Whenever one talks about the Catholic heritage of Metropolitan Manila, the focus is always on the Catholic Churches of the City of Manila. That should not come as a surprise as the city itself has been the center of activity for centuries while those outside Manila were then just considered as rural outbacks. In that context, while it is nice to see these towns progress to the cities they are now, it is unfortunate that in the process, some of that old town flavor got lost in the midst of urbanization and, sadly mostly unchecked, planning. Nevertheless, some vestiges of heritage remain throughout the metropolis beyond the City of Manila…
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The Two Houses of Jose P. Laurel
Jose P. Laurel has a somewhat mixed legacy for having served as President of the Japanese-sponsored Second Republic from 1943 to 1945. Whatever achievements his administration had were overshadowed by the specter of Japanese control over the country, especially with their “support” for an independent but pro-Japan Philippines, and the horrors of World War II at large, especially towards the end when fighting between the Japanese and the US-led forces brought about much death and destruction to the country. Despite this, he is regarded as a good president who had nothing but the Filipino interests at heart and did what he could in the situation prevailing that time in the face of…
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Mass Transit Updates (Just In Time For Election Season)
As you all know by now, the Urban Roamer does not hide the fact how much he loathes current transportation priorities of this government, most especially the policies (or the lack of it) and the ineptitude of the current leadership of our Transportation Department, headed by that guy we all love to strangle, Sec. Joseph Emilio (P)Abaya. From taking too long to get some mass transit lines started to his stupidity on the Common Station issue, his history of making failed decision-making skills is appalling to say the least. Thanks or no thanks to him, at least we are seeing some sort of progress as far as the mass transit line…
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Vanity And Venetian Vibes At The Venice Grand Canal Mall
As some of you may know, I have worked in the vicinity of McKinley Hill for the more than 5 years or so. Thus, I have been pretty much a witness to how this township developed from a somewhat barren environment into what it is today. And for those past 5+ years, the sight that has always intrigued was the construction of what was supposed to be its prime attraction, a replica of the Grand Canal of Venice. It just bums me that I learned that after so many years, McKinley Hill’s own version of the Grand Canal finally opened…and I’m no longer working at the area. Considering the distance…