People's Power Monument, Manila - Courtesy www.edu-tourph.com
People’s Power Day is recognized as a day of social and political endorsement when Manila revisits its faith in solidarity. Perhaps no where else but in Manila can the people celebrate the occasion with as much fervor as they celebrate other events representing social, religious and communal beliefs.
The bloodless People Power Revolution of February 27, 1986 ending a despotic 20-year rule is a much celebrated event in Manila. Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in Manila becomes a hot spot each year on February 25 to commemorate People’s Power Day.
This commemoration of the bloodless uprising, better known as People Power Revolution starts with a Mass. Such ritualistic beginnings are followed by a program of speeches and performances at the nearby People Power Monument. It is a sight to behold the mass of Filipinos congregating in a show of strength.
Former leaders head these festivities just as they led and inspired the people that defied the infamous tyrannical regime. Known as “the revolution that surprised the world”, this mass mobilization of Filipinos occurs with much gusto and a show of solidarity.
People once again take to the streets of Manila to remember and re-dedicate themselves, led on by the inspirational speeches and performances. Manila well known for its jovial spirit and festivities is not averse to celebrating social or communal facets of its people. Traditional festivities like ushering in the New Year or the new harvesting season are occasions that attract tourists from across the world.
This is yet another singular aspect projected in Manila that adds to its cultural richness. Its a great time for remembrances of things past as also a perfect time to coincide your visit to beautiful Manila.
Jewels of Manila
Manila. Maynila. Metro Manila. I experimented the name whimsically several times to myself to get familiar to the phonetic resonance of this far-off place that had captured my imagination for quite some time. Doing Manila had been on my to-do-list ever since the aquamarine waters and emerald islands had caught my imagination in the travel magazine sitting patiently on my bureau. Time was passing by and I had to live my turquoise dream.
The nila in Manila is actually Sanskrit for blue and perhaps the indigo business of yore has something to do with it, I guess. With my itinerary set it was a comforting thought that I would generally be around the Roxas Boulevard that overlooks Manila Bay, close to the districts of Ermita and Malate. The International Airport just thirty minutes away from my hotel, sounded good to me, just as much as the fact that English is the lingua franca! I had bookings and other reservations done through Downtown Manila hotel site to make sure I would be on familiar ground. Even so I memorized the phrase – Hain iton… or where is, always to be rewarded by a friendly finger pointing in the right direction.
The City of Manila is the chief seaport in Philippines and the Port of Manila is an important base in South East Asia. Metropolitan Manila is located on Manila Bay in the South China Sea with the Pasig River flowing through it. Manila is as modern as any contemporary city with a past that has a unique history – three centuries of Spanish rule thats evident to this day! The main roads of the Metro are organized around a set of radial and circumferential roads that radiate and circle in and around Manila proper. Roxas Boulevard, the best known street here lines the southern shores of Manila with Manila Bay.
There’s nothing quite like watching the sky turn from blue to orange to pink to purple, with the sea reflecting all the hues, that I get to see from my hotel room. A stroll down the bay walk will have you marveling this everyday vision that people enjoy here. Manila has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and great cultural diversity. This openness is mirrored in the freedom of worship that allows the diverse population to follow their religious inclinations. And so you have Christian churches, Buddhist temples, Jewish synagogues, Hindu temples, Sikh Gurudwaras and Islamic mosques.
The city is filled with museums, shops, parks and churches, plus a nightlife that remains lively until the wee hours. I started with the popular walled area called Intramuros, that had been the capital during Spanish times. Intramuros retains some old dungeons and gunpowder rooms but has ingeniously added art galleries and theaters. This area is most magical in the afternoon light, when taking a leisurely tour on foot can be a very rewarding experience. More so, if you get aboard the old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage that appears very romantic.
As I moved about I discovered that Philippines has large unexplored destinations. It appears to be an ideal place for those wanting to avoid the mass tourism of other over-hyped resorts. Here I found unspoilt terrain lapped by the tropical waters of the warm and clear South China Sea. I was happy that I made it here before it all became maddeningly popular and crowded.
The islands are home to beautiful and undamaged coral formations with incredible marine life. The inland areas have dramatic landscapes of rainforest and mountainous regions housing rich varied wildlife. Philippines has a rich culture and the people here are very hospitable and incredibly welcoming. Although the rich poor divide is fairly obvious, even so the bustling atmosphere fascinates visitors.
There are colorful, vibrant markets, parks, bars and restaurants in Manila. While here, I got into the habit of starting my day with Chinese breakfast consisting of congee – rice porridge soup and dimsum. Very fulfilling indeed! I was glad of the many affordable restaurants and bakeries around as also the fruit vendors offering fresh fruits. However it was the Indian strip near the Sikh temple that allowed me to sample some of the best lamb curry I had ever tasted. The savory dish had me scouring the place for the aromatic spices on sale here.
A trip to Manila is quite incomplete without visiting some of the lovely islands located near by. Boracay boasts of sparkling white beaches, and is one of the best spots for sailing, wind surfing and snorkeling. Cebu island has historic significance with Fort San Pedro and the Santo Nino Church from the 16th century, and Magellan’s cross standing tall in testimony to the Spanish conquest. The Mindoro Islands with extensive sugar cane plantations and forests are noted for their white beaches and crystal clear water and multi-hued coral reefs. A popular diving spot is near Puerto Galera on the northern coast.
However for the best diving spots in the Philippines, one should head for El Nido on Palawan Island. Apart from good diving sites, a visit to the St. Paul Subterranean National Park is an amazing experience with its underground river, that is actually a long meandering network of caves. Also on my itinerary were the Chocolate Hills on Bohol Island, that got the name due to the fact that the perfectly rounded hills look like large chocolate drops in summer. Pangalo Island nearby has good resorts and beaches, while Bantayan Island with its untouched beaches is a better choice for loners.
If you’ve heard of the pithy saying that when life hands you lemons you learn to make lemonade, it has never been truer than in the case of Philippines. It has started a new trend Volcano tourism. The hottest tourist destination in Luzon are the eco-tourism groups visiting the devastation around Mt Pinatubo. Actually it is the Mayon volcano thats more beautiful but it still has minor eruptions. So be warned! Yet the hiking and camping in green forests is great and there are tourist places near the volcano itself. It makes for a great story to carry back home that you actually climbed up a volcano!
Modern day Manila faithfully retains pockets of its colonial past. The rich tapestry is clearly evident through the 16th century monuments and Churches and the museums reminding you of its Spanish influences. But what really amazed me were the Jeepneys, the most popular means of public transport in the Philippines. Originally US military jeeps left over from World War II, they are now dashingly decorated to run helter skelter with overflowing passengers. They can leave you aghast but I really found them symbolic of present day Philippine culture.
Nothing is cheaper than shopping in the Divisoria Malls. Here you will find everything imaginable at incredibly low prices. Although you should be prepared for big crowds and the occasional pickpocket. Days-end are best enjoyed on the streets of Manila. I would often hit the local streets and restaurants at Malate. For a taste of some local flavor nothing like mingling on the streets. Life is Short! Traveling, meeting people and enjoying experiences on the road enhances a trip like nothing else. Go for it – Manila gives you a splendid time – both the hustle and bustle of a city and the tranquility of the Islands. Maraming Salamat! Thank you Manila.
