PHILIPPINES: Manila – Country #105

This is my first time in the Philippines, and Manila is just a way station for my whale shark adventure to come. Hopefully, while I’m here, I can find a red filter for my GoPro camera, try the local cuisine, and see a few of the sights. I have arranged for a five-hour private tour on the day after arrival. That should give me some much-needed information and spare me having to make arrangements for a day.

LUB “D” PHILIPPINES HOSTEL – RESTAURANT

OUTDOOR DINING

TRIBU – The music was terrible. The singers sounded like you threw a couple of cats in a burlap sack and beat it with a broom handle. It was absolutely painful and off key.

ROSE – My tour guide for the day. She and I began our tour on this cute horse and carriage. I was very impressed that she even showed up since her father was in the hospital. Fortunately, he was stabilized so she could go later.

JOSÉ RIZAL RESIDENCE – National hero and dissident writer, José Rizal went down in history for defying the Japanese and dying for speaking out against the empire during WWII.

 

 

 

 

 

HAND-OPERATED AIR-CONDITIONER

 

TOILET TOGETHERNESS – A SLIGHTLY ODD BATHROOM EXPERIENCE

 

 

 

 

 

BAKING MOLDS

ROSE MODELS THE PHILIPPINE SIZED DOORWAY

 

 

 

PICTURESQUE SIDE STREET

DUTERTÉ – THE PHILIPPINES LATEST NIGHTMARE OF A LEADER

 

 

JOSÉ RIZAL – STATUE OF THE PHILIPPINES MOST CELEBRATED WRITER

He was imprisoned for writing controversial articles about the Japanese invaders and was subsequently killed by a Spanish firing squad, following the orders of the Japanese. As tragic as his death was, Rizal was quite the ladies man so he no doubt went to his grave with more conquests than most men have who die of natural causes. He lived hard, died young, and left a nice corpse. Albeit one riddled with bullet holes. At least he lived a full life that stood for something and was filled with meaning. We can all wish for having our lives count for something in the end, and the sooner you come to grasp the reality of your own mortality the sooner you can build a life worth living.

This statue of Rizal is standing in the space where he awaited his sentencing and execution.

These brass footprints indicate the path he followed to a rendezvous with his Spanish firing squad.

A SMALL THEATRE ADJACENT TO HIS JAIL CELL

RIZAL SHRINE

A DEPICTION OF RIZAL WRITING HIS DEFIANT ARTICLES

RIZAL PORTRAIT

MURAL DEPICTING THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO AND ENDING WITH THE EXECUTION OF JOSÉ RIZAL

JOSÉ RIZAL’S EXECUTION BY THE SPANISH

RIZAL WRITES THE ARTICLES THAT WOULD BE THE DEATH OF HIM AND MAKE HIM A NATIONAL HERO

MANTA RAY – THE MAN COULD EVEN DRAW

NOLI ME TANGERE – THE SOCIAL CANCER – HIS MOST FAMOUS BOOK

 

 

 

                                                MANILA FISH MARKET

You can come to this fish market and choose your seafood, and then take it to a nearby restaurant to have it cooked in a variety of ways for a nominal fee.

What’s a good feast without the prawns?

CRABS!!! – This frightening crustacean looks like a pants rabbit that was irradiated in some kind of 50’s B-movie experiment – If you want to get rid of an infestation of these babies you best get yourself a 55-gallon drum of Kwell.

There’s the nice red snapper we chose just before cooking.

The result was very tasty not to mention the large prawns in Sichuan sauce.

 

 

HOTT ASIA BAZAAR – This was an awesome smorgasbord of Philipino and Asian treats.

I made sure to load up on a few skewers before venturing out for the night’s entertainment.

I’M HOTEL – This multi-story 5-star accommodation offers the best view of the city as well as menus that light up.

DON’T MISS THE ILLUMINATED JELLYFISH OVER THE ROOFTOP BAR AS YOU ENTER

THE I’M HOTEL TOWERS OVER THE ST. GILES

 

PLAN B GO-GO BAR – The sort of place to go if you happen to be looking for a little carnal refreshment.

AWESOME FIFTIES DINER – What a fantastic interpretation of a back-home favorite as executed in its interior design as well as its extensive menu filled with favorites of the era. I indulged in a tasty cheeseburger with bacon.

I hung out in the Marilyn room and played pool with a local girl.

GORILLA WITH CHERRY ON THE SIDE

 

 

                                    VENICE PIAZZA MALL

VENICE PIAZZA – Actually the shops weren’t all that impressive.

The atmosphere was pleasant and the restaurants were varied and plentiful.

If you feel inclined you can even take a ride in a gondola. The water is cleaner than the canals of Venice and it’s also less crowded.

 

A LESS SCENIC SHOPPING AREA

JOLLIBEE – THE PHILIPPINES ANSWER TO MCDONALDS – They serve mostly fried chicken.