Eight years ago today, I started this humble venture out of a great deal of interest and passion to write about the metropolis I was born and raised in. Normally I would reminisce at this time as to how far this venture has come, with so much happening in the blogging realm and in my personal life, let me also take this opportunity to be in a more reflective mood, to the say the least. Thus, I can’t help but look back to where I was 8 years ago. At that time, I was wandering aimlessly in the blogosphere, having started and eventually abandoned 2 blogs as the passion to…
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A Tribute to Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya
With less than three months to go before the end of the glorious administration of Benigno Aquino III, it is but apt on this April Fools Day to pay tribute to one of the greatest cabinet officials of his administration, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. How can the Urban Roamer pay tribute to his legacy without mentioning his illustrious lineage as the great grandson of the greatest president ever Emilio Aguinaldo. So what if Aguinaldo is accused of killing Andres Bonifacio and Antonio Luna? Those are just unfounded accusations of a biased liberal media and internet, you hear me? But I digress…sorry about that. Being a Cornell University graduate, Sec. Abaya has proven…
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Guest Post: Surviving Soul-Crushing Holy Week Traffic
by Carlo Miguel Castañeda Note: Yup, the Urban Roamer accepts guest posts now. If you have anything to share about interesting events and places in the metropolis or some tips in urban living that may fit this site’s content, do email me at karl@theurbanroamer.com. Remember that it will be my discretion as to whether I will post your content here and not every submission is guaranteed to be published. Thank you! The forecast is always similar every long holiday: be prepared for traffic along the various expressways that lead out of the metro and into the provinces. This is something you tend to expect, and often prepare for, but that…
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A Heritage Mapping Volunteer’s Postscript
After one year of serving as a volunteer for the Wikimedia Philippines Heritage Mapping Project, my tenure has officially ended last May 1. To say the least, it has been a wild ride (especially towards latter half of my run) in which I have learned some new things and gained new insights that are both good and bad. Pardon me if I’ll be waxing some nostalgia in this piece from time to time.