What are the changes happened in Philippines while
we're gone?
The MRT Transportation
The very best thing that makes me happy about Philippines is the
development of MRT...Although it's always full during rush hour, it
helps me to reach my destination faster than ever before. If I'm from
Cubao going to Ayala and the train is crowded, what I'm going to do
is to ride back to Monumento Station...and from there all passengers
from Taft are going to alight from the train and that makes the train
empty. So, I'm now on the best seat 'cause I'm on the first train
already that is about to go back to Taft Station...I just need to
spend few minutes going to Monumento from Cubao. Which is better rather
than waiting at Cubao station for the train to come from Monumento.
Meanwhile, If I'm going to Ayala to shop or do some paperwork regarding
my overseas travel, well I can say that it's so tiring to walk from
Ayala MRT station going to foreign embassy I'm visiting for. So, it
is better to ride in a bus. Although it is rush hour, you're not going
to spend so much time waiting at the bus station. Most buses are not
crowded at this time and it's very seldom that you'll see standing
passengers. The time of travel is not bad as well because number of
buses and private cars were lessened.
The only thing that is not fine riding in MRT are those train which
doesn't have an air-conditioning, that's why if it's too crowded,
you can't almost breathe. Some waiting stations especially those at
the tunnel is quite hot, how I wish they would install few numbers
of big fans around the area.
AYALA AVENUE WALKWAY
If I'm from Ayala avenue, I'm not use to ride in a jeepney, I'll
just walk from end to end of that avenue. I always use the walkway,
the bridge attached or connected at the side of some buildings in
Ayala avenue. You don't have to cross the street if you want to use
this wonderful creation of our people and if it's sunny day, you don't
need to bring an umbrella to protect yourself from the sun. In addition
with this, one of the best things about the walk way is, it is connected
to some popular shopping malls such as Landmark, Shangri-La, Cartimar,
Farmers plaza and there’s another one, the upcoming walkway
in Cubao connected from LRT 2 to Cubao MRT via Araneta shopping center
near the National Bookstore and Araneta coliseum.
Once you've reached the greenbelt area from Ayala walkway, no need
for you to walk down the street if you're heading to MRT station.
Just come in at the Landmark, do some window-shopping or just continue
to walk. If you're leaving Landmark, no need to come out of the mall
too, from there, there's an entry going to Ayala shopping mall and
from there, there's another entry going to SM supermarket. And from
SM, there's an exit that will bring you straight at MRT Ayala station.
ROXAS BOULEVARD / MANILA BAY PARK
We went to Roxas Blvd. Bay Park too and I was surprised that there
are many small restaurants with band singers at night. It helps you
to relax while having a snack or a dinner 'case there are bands playing
with beautiful music. Cool breeze are coming from the Manila Bay but
sometimes, it comes with not so pleasant smell. How I wish they can
clean the bay and remove the unwanted odor.
Streetlights has a beautiful color combination too, pathways has
a ceramic tiles, bonsai gardens, play ground and guarded by some local
policeman. It has some small fountains and a water dance fountain
as well. I think, it’s better if they’re playing music
with it too. Although it’s not Christmas yet, the surroundings
sounds like Christmas because of the beautiful lights, scenery and
many people are walking by even it’s already so late at night.
THE QUIAPO CHURCH AND UNDERPASS
When I was a child, my father and I always travels from the province
to spend my vacation in Quiapo Manila. We always take the Philippine
Rabbit or Victory Liner buses. If we ride on Philippine rabbit, their
bus station is in Carriedo so, we’re just going to walk all
the way from there to my Auntie’s place in P. Casal.
We're always walking on the underpass of Plaza Miranda, I still remember
that there are many things selling there and beggars were scattered
that’s why you can’t walk very fast. That place never
change even I stayed permanently in Quiapo to study in high school.
Every time I walk in Quiapo area, I always say to myself and even
to my friends that Quiapo never ever changed. Whatever it is when
I was 7 years old, it is until now.
However, this time, it has changed…the Quiapo church has a
small park in front of it with beautiful ceramic or marble tiles.
The underpass looks well too, vendors are not allowed anymore to sell
down there but they have some space above. Tiles were installed on
the walls of the underground as well and this time, it will not be
so hard for you to pass on that area.
ofw info hub 
