It used to be called “The Pearl of the Orient.”
Some even mentioned that it’s like the Paris of the East. Sometimes I’d like to agree. The streets and the old architectures around this city reminds me of the City of Lights. I even read from other Filipino bloggers who’ve been to France, that Paris reminds them of Quiapo. And yes, I imagine it that way. Sometimes.
Manila’s rich history made it what it is today. Imagine being colonized by the Spaniards, Americans and Japanese- it is an international city within itself. Sadly though, we Filipinos didn’t make the best out of it. We even make it worse for our own misery. Which makes it really sad.
The facade of the oldest University in Asia, University of Santo Tomas which was founded during Spanish colonization.
Such a nice feeling walking around the pebble streets surrounding UST
The National Museum of the Philippines
Inside Rizal Park, which is the National Park of the country
A street within what is called the University Belt. This is one of the busiest district in town, having around 10 Colleges and Universities in a very compact area
Divisoria, another busy part of the City, where one would go if they want to buy anything cheap.
Amazing how something as brittle as a fishnet can separate the toys of the rich from the poor
Residential area along Road 10, where most illegal settlers have found their homes. This is a major highway by the way
A woman taking a bath along a National Road. For everyone to witness.
I hate Manila. The traffic. The trucks. The overpopulated residential area. The air and noise pollution. I hate Tondo area where the poorest of the the poor have been living. I hate its present condition.
But I love it. I love its history. I love the culture within and around it. I love the parks. I love running along Roxas Boulevard. And I love thinking that one day, maybe one day, it will become again what it’s been before.
