“Quiapo, Quiapo, Quiapo!”--- a well-known pick up line of the barkers, always resounding from any part of Manila, convincing every passengers to ascend a jeepney. This is how life starts in Manila. As early as the sun shines in the east, so with everybody who rushes with the busyness of the city.
Manila is one of the most crowded cities in Metro Manila, known for many controversies and historical events, famous for some compositions and tourist’s spots. A place where many universities reside as well as for small and big establishments. A place where you can glimpse both heaven and hell.
As you walk along through the streets of Manila, there are lots of scenarios that unwittingly will catch your attention. The rallyists coming from different provinces shouting and exposing their rights in the middle of the streets causing a heavy traffic, those business establishments offering different kinds of goods and services, those sidewalk vendors who are always deterred by some authorities. These are the most common scenarios in Manila. But that is not the worst there is. Streets of Manila became a residence for many families. These are the homeless people. They usually come form different provinces expecting to have a better living in urban but unfortunately they became unlucky. They occupy small spaces from sidewalks or closed establishments together with their families. These people have no place to go; they don’t even have a choice because they don’t have any source of living. They spend their cold nights and days on the streets, ignoring rainy or sunny seasons. These are normal people having an abnormal living. If we are going to observe them, we will notice that even if they are in that crucial state of situation, smiles still faint from their faces as if nothing is wrong. A very typical Filipino image. It will lead us thinking that life is always worth living. And it is. Life is supposed to be difficult but there is always something good in the way. It is just how we walk it well that makes life colorful.
Manila is one of the most crowded cities in Metro Manila, known for many controversies and historical events, famous for some compositions and tourist’s spots. A place where many universities reside as well as for small and big establishments. A place where you can glimpse both heaven and hell.
As you walk along through the streets of Manila, there are lots of scenarios that unwittingly will catch your attention. The rallyists coming from different provinces shouting and exposing their rights in the middle of the streets causing a heavy traffic, those business establishments offering different kinds of goods and services, those sidewalk vendors who are always deterred by some authorities. These are the most common scenarios in Manila. But that is not the worst there is. Streets of Manila became a residence for many families. These are the homeless people. They usually come form different provinces expecting to have a better living in urban but unfortunately they became unlucky. They occupy small spaces from sidewalks or closed establishments together with their families. These people have no place to go; they don’t even have a choice because they don’t have any source of living. They spend their cold nights and days on the streets, ignoring rainy or sunny seasons. These are normal people having an abnormal living. If we are going to observe them, we will notice that even if they are in that crucial state of situation, smiles still faint from their faces as if nothing is wrong. A very typical Filipino image. It will lead us thinking that life is always worth living. And it is. Life is supposed to be difficult but there is always something good in the way. It is just how we walk it well that makes life colorful.
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