By manilenya - Last updated: Saturday, June 28, 2008

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.

——————-
Trackbacks:
http://blogcarnival.com/bc/tb_21309.html
http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping
http://blog.ademagnaye.com/2008/05/16/metro-manila-a-survival-guide/trackback/

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By manilenya - Last updated: Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Stop Insanity!

I saw this book while cleaning the computer nook this afternoon and it interest me. Susan Powter, the author of Stop Insanity just smacked me. The book is about weight-loss guide stuffed, not that I need to lose weight but the title itself tapped my brain a little. The two words had roused something confrontational inside me and my inner self.

“Hey! Have you seen the book?” my inner self said to me.

I didn’t reply, instead, I put the book on the dining table where the rest of the books I gathered from the computer nook lie.

“Have you read the title of the book?” my inner self asked me again, she doesn’t want to let go of me. She had made me stand still in front of the pile of books. And the Stop Insanity seems like shouting out loud at me. How I cannot read the title? Oh, I don’t read the title. I heard the title and I keep on hearing him (I just assume it’s a he. I have a lot of she in my life, I have two sisters and no brother, my father is the only male species around the house where I spent all of my life, so this time I want a he)

And he, the book, is shouting at me. Barking at me (or is it Rocky my employer’s dog is barking?) STOP INSANITY! STOP YOUR INSANITY!)

“Oh my GOD! Yeah, so?” I yelled my inner self. I want her to know that I am mad. I want her to go away.

“You’ve been whining a lot.” My inner self uttered a statement, she wasn’t asking at this time. “You’re working, but still whining. I can hear your sob. They are so low but little by little, you’re not noticing the dirge. It all came from your mouth. I saw you a few times going inside the wash room. And there, you were crying. You can’t stop the whining until you cry.”

Stopping. Thank GOD my inner self stopped.

“You’re not insane, are you?” my inner self asked me again.

(Photo source: http://www.bendiciones.com)

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By manilenya - Last updated: Monday, May 12, 2008

How many times I told myself not to read other blogs or just visiting other sites, and I want to add dropping EC before I do my business (which is blog posting)?

I realized by doing those stuff before mine is a cruel thing to do for my blog. I honestly cannot post anything, and I totally put Residual Matters in limbo. First, too much reading of considerable topics on blogosphere drains my mind.

Second, I was affected by the recent email I received from PPP. For the nth time, they rejected me. I took it ruefully that I made this blog a photoblog (for the meantime) without thinking. I must say that I was hurt, especially when I saw this line, “Accepted blogs must contain posts which are written clearly and are easy to understand. Your blog contains a high number of grammatical errors.”

It’s killing me.

It’s over-reacting if I say I am lamenting, but yes I am. You see I am trying hard to do the thing that I am not good at. I know I can write in my native language excellently (yes, I am boasting), but I want to prove that I can write other languages too. Yes, languages because you might see me writing in French, Italian, Korean, or it depends if what language I want to learn. Now I am dreaming.

Continue Reading »

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By manilenya - Last updated: Sunday, April 27, 2008

If only I can start my post with a greeting and an introduction of myself, I will start it that way, but I started it, with “If” so I’ll just proceed to say “Hi! I’m Manilenya!” And I will say “what’s up with you?”

I hope you’ll ask what’s going on with me. Conversely, what am I up to. Though I don`t know if somebody interested to know what`s going on with me, aside from those who were asking me once they see me in Facebook or in my other I’m`s. Moreover, I don`t really know if they really want to know what`s happening to me, or they just want to start the conversation with that question. I hope they really are that interested.

Just like I’m wondering if there is somebody who`s interested reading my blog.

Now that I realized that I`m not into this problogging kind, and I don`t even classified myself as a political blogger (that`s in my other blog and I don`t know why some called me one). And I`m not definitely a writer, though I want to fit in.

I enrolled myself to an online creative writing class but hesitant to continue after submitting my first assignment and a tutor who is a creative writer was assigned to coach me throughout this course.

I want to slip back. I don`t know if I`m afraid or not. And the term “afraid“ scares me a bit more. I supposed this is what I want to do, I considered of writing all my life, and yet I haven`t write anything. All were a piece of paper that ready to be crumpled.

That suffices to say that I am not ready to get starting. I`ve got the hitch that prevented me to think.

Nevertheless, soon I hope I get over it.

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By manilenya - Last updated: Friday, April 4, 2008

Yesterday I was loaded with words that continue running on my mind. While my body was busy cleaning the whole house my mind was busy too constructing ideas which are mostly for my blog entry. That is how my everyday life evolves, my physique is doing the errands and my mind is creating some text that I can hardly remember when the time that I need to post it.

Sometimes I think of keeping a paper and a pen in my pocket so that I can write every detail that is flowing inside my brain. I remember how a Singaporean author wrote his entire book; it was at the tail of the bus during his ride to home after office hours.

But me writing in between chores is not advisable. I don’t want to lose a job,  and that, I am sure.

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By manilenya - Last updated: Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Sabi ko gusto ko ng pagbabago, ibinalita ko na sa pamilya ko na dahil sa laking syudad ako, gusto kong bumalik sa syudad. Naranasan kong limang araw na walang trabaho at naging nakakabato yung limang araw na iyon. Hindi ko magawang lakarin ulit yung madalas kong lakaran sa tuwing lumalabas ako. Nakakasawa na rin yung pabalik-balik ko sa mga maliliit na shopping mall na pinupuntahan ko. Wala rin akong nakikitang bago.

Sabi ko nga sa kapatid ko minsan habang naglalakad ako, isip lang ako ng isip sa gitna ng makakapal na yelo. Pero minsan din wala na kong naiisip. Basta lakad ng lakad na para bang naglalakad sa ulap habang nakasukbit ang mga kamay sa loob ng bulsa ng jacket. O kaya nama’y hinihipan ang mga kamay sa sobrang lamig. Maya-maya napapansin ko nakatapak na pala ang snow boots ko sa yelo na malambot, biglang bagsak na ang boots ko sa tubig. Para bang eksena sa mga Korean novela na ginawa ng winter.

Sabay tawa siya. Alam na alam niya yun dahil fan siya ng mga Korean novela. Marami pang napagkwentuhan na hindi ko na matandaan, akala ko pa man din may photographic memory ako.

Tinanong niya kung may mga kaibigan na ba ako rito, sabi niya baka mawala ang pagkabagot ko kung mayroon nga. Sabi ko wala.

Sabi niya pa paano daw ako magkakaroon ng kaibigan e masyado daw akong unsociable. May split personality ako sabat ko sa kanya. Mahilig akong mag-isa pero kaya kong maki-indayog sa gulo ng iba.

Ang gusto ko lang naman e magkaroon ng konting sigla ang buhay ko dito. Pwede akong lumabas mag-isa, pumunta sa isang maingay na lugar tutal naman iyon ang nakasanayan ko..ang maingay na lugar, pagkatapos pupunta ako sa isang sulok at bubuksan ko ang pahina ng librong binabasa ko. O kaya naman maglakad-lakad (pa rin), pwedeng bitbit bitbit ang pipitsugin kong camera at kukuhanan ng litrato ang mga paa ng mga kasabay kong naglalakad sa kalsada. Nakita ko ang Yonge St. sa Toronto, ang sarap magkukuha ng larawan doon.

Gusto kong iexplore ang syudad, pero minsan nagtatanong ako kung gusto ko nga ba talaga o naimpluwensyahan lang ako ng binabasa kong libro?

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By manilenya - Last updated: Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Sa syudad ako pinanganak. Kung itatanong mo kung saang syudad, taas noo kong sasabihing “doon sa malapit sa malabundok na basura.” Doon kung saan nakilala yung mga sputnik at sigue-sigue gang na nagpapalitan ng taga, sumpak at pana.

Lupa ang kinamulatan kong tinutuntungan ng paa ko. May mangilan-ngilang puno akong kinakapitan, habang sa isip ko ay kumakanta ako. Palagay ko ay mga kantang kundiman na napapanood ko sa mga lumang pelikula sa tanghali. Mga pelikulang magkasabay naming pinapanood ng aking lola. At sa harap ko naman ay ang mga bangka na nakahimpil sa gilid ng mga lambak ng basura.

Iyong lambak ng basura, ilog sana iyon pero hindi na makita.

Ibayo ang tawag namin sa mga nakahilerang bahay sa tapat pagkalagpas ng ilog. Malinaw pa ang itsura ng mga reta-retasong plywood na ginawang bahay. May mga mala kurtinang mga sako na siyang ginawang pantabing sa pintuan.

Habang lumalaki ako, kasabay ng pagtigas ng mga lambak ng basura sa ilog hindi pa rin mapagkit sa isip ko ang itsura ng mga kabahayan sa ibayo. Sa pagdagdag ng mga panahon, iniisip ko kung ano ba ang nabago. Nabawasan ba ang ang mga retaso ng plywood? Bakit parang nag-iba ang bintana. Uy mukhang babagsak na ang kabilang bahay.

Naalala ko tuloy noong una kong napanood yung pelikulang Insiyang ni Hilda Koronel. Tuwang-tuwa ako dahil sa halos lahat ng lakaran nyang iskinita ay alam ko. Ultimong yung binibilihan ko ng mga kendi ay naging tambayan ng mga karakter ng pelikula.

At iyon rin ang naging batayan ko para ikumpara ang itsura ng kinalakihan kong lugar noon at ngayon (yung ngayon ay nung mga panahong napapansin ko na yung malaking pagbabago)

Noon ko naisip na inevitable ang pagbabago. Na kahit na ano pang gusto kong pananatili na sa iba’y nakasusulasok ng lupang pinanggalingan ko ay hindi pwedeng mangyari yun.

At ngayon sa sarili ko, nararamdaman ko na mayroong isang depenidong pagbabagong naglalaro sa isip ko. Hindi ko lang alam kung kakayanin kong gawin. Pero desidido ako dahil gusto ko ng pagbabago.

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By manilenya - Last updated: Wednesday, February 6, 2008

One of the questions I get from the interview that was never used by the blogger/student of UP (yes after two nights of spending on the 17 Question for her Media Ethics class, she didn’t get the chance to use my answers. I want to ask the GOD of Blogging why, but I don’t know who GOD of blogging is. Anyone who has a big heart, tell me please!!!) is my opinion on the latest craze that the blogger is now dancing which is problogging or doing a paid post.

I sometime singing this line “everybody’s doing a brand new dance now” by my favorite Kylie Minogue

Continue Reading »

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By manilenya - Last updated: Thursday, January 10, 2008

While everybody here doing their routine brisk walking, I did my long sluggish walk in purpose after posting my lunatic moment. I know that I don’t have to push myself that Monday afternoon, which was my day off anyway.

It was 7 degrees and drizzly, the drizzle had cleared up the snow of the past days and that made my walk safe.

I left the house leaving all the negative thoughts I had in mind during that past few days and one of those is the pressure I’ve got in blogging and that is making money or not. Well, that sound so trivial but in any case you don’t know I am really in needing of money, who does not need it anyway?

The road was smoggy and there are sidewalks that flowed with water due from rainfalls, for that I told myself that water overflow happens anywhere.

Snow was still everywhere but the weather seemed fine; I remember I even removed my coat leaving my sweatshirt alone. No gloves and hat I walked farther. And it is nice to walk without anything in mind. Even my feet tread without knowing where to go, my mind will advise them where anyhow.

My carefree mood continued inside the Shoppers Drug Mart as I saw the The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella, I grabbed it from the shelf and bought it without dilly dallying. The story is so light, I know it will relieve me from any anxiety I was feeling for quite sometime now.

And after that day, I decided …….Nothing. I was in my blithe mood remember?

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By manilenya - Last updated: Wednesday, January 2, 2008

I got this in my inbox two hours ago, an email from Alex Myers of Winghill Writing School.

Melai,
You are a brave girl to write in a language that is not your mother tongue. Despite this, your work is passionate and clear and forceful. I thought you did a fine job.I have attached a copy of the review.

Alex

Through google search I found out that she is also the Director of (quality of course).

THE REVIEW

The review she was pertaining to was the free writing evaluation which I made two days ago and I was actually waiting for this result for two days.

My text:

This is actually hard for me, writing a simple topic using English language since I am not accustomed to use this in my everyday life. I am currently administering my own blog in Filipino language as a medium, well because I know that I am better in this lingo. Blogging completes my everyday activity. After work you would definitely find me in front of my computer, checking and replying some blog comments and of course, hits for the day. I must say that writing is my passion. I want to write and blogging gives me the indication that I can write. But I have a problem. I cannot dare to say that I can really write. That’s why I am here asking for your advice. Should I pursue writing? Do you think I have future in this? Right now writing online is the best thing that I know that will boost my moral. I want the world to know what’s inside me. To recognize the talent I know I am having. Agree or disagrees every time I give my opinion in every issue. I want to write my experiences as an individual and give stories to every photograph I want to presents. I didn’t expect that these 250 words are quite long, would that affects on how you guys will assess me? I hope not. But you know what? I certainly become conscious with the advice I received from an online friend just a few weeks ago. FOCUS! With this Free Writing Evaluation I think I did one thing which I am lacking every time I want to start writing in English. And for that I thank you.

Alex’s Review:

Melai, I really sympathise with all that you say here. You write very well despite the fact that it is clear that English is not your first language. Yes, there are some grammar mistakes in your text and some difficulties of language structure but you still manage to allow the important things to shine though. You have indeed focussed your efforts in the best way on producing real emotion, on communicating your passion for writing and for “touching” so many people. Please do continue your writing work in English. Your skills will continue to improve and the subtlety with which you express yourself will improve too. I am full of admiration for how well you communicate in a language that is not your first. Well done.

After reading the review I checked my texts again and I am convince that I really have to work on my grammar and language structure.

I am starting to love this. Especially when somebody expert is there to assist me in my mediocrity.

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By manilenya - Last updated: Tuesday, January 1, 2008

It started with the one motivation and that is to join the many bloggers who monetizes their blogs, that’s why I tried to sign up with the one renowned website that helps the bloggers bring in some bucks thru blogging.

But to my dismay this website have to reject my application because I am not blogging in English, and that caused me a little offended.

However, I got to realize that no sponsors will be convinced that their product will sell in a non-English sponsored entry so I mellowed.

That shoves me to make this blog in fact.

Other than that I have no idea that I am going to be fond of this. I am so used to writing in Filipino because that is my native tongue. I know how to dance with the words and give expressions even with the punctuation marks. I tried to post an entry in English once, twice or thrice but it didn’t appeal to me. After I catches sight of my wrong grammars I decided I will stick on writing in Filipino.

Strange but here I am again, making English entries and to make it really strange I firmed to continue this blog not just simply for monetizing but to develop my writing skills per se.

I expect I`m on the right track.

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By manilenya - Last updated: Monday, December 31, 2007

Today is different from my usual Internet life. I didn’t spend time on blogging/bloghopping. I am so eager to improve my English writing whether it’s just a simple journal or developing the creative side of me. I did check some creative writing online class but to my disappointment I have to get my own credit card before I can enroll in the class.

I hope that when possible, the credit card company I’ve been waiting at will approve my application.

I so want this.

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