The Haunts of Manila

Ang Pinoy ay matibay at matatag. I visited Quiapo just to see how this place is after the attack of Ondoy. Surprisingly, the theme was very Christmas. Central Market has its parols all over the place. This Market was the place to shop for the cotton panties and other underwear when we were younger.

It was business as usual for everybody - parang walang nangyari. The vendors are busy hawking their Christmas decorations. Close to Central Market was Beny's Beauty Salon. This was the in place then to get a hair trim - hindi pa uso ang salitang make-over noon.

Further down the road is the road to Quiapo. According to Erich, during the height of Ondoy, bahang-baha raw ang underpass - across the FEU. I remember Cinerama to the right and the series of the usual Quiapo stores na madalas ko daanan then.
The pictures are a little bit dark since these were taken inside the tinted car. Narigat itti sumardeng tapno agpalitrato. The traffice was horrendous and the smog - forget it.

We passed by the famed Quiapo Church. According to anecdotes, miracles are granted when prayed for in this church. The irony of it all, just outside the church are the ambulant peddlers. All of the "magic herbs" are just outside the church - from pampalaglag, pamparegla, pampagaling ng sakit na ano man, are all offered here. The dividng line between miracles and magics become blurred.
Right beside the Quiapo Church is the Plaza Miranda. This was the site of many political rallies and the famed Plaza Miranda bombing. The Plaza is now a rendezvous where everybody from all walks of life just spend their time. Another irony, only in the Philippines - the very close relationship of the Church and the State - ang simbahan at ang entablado ng Plaza Miranda.