Oliver!

I better get this out before it gets stale...:-P

Like most major cities, Manila is a hodge podge mixture of rich and poor. However, after seeing how the poor live in Manila, I'm have to be very thankful that we actually live pretty well in Malaysia, despite having our own struggles and issues.

As you stroll around the city (except for Makati CBD), you find many street kids wondering around looking for scraps to eat. Some of these kids will be exploited as laborers in construction site with very low income and no health and safety benefits.

Still, they find happiness from whatever little things they have.


Street kids playing at the fountain square in front of Manila Cathedral.


Boy bathing at a side street.


Kesian jugak tengok diorang. Happy sungguh diorang bila kami tapau makanan kasi diorang. And very polite! Siap ucap thank you lagi!

Jom naik!!!!

Once upon a time, we used to have beca (trishaws) as cheap mode of public transport in major towns in Malaysia. Beca's are essentially full sized bicycles with an added trolley on the side which can fit 2 person comfortably. They were cheap and did it's job if one's distance isn't too far away. As times go by and public transport became faster and more comfortable (notice I didn't put in efficient??? Ehehehehe), the demand for these trishaws became less. Now, beca's exist solely as a tourist attraction and can only be found in cities like Malacca and Georgetown, Penang. Also, they are no longer cheap.

The beauty about traveling is, we get to compare notes on how people from different parts of the world work, travel and play. Since travel is the operative word here, lets see what the Philippines have to offer.

The jeepney or jeep for short, is by far the most interesting mode of transport I've seen, so far. Much more interesting that the "Tuk tuk" in Thailand. Not only because of it's extrovert decor and the family name emblazoned on every side, but also the history on how the jeepney came into the picture as a means of transport and eventually became a Philippines icon.



The jeep was created right after WWII, when the Japs were successfully rid off and the American troops came into the picture. There were a lot of abandoned military equipment and trucks left behind to rot. As the city was in the process of rebuilding, transport became an issue. So, a bunch of people actually began to cannibalize these trucks and the engines, and began joining scraps of metal together. The result was, the first original jeepney!!! I think this is the only transport that originated from recycling materials. Of course, the modern jeepneys are no longer build with scrap metals. They are now properly manufactured and sold in showrooms, like any other cars.

The passengers will sit at the back and the fares are passed along to the driver with the help of the other passengers. Very gotong-royong, kan?


They have specific routes, just like a bus but they travel within a shorter radius. The average fair is only 8.50 Pesos per person, which is 64 sen.


What is this???? This is actually called a tricycle. Almost like the beca, but much more smaller since they use BMX bikes. * Matilaa so the 80's occay! This one is more sophisticated since he can afford to use a motorbike instead of a bicycle.




Haaaa.... this is not for show okay??!!! And neither is this for tourist attraction alone. This is actually one of the regular transport available in Manila!!! A horse cart... obviously a relic from the Spanish occupation, is a very common means of transport in this city. The cart sits 2, excluding the driver/ horseman, whatever you call him lah! Like the jeepneys, they also run specific routes. Interesting, kan???

Where it all started - Intramuros

OK... work problem solved. Lets get back to continuing with the journey, shall we? Although it was fun to be chauffeured from one mall to another in between meetings, this particular excursion was my favorite. No, it wasn't to another mall (Manila citizens sure love their malls!) For me, being able to experience a piece of history in a place is much more fulfilling than any shopping malls combined.

I had the chance to visit Intramuros on my last day in Manila. This is where it all started. Intramuros, which means "Within the walls" is the original Manila city, built by the Spanish 400 years ago. It was literally a walled city, where the Spanish ruled and lived, exclusively inside these walls. The locals were not allowed into the walled city then. Intramuros did not change very much throughout the 400 years until World War II, when most parts of Intramuros was massively destroyed when the Americans bombed the place flat, in order to get rid of the Japanese. However, some buildings survived while many were restored so that we would be able to catch a glimpse of how the Spanish lived during their ruling. Interesting thing is, this walled city is still very much in use today as most of Manila's City Council offices are situated in here.


The main entrance to the walled city


One of the fort bunkers


A bronze statue of Queen Katherine of Spain erected at the last gate ever built, leading into the city


A typical building facade inside Intramuros. Very Parisian, isn't it?


These are replica's of original building destroyed by the WWII bombs. The brown building used to be a Convent. It is now an art gallery cum museum.


Die!!!! Die!!!! Die!!!! Hehehehehe.... a wooden statue of Angel Gabriel banishing the devil, which was salvaged from the previous ruins.


Some artwork exhibit featuring local artists


An interesting mother of pearl curtain



A courtyard inside the building with a well right in the center.


A close up shot of the well's Fleur De Lis wrought iron crown details


One of the ornate doors of St. Augustine church. The only intact building after the WWII bombing. This building is more than 400 years old and was built with a typical Renaissance Period fashion.


Inside St. Augustine church. Notice the fresco's on the ceiling and walls. They are actually painted to look like plasterwork.


One of the newer buildings rebuilt to replicate the original ones. Cantik detailing dia.


And a grim reminder of what was destroyed.


Contrast between old and new


The dome of Manila Cathedral, the seat of the Archbishop of Philippines. Roman Catholic is the main religion in the Philippines. Around 80% of Filipinos are Roman Catholics.


Main entrance to the Cathedral


This tower is the only original part of the Cathedral that is standing today. The rest of the Cathedral was rebuilt new after the building collapsed during a massive earthquake during the 1800's. This tower is also about 400 years old.


The Governor of Manila's office.

Busy!!!!

Hayoo.... been so busy of late with some unexpected events from the shipping biz. Can't really say that it adds up to life excitement if all it ever does is raise my blood pressure. Anyway, will be continuing my posts again once I solve this issue I have in hand. Sabar yer?

Ayala Centre, Makati City

This place must hold the most expensive real estate pricing in Metro Manila, if not, the entire Philippines. The entire Makati City area is actually owned by a family named Zobel de Ayala. They are one of the richest people in the world and are possibly the only family in the Philippines related to the Spanish Royal family. Imagine your family owning an entire city!!! The land are leased from the family and the developers (which are affiliated companies of the family, of course!) in return sell their property by per square feet quoted only in US Dollars. They told me that the average price stands at USD1200/ sq ft! Crazy!!! Anyway, I managed to stroll around Ayala Centre, which houses several malls conjoining each other like a long snake. These malls houses famous couture labels and high fashion houses. Out of my budget punya tempat!!! Anyway, I enjoyed snapping away with the camera on the many art work inside the this mall.

But first, makan first lah, kan??? Perut dah lapar...

This is inside Greenbelt 3, one of the many conjoining malls.


Inside the restaurant


Detail work on the restaurant staircase


The pub next door to the restaurant


The padestrian walkway along Greenbelt 3


A carabou (kerbau) inside Greenbelt


Another bronze artwork...bebudak main tarik tali


There's a church smack right in the center of the of mall.


A view of one of Makati's luxury condos

Krispy Kreme @ Greenhills

In KL we already have Big Apple Donuts and JCo. Both are good (if you have a sweet tooth lah). But I've never tried Krispy Kreme before. Stumbled upon an outlet in Greenhills Mall. Since it was 3pm, apa lagi??? Harus ler hentam kau kau minum petang, betul tak???? Jom makan???!!!

Time for some sugar rush!!!

All the different types of donuts. They give every a glazed donut (free tau!) to munch on while choosing the ones you want.

The drink section

Ordered these yummies...

This is my favorite... New Yorker Cheese Cake.

Perfect with the donuts. A Long black coffee.

That was satisfying... On with the shopping!!! Muahahahaha!!!

Malate, Divisoria & Greenhills

After 12 hours of non-stop traveling ala Amazing Race, I decided to tuck in early so that I will be able to wake up fresh the next day to explore the city and then later in the evening, meet up with my prospective suppliers for dinner. One thing that I've discovered about the Philippines is that food here isn't that great. Bummer! Well, at least to my tongue, it isn't. They tend to eat a lot of greasy, deep fried food. They also like their food drenched with a lot of salt or vinegar (which I'm allergic to). Pork meat and rice is also a big part of their meal. They eat A LOT of it!!! Breakfast, lunch and dinner. I think most Filipino's eat 3 times more rice than an average Malaysian.

Anyway, the place where I stayed, Malate, used to be an area exclusive to the Spaniards during the Spanish rule. However, as years gone by, the place has transformed and is now known as the the watering hole and party place in Manila. Malate is also know as Little Tokyo and Little Korea, since many Japanese and Koreans have since settled around this areas to set up their businesses.

Stumbled upon this huge Chinese Temple 2 doors away from my hotel.


Close up of the fresco paintings on the roof gables

I then went off to Divisoria, which is actually a connecting section of Chinatown in Manila. This is where the wholesalers market are located. There are lots of fabric materials as well as clothing for sale here.

One of the restored buildings in Divisoria

A shop selling religious items

Santo Nino, a local patron Saint

Next, I braved the traffic towards the other end of Manila to San Juan City, where Greenhills is located. Greenhills is another wholesaler market selling everything and anything under the sun. The complex is huge and newer that the one in Divisoria.

Greenhills Promenade. Lot's of international brands here.

Lots of food too. They even have Penang food!

I was told that this place is good for home interior shopping as well as those who have bags and pearls fetish. Since I'm more of the "home boy" person, this is what I found interesting...

Nice embroidered canvass pillow cases.

With matching drapes and table runners

Love this chandelier stall!

They even sell replacement crystal pendants for the chandeliers

I love this local mahogany table and chair set. It's not a knock down unit. The whole set is solid wood.

Very good quality finishing too. The price is actually very reasonable. Only RM1200!

Another nice piece of furniture. Also solid Philippine Mahogany.

Absolutely fell in love with this candle holder. Apa lagi, terus beli untuk sendiri! Hehehehe!

I think this is the only trip where I did all my shopping in Day 1. :-P Lepas tuh, terus makan loti lor!!! Huhuhu!!!