• City of Manila

    The Understated Elegance of San Beda’s Abbey Church

    Not many people know that the San Beda University Manila campus grounds in Mendiola Street houses not only the academic institution that is San Beda University. It is also the site of a monastery. To be specific, it is a monastery of the Benedictine monks who happen to be the ones administering the university. Nevertheless, both the monastery and the school share a common spiritual center: the church known as the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, more popularly known as the Abbey Church in San Beda.

  • Parañaque

    Roaming the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1

    The Urban Roamer hit a bit of a delay for this piece (with jetlag and work in the way) but as promised, today’s entry shall take a closer look at the storied structure and the primary terminal of the metropolis’ primary hub. Of course, we are referring here to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. And what else is there to say about NAIA Terminal 1? After all, it is the one structure almost every traveler between Manila and the rest of the world is very much familiar with. As the primary terminal of a primary gateway, it has provided travelers a first and last impression of Manila and…

  • Parañaque,  Pasay

    The Challenge of NAIA Commuting

    The Urban Roamer has been quite busy these past few days. Partly because of a personal/work trip coming up later this week. Along with so much work coming in these past few days and some new things coming up, it’s been quite hectic. In any case, this trip is something this roamer looks forward to. For one, this will mark the first time to finally get inside the Leandro Locsin-designed Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). So yes, expect some photos of the terminal soon. Despite the excitement, the Urban Roamer is not looking forward to two things: the traffic going to NAIA Terminal 1 and the…

  • Pasay

    Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? (the book sale, that is)

    Longtime friends and followers should already know how much of a bookworm the Urban Roamer is. Though perhaps not as avid as others but a bookworm still the same, as evidenced by never failing to miss the annual Manila International Book Fair. Thus you can imagine this guy’s excitement when it was announced that a big book sale was coming up in February. What made it more exciting is the fact that it offers a premise unlike any other sale event held here thus far: a 10-day event that is open 24 hours. Yes, 24 hours. As in no closing times.