bayan ko

Bayan Ko by Freddie Aguilar

Ang bayan kong Pilipinas

Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak

Pag-ibig na sa kanyang palad

Nag-alay ng ganda't dilag

At sa kanyang yumi at ganda

Dayuhan ay nahalina

Bayan ko, binihag ka

Nasadlak sa dusa

Ibon mang may layang lumipad

Kulungin mo at umiiyak

Bayan pa kayang sakdal-dilag

Ang 'di magnasang makaalpas

Pilipinas kong minumutya

Pugad ng luha at dalita

Aking adhika

Makita kang sakdal laya

Bayan Ko is one of the most poignant patriotic songs in the Philippines. It was originally written as a poem by José Corazón de Jesús in 1929, and set to music by Constancio de Guzman. Written as a protest song during the American occupation of the Philippines, it is often sung in protest rallies and demonstrations throughout Philippine history, notably during the funeral of Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. and the ensuing People Power Revolution where Freddie Aguilar led the crowd to sing the song's chorus.

Photo: a detail from the Bonifacio Shrine in front of the Manila City Hall

SM city san lazaro

SM City San Lazaro, Felix Huertas cor. A.H. Lacson Sts. Sta. Cruz, Manila

One of the many department stores owned by Henry Sy, but that is not the reason why i posted this photo here. Just trying to remember how it looked liked when San Lazaro Hippodrome, a horse racetrack, was standing here. I can still remember how the men in our area always troop in this area to bet at the karera.

Check out San Lazaro Hippodrome by Señor Enrique

LRT r. papa station

LRT R. Papa Station

LRT R. Papa Station is located in Tondo, Manila. And is the 3rd station from Monumento, near the Rizal Avenue Extension and the river that separates or serve as the boundary between Manila and Caloocan. LRT R. Papa station is also near the Chinese cemetery.

If you look closer at the photo you can see a train approaching. By the way if you're a frequent LRT/MRT commuter you would notice that the passengers seems to double in number, most probably due to the fare increase... yeah better take the LRT, no traffic and cheaper! The LRTA management said that they dont have any plans of increasing the fare which is currently at 12 pesos for minimum fare or for the first 4 stations and only 15 pesos from monumento to baclaran.

take a bow

sunset pink hues

Sunset pink hues at the Manila Yacht Club, Philippines

alternative

the fare increase is taking effect today and more commuters are now relying on the lrt and mrt, which cost less and faster.

and i remembered the original king of the road (the calesa or caritela) from the video in my old manila post. i guess we can use the good old calesa as an alternative way of transportaion since oil prices are getting more expensive everyday.

these folks surely are having a blast in this calesa ride... so why not bring back the original king of the road, what do you think?

puv fare increase

Less than two months ago when i posted about the increase of jeepney fare and with the soaring oil price of petroleum products, another fare increase for public utility vehicles has been approved by the LTFRB starting friday.

"MANILA, Philippines—An additional burden on commuters but a small relief for drivers and owners of public utility vehicles.

Starting this Friday, the minimum fare for public buses, taxis and jeepneys will go up by at least 7 percent, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced Tuesday.

LTFRB Chair Thomas Lantion said Malacañang ordered the fare increases. Transport groups seeking fare hikes are usually given 10 days to present their respective positions.

Based on Lantion’s announcement, jeepneys may charge a minimum fare of P8.50, up 50 centavos, and an additional 25 centavos, or from P1.25 to P1.50, for each succeeding kilometer.

Taxicabs may start charging an “add-on” rate of P10. However, there will be no increase in the flag-down rate and waiting time.

Buses plying Metro Manila routes may charge an additional P1, or from P9 to P10 for the first five kilometers, with additional 20 centavos for every succeeding kilometer (P1.75 to P1.95).

Air-conditioned buses may charge P12 from P11.50 plus P2.35 per succeeding kilometer from P1.75." read more here

red, black, and white world

what if the world we knew suddenly lose all its colors and we're just left with is a red, black, and white world... what are you going to do?

mami

A carinderia along Hidalgo Street offering mami for only 5 pesos, and 10 pesos with egg. So do you wanna grab one?

fresh veggies

Fresh veggies available at Hidalgo Street.