Travelling Manila

Over the next few days, I explored the city of Manila. Travelling by MRT, cab and jeepney, it turns out the Manila is actually safe and convenient to travel. When I told people that I toured and walked around Manila on my own, with only a map and a Lonely Planet guide, not knowing a word of tagalog, and taking a jeepney on my own (before I even knew what a jeepney was), even the locals said I was crazy! I think, however, that Manila just suffers from a case of bad press, one that even the locals swallow. It’s actually really lovely and accessible, provided you keep your mind open to new experiences and not do anything stupid.

Imagine traffic that doesn’t follow rules. You go, then I go, just like a pedestrian walkway, except with cars, pedicabs, jeepneys and yes, pedestrians, all going about their way. I crossed the road without the help of a green man or zebra, just like I did with my grandparents. It was very organic, warm, and alive. I liked it.
In contrast, what you see in Singapore is austere orderliness. Absolut vodka’s ad for Singapore featured its famous bottle completely bare, clean and naked, saluting the Clean City’s “mental, physical and metaphysical cleanliness”. Our country is soulless and socially bankrupt, and we are too clouded with arrogance to recognise this.
Manila was alive with a warm people, a deep culture and history, and an irritating yet disarming set of idiosyncrasies. The rich and the poor, the modern and the classically Spanish, the chaos and pollution amongst stunning natural beauty, American crassness set against Filipino artistry, the political disorder against the people’s will to survive. Manila is utterly charming if you’re willing to scratch below its surface.

When I mention my liking for Manila to the locals, they often express surprise that someone from outside can like their country, but that very quickly changes to gratitude and agreement. Filipinos genuinely love their country, and it is beautiful. Maybe I do love my country too, but I do wish that my country men and women were less blind.

What I learnt:

• The Philippines is beautiful, safe, and convenient; despite what many people and even the locals tell you.
• There is nothing particular to be proud of in being clean, orderly and efficient city if we are an ugly, heartless and soulless people.

Back: Part 2: Manila
Next: Part 4: Travelling