Behind the Walls of Intramuros

EJ needed a picture of himself wearing a Christian coaches group t-shirt on board an indigenous means of transport. This was to make good his promise to a coach friend who leads the group back home.

What best local means of transport that screams “Philippines” but the jeepney? I also thought he should get his picture taken on board a calesa, a horse-drawn carriage.

It was easy to decide where to bring EJ for his picture. Intramuros! He has never seen Intramuros! I couldn’t imagine anyone coming over to the country as often as EJ does and not seeing Intramuros! (Well I don’t know about you, but I believe it is one place our visitors should see for a glimpse of our heritage. If you have not seen what lies behind the walls, then I highly suggest you schedule a trip soon!)

We decided to get over with what we primarily came there for before we did any exploring. A calesa driver was kind enough to allow EJ to have his picture taken on board his carriage, while he managed his horse. We of course gave him a modest tip for being so accommodating and helpful. We also took some pictures of him by the road, timing it whenever a jeepney would stop. Our efforts at “catching” the elusive jeepneys must have looked comical as I noticed that people were laughing at us. Well, we were amused at the experience as well, and got good pictures, too!

We then went to Fort Santiago, and were met by a Department of Tourism accredited tour guide who appeared overly eager as he urged us to allow him to take us on a tram tour. We accepted his offer, not so much for his selling skills, but because we thought the novelty of the ride would be fun. Plus, it would be convenient to have someone else answer EJ’s queries, and I expected many!!! Our guide showed us around the Fort, the Rizal museum, and throughout the walls, with an interesting narrative. He was fairly informative and entertaining. Would you believe he was able to squeeze in the Mi Ultimo Adios and an Elvis Presley song in a tour that took less than an hour???

The tour brought back to mind the days when I was seeing to the planning and design of an Intramuros tranvia tour that the company I was connected with was introducing. It was a good feeling to be part of a project like that, although it is sad that I never got to see to the success of the enterprise as I left the company in the early stages of operations. It is a noble endeavor, and I believe can be worthwhile if promoted well and supported by the tourism office.

After the tour, we went to see what was on at the WOW Philippines exhibit area within Intramuros. I knew there was one region featured every month and it is always a good venue to see the latest tourism developments.

To our pleasant surprise, it turned out Region VIII, comprised of the provinces of Leyte and Samar, was programmed. Leyte is the place in the country that is most dear to EJ, and is also one of my favorites. We were pleased all the more when we learned we were just on time for the opening and we stayed on to witness the festivities. After which, we said our hellos to friends from the province, including the former governor Ms. Remedios Petilla. My godfather and former boss, Mr. Wilson Chan, who operates the Leyte Park Hotel and Marabut Marine Park, was also in attendance and I was delighted to have seen him after such a long time.

Our Intramuros visit turned out to be a very fruitful experience. Not only did EJ get his pictures, but he also got a better perspective of the Philippines and the Filipinos he so loves, and got the chance to be in touch with old friends.

If you want to discover what lies behind the walls of Intramuros and need assistance, feel free to contact me.

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Mall... Mall... Everywhere!!!

An American friend commented that the Filipinos really know how to do malls. Proof is how at almost every major intersection in the city, you will find a mall. The latest to join the bandwagon is the huge (and I mean HUGE!) SM Mall of Asia, dubbed the biggest in Asia, and aptly so!

In the business districts of Makati and Ortigas, contemporary malls of all shapes and sizes abound. Along the stretch of Gen. Aguinaldo Highway on the way to Tagaytay, each Cavite town you pass has one. Dasmariñas even has two right across each other.

My home city, Las Piñas, has three malls and three department/warehouse shops along the main road from Zapote going to Alabang, where, there are three big malls as well! This makes the already widened road needy of further widening. The road obviously cannot handle the traffic in the area anymore specially during weekends when almost everybody is in the malls.

This is amazing.. considering people are complaining about a sagging Philippine economy. How can you say the Filipinos don’t have money when they are at the mall every chance they get? Some will philosophize that the people we see at the malls do not really shop but just go walking around as a form of escape from the heavy traffic and humidity outdoors. But come to think about it, if this were true, and the Filipinos really didn’t have the purchasing power, then how come these malls survive and continue to abound??? Makes you wonder, huh? See yah at the mall!!!

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