Philippine Days

It's 7:00 a.m. and throngs of people continue to fill the streets. Buses and jeepneys honk, vendors mill around selling cellphone accessories, bottled water and cigarettes, waves of pedestrians enter and vanish inside their respective buildings until the "peak" of the rush hour subsides. Another busy day begins in Manila.

A scene like this is typical in the Philippines, particularly in Metro Manila with its busiest districts being Makati, Pasig, and Quezon City. These cities contain many high-rise office buildings, shopping malls, smart hotels, ramshackle neighborhoods and bustling traffic.

Like most big cities, there are three predictable peak periods: namely, morning (around 7-9AM), lunchtime (12Noon-1PM), and after office hours (around 5-7PM). Business hours usually run from 8AM to 5PM, except for lunch break at 12NN-1PM.

“grilled banana on a stick”

Filipinos love to eat, and tend to have long lunches, interspersed with "merienda", a snack which can be anything from a grilled banana on a stick to a hot meal of rice, fish, a tomato and an

an "itlog na pula", a salted egg dyed hot pink on its shell. Traditionally taken in the late afternoon, "merienda" is enjoyed by most Filipinos throughout the day.

Lunch for the work force is readily available at nearby fast-food chains like Jollibee (the leading food chain in the country); or in mid- to upscale restaurants offering a variety of dishes - Filipino, Italian and Japanese, being the most popular.

Lunchtime is for social and business talks, which usually extends to a cigarette session into coffee time. Not surprisingly, coffee shops like Starbucks thrive in the Philippines' urban centers, and can be found virtually everywhere.

With wireless internet zones, air conditioning and familiar brews, coffee houses have become a welcome part of a Manileneo's day.

When they aren't at work, Filipinos are at the mall, usually with the entire family in tow - from Lolas (Grandmothers) to newborns.

Malls of varying sizes (mostly massive in size!), are open until 8 pm, later for restaurants and cinemas. Everything from spas and dry cleaners to schools and banks can be found here, as well as the well-loved bargain stalls (called Tiangge).

Mobile communication is cheap and readily available. Further attractions are the various entertainment and dining establishments that operate even beyond 12MN, extending social and business hours.

Strategically, many of these are located near hotel and residential condominiums.

Public transport such as buses, jeepneys, and taxis to and from these urban centres is available mostly for 24 hours. Another option is the urban railway system locally known as LRT or MRT, but on limited time of operations and on standing-room condition during peak hours. Getting directions is no problem, as most locals speak English fluently and are very approachable.

Summarising a day in the Philippines is like everything else in the Philippines: a contradiction and mix of emotions. Frustrations, delays, things breaking down and not working, noise and chaos- at the same time as a great sense of peace, joy and serenity that not only did you get through the day unscathed, but you rather enjoyed it after all!

Updates this week

We start with Southern Thai Culture. Then is diametric opposition, we look at the Phayao People of Chiang Mai. Moving East, we encounter Isaan, and the unique Esarn People and their equally unique Esarn Culture.

We add to the section on the Philippines with an article on Philippine Children. Finally, we have added a small photo exhibition of the work of Wolfgang Steiner.

Have a warm week.