A Sunny Introduction to Manila
Manila. I won’t be the one to say anything definitive about the Philippine capital – because I can’t. Over twenty years of living in this beautifully confused city – ‘confused’ due to the mingling of old colonial traditions and 21st-century modernity – and I still cannot figure it out. Every single day there is something new to see, something quite out of the ordinary, something that encourages me to stay, despite the occasional unkind circumstance, and discover what Manila may have in store tomorrow.
Like the sunset. Let’s start with that, among many other things, for the sunset is a timeless part of Manila. My opinion is that you cannot persuasively say you’ve been to the Philippines, or lived in it, without having your breath taken at least once by this pretty sight. And there are others who share that opinion. “Oh my goodness,” I’ve heard more than one expatriate say admiringly. “It’s just like a screensaver!”
And so in the afternoons, hundreds of tourists and locals (and lovers) flock to the Roxas Boulevard boardwalk, all of them eager to watch the sun dipping cautiously behind Bataan peninsula on the gold, then dark orange, then purple horizon. They’d come, brandishing video cameras, D-SLR cameras, digital cameras, or cell phone cameras; artists would set up their easels and sit on stools to paint the vista – anything to capture the moment. Of course the moment would not be complete without a glimpse of the occasional tiny white dinghy slicing through the glassy waters of Manila Bay.
Oh, but mere words can’t do the sunset justice! As a Filipino, I’ve witnessed it more times than I can count, and have been rendered speechless every time. Now – government ordinance may have taken away Roxas Boulevard’s music bars and al fresco cafes and street performances. And ridiculous taxes may have been imposed on the enjoyment of other attractions. But the screensaver cannot be touched. That’s enough reason in Manila to make me look forward to tomorrow.
Hi Migs, nice to see you. welcome as neighbor and colleague here in liveinthephilippines
Hi Migs,
Good to see you have joined the team of writers here. This site is fast turning out to be the premier blog in the Philippines. I arrive in the Philippines in two weeks time and I will tell my asawa-to-be that we should (she is not from Manila) visit Roxas Boulevard to view the sunset. I look forward to reading more about what makes Manila tick.
Welcome aboard Migs!
Hi Migs - Let me also wish you a hearty welcome aboard!
Hello Migs, nice to see someone talking about the Philippines especially in Manila where most people across the globe associate the entire Philippines (and yes, Philippines is not Manila and Manila is not the Philippines).
Anyway, I would agree with you that despite the chaotic life and mix of old colonial and modern features of the city, I do can’t get enough of Manila (especially when I visited it again last January for a long Christmas vacation).
And yes, nothing beats our grandiose sunset view at Manila Bay. I once blogged about it before after I was viewing it atop my office cubicle in one of the tallest buildings in Makati. The golden sun was dipping slowly; about 1/2 of it already looked like the top of the head of Homer Simpson
But it’s really a majestic sight.
Hi Klaus, Eric and Bob: Thank you so very much for the warm welcome. It feels like home writing for the site already. I am very excited to be a contributor for LIP, and am looking forward to writing - and reading - future posts.
Hi Richard: Welcome to the Philippines! I hope that you’re enjoying your stay so far, be it in Manila or elsewhere. You should view the sunset; I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Cheers!
Hi Jio: Hmm - I didn’t know that from Makati, one had a good view of the sunset! It is very nice indeed to hear from people who love Manila, albeit in a schizophrenic way. (Like me)
Looking forward to viewing Homer Simpson’s head with you soon!
I recently had the experience to witnessing the nice sunset in Manila Harbor behind the Mall of Asia. It was funny to see the security guards trying to keep people from standing on the seawall. Amid the hustle and bustle of MM there are liitle comforts and surprises, if you seek them out. The more time I spend there the more I enjoy it. Fiestas in January! I think only in Makati?
Hi Migs,
Thank you for your lovely article about the Manila sunset.
It’s very refreshing to read about Manila (and its hidden wonders) from a young Filipino like you. Although from Mindanao, I’ve lived in Manila (Quezon City) for about 7 years while in college and during my early working years. I have also spent many summer vacations there while growing up. One of the highlights of these vacations were our visits to the Luneta Park, Manila Zoo and cruising on a motorco on Roxas Blvd. while eating cotton candy. I’m sure these motorco rides are long gone. I’ll have to admit that I have not once stopped to watch the famous Manila Bay sunset. I may have witnessed it as a kid or as a young adult but the youth are usually unimpressed by nature’s beauty. We took things like these beautiful sunsets for granted then. And, as a college student, I spent most of my time in either Cubao or Makati. Manila was sort of out of the way or “uncool” then. I think that as we get older, we learn to appreciate things better. This is why I am glad that a young Filipino like you appreciates Manila in the way you have. I wish I did then. I will be visiting Manila this April and I just promised myself to make a trip to Roxas Blvd. to watch the sunset, thanks to your article.
I look forward to more of these wonderful articles of yours.
Hi Rob: I cannot believe the security guards are keeping people away from the sea wall! But yes - the Mall of Asia is a wonderful place to view the sunset, especially with its new row of al fresco bars and coffee shops. As for fiestas, you might know more than I do; typically, though, the other cities celebrate their respective fiestas during the summer, or close to that season.
Here’s to more surprises in Manila!
Hi Tina: Thank you for your very kind words. You’re right - there aren’t any more cotton candies being sold along the Roxas Boulevard area, as the promenade has recently been cleared of commercial stalls and activities. But it doesn’t matter, do come by, and maybe we’ll even catch the sunset together when you’re here!
Cheers!
Hi Migs,
I like that idea very much, thank you! I’ll email you when the date gets closer. Let’s plan on it, okay? Really looking forward to it…
Hi Tina: Wonderful! I’m very much looking forward to welcoming you back to Manila!
Hi Migs, great to see you writing here.
I know exactly what you mean about that sunset, I have many many pictures taken of it. For some reason, the time of sunset has always been my favourite time of the day and looking across Manila bay to that wonderful sight totally captures in my mind as to why.
I do find it extremely sad that the little bars and cafes on Roxas Boulevard have been taken away, there was such an atmosphere there and indeed it was my very first introduction to Manila. I arrived in the Philippines for the very first time with John about 4 years ago, in the evening, and within a couple of hours I had been pulled up on stage, singing and dancing with a singing group from Cebu. It was a truly wonderful experience and from that moment on I knew there was something different and magical about the Philippines.
So now, 4 years later I am now living in Davao city. How things move on and change!!
I hope you had a good visit to Davao recently. Looking forward to seeing you again soon.
Hi Steve: We miss you! The whole of the Philippines misses you!
Yes, I did enjoy visiting Davao. I also enjoy writing for LiP, and I hope to introduce more people to the very lovely Manila Bay Sunset. How I wish the mayor didn’t take away the nightlife along the promenade, though.
See you soon!
Hi migs Phil here i’ve been to manila stayed in Baclaran for a week and went to the Baclaran Church seen the mall of asia . went to the zoo it was the first time i have ever seen a bearcat alive and up close .that impressed me WE walk the Roxas Boulevard missed the sunset thought..i’m a farmboy so it was a little crowed for me but it was a exciting experence for me and my wife first time for her too ,she is from gingoog city ..
Hi Phil: I am very glad that you had a good time at the zoo, to which I haven’t been for a long time. And I’m sure you’ll get more chances to see the sunset. Just don’t count on Roxas Boulevard being less crowded during that time, because it really attracts a lot of people.
Welcome to Manila!