Claire Danes called it a “ghastly and weird city”. Dan Brown fictionalized it as the “gates of hell”. I’m pretty sure I’ve read more than ten foreign tourists say worse things about Manila.
As a former city dweller for 25 years, I can understand where the nasty comments stem from. The country’s capital can be a matter of acquired taste. Much of it is in bad state of disparage, but despite the endless traffic, the sheer signs of poverty and wear, the petrol and dust-heavy air, and the ubiquitous overpopulation, it’s a city that’s also brimming with rare gems. At least for those who dare to dig deeper.
Here are snapshots of those redeeming Manila qualities, from my lens to yours.
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| Two rounds for P50. Not bad for a party of 1.5. |
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| Intramuros building. Kempt and refurbished. |
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| Fort Santiago. Kingly. Wowed me from here till Friday. |
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| View of Pasig River atop the Fort walls. |
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| Chopped off shot. Sorry about that. Still pretty though. Manila Cathedral. |
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| A datu fronting Malate Church. |
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| SM MOA Eye at dusk. |
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| Malate Catholic Church. Beautifully old, never ragged. |
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| Killer Sunset. San Miguel By The Bay along MOA strip. |
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| St. Pancratius Chapel, Paco. I wanted to get married here once too. |
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| Binondo Church. |
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| Manila City Hall watch tower. |
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| Christmasy evening at Mall of Asia. |
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| Memorial at Caloocan Rotonda. Snapshot taken during a train ride. |
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| Busy bees. Bluewave Complex. |
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| Beautiful. Malate Church. |
