I find vandalism usually annoying, but I was intrigued by this scribble I saw on a Greenhills parking lot pillar:

(Click to enlarge.)

It looks like a cross between a dragon and a platypus… I wonder what the vandal/artist had in mind when he drew this.

I love eating but I’m not a very big fan of dining out. Because of the prohibitive cost of eating out in Manila, I’d rather eat meals that are home-cooked, either by me or my brother who’s a far better cook than I am. Last weekend, he cooked up a superb pasta dish which, according to him, he just imagined in his head. I don’t know how true his claim is. But what I do know is that his Spicy Manila Spaghetti could beat the crap out of gourmet pasta dishes you’d find in restaurants. And that for a little less than 150 pesos that feeds 4 hungry people and then some.
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i went to st. lukes last friday night to visit a friend and while inside the car going back home to makati, i was telling my partner about this blog and about my blog when i saw this signage…

i didn’t know we have this here! only in the philippines!

for those who are interested, it is located at valencia street going to new manila from greenhills (ortigas ave. ext) it’s along the row of gilmore townhouses.

I took this picture of Manila Bay 2 years ago. I was driving past it during a very hot afternoon in Manila and was mesmerized by the view. I took a picture of it and viola! A picture-perfect Manila Bay.

Many people thought this was a wallpaper of some sort from the computer and they were astonished upon learning that it was Manila Bay.

This got me into thinking that Manila Bay could be saved after all. I know it takes time but when I look at this picture, it gives me a sign of hope that someday, Manila Bay would shine once more.

P.S. I only used a low-end camera phone hence the pixelated image.

i manage a division of the only high-end department store here in manila and i wonder how come i often hear that filipinos don’t have money anymore. everyday, i see people buying exclusive and expensive items from our store.

don’t we really have the money anymore? yes, i know that there are many financially challenged families here in our country that’s why maybe there’s an increase of crime rates everytime christmas is around. but i don’t think it’s proper that we say that filipinos are poor…i guess it’s more proper to say that the gap between the poor and the rich in our country is wide rather than saying in general that filipinos are poor. if you’re gonna think about it, how come almost everyone has a cellphone? it’s not a necessity to have but how come everyone has? what do you think?

Completed in 1935, to the design of eminent Filipino architect Juan Arellano, this supreme example of art deco architecture was once Manila’s focal venue for performances ranging from vaudeville to opera. It fell into disuse in the 1960s, was meticulously restored in the following decade, but has once again fallen into disrepair. But even in the building’s present state, it is still possible to admire such art deco gems as the bronze statues of female figures placed along the top of the facade.

The Metropolitan Theather Manila used to be the Asia’s finest theather…

After the World War II

Images are ’stolen’ from buddy Pong Ignacio and his friends. (Sorry; didn’t know who took which.)

For everything indie, or beatnik, or rock, there’s Big Sky Mind. Hiding in a corner along E. Rodriguez Avenue, New Manila (right across McDonald’s), this music bar is the perfect place for rockers and rollers, for artists and dilettantes, for drinkers and dabblers.
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(Click on pic to enlarge.)

It’s taking every amount of energy to prevent my OC-ness from grabbing a red marker and do a little “curve” correction here. I pass by this sign every morning!

Before you get to excited on the title, let me clarify that I am pertaining to the weather. Is it just me or did manila just got hotter?

You could notice that during daytime, the sun is glaring hot and the heat it radiates reminds you of beaches and swimming pools. Come night time, the heat turns into the never-ending pour of the rain making the streets of manila a “waterworld” of some sort.

What to do in this kind of weather? Simple! Be Prepared! Bringing a jacket and umbrella during this weather would be helpful. These items would certainly be useful when it rains during the night. When going to work or leaving during day time, wear comfortable clothes that would make you well, at least at ease with the heat.

Remember that the weather in the Metro is very unpredictable and the only way to avoid troubles with the weather is being prepared.

Image from: flickr

i’ve been an official blogger here for more than 3 weeks and i don’t really know if i posted something that really comes from the heart. anyway, i’ve been frequenting singapore for the past year, going in and out for about 4 times this year and i’ve met a lot of foreigners living there. everytime we get to talk, they always ask me what’s the difference between singapore and manila. i always tell them that singapore is much much much in order compared to our city and then they ask me, how come i’m still living here in manila; and i don’t know how to react.
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