Sigh, Manila, oh, Manila. I know, you’ve been my lady for the past decade of my life and to you I am grateful. Regardless of your imperfections, I fell in love with you… (RE: http://philiphilario.tumblr.com/post/5221215749/manila-the-city-of-life)
Then tonight, I was casually browsing facebook when I saw this video that my friend, Layla Medina (http://takemetoyerleaderr.tumblr.com/), posted. The video, sort of, took my breath away, swept me off my feet and broke my heart. It was a video of Old Manila before the Second World War. Oh my God, it was a sight to behold. No, Manila didn’t have any of the landmarks present in every other world cities. Frankly. Manila didn’t need any to put other capitals to shame. Everything was so organized, so clean and so warm. People were well-dressed in their Sunday’s best and walking around the city… The MERALCO cable cars were running, along side jalopies, calezas drawn by horses and caritelas drawn by carabaos… There’s just no words to describe it. I have seen a lot of cities in videos, but old Manila, without any bias, is one of, if not, the best.
After watching the video, I wanted to take the Dolorean and transport myself back in time just to feel how great living in Manila was. Nope, I wouldn’t linger on the question of “WTH happened?” I will just sleep tonight and wish to dream of a Manila I never knew….
