Philippine Holiday 2018: Manila, A City That Never Sleeps

After an àlmost 14 hour flight, I with my family arrived in the Philippines last Saturday, 10:15 in the morning. From Amsterdam, we have only a thirty minute stop over in Hongkong. From the coldest days back home, we are now enjoying the tropical weather. We first stayed in Manila for two days and two nights, have the chance to see a very good friend of mine, as well as my former boss in Citibank years ago, before me and my husband met. We stayed in Princeton Residences in Quezon City, a condominium with two bedrooms, a living room, toilet, and bathroom. At the 7th floor, there is a not so big swimming pool that all guests must pay 150 pesos each. We stayed at the 23 floor. From our room window, I admire the view. The view of Manila on daytime, as well as the Manila on night-time. The lights, the glitters. I have some photos that I want to share. Photos of Manila. Manila, a city that never sleeps.

Philippine Holiday 2017: At Citystate Tower Hotel

When we are in Manila, we have two staying options, depends on room availability. Our first option is in Lotus Garden Hotel, the second is the City State Tower. Both are located in Mabini, places knows as the tourist belt in Manila. On our recent holiday, we stayed at City State Tower. We stayed there for a total of seven days. The hotel is good. The mini bar in the room is off, empty. They have nice rooms, but their towels, bed sheets, and linens are already very old. So far, I still enjoyed our stay there. The management, staff, and crew are friendly, polite, and accommodating. I as well enjoy their free buffet breakfast for all registered guests, an eat all you can buffet breakfast. Every morning, I am always looking forward their Filipino breakfast. On the ground floor, there is a bar-restaurant owned by a very famous Filipino folk singer, Freddie Aguilar. There are performers every night. I brought home some photos to share with my blog readers. 

our room key card

free buffet breakfast 

the grand stair at the lobby

grand ceiling

our favorite on their menu: mango smoothie

a common Filipino breakfast: pandesal

the jam rack with a heart :)

                                           

my empty plate, that fish is called "tinapa"

this is free for all registered guests

                                     

time to go home again.

                                             

Philippine Holiday 2017: Today In The Metro

Metro Manila, the city with favorable and unfavorable remarks.

This morning at the flashy Megamall Department Store

H

Street foods being sold under the MRT Station in Ortigas

A sidewalk vendor in front of the Philippine General Hospital 

Yesterday, my son was so engrossed to watch the bumper to bumper traffic.

At the old Dimasalang Avenue

We are now back in Manila. Today, I went out alone to pick up my new Philippine passport. After we eat breakfast, I headed to the Department of Foreign Affairs- NCR East Office, in Megamall. From the hotel in Malate where we are staying, I took two rides at the Metro Rail Transit to get there.
I have lived in the Netherlands for four years now, I never expected that for such a little time, there are many changes in Metro Manila. Twice that I asked a policeman because I got lost! There are many high rise residence buildings, the new Metro Rail Transit route, and many commuters are busy with their big cell phone. I would say that the Philippines continue progressing. Because the value of Philippine Peso is doing good, my husband remarks that the Philippines gets expensive.
But in a short time that I roamed around the Metro, it is however easy to distinguish the barrier towards real progressive life, the people who scattered everywhere that look like they are drowning in poverty. I have some photos that I love to share again. It was like a nostalgia to see places that for me is... As familiar as of my breathing, of my heartbeat.

Philippine Holiday 2017: Day 1

After an almost 17 hour flight from Amsterdam to Taipei then to Manila, I am glad and thankful that we landed safe last night. My first day in the Philippines was busy. I woke up late after an almost one day of no sleep.

Jij

With my husband and son, we went at the Megamall for the renewal of my Philippine passport. I am allowed to have a dual citizenship, and I like it. While I was waiting for my cue at the Department Of Foreign Affairs, I saw some reminders posted in the wall that makes me grinning inside. Hahaha! For image capture it says: smile no teeth. While waiting, I started to practice how to smile without baring my teeth! Hahaha! Then another poster says: for image capture: no eyeglass, no heavy make-up, no fake eyelashes.

This evening, I am also glad to meet again my beloved friend, ma'am Aurea who lives just nearby at the place where we are staying. Since I miss eating Filipino food/dishes, ma'am Aurea cooked and brought me bangus (milkfish) sinigang sa miso. It was very delicious, we both enjoyed our dinner together.
From where we are staying, I recall many memories. It is nice to see places that are familiar to me. When we have coffee at the French Baker, the classic Kenny G. serenades us, just like my old good days. When we were at the Megamall, I saw some of my favorite shops/stores when I was still living here in the Philippines, like The Fabric Warehouse, Booksale, Papemelroti, and Netopia.

When we returned to our accommodation, we took the MRT. It was my son's first ride at the MRT. It was a busy first day. We will go to bed and sleep now. Tomorrow, my family will pick us up and we will head to the coast. Where we will spend some few weeks with my family. I love to share some photos I made in Manila through my iPhone. I hope you will enjoy viewing them. Goodnight.

Four Places, Few Reasons Why I Always Love Manila

Jose Rizal Monument, Luneta 

Our next holiday in the Philippines is now set and well-planned. I am excited to see my country again, especially my family. I was born in Quezon City, the former capital of the Philippines, but as a whole, by heart, I am a proud Manila girl. Wherever life could take me, I always love the sight, the life and the smell of this notorious city.

Manila is the capital of the Philippines and founded by Spanish conquistador, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi on June 24, 1571. The Spanish rule of Manila and the entire archipelago lasted for over three hundred years. The Spaniards left a strong influence in the Philippines. Foods, traditions, and religion. My maiden surname is San Jose, a real Spanish root.

dining at Gumbos, Manila.

Since the time that I moved in the Netherlands because I got married to a Dutchman, every year, we have a holiday in the Philippines. We usually stay in Manila for a few days upon arrival and before flying back to the Netherlands.
In this blog, are four of my favorite places and reasons why I always love Manila. I will share with you four of the places in Manila that you might wish to visit one day, for fun and to experience.

me and my husband at Luneta

Rizal Park or Luneta. Luneta is one of the urban largest parks in Asia. It was built to commemorate the executed Filipino nationalist, Jose Rizal who is also the national hero of our country. It is a very big park with flower gardens and giant fountain. During Christman season, this park is very crowded and the giant fountain is a sight to behold because of its colorful dancing lights at night. For fun, they say that Luneta is also "a meeting place for Inday" and her boyfriend on her day off. Inday refer for Pinays who work as a household helper for a rich family in the Philippines.

riding in kalesa to Intramuros, with our friend from Alaska

Intramuros. Intramuros is a Spanish old town at the heart of Manila. Because of hundred years Spanish colonies in the Philippines, you will still see in Intramuros schools and churches built and designed with solid Spanish influence. When you are in Intramuros, it seems hard to believe that you are in an Asian land.

when in Manila, jeepney ride is a must

Manila Chinatown

                                     

dry fish vendor (I love dry fish)

                                   

picture, picture! They are strangers that befriended us in Chinatown

vegetable vendors

a familiar place. I remember my happy Citibank days, Binondo

Chinatown. From the hotel where we are staying, me and my husband took a jeepney going to Chinatown. Tourists call it Chinatown, for me this place is Binondo. In very narrow cluttered streets, people are going and doing business. I see some people napping, eating, and even taking a bath. I have heard that in Chinatown there are many pickpockets, but I know there are also many pickpockets in Paris. For Filipinos, Chinatown is one of the center of cheap merchandise.

fishing at Baywalk

dinner in Manila

my parents and my Dutch family, Manila

my Dutch family, refueling :)

Manila Bay or Baywalk. Manila Bay is on Roxas Boulevard. This place is only a walking distance from Lotus Garden Hotel where we always stay. Manila Bay is for me a romantic place. I have fond memories here with my husband, walking holding hands, smiling and greeting to some strangers, a decent place to see a very beautiful sunset. There are ice cream carts with tunes, sometimes "kalembang", the sound is so unique and special to my ears, it brings a lot of happy childhood memories.

back in Manila, now as a family

overlooking, Roxas Boulevard

the very beautiful sunset in Manila Bay

One woman posted on the Internet about Manila and I want to quote it: "Manila is not a world class city, but what makes Manila bearable is the people." It is heartwarming to read and to hear such nice comment about my place of origin. Manila is now one of the most densely populated city in the world. Yes, for many people, Manila is dirty, smelly, crowded, populated. Only my heart tells: I keep coming back to you, Manila. I hope my photos will tell you why I always love Manila.