The City of Manila - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 19

Sinjin P.

March 26th, 2007, 01:18 PM

Manila, My Manila: Tradition and Modernity X

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http://www.aenet.org/philip/manila1818.jpg The City of Manila occupies a unique position in Philippine political geography, for it is both a chartered city, and also it fulfills the functions of a province for the four cities and thirteen municipalities composing its metropolitan area. But then, Manila has always been an exceptional case, defying just about every political formula devised to govern other towns, cities and provinces. It has required special laws and governmental systems to rule it, practically from the beginning of the Spanish rule of the Philippines in the 16th Century up to the present.

Manila City proper is bounded on the north by Navotas and Caloocan City, on the northeast by Quezon City and San Juan del Monte, on the southeast by Mandaluyong and Makati, and on the south by Pasay City. It faces beautiful Manila Bay to the west.

A relatively new development is the incorporation of all the cities and municipalities comprising the Manila metropolitan area into one unit--a "mega-city"--called "Metro Manila." It is governed as one unit by a governor, who coordinates its functions and services through the various city and municipal officials, very much like a provincial governor rules many towns. And yet, the component cities, provinces and municipalities retain their previous jurisdictions. Metro Manila is comprised of the cities of Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan City and Pasay City, and the municipalities of Navotas, Malabon, Valenzuela (in Bulacan province), Marikina, Pasig, Mandaluyong, San Juan del Monte, Makati, Pateros, Taguig (Tagig), Paranaque, Las Pinas and Muntinglupa.

Manila derived its name from two Tagalog words; "may," meaning "there is," and "nilad," the name of a shrub that originally grew abundantly along the shores of the Pasig River and Manila Bay. Long before the Spanish conquest, Manila was settled by Mohammedans, who carried on a thriving trade with Chinese and other Southeast Asian merchants. "Maynilad" was the principal bay settlement of these Tagalogs south of the Pasig River, although it was probably less important commercially than Tondo, the town on the north bank.

Manila was first visited by Spaniards in 1570. Governor-General Legazpi, searching for a suitable place to establish his capital after being compelled to move from Cebu to Panay by Portugese pirates, and hearing of the existence of a prosperous Mohammedan community in Luzon, sent an expedition under Martin de Goiti to discover its location and potentials. De Goiti anchored at Cavite, and tried to establish his authority peaceably by sending a message of friendship to Maynilad. Rajah Soliman, then its ruler, was willing to befriend the Spaniards, but would not submit to Spanish sovereignity peaceably.

Naturally, this was unsatisfactory to the Spanish commander, so after he secured equipment and reinforcements, he attacked Maynilad in June of 1570. He captured it after a stout fight, and having formally taken possession of the city in the name of the King of Spain, he returned to Panay.

The next year, in 1571, the Spaniards returned, this time led by Governor-General Legazpi himself. Seeing them approach, the natives set fire to the town, levelling it to the ground, while the people fled to Tondo and neighboring towns.

After occupying the remains of Maynilad on June 19, 1591, and commencing the construction of a fort there, Legazpi made overtures of friendship to Rajah Lakandula of Tondo, which this time were prudently accepted. Soliman, however, refused to submit to the Spaniards, despite the wise counsel of Lakandula, whose aid Soliman solicited in an effort to expel the invaders. Failing to get Lakandula's support, as well as that of the Pampangans and Pangasinans, Soliman gathered together a considerable force of Tagalog warriors, and attacked the Spaniards in a decisive battle at the town of Bangcusay. There the Filipinos were defeated, and Soliman himself was killed.

With the destruction of Soliman's army, and the friendly interventions of Rajah Lakandula, the Spaniards were enabled to establish their authority throughout the city and its adjacent settlemnts, and soon several Christian missions were established.

Eventually, Roman Catholic missions, parishes and schools were established by nearly every religious order to come to the Philippines. The first priests were Augustinians and secular priests, followed by Franciscans, Jesuits, Dominicans and Augustinian Recollects, with many other orders following in later centuries.

The rule of the Spanish conquerers of the "City of Soliman" was full of dangers, since the people were opposed to foreign sovereignty. Consequently, the city was frequently the scene of serious disturbances. The Chinese, angered by the loss of free trade, the commercial restrictions placed by the untrusting Spanish upon them, and the laws forcing them to pay tribute to Spain, made several efforts to destroy the Spaniards.

The first of these Chinese revolts occurred in 1574, when a force of some 3,000 men and 62 Chinese warships under the command of Limahong attacked the city. This attenpt proved fruitless, the Chinese being defeated with heavy losses. As a safeguard against similar uprisings later, the Chinese residents and merchants of Manila were confined to a separate district, called "Parian de Alcaceria."

However, this precaution was not totally effective, for at various times in the following century, the Chinese rose in revolt. In 1602, they set fire to Quiapo and Tondo, and for a time threatened to capture Intramuros. In 1662, they again revolted, while in 1686, a conspiracy led by Tingco plotted to kill all the Spaniards. It is no surprise, then, to learn that at various times during the Spanish era, the Chinese were expelled (or decrees were made to that effect) from Manila and from the entire country. Later reconciliations nearly always permitted the continuation of the Chinese community in the city, however.

In 1595, Manila was decreed to be the capital of the Archipelago, although it had already in fact served that function practically from its founding in 1571. Besides being Spain's pre-eminent city in the Philippines, and dominant over other provincial capitals, it was itself a provincial capital over a province whose territory at one time covered nearly all of Luzon, and included the modern territorial subdivisions of Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Mindoro, Masbate and Marinduque. Later, these subdivisions were themselves made provinces, leaving Manila province with a territory roughly equal to the present City of Manila proper (except Intramuras, the capital site), and the northwestern two-thirds of Rizal province. The boundary of Manila province went from northeast to southwest, including Antipolo, Cainta, Taytay and Taguig, and all of the towns north and west of them, in Manila province; and Angono, Teresa, Morong, and the towns south and east of them, in Laguna province. Early in the province's history, the provincial name was changed fran Manila to "Tondo" province, by which it was known for most of the Spanish era.

In 1762, during the "Seven Years' War," the British occupied Manila, remaining in the city until 1764. The fleeing Spaniards destroyed many of the records, and in the sack of the town by the British, many historical documents of great value were destroyed or stolen from the archives.

In about 1853, four pueblos or towns of Tondo province were joined with the northeastern towns of Laguna province to form the politico-military "Distrito de los Montes de San Mateo," or District of the San Mateo Mountains. Tondo province annexed to this new district the towns of Cainta, Taytay, Antipolo and Boso-boso, while Laguna contributed the towns of Angono, Binangonan, Cardona, Morong, Baras, Tanay, Pililla and Jalajala. But the name of the new district proved unwieldy, too long, and misled many into thinking the town of San Mateo (in Tondo province) was the capital of the San Mateo Mountain District, when in reality the district capital was in Morong. So, in about 1859, following common practice of the day, the district was renamed after its capital; namely, Morong District. At about the same time, Tondo Province was renamed Manila Province.

Being the traditional seat of education and liberal thinking in the Philippines, Manila was a rich field for anti-Spanish propaganda. But outwardly it remained quiet until July 7, 1892, when the secret revolutionary organization devoted to the overthrow of Spanish rule of the country, called the Katipunan, was organized in Manila's suburb, Tondo. Although initial skirmishes between the Filipinos and Spanish were brief and nearly always lost by the Filipinos, the movement grew until open rebellion broke out in 1896, with the Spaniards losing the Philippines to the combined Filipino-American forces in 1898. But Spain ceded the country only to the Americans, who exerted their control militarily, defeating the Filipinos in the "Mock Battle" of Manila on August 13, 1898. Thereafter, the Americans pursued the retreating Filipino forces province by province, until General Emilio Aguinaldo (then president of the Republic) surrendered in Palanan, Isabela, on March 23, 1901. Manila continued under an American military government until civil government was established for the city on July 31, 1901.

Along with the establishment of the civil government, the Philippine Commission dissolved the former province of Manila, and merged its pueblos with those of the District of Morong, forming the new province of Rizal. Afew weeks later, the Philippine Commission provided for a new charter for the city of Manila, defining its boundaries, and thus annexing some of Rizal Province's towns to the city as districts. These boundaries were slightly revised and redefined on January 29, 1902, when the suburb of Gagalangin was annexed to the city district of Tondo, and the former pueblo of Santa Ana was annexed as a district to Manila City. On July 30 of that year, the city board officially divided the city into 13 political subdivisions named districts, and the boundaries of each were defined. On August 15 of the same year, Pandacan pueblo was annexed as a city district. The boundaries and city districts of Manila City proper have remained essentially unchanged ever since.

With the outbreak of World War II, Manila entered a five-year period of sorrow and destruction. Hoping to minimize the loss of life and property, government officials declared Manila an open city on December 26, 1941. The following New Years' Day, 1942, President Quezon decreed the merger of the towns of Quezon City, Caloocan, San Juan del Monte, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasay and Paranaque with Manila City to form the town he called "Greater Manila," to sinplify the administration of the metropolitan area during the war. Being practically destroyed in the process, the city was liberated from Japanese control in March of 1945 by the joint Filipino-American forces. Soon thereafter, "Greater Manila" was dissolved, and its towns returned to their pre-war status.

In 1948, Quezon City was declared the national capital of the new Republic of the Philippines, thus robbing Manila City of an honor it had held since 1595. But on May 29, 1976, President Ferdinand Marcos' Decree No 940 returned the national capital to Manila, declaring that "the area prescribed as Metro Manila by P. D. 824" was to be the seat of the national government.

Not even a hundredth part of Manila's rich and lengthy history can be written here. Therefore, the reader is referred to other works for more details.(See the Valuable Printed Sources, and the Selected Bibliography of Chapter 10.)

Article Courtesy of:
Philippine Journeys Inc.

Sinjin P.

March 26th, 2007, 01:33 PM

City of Manila, Tourist Spots

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/plazasanluis.jpg

Plaza San Luis
Named after one of the old barrios of Intramuros, this is a cultural-cum-commercial complex currently composed of five houses - Casa Manila, Casa Urdaneta, Casa Blanca, Los Hidalgos and El Hogar Filipino. Plaza San Luis will eventually consist of 9 houses representing different areas in Filipino/Hispanic architecture. Aside from gift and specialty shops, the complex has a museum at Casa Manila, containing the 19th century and early 20th century furnitures found in a typical filipino illustrado or the priviledged class home.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/fortsantiagot.jpg

Fort Santiago
Marks its entrance on the northwestern trip to Instramuros which started in 1571 and completed nearly 150 years later by Filipino forced labor. The pre-Spanish settlement of Rajah Sulayman was a wooden fort on the ashes of which was built the Spanish fortress which was Spain's major defense position in the island. It looked out on the sea, towards which its canons were trained forward off pirates and invaders. Also known as the "Shrine of Freedom", in memory of the heroic Filipinos imprisoned and killed here during the Spanish and Japanese eras. Partly rebuilt from the ruins of World War II, it is now a park and promenade housing a resident theaters for both traditional and modern plays.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/malacanang.jpg

Malacañang Palace
Seat of the head of the Government of the Philippines since Spanish times, officially stands on the north bank of the Pasig River whose legendary beauty celebrated in song.

Malacañang, from the vernacular "May Lakan Diyan" meaning "There lives a noble man", expansion of the city's free educational system and health care delivery and maintenance of the city government's strong financial position through intensified revenue generation and judicious fiscal management. Inspite of its my raid problems, city executives, councilors, civil servants and peace officer unite to achieve the vision of peace and good quality of life for its people.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/ust.jpg

University of Santo Tomas
The oldest university in the Philippines and in Asia, Founded on April 11, 1611 be Reverend Father Miguel de Benavides. Originally opened as the College of Our Lady of Rosary. The University has been bestowed the title "Royal" by King Charles III of Spain in 1758, while Pope Leo XIII granted the title "Pontificial" in 1902. Located originally in Intramuros, it was only transferred to its present site in 1911. Owned by the Spanish Dominicans which is governed by the Board of Trustees until the late 19th century, the university only accepted students of Spanish parentage. Women were first admitted in 1927. UST campus served also as an interment camp for Americans, British, Canadian and other allied nationals by the Japanese Occupation Forces from January 1942 - February 1945. More than 10,000 people were imprisoned although it never held more than 4,000 at one time.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/pnu.jpg

Philippine Normal University
The first college institution founded by the American Colonial Government in 1903 specializing in the field of education.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/bonifacioshrine.jpg

Bonifacio Shrine
Built to pay homage to our great hero Gat. Andres Bonifacio whose courage and conviction in fighting for freedom & independence serve as an inspiration for the youth.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/chinatown.jpg

Chinatown
The Chinatown which is located along the northern bank of the historic Pasig River symbolizes the long history of the Chinese presence in the Philippines long before the arrival of the Spaniards. The Chinese had been much involved in the business specially the retail trade and have been absorbed in a Philippine life-style.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/bulwagan.jpg

Bulwagang Gat Antonio Villegas

Description: Priceless paintings done by our famous National Artist Carlos "Botong" Francisco showing not only the history of Manila but the whole country as well.

The above mentioned priceless paintings is now located in the building of the Manila City Hall, right beside the office of the Mayor.

*no photo*

Casa Manila
It is a colonial lifestyle museum which is part of Plaza San Luis Complex. The house which is rebuilt of the original house that stood on the same site was patterned after a mid-19th century house that stood along Calle de Jaboneros in San Nicolas, Binondo. The house features antique and furnishing from China and Europe dating back to the 19th century. Some of the famous collections inside are the crystal chandeliers, Persian rygs, Chinese ceramics, four poster ebony bed, religious images, antique piano and harp, marble tables and such other items that shows luxury of the era.

Credits go to: http://www.manila.gov.ph/touristspots.htm

Sinjin P.

March 26th, 2007, 01:40 PM

City of Manila, Tourist Spots

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/rizalshrine.jpg

Rizal Shrine
The restored shrine inside Fort Santiago houses Rizaliana items in memory of the Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal spent his last few days here before he was executed on December 30, 1986. Among the objects exhibited are various books and manuscripts about the national hero; sketches, paintings, wood curvings and sculptures done by the hero; paraphernalia and souvenirs acquired during his several trips abroad and collections of colonial-style furnitures from his hometown in Calamba, Laguna.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/mabinishrine.jpg

Mabini Shrine
Apolinario Mabini, the intellectual leader of the Philippine revolution, lived in this house as a law student, a lawyer and worker who advocated Philippine Independence from Spain. During the American occupation, it was much frequented by foreign correspondents who found Mabini both interesting and informative and become the intellectual headquarters of the first Philippine Republic.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/rizalpark.jpg

Rizal Park
During the Spanish era, which was where the Filipinos-Moslems took refuge after the Spaniards occupied Intramuros in 1571. It was also used as an execution ground by the Spaniards for Filipino rebels and mutineers. It has an area of 58 hectares which runs from Taft Avenue up to the walls of the famous Manila Bay.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/photo2005/pamantasan.jpg

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila is the first University in the country to have its official name in Filipino. The first and only tuition fee institution of higher learning in the Philippines. It is also the first and only university funded solely by a municipal government in the country.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/pasigriver.jpg

Pasig River
Considered as the "Cradle of Civilization" in Manila, a 16 km. long river. Great communities have always sprung along waterways and that was how Maynilad must have begun..

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/manilabay.jpg

Manila Bay
Considered the finest harbor in the far east where the famous "Battle of Manila Bay" was fought between the Americans and the Spaniards in 1898. Many historians believed that the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade between Philippines and Mexico thieved principally because of the strategic location of Manila Bay. The Galleon Trade lasted for 244 years.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/sanagustin.jpg

San Agustin Church and Museum
The San Agustin Church and Museum which is a private museum under the supervision of the Augustinian Friars is housed inside the Old Monastery of the church. The collections include 26 huge oil paintings of saints, the Don Luis Araneta Collection of Antiques, the crypt where Philippine Notables are buried, leads to the refractory with its fine collection of colonial religious art, the Capitulation room where the Spanish surrendered to the Americans in 1898, the Sacristy which house antique carrosas, richly embroidered vestments, a wonderful Saint Michael and famous choir hand carved from Molave wood that dates back to 1614.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/manilacathedral.jpg

Manila Cathedral
The seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, is presently the 6th cathedral to rise on the site since 1581. Previous structures were destroyed by typhoons, earthquake and fire during the last war. Rebuilt on the second half of the 50's through the efforts of Architect Fernando Ocampo and Archbishop Rufino J. Santos. The cathedral incorporated the stone carvings and rosette windows of the old cathedral. Stained glass windows celebrating the Christianization of the Philippine light up with its clerestory. Mosaic artwork decorated three of its side chapels.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/plazamiranda.jpg

Plaza Miranda
Pres. Ramon Magsaysay made this plaza the touchstone for public endorsement of policy and action. This plaza was a place where people congregate to express their charismatic chores through songs, dances, debate, declamation or simply to let off steam whenever they feel the need for appreciation of ones being.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/ermitadistrict.jpg

Ermita District
Originally known as "Lagyo". In 1951, a chapel was constructed for Nuestra Señora de Guia. A Mexican hermit arrived in the place, lived in the chapel, and people called it as "La Ermita". Ermita was a fishing village prior to arrival of the Spaniards that moved out of Intramuros and integrated with the Indios in Ermita and adjacent Malate and to a lesser extent, Paco. These became a fashionable residential areas in the Spanish era up to the American era.

Credits go to: http://www.manila.gov.ph/touristspots.htm

Sinjin P.

March 26th, 2007, 01:46 PM

City of Manila, Manila Seal

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/seal.jpg

Manila, the oldest and sovereign city of the Philippines, proudly rises at the mouth of the meandering Pasig River. Her history, tradition and culture are embodied in the image that have become known as her seal.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/shell.jpg

The beautiful pearl embedded in the shell symbolizes the character of Manila a city that has transformed to hundred divergent cultures collected over the centuries from nationalities who landed on her shore into something essentially Filipino.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/lion.jpg

The sea lion, en garde, stands for the authority of the City Government -- protective and defensive of Manila's people and territory.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/wave.jpg

The waves of alternating azure and argent portray the Pasig River -- a most important landmark whose length and path throughout the city chronicle the beginnings and the progress of Manila's commerce and industry.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/shield.jpg

The shield on which the various images are emblazoned and which carry the nations colors signifies the valor, the blood and the idealism with which Manila's forcears fought against invasion.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/band.jpg

The circular band around the shield declares the seal to that of Manila Philippines.

http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/stars.jpg

The six stars represent the six congressional districts into which the city is divided and governed the circle.

Credits go to: http://www.manila.gov.ph/manilaseal.htm

Sinjin P.

March 26th, 2007, 01:47 PM

City of Manila, 8 Point Program
http://www.manila.gov.ph/8point.htm

nayki

March 26th, 2007, 01:58 PM

Ung roof ng Metropolitan Theater inaayos ngayon, binabaklas nila, d lang ako sure kung e2 na ung major renovation nya... Kasi wala naman ako ng napapansing activity sa ibaba eh. araw2 kasi nakikita ko un pag nakasakay ako sa LRT.

Sinjin P.

March 26th, 2007, 02:14 PM

Manila Zoo

PLACES

Amphitheatre
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/ampitheatreb.jpg

Boating Area
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/boatingareab.jpg

Eagle Aviary
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/eagleaviaryb.jpg

Elephant Area
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/elephantareab.jpg

Fallow Deer Cages
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/fallowdearcagesb.jpg

Flamingo Aviary
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/flamingoaviaryb.jpg

Manila Information Booth
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/manilainfoboothb.jpg

Manila Zoo Canteen
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/zoocanteen.jpg

Manila Zoo Playground
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/zooplaygroundb.jpg

Primate Enclosure
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/primateenclosureb.jpg

Reptile Area
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/reptilearea.jpg

Tiger Den
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/tigerdenb.jpg

ANIMALS

Elephant
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/elephantb.jpg

Iguana
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/iguana.jpg

Philippine Crocodile
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/philcrocob.jpg

Philippine Deer
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/deerb.jpg

Philippine Owl
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/owl.jpg

Rainbow Lory
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/rainbowloryb.jpg

Rufous Horn Bell
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/rufushornbellb.jpg

Sail Fin Lizard
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/sailfinfizard.jpg

Tiger
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/tigerb.jpg

Serpent Eagle
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/serpenteagleb.jpg

Turtle Red Card Slider
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/turtle.jpg

Zebra
http://www.manila.gov.ph/image/zebra.jpg

Credits go to: http://www.manila.gov.ph/zoo.htm

Sinjin P.

March 26th, 2007, 02:17 PM

Manila Zoo History

Time has changed MANILA ZOOLOGICAL and BOTANICAL GARDEN considerably. The MZBG in spite of everything, hopefully has matured in 43 year since July 25, 1959 to July 25, 2002.

Our physical plant and services also have changed. MZBG visitor now enjoy the Kinder Zoo with its free flying, multicolored butterflies and birds, hanging bridges over a well stocked fish lagoon, boating in serene lagoon, open-air pet show theater, playground, cool and shaded picnic areas, spacious parking areas, guided tours around the zoo, functional souvenir stores and canteens, unmatched botanical and herbal exhibits anywhere in the Philippine cities and piped-in soothing sonatas.

Our linkages are from consortium of students from local Colleges and University zoo Volunteer's group. Soon, this linkages will be strengthened by MZBG based researchers in Zoology and Botany. Likewise, info-sharing through computer networks all around the world will energize and empower us beyond the realm of pragmatism. Most importantly, our depleted stocks of animal exhibits are slowly restored. Already, a Tibetan Llama walks along with us. Newly born iguanas, herons, stork and others are added. If our budget permits new animals will be acquired through animal donations and or outright buying.

These could never have been realized without the dedication and support of our Honorable Mayor Lito L. Atienzaand PRB's hard working men and women,

Dr. Romulo C. Bernardo
OIC, PRB

-----
HISTORY

Conceptualization (1952)

Seven years after V-J Arsenio H. Lacson (1952-1962) an intrepid, smoked-glass war survivor of World War II was sworn in as Mayor of Manila. Fired, among other things, by a novel ideal, a craving desire to create a zoo, the first of its kind in the Philippines, perhaps in all Asia then. He shopped around for an appropriate site. Several places were seriously considered:

* Mehan Garden
* Sunken Garden
* Manila Bay Resort Site along Parañaque
* Quezon Memorial Park, Quezon City
* Harrison Park along Quezon Avenue & Adriatico

Harrison Park was chosen as a perfect site for the zoo. However, there were two major problems that hampered that start of work. Harrison Park was teeming with squatters, survivors of war and there were no available budget.

Upon the insistence of the Mayor the Municipal Council finally approved Municipal Ordinance No. 4036 and 4037 appropriating P330,730.00 for the development of Harrison Park. Senator Gil Puyat generously allocated P300,000.00 from his pork barrel fund for the zoo construction. The Mayor's Office added P50,000.00 and the influential newspaper man, Teodoro F. Valencia, spearheaded and rallied the people to donate a total sum of P120,000. A total of P800,730.00 was accumulated.

Still work could be started because of the squatters, the poor survivors of World War II. Immediately , the Mayor instituted eviction orders and procedures. Varied reaction were recorded. The critics opposed and lambasted the Mayor. The people and the media were split on the issue. However, most positively agreed with the Mayor.

Then, Municipal Ordinance No. 4135 was approved on May 18, 1959. It authorized the creation of the MZBG. There were no provisions in the Municipal Ordinance 4135 concerning the objective of creating a zoo. However, apparently the Mayor articulated several objectives.

Fortification of the mind, spirit and body of man. The zoo will provide a venue for immersion / communion with nature in the peaceful, serene zoo.

There was no zoo worthy of its name in the Philippines and perhaps in Asia then.

The Mayor was convinced altogether of the worthiness of the project and that in the long run the people run the people stands to benefit largely from it.

-----
Start of Construction

It took six long years (from 1952 to 1958) for the Manila government to finally evict the squatters and war survivors. Finally construction work for the MZBG was started on August 1, 1958 by the Municpal Engineers Office led by Municipal Engineer Jose G. Licuanan. On December 9, 1958, Dr. Hermani P. Esteban, Chief of the Management and Planning Division of the Mayor's Office was designated as Acting Director of the Manila Zoo. On Friday, December 19, 1958 the Cornerstone laying ceremony was held with Mrs. Luchi S. Lacson, wife of the Mayor performing the laying-in and Archbishop Rufino J. Santos blessing the zoo and garden.

The MZBG construction was concentrated on the Lagoon, Elephant cage, Rocky Hill, elevated lion den donated by the Lion's Club, African Veldt, Monkey Island, 2 Large Aviary Domes, Serpentarium, Spectator's walk with bridges, Greenhouse and Orchidarium, the Coral Island (simulated crest-water corals). The Administration building, Kiosks, refreshment stands, shades, benches, playgrounds, picnic area and concrete permanent stage.

The plans and measurement of the MZBG were patterned after the San Diego Zoo in California. The information were supplied by MR. Carey Baldwin, Director , Fleishesher Zoo in San Francisco.

In July 25, 1959 (almost one whole year after work on MZBG started) the inauguration ceremony was held. However it was on July 26, 1959 when the zoo was officially opened to the public with entrance fees ranging from P0.20 for adults, P0.10 for minors above 12 years old and Free for 12 years old below.

When the MZBG was opened to the public, there were total of 55 personnel, official employees and laborers. An inventory of animals a few months after included a menarie of exotic animals:

o 268 Animals
o 458 Varied birds
o 108 Reptiles

Most of the animals were donated and few were bought.

Credits go to: http://www.manila.gov.ph/zoo.htm]

bagel

March 26th, 2007, 09:19 PM

I always like what Nick Joaquin writes about Manila. Excerpts from his pop-history of the city, Manila, My Manila, from which the title of this thread comes from:

=================

At the very mouth of the river was the island called Maynila. As a town, it was just becoming well-known. In fact, it may have been founded only a couple of generations earlier. In the 1520s it was unknown in the Visayas (or Magellan would have been told about it) but by the 1560s the Visayans had already heard of the Kingdom of Maynila.

On its throne sat a young king: Rajah Soliman, who was Muslim and Bornean. His wife was Bornean too and so were his palace guards. Soliman was a warrior. The petty kingdoms along the river and on the lake lived in mortal terror of him. They cried that he was forever swooping down on them, to raid and plunder.

On May 19, 1571, Governor Miguel Lopez de Legazpi occupied Manila in the name of the king of Spain. And on June 24, 1571, a municipal government was established in Manila.

The king of Spain would honor the new city with another title: Insigne y Siempre Loyal, or Famous and Ever Faithful. More familiar is the title of Noble y Siempre Leal--or Noble and Ever Loyal--that Manila still wears in oratory and nostalgia.

Like Troy, which was sevenfold, Manila has been many cities and will be many more. Like every great city, Manila sprang from a wilderness of question marks. Legazpi was not the beginning, nor yet Soliman.

The city was, is, and will be larger than these terms, even if reduced back to the original space of ground from which it began, from which it will always begin. Should atomic war annihilate Manila, the survivors, if any, will, one can bet, automatically start rebuilding on that same tongue of land where the River flows into the Bay. Both Soliman and Legazpi built there and they could only have been following in the footprints of those who, through he ages, like the makers of the Seven Troys, had been building and rebuilding on that original site.

There, apparently, is where the genius of the city is resident-- and Intramuros is once and future womb.

When we celebrate Manila, therefore, we can celebrate, not a date or founding, but a site, a scene, a location, a motherground. It has known too many dates and foundations. Races and empires and religions have washed over it; the warlike have used thunder to claim it and the city, smiling, has allowed them their foolish moment. Age after age, its lovers have hailed its rebirth or bewailed its perishing, while outside continued the traffic for strange webs with Eastern merchants.

And all this has been but as the sound of lyres and flutes.

[dx]

March 28th, 2007, 09:27 AM

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/4160/415480lx5.jpg

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/4291/415394zi3.jpg

Photos by boerx (Via Panoramio)

Sinjin P.

April 2nd, 2007, 04:20 AM

Intramuros Tranvia Tours by ro.Orenz of Flickr
DOT Hino Bus inside Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/208/442805759_0ef70a1d6b_o.jpg

Sinjin P.

April 2nd, 2007, 04:23 AM

Flickr|Finds

Palm Sunday at the Manila Cathedral
by ayis of Flickr

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/442785247_df14347efd_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/442785235_7b77690bbd_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/442785241_b5328fa5b7_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/191/442785227_bacf0feff2_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/442780027_923ec16749_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/199/442779965_3600213ccd_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/442779979_8963bcafb8_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/442780009_09ef758ccf_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/203/442779985_778483c707_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/442779987_6c8a4c81bf_o.jpg

Sinjin P.

April 2nd, 2007, 04:25 AM

Flickr|Finds

Intramuros
by Robin Yap

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/442305740_618d6c70a5_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/442305798_23a11f88cc_o.jpg

Sinjin P.

April 2nd, 2007, 04:31 AM

Flickr|Finds

Manila Bay Sunset
by Jen Tanedo

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/442159807_f31c641be9.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/442159807_f31c641be9.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/174/442159443_c94bd8875c.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/209/442159263_e1add71cf2.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/442159643_38ac0c6f98.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/442140948_c01d3b592b.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/442140640_9620d07e27.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/442142801_5adae26c1c.jpg?v=0

venntro

April 2nd, 2007, 05:51 AM

^^ Nice pictures and information. They should be put in a website exclusively for the promotion of Manila. I know there are already websites like these but it will not do any harm if there's another website.

Sinjin P.

April 3rd, 2007, 04:26 AM

PRIDE OF PLACE
Trashing Intramuros (http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=58275)

By Augusto Villalon
Inquirer
Last updated 11:34pm (Mla time) 04/01/2007

MANILA, Philippines - Among the overriding compulsions of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) appears to always have been to fill up empty lots in open-air centers of Philippine cities and towns with large constructions.

At the behest of local representatives or town councils, PTA routinely gifts town plazas with cavernous multipurpose structures. Normally high steel skeletons supporting wide roofs, most of these constructions ruin townscapes as they squat on the open space of plazas, often one of the few last open spaces in town.

Political rallies, town fiesta events, graduations, beauty contests, athletic contests, tournaments, and daily basketball games happen inside these monsters, in full view of the plaque commemorating the PTA and the official who caused its construction.

Never mind that those town plazas were constructed by earlier, defunct regimes like the Spanish and American colonial governments, because they sought to provide communal outdoor space for town residents to share.

Open space is today at a premium in most Philippine areas due to the jumble of haphazard, unguided urban buildup that is encouraged by local governments and real-estate speculators in the name of "development."

It really may not matter to the PTA that these plazas commemorate a government system and lifestyle that has contributed to the governance and lifestyle models we enjoy today.

Most of all, most Filipinos choose to disregard the fact that these plazas are as patrimonial and historic as any landmark, contributing to national memory and urban environment, like Manila's Rizal Park.

Therefore, like Rizal Park, the plazas should be left alone regardless of how remote or humble their locale might be.

Intramuros is neither remote nor humble. Prominently located in the Philippine capital, it is proudly the country's grandest monument to its rich Spanish heritage.

All Filipinos immediately associate Intramuros as the traditional center of Catholicism in the Philippines while regarding it as the historic symbol of the nationís Spanish heritage.

The incontestable patrimonial value of Intramuros is further reinforced by Presidential Decree 1616 (Intramuros Code) that has remained basically unchanged since the Marcos era.

The law sets out strict guidelines to protect Walled City heritage and organized the Intramuros Administration to carry out all its provisions.

To regulate new construction in the area, the Intramuros Code specifies that the Intramuros Administration's technical staff must approve all architectural and engineering plans before the City of Manila Engineer's Office issues a building permit.

Offending structure

Despite the Intramuros Code, the PTA bypassed the Intramuros Administration and started the construction of an P85-million sports complex located in the vicinity of Club Intramuros, a PTA property.

The offending structure rises on the filled-in former Intramuros moat right next to the historic Intramuros ramparts.

The PTA construction reportedly has no permits from either Intramuros Administration or the City of Manila.

Furthermore, the project reportedly is unauthorized by the PTA Board and now is under serious question by Secretary of Tourism Joseph Durano.

The structure under construction is too dangerously close to the historic ramparts. Depending on subsoil conditions, the new foundations could cause a sinking of the old walls practically adjoining them and, at worst, bring about partial collapse of the section nearest the questionable construction.

The walls of the new structure are only six meters away from the historic walls. This means its foundations would extend below ground, past the six-meter wall line to a distance of maybe four meters away from the wall, very close quarters indeed.

Actually, technical considerations and the new construction's threats to structural integrity of the neighboring heritage structure are the least of issues. The issue is basically that the Intramuros Code forbids any new construction in that particular location and that the PTA has chosen to ignore the law.

All this issue proves is that the same old story remains: the continuing disregard by most Filipinos of their national heritage and their cavalier disrespect toward the laws that protect it.

And to think of all government agencies, the PTA, whose ultimate mission is to promote and guard national heritage as a tourism resource, is the agency that now is so arrogantly trashing Intramuros and expecting to get away with it.

Is legal protection the avenue for saving Philippine heritage?

The Philippine Heritage Bill is at last in the final stages of discussion. When it passes into law, heritage will be better protected.

However, will protection remain simply a paper concept while Filipinos continue to disregard conservation as the PTA did, taking no notice of PD1616 and merrily constructing just a perilous few meters away from the legally protected Intramuros ramparts?

Can Philippine laws be strong-armed?

Where do we go next?

Before going anywhere, housekeeping is in order. So the next thing that must be done is to keep our heritage clean by immediately throwing out the trash growing beside the Intramuros ramparts.

Dismantle the PTA construction!

http://images.inq7.net/img/07/04/01/sho/lif/lif/art_58275/img/gal/pic_gal00.jpg
CONSTRUCTION is very near the Intramuros walls; it threatens the foundation of the old Walled City.

TheAvenger

April 3rd, 2007, 06:06 PM

http://www.asianjournal.com/?c=186&a=19277

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/jibrael_2007/intramuros1.jpg

April 3rd, 2007

Nat'l culture body to look into Intramuros complex.

MANILA, Philippines -- The National Commission for Culture and the Arts will discuss the alleged violations committed by the Philippine Tourism Authority when it built a sports complex beside the historic walls of Intramuros.
NCCA's committee on monuments and sites, headed by Commissioner Rose Beatrix Angeles, will hold the meeting in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, on April 15.

Angeles, who also heads NCCA's subcommission on cultural heritage, said she received about a dozen letters against the PTA construction which the committee could use in its recommendation to the NCCA board.

"I think the building would look good anywhere but there," Angeles told the Philippine Daily Inquirer, adding that she would also seek a personal meeting with PTA general manager Robert Dean Barbers.

PTA and the Intramuros Administration, both attached agencies of the Department of Tourism, have been wrangling over the construction of the building.

Barbers insisted that the site for the future sports complex was on the Club Intramuros golf course, which is PTA property, thus, they would not need building permits from either the IA or Manila City Hall.

"The contract for the building was above-board and the building's design conforms to the Spanish and American colonial style being implemented by the IA," Barbers said in a separate interview.

He explained that the complex would be made of adobe stones and would have capiz shell windows. The building would be six meters away from Intramuros' walls and the entire site would be one meter lower so the historic walls could still be seen from afar.

In 1981, Presidential Decree No. 1763 gave the PTA the "possession, administration, and control" of the golf course, then known as the Manila Municipal Golf Links.

Angeles, however, said that earlier laws, like PD 1616 issued in 1979, created the IA to preserve Intramuros as a historic site. This included the golf course -- which was Intramuros' former moat.

She said PD 1763 did not take away the IA's original jurisdiction over Intramuros.

"Just because the golf links were turned over to the PTA doesn't mean they could do anything with it. They still have to conform with PD 1616 and other laws related to Intramuros, which were not repealed," Angeles stressed.

She also cited a principle in law that says that "while you may do anything with your property in relation to your rights of ownership, once it affects somebody else's rights, it can be restricted."

She said the area around Intramuros was meant to be open so the historic walls could be seen.

"The walls are meant to be seen; their heritage value is in being seen," Angeles said, adding that the sports complex could affect the overall aesthetic appearance of Intramuros.

She called on the PTA to thoroughly study the legal basis of the construction.

"Heritage is a non-renewable resource; if you destroy it, there's nothing in the world that will bring it back. That's why we have to be careful, that's why we require even government agencies to comply with the law," she said

( www.inquirer.net )

Waldenstrom

April 3rd, 2007, 09:41 PM

^^ That's calls for a revolution! j/k :D

bariQ

April 10th, 2007, 12:34 PM

ang panget2x naman ng mga taxi sa manila!!! sori po. galit ako sa taxi dito. akalain mo na 12x kaming nireject dito sa roxas blvd! dahil apat kami! tapos kukuha lang ng foreigner!!! ang engot naman ng mga drayber na yon! walang asal! mayroon bang unwritten rule sa mga taxi sa manila?? puede ba yan sila ireport?

le Reine

April 10th, 2007, 02:49 PM

^of course! bawal mamimili ng pasahero ang mga taxi dito. bawal din ang pangongontrata. Report it to LTFRB. Please just find the contact numbers in the net. I don't have it here, unfortunately.

Waldenstrom

April 10th, 2007, 02:57 PM

Eto LTFRB number!!! 0921-448-7777. magsumbong kayo ng magsumbong! galit rin ako sa mga abusadong taxi driver!!!

Sinjin P.

April 10th, 2007, 03:24 PM

^ Sa mga jeep rin, mabuti nga at ang ibang jeep ngayon eh may "How's my driving" contact numbers na :D

bariQ

April 10th, 2007, 05:08 PM

Eto LTFRB number!!! 0921-448-7777. magsumbong kayo ng magsumbong! galit rin ako sa mga abusadong taxi driver!!!

do i find a hint of sarcasm? hehe! anyway, i dont know how much i can thank you with those numbers! magagamit na yan simula bukas. tignan ko kung uubra pa yang abusadong taxi driver.

BTW other than those supposedly negative comments. I do find manila very pleasing, naasar lang talaga ako sa taxi.

peace po!

diz

April 11th, 2007, 02:22 AM

GOOD NEWS: Sports complex
BAD NEWS: Intramuros

Out of all places... We should try saving Intramuros again!

jbkayaker12

April 11th, 2007, 02:59 AM

Regarding taxi drivers in Metro Manila, we've never had any problems with them. Most if not all the ones we took had meters on and since we've taken taxis so many times on our last visit in Metro Manila, I knew how much to pay the taxi driver who did not use the meter on a couple of times.

bariQ

April 11th, 2007, 09:24 AM

[dx]

April 11th, 2007, 09:49 AM

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/7844/pic028172mj3.jpg
Kilometer Zero | Photo by Karl R. Zweifel (http://www.trekearth.com/members/karo2fel/)

ashley12

April 12th, 2007, 05:55 PM

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/ashley_30303/SSC%20Junk/DSC_4554.jpg

:)

jbkayaker12

April 12th, 2007, 08:09 PM

^^ There are places where you'll have no probems with taxis, take for example mall areas or if youre going to one, theyll gladly bring you there, but if youre hailing a taxi from just the streets, its another problem

Like I said I've never had any problems and I've been around Metro Manila and not only around malls but unfortunately you have a different experience and I cannot change that. Perhaps you will have better luck next time.:)

Waldenstrom

April 12th, 2007, 09:24 PM

^ Sa mga jeep rin, mabuti nga at ang ibang jeep ngayon eh may "How's my driving" contact numbers na :D

Correct! Di lang nila alam, nilalagay lang nila sa alanganin ang sarili nila. hehe. :D Anyway, di naman ngtetext back yung number na yun sa dami ng tinext ko. Nalaman ko rin sa ibang nagtetext na wala ding nag rereply sa kanila. Next time, hanapin ko yung landline phone number mismo ng LTFRB, kakausapin ko na para mas ok. :D

[dx]

April 13th, 2007, 12:04 PM

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/32/47865210_d5e3aa0f4c_b.jpg
Legaspi Towers and Traders Hotel | Photo by danmastous (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70183659@N00/)

shadow_can2003

April 13th, 2007, 12:09 PM

^^ I think kailan ng bagong paint yung mga building na nasa picture para mas magandang tignan.:)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/32/47865210_d5e3aa0f4c_b.jpg
Legaspi Towers and Traders Hotel | Photo by danmastous (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70183659@N00/)

diz

April 13th, 2007, 12:18 PM

Whoa that doesn't look like Manila!

shyaman

April 13th, 2007, 01:55 PM

^^ Geographically, I think this area is no longer part of Manila but of Pasay City.
I'm not so sure on this but the boundary between Manila and Pasay City is along Vito Cruz, the street to the left of Legaspi Towers (that massive building beside Traders Hotel).

Coffee

April 14th, 2007, 06:03 AM

Here's a great panorama of the Manila skyline I took last Holy Thursday from Harbour Square around sunset. It's now the main picture at the Manila article in Wikipedia.

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7301/bigmanila2fd7.jpg

It works well as an SSC banner too, if anyone knows how/where to submit a banner... :)
http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/7492/bigmanila2yq0.jpg

[dx]

April 14th, 2007, 06:09 AM

^ :applause: good job, coffee!

diz

April 14th, 2007, 06:14 AM

That would be one of our best banners.

salamangkero

April 14th, 2007, 07:26 AM

nice pic!

nayki

April 14th, 2007, 01:41 PM

astig! ipasa na yan para maging banner!

Waldenstrom

April 14th, 2007, 04:26 PM

^^ Ganda ng Manila!!! awesome banner!!! :)

weirdo

April 14th, 2007, 05:26 PM

galing galing.

OtAkAw

April 15th, 2007, 10:58 AM

I'm in love with that picture! Talo pa Monaco!!!

tyronne

April 15th, 2007, 07:49 PM

Very nice! Manila's skyline is small, but I like small skylines. They're cute:)

Coffee

April 17th, 2007, 02:10 AM

http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/7492/bigmanila2yq0.jpg

Ok, I've submitted this as an SSC banner, and maybe someday we might get to see it up there. :)

[dx]

April 17th, 2007, 02:25 AM

it should be up there! hehe.. Manila looks so elegant in that banner :okay:

Lili

April 17th, 2007, 02:30 AM

http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/7492/bigmanila2yq0.jpg

Ok, I've submitted this as an SSC banner, and maybe someday we might get to see it up there. :)

I love that submission @Coffee. I look forward to seeing the banner. :)

venntro

April 17th, 2007, 05:11 AM

^^ Nice banner. But I would have wanted a banner showcasing the Rizal monument and Manila City Hall. They really represent the city more than the buildings.

Lili

April 17th, 2007, 06:26 AM

^^ We already had that when we had our first Philippine SSC banner.

Askal82

April 17th, 2007, 06:34 AM

^^ You gotta love the reflection on the water!! :)

venntro

April 17th, 2007, 06:46 AM

^^ We already had that when we had our first Philippine SSC banner.

^^ Then sana yun na lang.

Lili

April 17th, 2007, 07:00 AM

Tapos na 'yon. Yan naman. Next time na lang ulit.

venntro

April 17th, 2007, 07:26 AM

^^ Alright. Para maiba naman.

shyaman

April 17th, 2007, 07:44 AM

^^ Natawa ako sa sagutan nyo @Lili and @venntro. :lol:

Sinjin P.

April 24th, 2007, 02:59 PM

^^ Alright. Para maiba naman.

Ewan parang malabo na iyan mangyari dahil dapat standout daw ang urban theme (skyscrapers) sa mga banner na isusumbit ngayon. :(

IsaRic

April 25th, 2007, 01:29 AM

http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/7492/bigmanila2yq0.jpg

Ok, I've submitted this as an SSC banner, and maybe someday we might get to see it up there. :)

this wouldve been better if the weather was lil bit kinder

Sinjin P.

April 29th, 2007, 02:29 PM

Flickr|Finds

Luneta

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/476618160_aec2ae4356.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/226/476628387_dc3404d511.jpg

by richard noel (http://flickr.com/photos/richardnoel/archives/date-posted/2007/04/29/)

garzland

May 2nd, 2007, 01:14 PM

Wow, I like that picture of Luneta... Mas pinaganda yata!

Waldenstrom

May 2nd, 2007, 03:35 PM

Naayos na kaya yung map of the Philippines?

[dx]

May 4th, 2007, 09:31 AM

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/221/483292216_0d215fc3d6_o.jpg
Dinosaurs in Manila | Photo by kareninagonzales (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kareninagonzales/)

boju

May 4th, 2007, 12:33 PM

Ewan parang malabo na iyan mangyari dahil dapat standout daw ang urban theme (skyscrapers) sa mga banner na isusumbit ngayon. :(
Ano ibig sabihin mo @Sinjin? Paano yun?

Sinjin P.

May 4th, 2007, 12:35 PM

^ Check this out: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=467547

boju

May 5th, 2007, 02:05 AM

ic, ok na @Sinjin.

Manila-X

May 7th, 2007, 04:58 AM

The GAWC listed Manila as a gamma world city (4 points) alongside with cities such as Shanghai, Copenhagen, Kuala Lumpur, Berlin, Istanbul or Buenos Aires and also beating other potential global cities like Athens, Dubai, Lisbon or Vancouver.

What makes Manila a world city?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_cities

kiretoce

May 7th, 2007, 05:11 AM

Hey, it's on the map isn't it? That alone makes it a "world city" in my point of view. :colgate:

amigo32

May 7th, 2007, 05:17 AM

Map city tawag doon kung nasa map, world city kung nasa world. hehehe.

j/k.

Okay, I also want to know the reasons behind.

great184

May 8th, 2007, 01:39 PM

An immense population, unmatched nightlife, beautiful ladies, horrible traffic - the good and bad factors that makes us a world city hehe

lewdsaint

May 8th, 2007, 01:51 PM

My Manila Bay sunset photos.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/variouspics042.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/variouspics041.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/variouspics040.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/variouspics039-1.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/variouspics038.jpg

FrancisXavier

May 8th, 2007, 03:41 PM

Manila houses regional offices of some organizations.

population

Urban size

Waldenstrom

May 9th, 2007, 10:40 AM

^^ Awesome! :)

diz

May 10th, 2007, 08:03 AM

Why you gotta start questions like this @WANCH? Can't you do the research? :D

Rail Transportation - MRT/LRT
Social Life
Non-economic global contributions (accrding to wikipedia)

Population
Culture

bonixx

May 16th, 2007, 08:09 PM

:applause: wow! Congratulations to the City of Manila!!! SSC Daily Banner for today...nice pano of Manila Bay...

Waldenstrom

May 16th, 2007, 10:08 PM

^^ Yes, ganda ng Manila skyline. simple yet elegant tingnan. It looks like a Carribean or a Latin American city.

Coffee

May 17th, 2007, 12:19 AM

Hurrah, it's my Manila panorama. :D See full version:
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7301/bigmanila2fd7.jpg

Lili

May 17th, 2007, 04:48 AM

Yes, Manila Bay sunset never ceases to amaze me. I love Manila.

Lucentino

May 17th, 2007, 05:18 AM

simple yet elegant picture of manila... congrats!

btw... will it be a banner for just one day?

Waldenstrom

May 17th, 2007, 06:46 AM

Hurrah, it's my Manila panorama. :D See full version:
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7301/bigmanila2fd7.jpg

Thanks for making that banner coffee! :)

Sinjin P.

May 17th, 2007, 10:28 AM

Hurrah, it's my Manila panorama. :D See full version:
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7301/bigmanila2fd7.jpg

It's really pretty. From what point was that shot? Seems like its not your common angle of the Manila skyline

Coffee

May 17th, 2007, 12:26 PM

That shot was taken from Harbor Square, near the CCP complex. I wish more people would know about that place... it has a great view...

BoNduRanT

May 17th, 2007, 05:42 PM

Now that Lim is the new mayor of Manila, I wonder what will happen to those urban renewal projects started by Atienza, it looks bleak na mapaprioritize ang mga to under Lim. Yikes!

bonixx

May 17th, 2007, 06:15 PM

^^Thanks for sharing your wonderful Pic @ Coffee...sana gamitin ulit ng SSC for the 2nd time...

kalabaw

May 17th, 2007, 10:29 PM

Woohoo!!! Manila is up in the banner! =)

Bosnyboy

May 19th, 2007, 02:19 PM

Being a long time resident of manila, i tink those urban renewal projs of mayor atienza will just rot. Lim is not known for aesthetics but rather peace and order. Urban renewal is far from his mind i tink. Manila should have voted for younger people. People with new ideas who embraced new technologies. People who can use these technologies to further uplisft the lives of the people of the city. People with a vision for the future not some white haired people who wants to relieve the glory days of the wild wild west. Therefore i tink the next in the three years, manila will slide back to the dark ages. (literally forget the lites i dont think they will be maintained anymore much more add some more)

Waldenstrom

May 19th, 2007, 07:44 PM

Is peace and order really a big problem now in Manila? I agree, urban renewal projects will just rot.

le Reine

May 19th, 2007, 09:46 PM

^isn't that obvious?! Wait, if I remember it right, the crime rate in Manila dropped because of Atienza's street lighting program. I really have nothing against Atienza's beautification projects, etc. The result of these projects was the apparent rise in tourism that brought money in the city which in turn, could be used to finance social services including peace and order. What I hate about him though, is his hobby of destroying old landmarks. Plus, he was not able to do something about the squatter problem esp in the northern section of Manila.

But despite all his weakness, he obviously did more good in Manila than Lim. So now that Lim is back, I'll just say my regards to Manila's residents. I hope that the dark age would not come back to Manila.

bitoy

May 20th, 2007, 12:57 AM

jbkayaker12

May 20th, 2007, 08:37 AM

Metro Manila need to clean up its act. These pictures were taken in the morning at the height of summer. We were sitting al fresco (pun intended) at Starbucks and looking at this sight. No blue skies nor a storm but deadly smog. Disgusting, it clears up later in the day but these pictures show the air pollution is getting worse in Metro Manila. No need for enhancements on these pictures!!:)
http://www.photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/2007PI/Manila4.jpg

http://www.photobucket.com/albums/v635/jbkayaker12/2007PI/Manila5.jpg

le Reine

May 20th, 2007, 09:13 AM

We have to wait and see how will Lim manage the City of Manila again.
He has been the mayor for 6 years before and that was during the leadership of previous presidential administrations when the economy was very out of whack.
And on Atienza's management, he should at least have done something good for the last 9 years, he left a lot of improvements and wreckages (Jai-Alai Bldg. and others) that he can be remembered plus the kotongs that he had accumulated. :D

Just wait and see how this will go with Lim's management again..... most of you are very pessimistic like you can forsee the future that it will turn bad. :lol:

@XP, btw, when did the dark age of Manila happened? I wasn't aware of that.

Well, perhaps I was too judgmental but I don't really think the asian financial crisis is a good excuse for Lim's "mismanagement" (for the lack of words). Another point, Lim's program before was to enhance peace and order in the city. Was he really successful on that? I am not pessimistic because I hate Lim whatsoever. My pessimism comes from his performance before. He ruled for 6 years, only 3 years short of Atienza, but what are the projects that he did in Manila aside from those "red paint program?" If he was not able to govern Manila the way he promised it to be, what are the chances that he would change his style now? (I actually think that I'm still generous at this point since I did not include his performance in the Senate in my assessment). Now, he also has the gall to say that he would put white sand in Manila Bay? Does he really think we were born yesterday? Now, "Dirty Harry is back, I wish he would not be "dirty" with his management since he promised accountability and transparency. For now, let's all wait and see.

On the other hand, Atienza was accused of doing nothing aside from those beautification projects which he promised when he became mayor. They considered these projects as superficial. Well, I think he was able to do quite good on that program. The only problem with beautification is maintenance. But the effects of these projects is quite impressive. Aside from tourism, the crime rate in Manila has gone down because of his street lighting program. These are the good points that I can remember during his term. Like I said (or typed?) before, he has also weaknesses like demolishing heritage structures and the squatter problem in the northern section and along the PNR tracks. You accused Atienza of receiving "kotong." Don't you think that you're also being judgmental? I was not aware that he did those things. Or let's just say that he is innocent 'til proven guilty. So for now, he's innocent for me. (and it's as if Lim is not also guilty of this?)

And BTW, the term "dark age" did not come from me. I was just using this metaphor from the residents and SSC forumers themselves.

le Reine

May 20th, 2007, 09:20 AM

So I researched about Lim's "spray paint shame campaign" and here's what I got:

Lim’s shame campaign generated much publicity, and many questioned the legality and humaneness of singling out unconvicted suspects. Former Senator Rene A. Saguisag, a member of Movement for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism, Inc. (MABINI), issued a public statement condemning Lim’s policy: "The shame campaign violated presumption of innocence because it transgresses due process…" In January 2000, the 14th Division of the Court of Appeals ruled the policy as "invalid and unconstitutional."

This came from wikipedia.

Bosnyboy

May 20th, 2007, 01:31 PM

I will not expect much from Lim's administration for the next three years. I foresee the streets will become dark again. Squatters will flourish. I also see rallies everywhere since Lim is part of the opposition thereby in a way destabilizing the economy. I dont see any sign of creating more jobs or pulling in new private investments. Proof of this is the impending cancellation of the cityplace project of megaworld. In short Manila will stagnate while other cities will progress notably taguig. Without street lighting i fear holduppers will have a heyday also. Forget all about arts and culture for these are not even on the agenda of Mayor Lim. Siguro guns and defensxe equipment will be his top priority to project further his dirty harry image. But all is not lost i read yesterday in the newspaper that GMA is considering Lito Atienza for the post of the DPWH. Hopefully he can inject some aesthetics and appeal to the govt projs nationwide which will hopefully bring more light in the streets in the whole country.

metrosuburban

May 20th, 2007, 01:48 PM

^^ cancelled???

mygz14

May 20th, 2007, 02:44 PM

Mayor Lim in an interview at QTV mentioned that he plans to get rid of drinking alcohol in public streets. Wouldn't that affect business in Malate and Baywalk?

sandrn

May 20th, 2007, 04:46 PM

Rolls-Royce

May 20th, 2007, 06:05 PM

:bash: Nung nag-oath taking kami sa Araneta after board exams, si Lim ang aming guest speaker. Sabi nya sa mga topnotchers, 'Bukas, pumunta kayo sa Maynila, sa Ospital ng Maynila at bibigyan ko kayo ng trabaho.' Inabot ng ilang linggo, buwan at taon, hindi nya nabigyan ng trabaho ang kahit isa man. Yan ba e mapagkakatiwalaan mo? I doubt if he ever look at Manila the way Atienza did. Hayup sya! Hayuupp!!!

ravenhawk

May 20th, 2007, 06:14 PM

I agree with XP na Patay ang Manila sa panahon ni Lim:

1. Yung Luneta NABULOK - naging tambayan ng mga Adik at Kalapating mababa ang lipad.
2. Yung Pasay naging capital ng bastos na karaoke bar. Tambayan ng mga babaing nagbebenta ng aliw.
3. Walang art development ang Manila.
4. Sa CPP complex, natatakot kami pumunta.
5. Namatay ang Manila Bay at Pasig River.
6. Laging may balitang panaan sa Tondo.
7. Sa Intramuros, dumami ang Squatters.

Kahapon - Kay Lim - Ang Manila sa Kuko ng Dilim

Ngayon - Ang Manila sa Kuko ni Lim

With Lim's unconventional anti-crime campaign,you should include bodies floating in Pasig River and salvaged corpses lying in Taft Avenue. Isa lang ang negosyong papatok na alam ko sa panahon ni Lim....

PUNERARYA!!!!!

Anyone here can post a pic of Tres Amigos?

bitoy

May 20th, 2007, 07:55 PM

^^ :lol: Just like what I've read from the posts above, you guys are all pessimistic and medyo mababaw ang dahilan.

@ Xp, I wish I could discuss further about the 2 Mayors of Manila, but I'm sure we will have different opinions and knowledge of both of them.
But trust me on this one, I know what is Atienza's M.O. on any business deals all around Manila since my families have been dealing in business with the city of Manila since the commonwealth era.

I'm sorry but I have to laugh it off on the opinion of others for the outcome of Manila in the future with Lim on the helm again. :lol:

EX:
1. Yung Luneta NABULOK - naging tambayan ng mga Adik at Kalapating mababa ang lipad.
2. Yung Pasay naging capital ng bastos na karaoke bar. Tambayan ng mga babaing nagbebenta ng aliw.
3. Walang art development ang Manila.
4. Sa CPP complex, natatakot kami pumunta.
5. Namatay ang Manila Bay at Pasig River.
6. Laging may balitang panaan sa Tondo.
7. Sa Intramuros, dumami ang Squatters.

With Lim's unconventional anti-crime campaign,you should include bodies floating in Pasig River and salvaged corpses lying in Taft Avenue. Isa lang ang negosyong papatok na alam ko sa panahon ni Lim....

PUNERARYA!!!!!

Anyone here can post a pic of Tres Amigos?

Mga totoy at nene pa malamang ang iba sa inyo and most of you are not even aware on what goes all around Metro-Manila during those times. :lol:

kyle@1008

May 20th, 2007, 07:59 PM

With Lim's unconventional anti-crime campaign,you should include bodies floating in Pasig River and salvaged corpses lying in Taft Avenue. Isa lang ang negosyong papatok na alam ko sa panahon ni Lim....

PUNERARYA!!!!!

Anyone here can post a pic of Tres Amigos?

ano nga ba yung sabi mo.....

Lim : Hukayin ang maynila

nayki

May 21st, 2007, 03:12 AM

a00556425

May 21st, 2007, 03:58 AM

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/6426/37850836vx6.jpg

There’s talk that Manila will put up its first central business district (CBD) behind the Manila Hotel. Mayor-elect Alfredo Lim reportedly plans to bid out as early as next year the construction and management of the CBD to the private sector.

Right now, the city-owned area that faces Intramuros, on one end, and the South Harbor, on the other hand, is leased out to many shipping companies, which have not bothered through the years to make the one- and two-story buildings more, uhm, presentable.

Wow, a white sand beach along roxas blvd. and a Fort bonifacio type development near Intramuros, Manila will be a cool place to live. But the view of Baseco from Condos and Office towers will be depressing:ohno:

richard24

May 21st, 2007, 06:32 AM

actually ang hula ko is nagkaroon sigurado ng agreement between atienza and lim before atienza conceded., siguro naman natuto na si lim sa mga pagkakamali niya nung naging mayor siya nun.,
besides, super mapapahiya naman siya kung hindi niya mas pagagandahin at imemaintain ang manila right? syempre iisipin na ni Lim ang 2010. :) i'm just thinking positive., kasi kahit ako mejo natatakot sa maaaring mangyari sa ilalaim ni lim..,
ang laki kasi ng nagawa ni atienza para samin sa PUP., ginawa niyang pedestrian lane ang teresa street, nilagyan ng sandamakmak na ilaw, ang resulta, less crime. :)

nayki

May 21st, 2007, 07:28 AM

^^Mismo! siguro medyo meron lang silang pag kakaiba ng pananaw (Lim and Atienza)sa ibang bagay pero lahat naman para sa manila un...:) Basta nafefeel ko magiging ok ang palakad ni lim...

Bosnyboy

May 21st, 2007, 01:48 PM

I just hope ok nga maging palakad ni Lim this time around. I hope he can maintain at least if not add any beautification projs started by atienza. I hope i hope.
The thing i dont understand with Lims priority towards peace and order is how can he completely address this problem. We all know that a mayor or any local govt official has limited control over the pulis and other security forces. The police is controlled by the national govt and not by the local mayor. So if ever crimes rise in the city the mayor can only request the police to do something about it but not order them.
Ako lang i feel the role of a mayor is to uplisft the lives of its citizens by providing conditions that will attract businesses to setup in the city and thereby creating jobs. With jobs people dont go hungry and when people are well fed and happy crimes will naturally go down. Also a mayor must be able to provide the basic needs of its constituent for example setting up of schools for the kids, health centers for the sick and underpriviledge, provide legal assitance who cant afford a lawyer. One last thing i tink a mayor shud do is provide an enviroment which will uplift the dignity of the people living in the city. By providing ncie environments, promoting arts and culture. Take for example if someone from the squatters walk thru a depressed area, the person acts sort of like uncivilized but if the same person walks thru say boni high street he becomes behave. All im saying is yung surroundings and the environment can create the ideal situation for a city to have good citizens.

pushstars

May 21st, 2007, 02:28 PM

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/6426/37850836vx6.jpg

Wow, a white sand beach along roxas blvd. and a Fort bonifacio type development near Intramuros, Manila will be a cool place to live. But the view of Baseco from Condos and Office towers will be depressing:ohno:

Yes, it will be really depressing. What company would want to locate their office there to see such a site? You solve poverty first. You provide jobs first. It has been like that there for the last 100 years or so.

metrosuburban

May 22nd, 2007, 01:50 AM

^^ Hindi mauubos ang mga criminal sa Manila coz most of them nakatira sa Baseco and Port Area, eh sobrang gulo dun, nakakadiri

nayki

May 22nd, 2007, 02:29 AM

Sana kunin nya si Ali atienza or Lito bilang advisor, pero sabi naman ng mga atienza tutulungan nila si Lim. Kung d magiging maganda palakad ni Lim, after 3 years pwede na bumalik si Lito.

Lucentino

May 22nd, 2007, 02:30 AM

Dati bihira ang permit na binibigay sa Manila for rallies... kaya sa Ayala sila madalas nagtitipon... pero ngayon baka maging iba na hehehe... kawawa nanaman ang mga estudyante sa Recto at Mendiola --- mapapadalas ang cancellation ng classes... (yahooo!)

Naalala ko pa panahon ni Mayor Lim nun nilipat ang mga byahe ng mga bus (Lucena/Batangas)... from Lawton itinapon sila sa Buendia/Pasay...

Baka pati ang Liwasang Bonifacio alisin na rin nya ang fountain kasi aksaya sa tubig... pati na rin ang SM Manila ililipat sa Sn. Andres Bukid kasi sagabal sa transaksyon sa gobyerno at nagpapa-traffic sa vicinity ng cityhall hehehe :lol:

Ang Pandacan oil depot at ang demolition ng old Jai Alai building sa Taft ano kaya ang masasabi ni Mayor Lim dito?

Naalala ko nakita ko sa TV after nun eleksyon kung pano "agawin" ni Mayor ang bag nun babae dahil sa pag aakalang nandadaya ito... as in: "taking matters into his own hands"... sorry po hindi na po kayo alagad ng batas; Mayor/Senator po kayo...

Pero let's give the man a chance to govern... tapos kung hindi maganda ang performance nya e di palitan sa next election... :)

nayki

May 22nd, 2007, 02:40 AM

^^lahat nman ng tao pwedeng magbago eh...malay nyo:lol:

bitoy

May 22nd, 2007, 09:26 PM

^^lahat nman ng tao pwedeng magbago eh...malay nyo:lol:

We can really just hope that a better management of Manila's economy, peace and order and other issues would be handled fair and square.
Manila has been thru different form of different leadership styles, some can be forgetten some can be remembered nicely.
Like most of you here have noted that Manila's leaders have their own skeletons on their closet, not every leaders can satisfy everyone's need of their citizens. If human rights were violated because of a very hard and strict leadership, then there are organizations and peaceful way to tackle those atrocities without any means of violence.

The squatter's issue has been a major problem since the early days of Manila's liberation, no one can just shoo away people looking for a better life that are coming from different rural areas. Simply put, Manila is really running out of space to accomodate everyone.

A total revamp of personnels in Manila city hall would be a nice thing to achieve. :lol:

But who are we to tell Lim what to do? He had been elected and he should know what to do.

nayki

May 23rd, 2007, 03:36 AM

kaliwat kanan paghuhukay ng kalsada sa sampaloc area, marami silang mga nilalagay concrete drainage, sana e2 na lunas sa baha sa amin...specially sa my Espana:lol:

richard24

May 23rd, 2007, 02:14 PM

^^ hindi ba water pipes ang mga hinuhukay dun.,? dami din kasing mga hukay ng water pipes sa may bandang legarda.,

nayki

May 24th, 2007, 03:10 AM

^^baka dun sa bandang legarda un, kasi samin puro malalaking concrete drainage ung binabaon eh...

Sinjin P.

May 24th, 2007, 04:18 AM

In a TV interview, mayor-elect Lim voved to ban alcohol along Baywalk and also ban those performing in skimpy outfits. He also vowed to kill prostitution in Ermita and Malate

nayki

May 24th, 2007, 04:28 AM

By Ramon Tulfo
Inquirer
Last updated 07:24am (Mla time) 05/24/2007

With Sen. Alfredo S. Lim about to take over the helm as mayor of Manila, there are now three places in the country that have become very dangerous—for criminals and lowlife: Davao City, Cebu City, and the capital city.

Davao City’s Rodrigo Duterte and Cebu City’s Tomas Osmeña have retained their position in their respective turfs. Duterte is the country’s second “Dirty Harry,” Lim being the original. Osmeña has copied from Duterte, dealing with his city’s underworld with much success.

Davao City and Cebu, dubbed the “Queen City of the South,” have become very peaceful hence, more progressive, since criminals have left the two cities in droves and transferred to other places.

Lim was the nemesis of criminals even when he was still a patrolman at the Manila Police Department back in the 50s. I covered Lim for many years as a reporter for another newspaper.

Fred Lim’s unorthodox methods in dealing with notorious criminals have raised howls from human rights advocates, but received praises from the grateful residents he has served—those in Manila, where he was once the police chief; Quezon City and Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) as superintendent of the Northern Police District; and the entire country, as director of the National Bureau of Investigation.

So, if you want to live under safe conditions, why not try settling in Manila, Davao or Cebu?

kennethologist

May 24th, 2007, 04:35 AM

Sinjin P.

May 24th, 2007, 04:36 AM

nalulungkot ako for manila,

in a phone interview on DZMM, he said the following points

1. baywalk establishments will be gone... papalitan daw niya ng jollibee at mcdo... kasi daw takaw gulo daw yung inuman dun and everything...

2. avenida will be open again to traffic... kasi daw yung mga jeepney nagrereklamo daw na hindi na sila nakaka-ikot ng mas madalas...

...kakalungkot 'no?!

Goodness. Dark ages for Manila again?

kyle@1008

May 24th, 2007, 04:39 AM

ryanr

May 24th, 2007, 04:46 AM

Lucentino

May 24th, 2007, 05:43 AM

Pinoy_ako

May 24th, 2007, 06:09 AM

nalulungkot ako for manila,

in a phone interview on DZMM, he(mayor Lim) said the following points

1. baywalk establishments will be gone... papalitan daw niya ng jollibee at mcdo... kasi daw takaw gulo daw yung inuman dun and everything...

2. avenida will be open again to traffic... kasi daw yung mga jeepney nagrereklamo daw na hindi na sila nakaka-ikot ng mas madalas...

...kakalungkot 'no?!

Yung baywalk siguro, kailangang ireconsider at pag-isipan kung kailangang baguhin.

Yung Avenida, siguro kailangang maexperience ng average city folks how it is to travel from Blumentritt area to MacArthur bridge para ma-evaluate ang traffic condition. Kung araw-araw kayong nagtratravel sa area, maybe you can properly evaluate the soundness of the pedestrianization of Avenida.

Ok lang ang pedestrianization if the alternate routes have the same traffic-carrying capacity. Pero sa southbound lane, kapag may ililibing, grabe ang traffic. Medyo maraming turns and merging traffic points na nakakapagpabagal o nakakapagpagrabe ng traffic. Actually, yung mga ganoong cases and dapat na na-evaluate prior to carrying out the pedestrianization project. Yung street beyond Recto is also much narrower kaya may bottleneck effect.

Sa northbound, dati, yung traffic light along Recto intersection lang ang magdedecide ng flow. Kapag traffic sa Recto, an effective traffic officer maybe sufficient for the Avenida traffic to flow unimpeded. Pero ngayon, may traffic light sa Recto-Evangelista intersection. During the green sign for the northbound, kailangang mag-merge and northbound flow with the Recto traffic, which will be affected by the traffic light along the Avenida-Recto intersection.

Anyway, try travelling by car or jeep along the route so you can verify if Avenida should never really be altered.

kennethologist

May 24th, 2007, 06:11 AM

Maybe the people of Manila wanted these changes all along --- they should not have voted for Mayor Lim if they weren't for this...

He doesn't need an adviser on crime fighting --- but I think he needs a good adviser on infrastucture projects --- any volunteers? :)

does this mean manila would want to go back to what it was before Atienza's leadership? why would they bring back the old polluted avenida when it was the pedestrianization was very much applauded? why would you kill business in baywalk that has made manila a tourist destination and has become a template for other provinces who even installed the same lamp fixtures used in baywalk?

this is just a case of the culture of anti-ism of the leaders sa bansa naten :(

kennethologist

May 24th, 2007, 06:30 AM

Yung baywalk siguro, kailangang ireconsider at pag-isipan kung kailangang baguhin.

Yung Avenida, siguro kailangang maexperience ng average city folks how it is to travel from Blumentritt area to MacArthur bridge para ma-evaluate ang traffic condition. Kung araw-araw kayong nagtratravel sa area, maybe you can properly evaluate the soundness of the pedestrianization of Avenida.

Ok lang ang pedestrianization if the alternate routes have the same traffic-carrying capacity. Pero sa southbound lane, kapag may ililibing, grabe ang traffic. Medyo maraming turns and merging traffic points na nakakapagpabagal o nakakapagpagrabe ng traffic. Actually, yung mga ganoong cases and dapat na na-evaluate prior to carrying out the pedestrianization project. Yung street beyond Recto is also much narrower kaya may bottleneck effect.

Sa northbound, dati, yung traffic light along Recto intersection lang ang magdedecide ng flow. Kapag traffic sa Recto, an effective traffic officer maybe sufficient for the Avenida traffic to flow unimpeded. Pero ngayon, may traffic light sa Recto-Evangelista intersection. During the green sign for the northbound, kailangang mag-merge and northbound flow with the Recto traffic, which will be affected by the traffic light along the Avenida-Recto intersection.

Anyway, try travelling by car or jeep along the route so you can verify if Avenida should never really be altered.

oh well i can never speak for manila citizens... (i'm a QC folk eh) pero it's hard to let go atienza's avenida project...

pero no offense but i think culture na ng manileño (of course not in general) na sirain yung bagay na maganda na binigay sa kanila... i remember going to divisoria, it was obvious that they tried to put a baywalky feel to it pero the tiles they installed are all blacked up. The nagtahan bridge had pretty lights pero a month later ninakaw na yung lights. Nicanor reyes was redeveloped pero di nagtagal yung mga ilaw nila kasi (well you guessed it) ninakaw. kahit yung liwasang bonifacio, pati yung flourecents dun di nakaligtas... :lol:

bitoy

May 24th, 2007, 08:20 AM

^^ Daming magnanakaw sa Manila ano? Naka uniporme pa nga ng PNP, harapan magnakaw sa mga puwesto sa Divisoria.... :lol:
Hayaan mo, ibibitin ni Lim yung mga magnanakaw sa poste ng meralco.:lol:

Insanedriver

May 24th, 2007, 08:34 AM

[dx]

May 24th, 2007, 09:05 AM

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/3926/1782504eu2.jpg
Manila City Hall | Photo by socy_major (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1782504)

nayki

May 24th, 2007, 09:54 AM

Napaka negative ng iba sa atin d2, give Lim a chance.. D pa naman sha nakakaupo eh, ako mag co-comment na lang siguro pag nakita ko na performance nya ngayon, taga maynila ako kaya talagang makikita ko mga gagawin nila. Within 6 months malalaman na natin siguro.

(naipost ko pa 2 sa maling thread, thanks to XP):lol:

le Reine

May 24th, 2007, 11:57 AM

^well, nakaupo na siya before. Oh well, after 100 days na nga lang din ako magcocomment. Baka may plans na siya by that time.

sandrn

May 24th, 2007, 12:10 PM

Lim is so SMALL-MINDED and TRADITIONAL. One of th reasons why Manila became so polluted and congested was because of the unregulated jeepneys plying recklessly on narrow streets. It sounds like he wanted to cement the "third world-feel" of the old Manila. Matandang Mayor, Papatayin nya ang Maynila talaga!

Pues yan ang gusto ng mga bobo, magdusa kayo!

Lucentino

May 24th, 2007, 12:22 PM

as i have said: sya ang binoto ng Manilenyos so pagbigyan natin si Mayor... kung hindi kayo makuntento sa performance e di palitan nyo next elections... gotta move on guys!

BoNduRanT

May 24th, 2007, 02:24 PM

While riding LRT-1 last week, I noticed that there are people sa roof ng Metropolitan Theater, they were tearing up and patching up some things.

kennethologist

May 24th, 2007, 02:29 PM

as i have said: sya ang binoto ng Manilenyos so pagbigyan natin si Mayor... kung hindi kayo makuntento sa performance e di palitan nyo next elections... gotta move on guys!

kurak... we still have to wait and see... :)

Insanedriver

May 24th, 2007, 02:37 PM

But please not the avenida and roxas boulevard...
the baywalk is like one of my destination if im on vacation
and i dont want to et mcdonalds and jolibee by the bay :D

i'll give Lim another chance ;)

Bosnyboy

May 24th, 2007, 03:37 PM

It seems this early Lim's priority is to undo everything atienza did. I sense inggit at inis from his part kasi atienza has outdid everything he has done before as mayor. In 6 mons time i see salvaging at an all time high. I will see dead bodies floating along pasig river and other creeks once again with notes attached like "snatcher ako wag nyo akong pamarisan" I see lim getting into trouble with the commission of human rights for more violations. I see sales of spray paints goin up so if anybody is biz minded better stocks on those paints.

richard24

May 24th, 2007, 04:06 PM

actually, ang nabasa kong gagawin ni lim is to:

1. re-open avenida to traffic., which i think is ok., since super traffic na sa lugar na iyon.,

2. he also said na ipapabawas niya sa LTFRB ang mga bibigyan ng prankisa ng jeep sa manila., para bawas traffic.,

3. hindi na rin niya iaalow ang mga provincial buses and provincial bus terminals sa loob ng manila., since well served naman daw ang manila ng jeeps, city buses and rails.,

4. gusto rin niya na mabuhay ulit ang business and commerce sa bandang avenida and binondo., by promoting the establishment daw of stand alone cinemas., and malls., gusto daw ata niya na may ipang tapat din na business district., :)

------------
kahit ako, i have a very bad impression of Lim., pero i'll give him a chance., special sakin ang manila kasi 2nd home ko na to., :)

bitoy

May 24th, 2007, 06:53 PM

Naku, kung sa pagdudusa lang ang paguusapan, matagal na. Panahon pa ni Villegas, nagdudusa na lahat ng Manilenyos, yung maykapit lang sa nasa puwesto ang maganada ang buhay, pag iba na naman ang nakaupo iba naman ang magdudusa.
Manila is a haven for everyone searching for a good life from the provinces.
Kung makita niyo lang yung dumadating sa Pier 4 from the southern region, ma-imagine niyo kung papano sumisikip ang Manila araw-araw.

Yung kaguluhan sa Baywalk ay maiiwasan, kung walang alak talaga. Hindi niyo pa naranasan makakita ng mga ngo-ngong pulis na naghahari dun sa gabi siguro. :lol:

Mabawasan lang ang gulo at parating tahimik ang Manila araw-araw ay tama na sa akin. Hindi na kailangan pagandahin pa ang Manila, dati ng maganda siya at kilala sa buong mundo.

kyle@1008

May 24th, 2007, 07:04 PM

bitoy

May 24th, 2007, 07:23 PM

the word is dati siyang maganda,..... we have not even recaptured half of it's old beauty and grandeur,.. Mayor Atienza was veering towards that ( well in a way),...there's a big chance that Lim would regress....

No one can bring back the grandeur and glory of old Manila, things are different now with the modern design and quality of buildings that should have been put in, but what happened was mis-management and unfair business deals are still prevalent with the corrupt officials.
We just have to wait and see on what Lim will do.

kyle@1008

May 24th, 2007, 07:35 PM

that's sad, I'll stick to makati then...

Rolls-Royce

May 25th, 2007, 01:05 AM

Manila was once a glorious city, but sadly, it slid down from the that scale. We need tourists to come in to Manila, and the only thing we need is to regenerate a lot of areas, not just beautify. Beautification is mere aesthetics, but regeneration is giving life, beauty and sense of purpose to the area. It would create jobs, make the area safer and a delight to see and be seen. Compared to other Asian cities, Manila lost it sparkle, even to the likes of Bangkok and Singapore. We need to compete against these cities to share a few chunks of tourists. We must remember that a lot of cities in the world, especially in western hemisphere that inorder for a city to bring in investment and tourists, it has to be competitive. We are living in a globalized world, if we won't compete, we will always end up being sidelined by our neighbours. Don't tell me that Pinoys are not competitive enough. Us Pinoys always rise up to the challenge. Compete we will! And that's the Pinoy spirit.

bitoy

May 25th, 2007, 05:11 AM

From the blog of Señor Enrique:

Wish you were here (http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2007/05/manilas-movie-theaters.html#comments)

Please read the article and comments:

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/4273/galxjv3.jpg

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/8333/galxymq9.jpg

Mahirap na ngang ibalik ang ganitong pamumuhay sa Manila, but we can do better.

Preservation, modernity come together in Manila - Daily Inquirer (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view_article.php?%20article_id=%2066974)

bitoy

May 25th, 2007, 05:28 AM

nayki

May 25th, 2007, 07:37 AM

Ung sa baywalk ok lang sakin kung ipagbabawal ang alak at ang mga babaeng sumasayaw ng masyadong daring ang suot. Mga light beer lang siguro pwede i-allow.Ung sa avenida naman college days ko pa sa PLM since isinara un, pero hangang ngayon hindi pa din bumabalik sigla sa avenida d 2lad ng dati, actually mas maraming establishment doon ngayon ang nalugi at nagsara kung mapapansin nyo, unlike ng Baywalk na naging successful talaga. Parati kasi ako doon dati sa Raon pag bumibili ng pyesa sa electronics. Tsaka ung ginawa nila re-routing hindi naging efficient kasi sa mga malilit na kalye ng sta.cruz na dumadaan mga sasakyan mas lalong bumigat traffic sa area na un.

Actually nung asa PLM pa ako, nagpagawa sa aming mga Engineering Students si Mayor atienza ng assessment nung bagong avenida, ok assessement namin nun kasi magnda talaga. Pero ngayon mukhang d na serve ung purpose na muling mabuhay ang avenida. FYI nawala ang kinang ng dating avenida mula ng itayo ang LRT-1 dun na nag start dumilim sa avenida at nalugi mga negosyo.

nayki

May 25th, 2007, 07:50 AM

From the blog of Señor Enrique:

Wish you were here (http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2007/05/manilas-movie-theaters.html#comments)

Please read the article and comments:

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/8333/galxymq9.jpg

Mahirap na ngang ibalik ang ganitong pamumuhay sa Manila, but we can do better.

Preservation, modernity come together in Manila - Daily Inquirer (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view_article.php?%20article_id=%2066974)

Old glory ng avenida, pero mula nung itayo ang LRT 1 naging madilim na ang avenida at kinakatakutang lugar, pumangit na sha.

Waldenstrom

May 25th, 2007, 07:59 AM

Preservation, modernity come together in Manila (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view_article.php?%20article_id=%2066974)

By Jerome Aning
Inquirer
Last updated 08:17am (Mla time) 05/20/2007

MANILA, Philippines—The ongoing consultations between preservation architects of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the owners of the old Galaxy movie theater could spell the difference for the survival of one of the last of the downtown Manila buildings that marked the first use of modern architectural styles in the country.

The owners of the Galaxy, one of the few surviving buildings designed by National Artist Pablo Antonio Sr., intend to construct a 22-story condominium on the site of the theater.

The NCCA is helping the developer, Zosima Inc., headed by administrator Primitivo Garcia III, to preserve the building’s Art Moderne design, an architectural style that emerged in the 1930s and was reflected in the entertainment strip of Avenida Rizal (Rizal Avenue), the country’s answer to Hollywood and Broadway.

On Thursday, the Inquirer was invited to sit in on a meeting between representatives of Zosima and Richard Tuason-Sanchez Bautista, resident architect at the NCCA’s Monuments and Sites Office, where the developers presented their plans for the condominium building.

NCCA is anxious that the Galaxy theater, or at least its facade, is preserved.

Because the theater has remained in private hands—in this case, the Garcia family—it was never declared a historical landmark which would have required its preservation.

Fortunately, before granting a building permit to the developers, the city government required that Zosima consult with the NCCA on how Antonio’s design could be preserved.

“Hopefully, this is the first building in the area that would be saved from destruction and conserved,” said Bautista.

Remarkable repository

Galaxy sits on that portion of Avenida Rizal that is a “remarkable repository of architectural treasures,” according to Bautista.

Clustered on the strip during Avenida Rizal’s entertainment heyday in the 1950s and 1960s were cinemas, theaters, opera houses, music studios, movie production outfits and entertainment centers.

The owners of these establishments tried to outdo one another by hiring the country’s best architects to design their buildings, which were constructed when Art Moderne and the earlier Art Deco architectural styles reigned.

Avenida’s entertainment strip flourished up to the 1970s, when the country’s central business district shifted to Makati and other suburbs. The construction of the Light Rail Transit system in the 1980s virtually put a stop to development in the area.

State of decay

Today, most of the buildings have been abandoned or are in a state of decay, their fate in the hands of new owners unconscious of their heritage value.

Last year, the Avenue Theater, designed by National Artist Juan Nakpil was torn down and converted to a parking lot, to the horrified reaction of cultural historians and conservationists.

Antonio designed Galaxy in the Art Moderne style which, according to the NCCA, is more streamlined than Art Deco and is dominated by slick lines that convey movement, agility and speed.

Curving forms

Art Moderne, or Streamline Moderne, was a late branch of the Art Deco style. Its architectural style emphasized curving forms, long horizontal lines and sometimes nautical elements, such as railings and porthole windows. Although somewhat different in their overall appearance, both styles share stripped-down forms and geometric-based ornament.

Galaxy also used to have an original DP70 wide-screen projector, built in Belgium in the 1950s, that was popular in international cinemas until the 1970s.

Apart from Galaxy, Antonio also designed a row of movie theaters in Manila like the Forum, Ideal, Life, Lyric and Scala. His other notable architectural works include the Far Eastern University’s Administration and Science buildings, the Manila Polo Club, the Boulevard-Alhambra (later Bel-Air) apartments and the Ramon Roces Publications Building (later the Guzman Institute of Electronics).

According to the NCCA, Antonio’s basic design in the Galaxy and his other buildings was grounded on “simplicity, no clutter,” with maximum use of natural light and cross-ventilation.

True architecture

It said that Antonio believed that buildings “should be planned with austerity in mind and its stability forever as the aim of true architecture, that buildings must be progressive, simple in design but dignified, true to a purpose without resorting to an applied set of aesthetics and should eternally recreate truth.”

Based on Antonio’s original design for the Galaxy theater, the future condominium will incorporate much of the facade of the old theater, including the prominent feature that architects call sun baffles.

Examining the ground floor detail and building perspective presented by Garcia, Bautista appeared satisfied.

“This is an example of how we can utilize the lot without removing the original design,” said Bautista whose evaluation will be the basis of NCCA executive director Cecille Guidote-Alvarez’s approval.

Alvarez’s assent will be needed before City Hall grants a building permit.

Bautista urged the developers to consider including neon lights in the front signage so that passersby would be reminded of what the building once was.

The building’s lobby will also preserve Antonio’s geometric layouts, such the graceful winding staircases and arcade posts.

Bautista has suggested that the original ticket booth be preserved by converting it into a receptionist’s station.

Bautista laments that most Filipinos do not recognize the heritage value of the buildings of the country’s famous artists. This lack of appreciation contributes to the destruction of these buildings.

The Jai-Alai building, one of the finest examples of Streamline Moderne in all of Asia and which was designed by distinguished American architect Welton Becket, was demolished in 2000 on orders of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza to give way to a P200-million Hall of Justice.

“These buildings are examples of how we evolved as a people, they stand as representations of how we did things back then and how we do things now. If and only when the people realize this, they will take pride in these buildings and they will take care of them,” he said.

le Reine

May 25th, 2007, 08:01 AM

Oo nga. sana gawing subway na lang talaga yung lrt 1. wish ko lang talaga. dun nagsimula ata lahat ng pagbagsak ng negosyo. well, yun ang sabi sa halos lahat ng articles na nabasa ko. totoo ba iyon?

nayki

May 25th, 2007, 08:08 AM

Siguro, logical naman ung reason eh, d pa nman ganon kaganda design ng LRT1 that time...

_zner_

May 25th, 2007, 08:32 AM

bitoy

May 25th, 2007, 08:53 AM

mabuti naman mga decent stores na yung ilalagay sa roxas blvd.. para kasing ang gulo gulo ng nightlife dun pag gabi.. kitang kita kagad.. sana ayusin rin yung mga traffic lights sa españa para lessen yung congestion pag umaga at gabi.

Sayang, hindi niyo naranasan ang walang trapik along España all the way to Q.C., during my time in USTe(early 70's, before martial law), pag nagbubulakbol kami, dere-derecho yung mga bus ang bibilis papuntang Cubao o kahit saan. But then again, be glad that you are still young and you have many years ahead of you to see the future of our cities.

...oops, did I say bulakbol? :lol:

Ang matrapik lang during those years is really along Avenida going to Escolta at duon sa tapat ng Quiapo, where all the buses and jeepneys are slow rolling along Quezon Blvd/Bridge to pick up and dropped off passengers and some parts of Recto(Azcarraga). Then when you reach Sta. Mesa, me trapik din but everything flow nicely pag me pulis. If you want to escape fast from Manila district, maraming AC-jeep, yung mga short trip to take you anywhere, wala pang masyadong tricycle nuon, kalesa pa nga minsan to tour around para sikat. :)

richard24

May 25th, 2007, 09:16 AM