by Arianne Angela Solis

To many of us who plan to vacation in the Philippines, being a balikbayan (‘a returnee to one’s homeland’) means visiting relatives and friends, shopping, and going from one Philippine province to another—especially to provinces where one may take a dip in real beaches—like Puerto Galera in the province of Oriental Mindoro and Boracay in Aklan. I don’t deny that these are activities I engaged in when I recently visited the Philippines. But being an adventurous person (though someone my aunt would probably call “reckless”), I added little spice on my trip. I went to Manila and did some street photography!

A friend once told me that many people do not appreciate Manila because it is too polluted, traffic there is always heavy, and danger lurks in the city. My friend was right; these things were commonplace; but still, they did not hinder me from exploring Manila and casting my eyes instead on its beauty and bright side. It’s just a matter of being alert and knowing your game plan.

Quiapo: The Old Downtown
My exploration started in Quiapo, which was a really busy district. Vendors sold all sorts of wares—from car chimes to lumpia (‘spring rolls’) to knockoff Hello Kitty items to copied CDs and DVDs. I checked out R. Hidalgo and P. Gomez Streets, both popular havens for photography. Accompanied by an older friend who knew his way around the area and who is also into photography, I was able to purchase photography equipment like filters, an LCD protector, rolls of film, and even a second-hand SLR camera at very low prices.

I visited Quiapo Church (officially known as Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene), which enshrined the popular Black Nazarene. It was overflowing with people from various walks of life, with various reasons and intentions. While some were there to pray—asking forgiveness or giving thanks or perhaps asking for more blessings—there were also those who relied not only on prayers but also on the herbal medicines and other curios sold here and there—wares that promised worldly intervention for the bigger problems that they carried.

Quiapo was not as dangerous as it seemed, so long as you go there with a friend who knew the area well and you know how to take care of your belongings.

Binondo: The Chinatown of Manila
We got to Binondo via MRT-2 (otherwise known as the Purple Line of the Manila Light Rail Transit System), boarding a train at Araneta Center–Cubao Station and alighting at Recto Station.
As a kid, I usually associated Binondo with “Eng Bee Tin Ube Hopia.” So, I was not disappointed to see that the district had somehow remained the same Chinatown it used to be. Chinese restaurants (both sit-in and fast-food) and various food stalls still abounded.

Binondo was a melting pot of different influences, a testimony of how the Chinese people of old had lived in the Philippines in an amalgam of Western and Oriental cultures. For example, the architecture of Binondo Church (officially known as Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz), located on Quentin Paredes Street, was a trace of Spanish occupancy, as well as the church stood as a symbol of the Chinese-Mestizo community, which comprised the majority of the district’s population. When we were there, an extravagant wedding of a Filipino-Chinese couple was taking place.

Paco Park: Of Weddings and Cemeteries
This recreational garden area in the district of Paco was not part of our itinerary, but two good friends suggested that it was worth checking out. The park was surprisingly serene despite the fact that it was located along the busy General Luna Street and at the east end of Padre Faura Street, near Manila Science High School and Adamson University.

Paco Park used to be a municipal cemetery during the Spanish colonial period, so learning that a lot of couples get married there might give someone the creeps. However, the park’s beauty and serenity are perhaps the reason many couples choose it as their wedding venue. Paco Park is also historical, for it was the place where Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s remains were interred after his execution.

MET and The Post Office
When I was still studying in Quezon City, my usual route included Plaza Lawton, so the nearby Metropolitan Theatre (MET) and Central Post Office Building were among the sights that always captivated my attention.

In the 1970s, MET was the venue for many grand performances by local artists and international performers. Now, however, the once imposing and impressive structure seemed to have been reduced to a dilapidated and abandoned building.

Fronting the Central Post Office Building was Bonifacio Park, home to the statue of yet another Philippine hero, Andres Bonifacio. Like MET, Central Post Office Building remained fascinating.

Exploring the City of Manila was a certainly interesting experience. Not only was I able to quench my thirst for photography; I even beheld Manila in its raw beauty, amidst the dirt and pollution. More importantly, I was able to refresh my knowledge on the history of the city albeit in a not-so-conventional manner.

*The City of Manila is the capital of the Philippines and one of the 17 cities and municipalities that comprise Metro Manila, the National Capital Region.

Arianne Angela Solis finished her degree in Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Adv.) in May 2008. She is in the process of completing the requirements for a Master’s Degree, which she intends to take next year. You may contact Solis at angelasolis@derpinsel.com and view her portfolio at http://www.derpinsel.com.