Blogs from Makati, Metromanila, Philippines, Asia

31 mars Manila: Scam City. Voilà le titre du paragraphe qui m'a sauté aux yeux en feuilletant mon guide de voyage. Manille, ville d'arnaques. C'est ainsi que j'atterit aux Philippines: avec appréhension. Je n'ai pas même sorti de l'aéroport Ninoy Aquino qu'on m'averti déjà: "Keep your bag in front of you". C'est le douanier qui me donna ce conseil. "And which taxi should i take if i don't want to pay too much?" que j'ose demander au bon officier. "I can't tell you" qu'il me répond alors en me pointant le brillant soleil à l'exterieur des portes vitrées de l'aéroport. C'était une invitation à me lancer dans la cohue des chauffeurs de taxi ça. J'acquiesce donc et apparaît aussitôt sur le quai ensoleillé, confus par mes 25 heures d'avion et mes 2 assommantes escales. À droite ... read more

The balance of my stay was pretty uneventful. Back is still sore so on the last day went to Wensha Spa . . . . . last time I was here was BRILLIANT - this time not so much. The common areas ALL have TV's blaring, some on different channels and so the sound just becomes a mish mash. Even the 'quiet room' where they do the foot massage now has TV screens on all seats and there was one woman who had hers blaring away. Must find somewhere new if I ever return. After the massage, Arthur and I are realxing over a pasta for him and a beers for me killing a little time before heading off to the airport. The phone rings and it's squish calling from Oz - WE'VE BEEN BURGLED . ... read more

After many days of all work and heavy schedules, its time for a break. Away from the city, feeling summer breeze across the Subic Bay. Despite the sun's heat, we all enjoyed our entire day lying on the white and fine sand of the beach.... read more

I am a believer. Whenever people ask me if I want to go abroad to work, I would always say "Naah. I'll stay here." Some pessimists wonder why not just go out of the country and earn more in greener pastures? I just know it in my heart that no matter what we hear and see today around us, the sun will always shine in our nation and will be brighter than ever. I used to work in one of the most beautiful buildings in Makati - the RCBC Tower, and look through the clear glass windows at 4 or 5AM during my break and see the beauty and calmness of the sky above Makati. I thought, Philippines will have more of these. That was about five years ago, and I still believe it. Now, ... read more

Ayala Triangle Symphony of Lights runs yearly and somehow became a tradition for 3 years already. Ayala Triangle locates at the heart of Makati Central Business District. Since last year, after seeing it on TV, I was really keen on seeing the light show with Hannah, but since it was very far from us I always nixed the idea of going to the city just to watch this show. However, one weekend, I decided to go watch it with Hannah and Mel, not fully realizing we were about to go to the city on a Friday, which was the day that has the most traffic! Wow, wrong move... I was able to realized that once we were on the bus already and was stucked on the traffic! Anyway, after about an hour and a half trip ... read more