After I visited my relatives in
Caloocan City, Philippines, I went to Manila on September 26, 2015 by
riding at Light Railway Transit (LRT) from Monumento to Central Station.
The LRT stations as well as the trains are always crowded and full
especially during rush hours and raining periods. Before, we used coins
but right now, we are using cards. The entry and exit areas are now
electronic and computerized.
After I get off from Central
Station, I started to walk along Arroceros Avenue up to Manila City
Hall. The sidewalks right now are crowded because of sidewalk vendors
and street food vendors. The pedestrian underpass is now beautiful
because the tiles are new and newly painted walls and ceilings. There
are many small stores at the pedestrian underpass.
Because of
heavy rains, I was not able to have a tour at the other places in
Manila. I went to Intramuros which is the central part of Manila. I went
to the brick walls of Intramuros. The place is beautiful and historical
look. Along Muralla Street, there are many small restaurants and
carinderias for the students of Mapua Institute of Technology,
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Lyceum of the Philippines, and Letran.
When I was a student of Mapua, I used to have a lunch or dinner at the
carinderias there.
Intramuros is also a tourist attraction or
spot especially to foreign visitors and tourists. You will see caleza or
horse driven vehicle which is the vehicle of the people during Spanish
Period.
#ManilaCityHall #Intramuros #Manila
On September 26, 2015, I went to
Caloocan City to have a tour there and to visit my relatives (Balajadia
Family). We have a long time family friend there, Corazon Gallardo Uy,
my mother's best friend since my childhood days. We visited her first at
their residence at P. Zamora Street near to 10th Avenue.
I
did my tour in Caloocan City by myself by walking along P. Zamora
Street, 10th Avenue, A. Mabini Street, A. Bato Street, General San
Miguel Street, Samson Road, and Rizal Avenue.
First, I went to
City Hall along A. Mabini Street. The City Hall is now different and
there are many stores and restaurants at it's surrounding. The area is
now crowded unlike before when I visited last time in 2009.
I
went to San Roque Parish Church which is the main church in Caloocan
City. The church is almost the same as well as its altar. We used to go
to that church when we were in Philippines. My late father was used to
be a mass leader and active member of Friends of San Roque.
I
went to La Consolacion College which is located besides the church. Me
and my brothers finished elementary there. The school is managed by a
group of nuns which is Organization of Saint Augustine. That school is
still memorable to me.
I went to Rafael's Restaurant which is
located besides the school. Most of the employees, students, parents,
and teachers are eating there. That restaurant is also memorable to me.
I went to Sangandaan and there are many new stores and establishments.
The market there is already demolished and the building of SM Center
will build there. Also, Sangandaan is now crowded unlike before.
I went to our former residence at 116 General San Miguel Street. The
gate is still there painted with green color but the owner is now
different and not the Nuqui Family anymore. The four units are now
beautiful and well maintained.
I continue to walk along Samson
Road. The University of the East is now beautiful and well painted. The
surrounding is also crowded that's why the traffic there is also
congested and heavy.
The former PNR Hospital is now STI College
which is a tall blue and white building. It is also located along
Samson Road corner Caimito Road.
The former Shell Gas Station is now Phoenix Gas. Samson Road is always congested especially during rush hours.
I went to my relatives to visit my aunts, Beatriz Garcia and Leticia
Balajadia, my cousins, nieces, and nephews. We had our lunch at Tita
Betty's house together with Tita Letty. They cooked Sinigang na Hipon,
Pinakbet, and Adobong Baboy.
After our lunch, I went to
Bonifacio Monumento and the area is also crowded and congested in
traffic. The Ever Gotesco Malls are now gone and they are SM Supermarket
and SM Hypermall.
The Ever Gotesco Grand Central which is
located along Rizal Avenue is also gone and it is now a vacant lot. Some
people said that SM Mall will build there.
Finally, I went to
Light Railway Transit (LRT) to take a train to visit in Manila, Mapua
Institute of Technology, and The Bayleaf Hotel.
#Balajadia #Caloocan #Rizal
