Category Archives: Manila Facts

Free Book Reading in Makati

Reading Club 2000
Photo credits to Emerald R. Ridao

Reading Club 2000 or popularly known by the Makati locals as “library sa may Balagtas”.

It’s located in 1454 Balagtas St., Barangay La Paz, Makati City.

Founder Hernando “Nanie” Guanlao says, the library never closes, it means it’s open 24 hours a day, everyday!

For further inquiries you can call 0915-7291526 or e-mail readingclub2000@yahoo.com.

Ynares Center

Ynares Center
Photo credits to normankonrad

The Ynares Center is a 12,000 capacity indoor stadium located in along the Circumferential Road, Antipolo City, Rizal, Philippines. It was built in 1993.

Antipolo is about 25 kilometers east of Manila, probably about an hour away.

The Center is standing on a 5 hectare lot, is owned and operated by the provincial government of Rizal.

Ynares is famous for holding PBA games, and a favorite venue for famous singers such as Regine Velasquez and the Cascades. This is also the choice venue for ABS-CBN programs like the Biggest Loser and Pilipinas Got Talent.

Ynares Center was named after a popular politician in Rizal.

See the Ynares Center map:

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Malacañang Palace

Malacañang Palace is the official residence of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Malacañan was its original name.

It started out as a vacation house of Don Luis Rocha. It turned into a official residence of every Spanish Governor-Generals after it was sold by the second owner Colonel Jose Miguel Formente.

Manuel L. Quezon was the first Filipino head of the Republic to have reside Malacañang Palace in 1953.

Address
:
1000 J. P. Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila

Location Map of Malacañang Palace:

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What is EDSA?


Photo all rights reserved by lindsaybridge

EDSA is an acronym for Epifanio de los Santos Avenue. A 23.8 kilometer long stretch of road in Metro Manila named after Epifanio de los Santos, a Filipino Historian.

Its original name was 19 de Junio after Jose Rizal’s birthday. Later renamed to Highway 54, and finally Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in 1959. Because of its length, Manilans shortened it into EDSA.

EDSA is also synonymous to a historic revolution that ousted former president and dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos in February 1986. The event took place in EDSA, the history books call it the EDSA Revolution.

EDSA Map:

Top Livable Cities in Metro Manila

Okay, first off, this is not a thorough survey, simply based on superficial personal observation of mine.

Basically, judging each city’s cleanliness, safety and economics. Some might argue with me, but no city is perfect.

Makati City. Everywhere I go, the roads are concreted. Even in areas which can be considered a slum, is generally clean.

For college graduates, it is a buffet of possible jobs to work for. Even laborers, food servers, and store clerks can find jobs here, there are constant construction of corporate buildings, and new businesses sprouting everywhere.

There are still affordable houses or rooms to rent, just go farther away from the Makati Business Disctrict.

Marikina City. The Ondoy storm that ravaged the part of this city could have changed their image as a livable city. But I would still recommend this city to anyone wanting to live in Metro Manila. Just avoid Providence Village, the place most devastated by the 2009 strongest typhoon.

The mayor here is strict about cleanliness and aesthetics. Although, it does not have a large business center such as Makati’s Ayala and Pasig’s Ortigas Center.

Pasig City. I would recommend this Eusebio managed city for working professionals, but not for families especially with kids.

There had been several shabu colonies that were raided by the police. Including one, just meters away from the City Hall, and reportedly raided three times in three years.

Pasig City belongs to the top five earning cities in the Philippines. I believe the Ortigas Center, the city’s premier business district is one big source of the income.

Mendicants or Manglilimos in Manila

A mendicant is a beggar. In tagalog, it’s manglilimos. You could find a lot of them roaming the streets of Metro Manila cities.

Just about an hour ago in a 7-11 store where i went in to eat my supper. I saw two ladies counting coins, lots of them. They appear to be Badjaos, one of the tribes originally from Mindanao.

They were doing the counting in the table which i also use to put my meal. While they were doing their thing I also mentally counted one of the lady’s money. It was more than 1,000 pesos (20$). An earning of one person only.

An average construction worker is only earning 300 pesos a day (6$). Had to injure heat and risk of an accident. While these beggars just sit or stand in one corner pretending to be poor.

Don’t fall for their antics.

La Mesa Eco Park

It was my first to visit La Mesa Eco Park last Holy Week. The place is best place for families, friends and lovers alike. But i went there alone, but still i enjoyed it nonetheless.

They also have boat rental and horseback riding. Much like in Baguio.

By looking at the surroundings, i find it odd that this park is situated right inside Metro Manila. Manila is notorious for its pollution and being a highly urbanized city, all concrete and stones.

How I got there. I rode a bus plying along EDSA, bus going to Fairview. I stopped in Marlboro St.

La Mesa Eco Park contact information:

(02) 410-9670 / (02) 415-2227

http://www.lamesaecopark.com

See more tons of photos of La Mesa Eco Park!

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Marikina City

Before posting tons of photos about Marikina City, i will give a bit of facts of about this progressive city.

Marikina City popularly known as the Shoe Capital of the Philippines. It is one of several cities that comprise Metro Manila. This city used to be the capital of Manila.

The adjacent cities of Marikina are Quezon City and Pasig City. It is about 20 minutes from where i live in Barangay Tomas Pasig without traffic, or one hour with traffic haha.
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