50 Shades: Manila, The Philippines!

Manila changed the game for me! A welcoming yet berserk city that I've found myself visiting twice, I'll always have time for the Philippine capital! With my second visit to the city wrapped up, I wanted to take a walk down memory lane to narrate some of my highlights from my initial visit to Manila. From Intramuros to the Pasig River, first time round I captured a true snapshot! 

A visit to Manila had been on the cards for a long time, I had decided that with that China location reinstated, I needed to just book those damn tickets! I had made a friend for life from the Philippines, that was whilst I worked at New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport, USA during 2012, Valerie showed me kindness, a true quality of the Filipino. I knew that Manila would need at least three days on the ground, I didn't want a guide because I had several places that I knew I'd stick close to during the day time. If it wasn't 'Makati' or 'BGC', night-time antics would be limited because I was getting used to the spice that Manila served up to me! Manila didn't play but she had a heart at the same time, I gave myself grace because it was like a different ball game being there for real! Ermita would be my base, a part of town that would take me back just ten months after that February 2024 visit! Yes, I made it to the Philippines twice in one year, it's currently an overseas record! Manila had my heart, it brought me back to life! Sige!

Arriving into Manila felt like no other arrival I had ever experienced before, it was like an assault on my senses in the best possible way! Ermita put the cat amongst the pigeons because it was real, that underrated part of Manila would become my playground during the second visit. I didn't know much about 'Dr. José Rizal' but with 'Rizal Park' located around the corner from my hotel, I was able to understand why that Philippine flag was placed where it was. I learned the harrowing details of his final moments, he had become a hero for every Filipino person and had stoked the flames against Spanish Colonial Rule. I rated 'Dr. Rizal' because he didn't fight with his fists, he was an intellecual and had paid the price for being the voice against such an oppressive and dark period for the Philippines. It was a lesson, the more I walked around that impressive Manila park, the more I wanted to know about 'Rizal!' Facing the 'Japanese Garden', I headed towards my next spot. My first official day in Manila really saw me learning a lot! Tara! 

During those 2020 Lockdown moments, I looked towards spending an afternoon within Manila's impressive 'Intramuros' walled city. I knew that I would make those steps into that former 'Colonial Corner' a reality and in February 2024, I made it happen! Jeepney's passed me by and the one that was parked near the 'Ayuntamiento de Manila' gave me a very 'Spanish/American' crossover, it was defimtiely giving what I imagined 'Old Havana' to give with those vintage cars. 'Manila Cathedral' was the first ever religious site for me to visit during that first day in Manila, I would learn fast that there's always money for a opulently decorated church! I walked further into the maze of cobbled streets within Manila's Intramuros, it was hard to imagine how such a 'European' feeling settlement existed near to the South China Sea. I loved that it was a Sunday, there was a real vibe of celebration in the air as I walked through a small 'Baryo' section. Seeing a 'Sare Sare' store in person was amazing, I felt culture all around! 

Founded by Spanish conquistador 'Miguel López de Legazpi' in 1571, 'Intramuros' became the founding part of Manila within the realms of the Spanish Empire. I already knew that with Manila Bay and the Pasig River surrounding parts of Intramuros, those European powers would do anything to set up camp within their fortified stone enclave. Meaning 'within the walls', it was said that the areas outside were known as 'Extramuros' meaning 'outside the walls'. I loved those period buildings and one in particular impressed me much, being 'Casa Manila'. That replica house really showed me how a noble family would have lived during the height of Manila's Spanish Rule. 'San Agustin Church' was gorgeous, it was evident the Tita's loved taking selfies for Jesus! The ice cream I had was delicious! 'Baluarte de San Diego' was imposing but gave me a showstopping juxtapose of old and new in one snapshot! My morning and afternoon had showed me a lot, I needed to cool down with an ice cold 'Halo Halo!' Manila educated me, I listened so!

Manila made me want to pray! I found out that Catholicism is key during my first visit to Manila and I was fine with that! Heading over to Chinatown after my 'Videoke Bar' experience, I needed some divine intervention and more to get through that day! Taking the LRT from United Nations to Carriedo was fine, those streets served technicolour Realness by the truck load! I brushed shoulders with Binondo's finest, that part of Manila showed me the oldest Chinatown in the world! Dating back to 1594, those Chinese traders made Spanish controlled Manila their home in the 'Extramuros' part of town! I educated myself to know that the Spanish built Binondo Church to convert the local non-Filipino population because the Chinese people's lack of Jesus seemed to give the Spanish the fear, big time! I was able to take a breather from the blazing sunshine inside Binondo Church, another figure of Mary served a perfectly styled outfit and human looking head of hear! I needed Jesus in my life! Maybe the delirium was just hunger, B?

Lunch needed to be something that wasn't 'Chow King', sure that previous serving of 'Pancit Canton' was greasy and tasteless! I searched high and low for a respectable place to eat some local Chinese food. I appreciated the noodles and the spring rolls, I didn't mind that the food wasn't exactly what I was looking for because I was much too hungry to care! Now, I was naive to believe that every street child was truly homeless because now I know about the certain shady business that told me a different story. Nevertheless, in that moment I had my strategic leftovers packed away for me to give to a street child, I did my good deed as I felt that I had. After filling up on some delicious Filipino Chinese food, I made my way back through Chinatown through those streets that had led me from Carriedo LRT Station. I made my way back over Jones Bridge, making my way closer to my Ermita base. Now, I had loved staying in Ermita because it gave me something very 'down to earth' to experience. Done with the day in Binondo, I wanted to rest! 

The seeds had been planted for my return to Manila even before I had left for Palawan, I knew that Manila's 'Malacañang Palace' needed to be visited after reservations had been made to visit. My final full day spent in Manila felt bittersweet because I was really sad to leave but I knew that a comeback visit would be possible, I made it happen! Heading out earlier, I chose to embrace Manila's Pasig River, well to the best of my ability because that presidential location was off limits. I headed towards Intramuros where I found 'Plaza Mexico', clocking the 'IV Centenario de la Expedición Marítima' planted another seed in my head! I wanted to see the similarities that both the Philippines and Mexico share, that monument ensured that idea of a future summer holiday to Mexico would happen. Taking the 'Pasig River Ferry' from 'Quinta' to 'Lawton' to meet with Manila's 'Arroceros Forest Park'. That's where I left that part of Manila behind me, good and proper I say! Grab Taxi was about to take me into a very different part of town! Yes, M!

The Grab Taxi driver took me further away from Intramuros and the Pasig River, I was in-search of the 'Manila North Cemetery'. I secretly wanted to see how people had made those tombstones and graveyards their home, it was ingenious how they had become that enterprising in the face of homelessness! Discreetly, I was able to take a photo or two even though I had been warned not to, if people lived beside the dead, my photo was fine to be captured. Now, I wanted to eat Lechon before I departed Manila for Palawan, I headed for 'Ping Ping's'. Located around the corner from the cemetery I knew the food would be worth the energy. Visiting 'Universidad De Santo Tomás' was interesting because guests aren't allowed on the premises but I snuck in to take my photo, props to Dr. Rizal's place of study! Leche Flan needed to be enjoyed, I scouted down that Google referred location! Another early night was much needed, Manila saw me do the most! Manila was shady but I loved every second of that capital city, it was love! Mahal kita! 

I'll Be Back Soon! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure