Ten Interesting Facts about Manila and the Philippines

rom My FaceBook Page the Other Day: Filipinos need to go out of the Philippines to look at their country in a better light and perspective.

Manila, Philippines- Some Parts are Chaotic with Traffic Congestions, but the Rich Suburbs are Places for Big Mansions, First Class Shopping Malls and exemplifies the luxuries of Living on Planet Earth.

I will badly miss the following. I was born and raised in the Philippines but now I am residing abroad- Quotes from the Author of this Article

1. The sun- sun here is constant and reassuring. We know it will rise at 5am and sets ut 5:30 to 6pm, 365 days.

2. The chaos, traffic and smoke- it can be overwhelming for newcomers but a constant sense of adventure for us. Everyday, we ride on motorbikes and gets a different vibes, different level of thrill and danger.

3. The language and chatter- I will miss hearing Tagalog and local dialects if I am in a foreign land. I miss speaking it.

4. The smiles- I will miss the smile and gentle nods of the taho vendor, the grocery store owner and neigbors.

5. The ease of meeting friends- Filipinos are always just a call away. Need a coffee date, message a friend, meet halfway. Need a drinking buddy, call the tropa and head to the local bar. Or just go anyway and talk to the waiters.

Typical Rural ( Provinces) Scene in the Philippines

6. The entitlement- yes, as a natural born citizen I will miss that liberty to complain, rant, and vent without being discriminated, validated or threatened.

7. The beaches- It hits different here because our beaches are generally full of locals and not foreigners.

8. The food- Filipino food isn't recognized as world's best but for all I care, our food are nostalgic of the love and warmth of our mother's hands and father's hard earned labor. It was never meant to please a foreign palate. It is always meant to be shared.

9. The Filipino humor- it always comes easy and handy.

10. The natural calamities- on hindsight, it is a constant reminder of our mortality. Hence, we are more grounded and act with a sense of humility..

The Black Sand Beaches of the Philippines

So if Manila is the riskiest city to travel why are we making it to 3rd Friendliest country? Also, as one of the happiest nation on earth? Think! Don't just agree

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo of Batman- one of my pet Tuxedo Cats ( Black and White). His Brother Cat look-alike is named Robin.

Lastly, Did you know that during the American colonial period, Manila earned the nickname "Hollywood of the East." As a vibrant hub for U.S. films being distributed across Asia, Manila’s film scene thrived, showcasing American cinema to a wide audience in the region.

The city became a bustling epicenter of cinematic culture, with theaters and film studios popping up to cater to the growing demand for movies. This period marked a significant cultural exchange between the Philippines and the United States, influencing local filmmaking and entertainment.