Philippines 1999: Manila - The Colonial capital of Intramuros...

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall..." - Nelson Mandela

Manila, Philippines

(17 -20 September 1999)

I was with four other TERAS team members on a bench-marking visits for the new treasury system for the dealing room of Bank Negara Malaysia. We spent most of our time in offices and have little time to do sight seeing. This was my second time visiting Manila.

Manila is located on the west coast of the Philippine main island of Luzon and surrounded by fertile plains. The city straddles the delta of the Pasig River, a short navigable stream that connects the freshwater lake of Laguna de Bay with the huge natural harbour of Manila Bay and the South China Sea. Hot and humid throughout the year, Manila’s climate is slightly tempered by the sea breezes. Typhoons sometimes occur in May and November.

(Relaxing at one of the beaches)

Originally Manila was a conglomeration of 17 towns and villages, which were brought together under the regime of President Marcos in 1976. Metro Manila is the actual urban core, 15 sq miles of urban sprawl extends to outlying towns and villages such as Quezon City, Pasay City, Pasig City and Makati City, the centre for business and much of the nightlife.
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Manila today is a sprawling chaotic agglomeration that exercises a disproportionate influence on the entire country and is a lesson in contrasts. The dichotomies of wealth and poverty are evident, with the palatial neighbourhoods around Makati contrasting with squatter camps along the river, where the destitute scavenge to survive. So much of Manila still remains mired in the Third World and democracy has brought little change as yet to the poor. The city’s chaos also reflects the Philippines’ cultural diversity – there are more than a hundred cultural minority groups living in the country.

Manila is an overpowering city and can certainly prove to be hectic if you are not prepared for it. A combination of the bustle of the traffic, noise, pollution, poverty and often-shabby infrastructure makes the city seem intimidating. However, Manila’s energy and the good humour of its people become infectious.

The sun shines everywhere.

It lights even the tops of clouds.

Why do I gnash my teeth at daisies

Just because I'm not at home?

👈 1999: Brisbane, Australia

1999: Makkah, Saudi America 👉