Philippine Blog Carnival: Manila, Oh My Manila

Welcome to the June edition of the Philippine Blog Carnival and since our theme is about the famous and historical city of Manila, capital of the Philippines, let’s kick things off with some lyrics from a little-known, yet profound song about the city by Pinoy folk rock artist Noel Cabangon:

Sirasirang lansangan,
Hikaing mga sasakyan
Sa gabi’t araw na digmaan
Makapal na usok ang iniiwan
Mga tulay na marupok, gusaling nabubulok
Ilog na di na umaagos, puno ng basura’t alikabok
Ikaw lamang wala nang iba
Sa dibdib mo ipipikit ang mata
Tahanan ng aking kamusmusan
Maynila

Just like the song paints a mixed, contrasting picture of Manila, five Pinoy bloggers have also did the same in their own unique way. Using their blogs as a canvass, they too painted a picture of a city that is more than just a city. It’s a place where almost everything about the Philippines and Filipinos, their history, past and present collide, their stories and memories intertwined, and their future continuing to be built as each time the sun rises in the East and sets at Manila Bay in the West.

We step back into the ‘golden years’ of Manila thanks to Panaderos of A Man of My Town whom in a two-part blog series dissects two classic film documentaries about Manila back when she was crowned “Queen City of the Pacific”. In A Beautiful City Gone Forever – Manila of the 1930s (Part 1) Panaderos takes us on a virtual tour of the Manila from its famous harbors and some historic landmarks like the original site of the Bilibid Prison before it moved to its present location at Muntinlupa and Hospicio de San Jose Orphanage which “has occupied its current location at the Isla de Convalescencia right off of the Ayala Bridge in Quiapo, Manila since 1810.”

In A Beautiful City Gone Forever – Manila of the 1930s (Part 2) he again dissects another classic film documentary by a travel film producer named Andre de la Varre (1902-1989) as part of his “The Screen Traveler” series made back in 1938. It focuses on the colorful histories of more famous buildings that have made Manila’s architectural heritage splendid. He reminds us that what connects the Jones Bridge, the former Legislative and Post Office Buildings is that they were designed by legendary Filipino architect Juan Marcos de Guzman Arellano (or simply “Juan Arellano”).

Following a similar tone, this time from the experiences that built the memories of his beloved grandfather, a full-blooded Filipino, Pinay MegaMom shares stories of old Manila as a place for learning and romance and of pursuing that American dream. What’s more engaging and another historical gem, are the striking similarities of Manila and the American city of Chicago’s city plan and layout. Coincidence? It’s again rooted in our historical ties with the United States for it was a famous American city planner and architect that was responsible how Chicago and Manila is today; Daniel Burnham. All of these and more could found at Grandpa’s Manila.

Still continuing with our trip down Manila’s history, we thank Filipina Soul for giving a closer look at one of the most iconic landmarks of Manila, the “city within a city” the Fortress of Intramuros. Long before the Americans arrived and brought the industrial era of the West, the Spanish colonizers have landed three centuries earlier and shared classical Western civilization to our ancestors the walled city of Intramuros could be considered the epitome of that legacy.

All these historical treasures and legacies may have inspired the traveler in you to plan a trip to Manila in the very near future. Fret not for Chris has come up with a brilliant and comprehensive guide on what it costs to live in modern-day Manila, even including some tips on bargain-hunting and getting the most out of your buck. All of these in a neat Cost of Living Chart – Philippines (in Peso, Dollar and Euro) posted at nomad4ever.

Now that we know about the sites and landmarks of Manila and even the costs of staying in the city, knowing how to survive in this concrete jungle in the Southeast would be a must. I just don’t know if we should be thankful or not, but to wrap up this edition of the Philippine Blog Carnival; here’s Noisy noisy Man Ade Magnaye and his time-tested, ninja-proof and Chuck Norris-approved
>Metro Manila: A Survival Guide.

There you have it, “Manila, My Manila” from five Pinoy bloggers gracing this edition of the Philippine Blog Carnival. A million thanks to Filipina Soul for helping out in re-opening this project, to WordPress Philippines for the support, to Panaderos, Chris, Pinay MegaMom, again Filipina Soul and Ade Magnaye for participating and for me (of course) for hosting this round of the Philippine Blog Carnival.

See you all soon, and more, again in July for the next edition of the Philippine Blog Carnival.

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