Rediscovering Manila
A new friend who just flew in from China requested for a tour of Manila. Juan Carlos is originally from El Salvador and Canada, but who is now based in China. He just flew in Saturday night for a one-week vacation from the harsh winter in China. Besides, it was the week of the Chinese New Year!
Touring a foreigner through Manila was a challenge to me since I am not too familiar with Manila in the first place! Embarrassing, but true! Of course, I knew where Quiapo Church was, but it had been years since I went there. Same with Intramuros, Fort Santiago, and Luneta Park. It would be like the blind leading the blind, I kept saying. But then, I also knew it would be so easy to take a cab in case we got lost anyway! I was also not too comfortable going to Manila since I didn’t think it was a safe place to be in, especially with a foreigner! But then, no guts, no glory! So figured we just had to be alert and keep our eyes open and we’d be okay. Decided not to pass off this adventure. We were all set to do ala-Amazing Race! :)
So after an early lunch, proceeded first to Adriatico (mainly for some errands), then passed thru Robinson’s Place manila. We were on a mission to find a silver cross pendant. Mission accomplished! (Though we originally planned to buy one at Quaipo, found one at Silverworks which was pretty nice, and not too expensive so bought one there on a whim).
Off to the LRT (which was surprisingly not too crowded). Got off at the Bambang station and headed for Bambang market for some UK clothes (“ukay-ukay” to the un-initiated). It was my first time to go there, and my friend was able to buy 4 shorts all at only 50 – 80 pesos each. Branded pa, mind you, and some even still had their tags on! Walked around some more hoping to buy something for the kids, but no luck!
Hailed a tricycle and JC was not too sure about riding it. Told him to think of this as the tuk-tuk. Next ride was on a jeep, which JC had called a mini-bus first time he saw it at the airport. :)
Next stop was the Quaipo church to see the Black Nazarene. But we were so hungry by that time, that we opted to lunch at Goldilocks in Carriedo first for some delicious Filipino food. JC has fallen in love with Filipino food, but only the ‘healthy’ ones – lechon, sisig, crispy pata, sinigang na baboy, and chicharon! Ha ha ha! :D He also liked leche flan and Red Horse Beer. :) He didn’t want to try balut and dinuguan. He he he.. At Goldilocks, we had the caldereta, daing na bangus, binagoongang baboy, lumpiang ubod and mounds of rice. Dessert was leche flan again. And the food was delish! Yum yum!
Feeling full from that hearty lunch, we went back to Quiapo Church and prayed, prayed, prayed. And since it was JC’s first time there, told him about our belief that if it’s your first time to be in a church, you should pray and make a wish. One wish each for the world, your country, your family and yourself.
Outside the church, pointed out the “herbalists”, and those hawking religious items and what-have-yous. Bought lottery tickets from a little old lady who said she’d pray for me to win the jackpot (5M). Couldn’t say no to the little old lady, and bought 5 tickets.
The fortune tellers were next. JC couldn’t resist not having his fortune told, just for fun we said. One fortune teller had the chutzpah to tell us he was the VIP among the group as he was psychic. so we figured, what the heck, then went for it! He was surprisingly accurate with his ‘guesses’ about JC, telling him about his past, and ‘guessing’ that he had plans of putting up a business here in the Philippines. (Later on, JC did admit that he was seriously considering putting up a business here, as well as in China, and this was something that he didn’t tell us earlier). The fortune teller also guessed correctly that JC had always been successful in the business ventures he put up in the past. Health, career, and love life were also ‘guessed’ correctly. What we just didn’t buy about the whole thing was when he was prodding us to buy 15 wishing candles (at Php 70 each, mind you!) so that he could pray for JC’s protection, as there were those who were jealous of him and wishing him harm. We thought that was BS! But of course, we didn’t say it then! We just said we’ll think about it. Next up, JC then prodded me to also have my fortune told. Ok, end of story. :)
Now we were ready for the ‘seedy’ side of Manila. Off we went through the Quiapo underpass and scoured for pirated DVDs for JC to bring back home. It was dirty, with papers scattered everywhere! Makes me wonder how long before these people get a visit from “pirate-busters” of government. Anyway… Then we walked to the Ille de Tulle (“ilalim ng tulay” ;-> ) to look at the handicrafts.
By this time, we were weary from all the walking, and sweaty from being under the sun, and decided to take a cab. Pointed out the Post Office building, Manila City Hall, and the different universities in the area. Asked the cab driver to give us a ‘taxi’ tour of Intramuros, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, and Luneta. We stopped, and JC got off the cab to take pictures while I stayed in the comforts of the airconditioned cab. He he he…
Last stop was Harrison Plaza, not for a tour, but just for a caffeine fix as we were both so sleepy and tired. Seattle’s Best stop, then off again, to go back to Dan’s place in Pasay. It was so funny, coz when Dan saw us, he could tell we were so pooped! So nice to finally put up our feet on the sofa and rest!
All in all, it was a pretty fun and exciting adventure, not just for JC but for me as well. I had a chance to rediscover the ‘real’ Manila, and not just the malls, and Baywalk which I’ve visited in the past. Carriedo was sooo crowded even if it was a weekday, mainly because of the people who were scurrying around to buy things in preparation for the Chinese New Year! We also got a chance to watch 4 different dragon dances and if this was an indication of our luck for this new Lunar year, we’re thinking we’re in for a good, if not better, year!
This tour has also reaffirmed my belief that people are basically good. All throughout the day, even when we were in crowded places, there was no pushing, and people were generally polite. People smiled at us, and were ever so helpful to give us directions. (Yes, I asked for directions countless of times! Unlike most men I know, women are not afraid/ashamed/embarrassed to ask for directions noh! :) ) Another thing I noticed, there were police everywhere and that honestly, made me feel a lot safer about going around Manila.
Am more confident now about going back to Manila. For JC, it was really an adventure of a lifetime. For me, it was a re-discovery of the “authentic” Manila, and not just the airconditioned, sanitized malls. Next time someone asks, I’ll be more than happy to give another tour. :)
Touring a foreigner through Manila was a challenge to me since I am not too familiar with Manila in the first place! Embarrassing, but true! Of course, I knew where Quiapo Church was, but it had been years since I went there. Same with Intramuros, Fort Santiago, and Luneta Park. It would be like the blind leading the blind, I kept saying. But then, I also knew it would be so easy to take a cab in case we got lost anyway! I was also not too comfortable going to Manila since I didn’t think it was a safe place to be in, especially with a foreigner! But then, no guts, no glory! So figured we just had to be alert and keep our eyes open and we’d be okay. Decided not to pass off this adventure. We were all set to do ala-Amazing Race! :)
So after an early lunch, proceeded first to Adriatico (mainly for some errands), then passed thru Robinson’s Place manila. We were on a mission to find a silver cross pendant. Mission accomplished! (Though we originally planned to buy one at Quaipo, found one at Silverworks which was pretty nice, and not too expensive so bought one there on a whim).
Off to the LRT (which was surprisingly not too crowded). Got off at the Bambang station and headed for Bambang market for some UK clothes (“ukay-ukay” to the un-initiated). It was my first time to go there, and my friend was able to buy 4 shorts all at only 50 – 80 pesos each. Branded pa, mind you, and some even still had their tags on! Walked around some more hoping to buy something for the kids, but no luck!
Hailed a tricycle and JC was not too sure about riding it. Told him to think of this as the tuk-tuk. Next ride was on a jeep, which JC had called a mini-bus first time he saw it at the airport. :)
Next stop was the Quaipo church to see the Black Nazarene. But we were so hungry by that time, that we opted to lunch at Goldilocks in Carriedo first for some delicious Filipino food. JC has fallen in love with Filipino food, but only the ‘healthy’ ones – lechon, sisig, crispy pata, sinigang na baboy, and chicharon! Ha ha ha! :D He also liked leche flan and Red Horse Beer. :) He didn’t want to try balut and dinuguan. He he he.. At Goldilocks, we had the caldereta, daing na bangus, binagoongang baboy, lumpiang ubod and mounds of rice. Dessert was leche flan again. And the food was delish! Yum yum!
Feeling full from that hearty lunch, we went back to Quiapo Church and prayed, prayed, prayed. And since it was JC’s first time there, told him about our belief that if it’s your first time to be in a church, you should pray and make a wish. One wish each for the world, your country, your family and yourself.
Outside the church, pointed out the “herbalists”, and those hawking religious items and what-have-yous. Bought lottery tickets from a little old lady who said she’d pray for me to win the jackpot (5M). Couldn’t say no to the little old lady, and bought 5 tickets.
The fortune tellers were next. JC couldn’t resist not having his fortune told, just for fun we said. One fortune teller had the chutzpah to tell us he was the VIP among the group as he was psychic. so we figured, what the heck, then went for it! He was surprisingly accurate with his ‘guesses’ about JC, telling him about his past, and ‘guessing’ that he had plans of putting up a business here in the Philippines. (Later on, JC did admit that he was seriously considering putting up a business here, as well as in China, and this was something that he didn’t tell us earlier). The fortune teller also guessed correctly that JC had always been successful in the business ventures he put up in the past. Health, career, and love life were also ‘guessed’ correctly. What we just didn’t buy about the whole thing was when he was prodding us to buy 15 wishing candles (at Php 70 each, mind you!) so that he could pray for JC’s protection, as there were those who were jealous of him and wishing him harm. We thought that was BS! But of course, we didn’t say it then! We just said we’ll think about it. Next up, JC then prodded me to also have my fortune told. Ok, end of story. :)
Now we were ready for the ‘seedy’ side of Manila. Off we went through the Quiapo underpass and scoured for pirated DVDs for JC to bring back home. It was dirty, with papers scattered everywhere! Makes me wonder how long before these people get a visit from “pirate-busters” of government. Anyway… Then we walked to the Ille de Tulle (“ilalim ng tulay” ;-> ) to look at the handicrafts.
By this time, we were weary from all the walking, and sweaty from being under the sun, and decided to take a cab. Pointed out the Post Office building, Manila City Hall, and the different universities in the area. Asked the cab driver to give us a ‘taxi’ tour of Intramuros, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, and Luneta. We stopped, and JC got off the cab to take pictures while I stayed in the comforts of the airconditioned cab. He he he…
Last stop was Harrison Plaza, not for a tour, but just for a caffeine fix as we were both so sleepy and tired. Seattle’s Best stop, then off again, to go back to Dan’s place in Pasay. It was so funny, coz when Dan saw us, he could tell we were so pooped! So nice to finally put up our feet on the sofa and rest!
All in all, it was a pretty fun and exciting adventure, not just for JC but for me as well. I had a chance to rediscover the ‘real’ Manila, and not just the malls, and Baywalk which I’ve visited in the past. Carriedo was sooo crowded even if it was a weekday, mainly because of the people who were scurrying around to buy things in preparation for the Chinese New Year! We also got a chance to watch 4 different dragon dances and if this was an indication of our luck for this new Lunar year, we’re thinking we’re in for a good, if not better, year!
This tour has also reaffirmed my belief that people are basically good. All throughout the day, even when we were in crowded places, there was no pushing, and people were generally polite. People smiled at us, and were ever so helpful to give us directions. (Yes, I asked for directions countless of times! Unlike most men I know, women are not afraid/ashamed/embarrassed to ask for directions noh! :) ) Another thing I noticed, there were police everywhere and that honestly, made me feel a lot safer about going around Manila.
Am more confident now about going back to Manila. For JC, it was really an adventure of a lifetime. For me, it was a re-discovery of the “authentic” Manila, and not just the airconditioned, sanitized malls. Next time someone asks, I’ll be more than happy to give another tour. :)
posted by shy @ 11:36 AM
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