Remembering the Past

Remembering the past

Prompted by the features of pinoy bloggers, I went to see the awardee of the Unesco 2005 Asia Pacific Cultural Heritage Awards, the FEU campus. FEU was cited by Unesco for the project "... in the context of its immediate neighborhood, the project has had a significant effect on raising historic awareness in the community. The project maintained a commendable balance between preserving original building design and use while accommodating the university's modern needs." Indeed FEU is a breather in the congested Quiapo District of Manila. Its well maintained campus is a stark contrast to its nearby neighbor the former Bilibid Prison.

As I logged in at the visitor’s lounge of the university auditorium, I spotted an exhibit organized in partnership with the Philippine Veterans Bank “The War Of Our Fathers-A Tribute To The Filipino Freedom Fighters.” In black and white photos with full documentation, one was reminded of the destruction of Manila, the atrocities of war and courage and valor of the Filipinos.

Fr. James B. Reuters, S. J. wrote in the welcome billboard "When those of us, who lived through those days, die…the world will forget..." Through pictures, inscriptions and video presentation, one gets to see what was the painful past.

The exhibit was on its last day last 15 March and will move to another venue in the province. War of our Fathers is on a national roadshow courtesy of the bank.

Two historical moments in 2 hours reminded us there was glory then in the 40's called Manila.

You link me up

You link me up





The long wait for the Doroteo Jose-Recto LRT pedestrian walkway has partially ended. This major infrastructure project which will allow the change of train from LRT1 to 2 and vice versa without stepping on the road was opened to the commuting public this 10 March 2007 but only on one side-from Recto to Monumento. This should spare the train commuter from the hazards of crossing Rizal Avenue and Oroqueta. Once completed, it will seamlessly connect NCBA/ St. Bridget (Katipunan) to La Salle/ St. Scho (V. Cruz). Based on the pacing, the Recto to Baclaran linkage may be ready in a month or two. By the way, LRT2 tickets are acceptable at the LRT1.

Two Corrections:
1. It took 5 months to complete the pedestrian crossing to the Dorotheo Jose-Baclaran route not in a month or 2 that I originally projected. As of 15 September 2007, I walked from the LRT2 station at Recto to the LRT1 station at the Dorotheo Jose East side on the way to Baclaran without going down to Rizal Avenue. The elevated walkway was finally operational about a month ago. From the walkway, you need to walk up to about 2 floors before you can reach the other side. Safer than crossing Rizal Avenue. There are escalators and elevators for the inactive ones.
2. You need to purchase separate tickets for LRT1 and LRT2. You can enter using the LRT2 ticket but you can not use the ticket to exit.

East to West via the Pasig River

East to West via the Pasig River-Downstream from Guadalupe to Escolta



Pasig River Ferry is now operational since 10 March 2007. Stations in place are in Escolta, Hulo, Sta Ana, and Guadalupe. First trip is at 5:30 am with fixed schedules about every hour until 9:05 pm. Fare for the longest and the shortest route is the same at P 25.0. The Catamaran can accommodate 152 seated passengers in an enclosed air-conditioned vessel. An officer of the Philippine Coast Guard and a full service technical complement should ensure the security and safety of the vessel. Travel time is approximately 55 minutes.



Travel in a new light from East to West. Pasig River is not that bad especially from Escolta to Nagtahan. The most populated section is between Pandacan to Lambingan in Sta Ana. Like the LRT, there are strict restrictions: luggage is limited, no picture taking at Malacanang, no drunk riders, no bringing of food. For now with only 2 vessels operating, waiting time in between rides is approximately an hour. The Guadalupe station has the advantage of a walking distance access to the LRT Guadalupe station and the bus rides at EDSA. Karitelas can move you to the next jeepney and LRT/MRT stations in Escolta in case you don't like walking.



Beyond the convenience of the new mode of transport made available by the romantic river to the ordinary commuters, Pasig Ferry gives access to the river strip never been seen before. One passes through in a sense, history. In less than 60 minutes, one is transported to the past starting from the upstream, the Manila of the Spaniards, Chinese and Americans and in Malacanang, the seat of power that has seen many presidencies. Towards downstream we see the current in the abandoned and decaying factories, the communities that mushroomed under the steel framework of the bridges of MacArthur, Quezon, Nagtahan, Pandacan and Lambingan and the increasing colony of settlers at the Hulo and river banks.

The landscape may not be stunningly beautiful. But it says that the Filipino, in spite of it all is struggling and is still alive. Welcome aboard to the city of our affection, Manila.



Fotos and details at this site http://www.pinoytravelblog.com/roadtrip/508/pasig-river-ferry-metro-manilametro-manila

See Google's satellite map of Manila http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=14.579000,121.083000&spn=0.104044,0.167645&t=k&hl=en

Down to Earth

Down to Earth with Pastour Emata

Erwin “Pastour” Emata was the second undisputed Filipino to step at the roof of the world on 18 May 2006, Thursday at 5:30 a.m. (7:30 a.m. Philippine time), next to Leo Oracion. His famous words while raising the flag at 29,035 feet ASL were "Ang lamig-lamig dito!"

But what is he really like? I was at close range with Pastour for the first time 8 March 2007 at the send off party of the Kaya ng Pinay: The All-Filipina Team Everest at the Megamall parking lot. After a short warm up introduction, Pastour casually postured like any other moutaineers I climb with: talkative, pilyo, filosopo, funny and down to earth.


While our conversation was drowned out by the blaring vocals of Hanna of the Session Road, Pastour gamely narrated relevant incidences leading to the completion of his mission, to reach the top of Everest and to return back alive.

For a co-mountaineer whose realm of experience is limited to the tropics, one listens with awe as to what the man who made history has to say. Cathy Buelva, friend of Pastour’s fellow Everest climber Larry Honoridez validated if not prompted some replies.

Photo courtesy of Mae Cruz

The happiest moment was not when I reached the summit but when I was safely secured at the base camp. “Dala kasi ng takot noong nakita ko na may namamatay pala talaga rito.” Fear seeped in when he was at the Khumbo Ice Fall because the probability of death was no longer a concept but an actual possibility. 3 of the 5 sherpas in their entourage were buried by a collapsing glacier.

I persevered. Aside from the skills, it was the “lakas na loob” that drove me to the top and the assurance that there was a team supporting me.

Leo trekking to the peak first was a team decision. He was the strongest, I was just the fastest. My follow through and schedule to ascent were a collaborative decision. It called for some sacrifice. “Di pumasok sa loob ko na historical yung moment na yon. Ang iniisip ko makababa sa base camp.”
To successfully reach the top, one must establish a trusting relationship with your Sherpa. It’s a one on one affair with Pemba. “Ang buhay ko nasa Sherpa. Katabi ko siya matulog noon pa man sa training. Sa kanya ko pinagkatiwala ang buhay ko.”

Receiving the accolade after our historic moment is a familiar situation for me. As I have been recognized for winning adventure race, the feeling is the same except that this was on a larger scale. “Pa kaway-kaway din.”

The peak of Everest is granted not to everyone. All the forces must align to allow you to step foot at the peak: God, the weather, the circumstances, one’s skill and capability, the team and the resources. As in any mountain, one should truly be deserving to attain it. To Pastour, his exposure as an adventure race was what built up his endurance, a necessary physical element to scale Everest. “Maraming hirap ang dinaanan namin sa mga Alphine training. Malaking tulong ang ginawa ng pagiging Adventure Racer ko sa pag build up ng aking endurance.”

Now post 18 May 2006, having acclimatized back to the reality of day-to-day living in Davao and preparing for the first Filipina Everest climb, he faces two personal challenges: narrating his experience to non-mountaineers and providing for his family. The difficulty of the climb is hard to relay to the urban professionals who have not gasped for breathe in a mountain or in a race. One must have climbed a cardiac ridge to relate with the difficulty the team went through. “Ang pinakamadaling ikinukwento ko ay kung anong nararamdaman ko, walang technical.”

The greater challenge I face is not the next mountain I’ll climb but how to provide for my growing family. Pastor’s sources of income prior to Everest were as a mountain guide to Apo and as a professional participant to Adventure Racing where his drive to win was the prize money. Today post Everest, his regular income comes from the Philippine Coast Guard where he was appointed as petty officer third class. “Sana man lang sa bawat pag sign ko ng autograph, magbibigay ng piso, uihay na ang pamilya ko.”

Fame has its price. When my eldest son sent me off for the Pinay Kaya Mo Expedition, he said, “‘tay balik ka na sa inyo?” “Nalungkot ako!”

The success story of of the Filipino stepping foot at the roof of the world is an inspiration. While we may not physically conquer the highest point on earth, the strains we face as urban warriors are alike. Like climbing a mountain, the sames values particularly the belief in ourselves and aligments are needed to propel us to survive and to succeed. That is what I found out from Pastour. They are not exclusive to Pastour nor to Leo nor Romy. They are within reach even to us ordinary mortals struggling with our own private Everests’.

(Disclaimer: Di pa po nababasa ni Pastour.)

The Manila that they and we knew

The Manila that they and we knew

When my English teacher writes a story and publishes it in a book, I drop by the bookstore and browse it.

When she writes a foreword to a compilation of essays published in a book, I buy and read it and write about it.



The Manila We Knew is a collection of 14 essays edited by Ms. Erlinda Enriquez Panlileo with a foreword by Ms. Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo. Book published by Anvil recalls Manila then in the pre and post war narrating how much liveable the city was before than now in the 21st century.

Review in the UST Publication The Varsitarian by Ms. Myla Bantog says on the collection of essays by 12 female writers, “Every essay carries with it a certain air of nostalgia that awakens long-forgotten memories of Manila among older readers and brings a sense of longing to the younger ones, whether it be the old Assumption College on Herran St. demolished 30 years ago, the “kissing lagoon” at the UP, or the sampaloc trees which had vanished on Sampaloc Avenue, now Tomas Morato. But things change, and so does Manila, leaving only remnants of the trees that once lined its streets, and the fireflies that used to be so abundant in its gardens.” http://www.varsitarian.com/details.asp?id=2504

Ms. Hidalgo in her foreword commented that while Manila of today has decayed and deteriorated, the writers have not given up on her. She eloquently writes, "This book is about the old home. These authors have opened the old camphor chest and sifted through the dusted faded treasures lying there. And from the rescued bits and pieces, the precious little olds and ends, they have woven this glowing tapestry of the Manila they know and love."
Reading the book led me to to join the Ivan Man-Dy walking tour to have a first hand experience on the Chinatown through a culinary experience and a better appreciation of the visual Art Deco of Escolta. We truly are a result of several cultural exposures whose identity is still evolving. http://www.oldmanilawalks.com/



The book reading and the walking tour were to me visually summarized while standing at the foot of Jones Bridge at the bank of the Pasig River. Binondo at the North was my Chinese heritage that seeped in 400 years ago, the Central Post Office across Pasig River at the South and the Escolta at the immediate North were the American imprint preserved in an Art Deco form. Farther West was the Walled City of Intramuros, a legacy of the Spanish colonization in the 15th century. The banks at the West Side were the shapes and forms of the 20th century. At the far East was the post modern look of the new FEATI annex immortalized by the famous positive line "Look up young man, look up."



We certainly hope that the future for the urban dwellers is as bright as the vision the FEATI slogan plugs it.

Ms. Hidalgo ends her foreword with a line, The Manila We Knew ". . . is a testament to the city of their affection." If I may add, our affection too.

4 March 2007