bubbleboy

Originally uploaded by annalyn.

Manila unnerves me with its pack of beggars, criminals and swindlers (especially the one who victimized me last December)but I guess the things I love about this city outnumber the bad. I love Manila because it has s-o-u-l and it will always stand for the dreams and ambitions of its inhabitants who hope to make it to the big league, despite the seeming contradictions. Besides, I live and work in Manila so I have no choice but to love it back. I’ve made this list to convince myself of its virtues. Your contributions would be appreciated too (am not even halfway, not sure if I’ll make it to 101!)

1. the world-famous sunset
2. dirty ice cream ni mamang sorbetero
3. Baywalk
4. taho, ten pesos for one cup
5. hanging out in the open-air coffeeshop of the Manila Yacht Club
6. view of Manila Bay from any tall building in Roxas Boulevard
7. the CCP edifice
8. biking/jogging/strolling in the CCP Complex
9. Luneta - walang kupas!
10. bananacue
11. fishballs and squidballs - P10 per stick
12. One hundred peso footspas
13. $1 manicure and/or pedicure
14. Eng Bee Tin’s many-flavored hopia
15. airconditioned LRT coaches (as opposed to their microwave-oven counterparts)
16.Dining at Harbor View
17. Museo Pambata
18. the cobblestone streets of Intramuros
19. karitelas (horse-drawn carriages)
20. Jollibee in every corner
21. tapsilog 24/7
22. tree-lined Roxas Boulevard
23. karaoke galore
24. piping-hot pan de sal in the neighborhood bakery
25. $1 haircuts
26. Chow King halo-halo
27. ice-cold cheap San Miguel Beer
28. chicken halal in Quiapo
29. cheap DVDs everywhere
30. Made in China overload in Binondo and Divisoria
31. Chinatown
32. Jewelry stores in Ongpin
33. Old churches, incl. San Agustin, Binondo and Malate
34. Tsinoy Museum
35. Plaza Miranda
36. Stores selling orig, cheap designer watches in Carriedo
37. Second-hand book stalls in Recto
38. the brewed coffee in Everyday Cafe & Panciteria Lido
39. one-hundred peso comida china in Ramon Lee’s Panciteria
40. Savory Chicken in Escolta
41. Aristocrat Roxas Blvd.
42. Manila Bay boat cruise
43. Casino Filipino
44. My less than $200 two-year gym membership at Slimmers’ World
45. SM malls
46. tender juicy steaks at the Cowrie Grill of the Manila Hotel
47. the UST campus in Espana, my alma mater
48. Paco Park
49. Tutuban Mall
50. Fondue at Old Swiss Inn in Paco
51. Arranque Market
52. P120 “the works bento” in Iseya Hotel resto
53. Middle Eastern fare in Ghazal and Shawarma Center
54. German delicacies in Old Harry’s Pub
55. The best little corner in Manila at Cosa Nostra
56. Cafe Adriatico
57. Thai food at Sala Thai
58. Fifty-peso big ensaymada at Tita Fely’s
59. Aling Nene’s barbecue
60. pastries at Becky’s Kitchen
61. Vietnamese food at Cha Gio
62. La Solidaridad bookshop in Padre Faura
63. ensaymada & hot chocolate at Hizon’s
64. Vintage shopping at Marni’s Room - by appointment only
65. Madam Puring at the Pan Pacific food court
66. Paella and other Spanish food at Casa Armas
67. the Dangwa flower market in Dimasalang
68. Mojito and salsa dancing in Cafe Havana
69. Sanctuario Spa in J. Nakpil St.
70. Shanghai food at Suzhou Dimsum
71. Taiwanese fare in Success Coffee Shop
72. Exquisite Chinese cuisine in Good Earth
73. D’ electronics stores in Raon
74. warm, sunny weather
75. Malacanang Palace by the Pasig River
76. Estero cooking in Ongpin
77. Fine dining at Lolo Dad’s
78. Ballroom dancing at Makuhari
79. EJ’s to-die-for BBQ, as per Spanky
80. native handicrafts stalls under the Quiapo bridge
81. Intramuros Golf Club, the only public golf course this side of town
82. Blind massage
83. Remedios Circle resto row
84. Spanish cuisine & The Feast of Three Kings at Casino Espanol de Manila
85. Turn-of-the-century dining at La Cocina de Tita Moning
86. The Hyatt Hotel & Casino Manila Market Cafe buffet
87. Spanish-era ancestral houses in strategic parts of the city
88. The Manila Bulletin office, my fave place for meeting my media friends. Not many people also know that it has an Olympic-size sports arena and hotel-like area for its printing facilities
89. Star City
90. tiangges selling all sorts of clothes and knick-knacks
91. Coconut Palace
92. the designer ateliers of Pitoy Moreno, Frederick Peralta et. al.
93. Wok Inn
94.

(to be continued)

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Posted in My Manila |