site was constructed).

We knocked on a big giant gate thinking they might be closed. For 250peso for 2, you got yourself a proper tour. The mansion is huge of course….and most things are made from coconut from furnitures to decorative items. All rooms have balcony facing the water and are guests rooms for the diplomat friends. Marcos bedroom has the biggest bathroom ever, I truly want to see the couple’s original palace with the wardrobe that hold 3,000pairs of shoes, just of the First Lady.

We finished at the palace and caught the taxi back along the Rosa Blvd to the Intramuros area. Swung by China town for Jollibee chicken joy, we then moved on to our shopping activities. For 5 hours we covered 3 big malls – of course that wont even do Manila’s justice of its mega malls fame, before heading to the Landmark building outside Greenbelt 3 for traditional Filipino dinner with 2 friends.

If I may borrow the term my friend used over the dinner conversation. People here live in the pockets of their own. They wont necessary have the need to get out of their comfort zone since they can practically work in one of the high rise, walk along the mall to their apartment, going to the mall for entertainment and shopping need. That is it. Outside of the 10% (of the population) rich citizens are the poorer areas of others, some called it slums. Check out some of the images from photographer Peter Ginter.

Beside the pockets, poverty and corruption dominate the country’s characteristics. Political up-rising and violence can be seen as a norm here where the ‘Columbia’ imagery of an unstable society showcase clearly to each nation citizen. They dont know what to do about it. One hand they are killing each other and anyone can possess gun purchase and license, meanwhile people of the Philippines are so friendly, positive and always smile.

Among such conflicts hence the beauty of the city and the culture. There’s a vast contrast elements of the society, the kind that probably create curiosity, interest and anticipation that I want to come back for more. Next step with a local perhaps.