Comments on: Notes on Manila: A tale of four cities

By: Arfman

Arfman — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 07:00:23 +0000

Odd to see such a big Telstra building there. I wonder if it’s a call centre…

By: James Clark

James Clark — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 02:01:58 +0000

In reply to Jigs Arquiza. Oh wow, you have seen the changes! The Greenbelt name now makes sense. Maybe it should have been named the Greenbuckle (belt not included).

By: Jigs Arquiza

Jigs Arquiza — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 01:05:16 +0000

I grew up in Malate in the 70s and 80s and it certainly has changed. Many buildings have been torn down and new ones built. Our old house is now a parking lot, haha.

Greenbelt used to be a huge belt of green (get it?) in the middle of Makati stretching from Makati Avenue down to Paseo de Roxas. The mall was built around the 1990s.

By: James Clark

James Clark — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 11:35:26 +0000

In reply to MR HUW GILLARD. Thanks. Yes even if going to a beach I think it is worth stopping off in Manila to have a visit.

By: James Clark

James Clark — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 11:34:35 +0000

In reply to Dariel. Thanks for that. As an Australian I am probably a bit crazier when it comes to tolerence for walking in the heat, but yes it is taxing when walking for hours on end. I felt like I could have spent a week to explore Binondo, so I will go back on another visit.

By: Dariel

Dariel — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 11:02:44 +0000

Former Manileno here. Really appreciate your review, and impressed at your fortitude! It’s been an unusually hot December, so I wouldn’t want to walk far in Manila unless I had no choice. Next time you visit, I suggest spending a bit more time poking around the Binondo area for dimsum and other Chinese food. Look for Salazar Bakery there. Cheers!

By: MR HUW GILLARD

MR HUW GILLARD — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 07:23:33 +0000

Excellent report on Manila featuring different zones and their vibes. Most visitor guide books recommend just using Manila as a transit hub whilst travelling on to the more popular southern islands. Your idea of incorporating the raised walkways seems a good solution to the disconnect of how it feels there.