Philippines Diary

And as a Filipino OPM (Original Pilipino Music) by Hotdog song goes:

Manila
I keep coming back to Manila
Simply no place like Manila
Manila I’m coming home

I should say that there are things that I don’t miss in the Philippines… the corrupt government is on top of my list. The sticky feeling that you get after you’ve just taken a shower… the 20 minute commute turns out to be hours and hours of jeepney ride… oh and yes the flying cockroaches haha

BUT nothing can compare to the the colourful, gigantic billboards along the highway … the beeping of the horns in the traffic of the thoroughfares… the yummy tropical fruits especially the mangoes that tastes way different and is much more yummy than the ones in Melbourne

… or the street food though they may not be the best in hygiene but the taste is to die for.

And of course the laughter with family and friends

We had to make some errands and do some paperwork, which was the main reason for coming here, so we started off our day early. And this will be our view for the next three weeks down at the rooftop bedroom at my sister’s place. This is sunrise on our second day in Makati, the CBD of the Philippines. Makati is known for its upscale shopping malls with high fashion brands, restaurants, hotels and its skyscrapers.

My nephew drove us off to Bonifacio Global City (or easily called BGC)which is a financial business district in Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Errands done so it is time to catch up with friends from Melbourne and lunch with my niece and sister. At Mesa, a restaurant in SM Aura, serving modern Filipino food.

After lunch we went to my niece’s condo which was on the 29th floor…and boy what a view!l

Then went to the nearby Uptown Mall where we saw a bunch of Street Art like this below. Artwork by Jon Renacia, Alvin Gamit, Christian Manabat and Dink Velasco.

Such an excitement when I saw this at one of the rooftop.

Getting to be night time now and we were still walking around.

We were on holidays mode so dessert and dinner somewhat all overlapped together.

Before the end of our day we watched the dancing water fountain.

And went back to my niece’s place and finally she took us home to my sister’s place.

Tiring yes… but it was still a great time we all had!

For Natalie’s Photographing Public Art Challenge PPAC

For Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge

For Jo’s Monday Walk

For Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge

For Ludwig’s Monday Windows