EMONG'S JOURNALS

The Light Rail Manila Corporation together with content producer Gilbert Roy Alva had just released a virtual train ride video showing how the Light Rail Transit-1 works and runs in the city of Manila. In this 4-minute video, with visuals made possible through the video game Cities: Skylines, several LRT-1 stations are detailed, with landmarks pointed out, and go-to spots mentioned. Well, even the most seasoned LRT commuter/ mandirigma  will probably learn something here. Watch the video below to experience the LRT-1 ikotMNL Virtual Train Ride Tour! ANY THOUGHTS? Share your ideas by commenting. This post originally appeared on https://emongsjournals.blogspot.com

The annual feast of the Black Nazarene, happening on January 9, is Manila’s longest-running urban traditional procession. It is not only a harmonious blend of Spanish and Filipino traditions, but also a conveniently condensed representation of local history, art, and culture. WHAT IS IT? Simply put,  the "Traslacion" is when the image of the black Senor Nazareno is to be carried by bare-footed devotees called the "mamamasan," around Manila and back to Quiapo Church. The Black Nazarene is "black" because according to history, the image of the Senor Nazareno got damaged and got darker when the galleon carrying it from Mexico to Manila caught fire. Its original color was brown, painted by an unknown Mexican artist similar to his own skin. The Black Nazarene was originally brought by the Augustinian Recollect friars to the Church of San Juan Bautista in Bagumbayan (now Luneta Park) on May 31, 1606. It was later transferred to the Recollect Church ...

Yesterday was a tough commute. Stuck on Edsa for what felt like forever due to countless Payday Friday mall sales, and moronic drivers swerving left and right like snakes in the wild. So this leads me to shout, "This could be my worst traffic experience!" It was horrible! The day practically stood still. Prologue I don't go to Makati City that often. I'm the type that worries about the lack of parking spaces and in there you can't always just like pull over and park. But what can I do? I have a very pressing commitment and I have to be there. And there's the dreaded Edsa traffic jam. To the uninitiated, Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) and Makati City has the most epic road dramas. You’re forced to leave house when the sky is still on the dark side (say, 4.30am) to reach your office that seems so far, far away. Exit from your house any later and it's a trap – meet the hundreds of thousands of irate drivers who’ll always want to axe your hea...

It was Chinese New Year, first day of the Year of the Earth Dog. I was sure that the area around the Binondo Chinatown in Manila would be packed. Parked my car at a mall, rode the LRT train and set off on foot. It proved to be challenging to take pictures during the event due to the multitudes of people. There aren't enough elbow room for my desired compositions, nonetheless, I held on to my camera and snapped whatever (and whoever) catches my eye. (Click on any photo to start slideshow) Condo Vibes WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS POST? Share your ideas by commenting.

Many of the younger millennial generation have heard of locations mentioned in old books, articles and documents relating to the city of Manila that are no longer on the map. This is because several names of streets in Manila had since underwent a name change in the past, following nearly four centuries of colonial occupation. Take for example the Raon Street, that famous road that houses gazillions of electronic gadgets, speakers and TV sets which is now called Gonzalo Puyat Street and Divisoria that is now called Salas Street. Dakota is now Adriatico Street and Herran is now Pedro Gil Street. Find below the list of renamed streets in Manila. Original name New name District Calle Aceiteros M. de Santos Street San Nicolas Calle Aduana/Calle Claveria A. Soriano Avenue Intramuros - Port Area Calle Agno Fidel A. Reyes Street Malate Calle Albuquerque Raja Matanda  Street Tondo Calle Alejandro IV (Calle del Gral. Camba) M. V. Delos Santos Street Sampaloc Calle Alix Le...