Manila Street Scene

Whenever I find my way to the oldest sections of the country's capital that is The City of Manila, it never fails to strike me how different it is, compared it to its more cosmopolitan or contemporary sister-cities like Makati or Mandaluyong and even Quezon City. No matter how many high rise buildings grow in the area, i just can't seem to shake of its aura of rich (bloody?) history. Gives me goosebumps...
I don't only mean the National Library or National Museum but it's in the very place itself--the congested alleys, narrow streets, the way its people speak traditional Tagalog. Took a photo of this visually-impaired beggar impressively singing a sorrowful kundiman, and it just made me feel sad--and at the same time, happy to be able to live and experience it--be in the heart of the nation where our noble ancestors lived and died for freedom and independence...

Manila's Ocean Park

Not as large and impressive as HK's and KL's Ocean Park but still feel proud of Manila's very own Aquaria (which opened mid-2008). At least it's a start for an archipelagic country that previously and ironically never had a marine zoo to call its own...and what a hit! Pinoys just love these sorts of pasyalans, especially the little tots. And along with the feast for the eyes, of course it also offers a treat for the mind. Only P400 per person, it's cheap compared to the whole new world of information and education it could give to your child (super endorse na toh, hehe) and to you as well, in case you've never seen deep inside the ocean! Alas, wasn't able to take lots of pics but here are two pics showing my fave ocean creatures...