SLOW DOWN MANILA “We travel so far in a fast pace yet we fail to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life just near us” – Ann Laza Travelling the world is everyone else’s dream. Hopping around the 7,107 islands of the Philippines is the goalmouth of every Filipino wanderer, which includes me. I have been in many places in the Philippines. Mostly are the best tourist destinations like Palawan, that is rich in underwater life, Boracay with its pristine and white sands, Cebu for its iconic heritage landmarks and Bohol for its natural marvels. Each spot are truly amazing and naturally wonderful. The activities are fun-filled and the people around never seem to treat you indifferently despite of the diversity. Each destination paints precious moments, life’s lessons and makes you always look up the sky and say “thank you Lord for these awesome creations”. In my 25 years of existence, my life has always been busy in school, in community service, in work and thinking about my future. My life has been compounded with schedules and targets, plans, and everyday to dos. Every day for me seem to be in a fast speed mode. And each day gets even more stressing when I fail to meet my goals. I forget to smile or even laugh hard and even appreciate the small things around that can turn me alive. The only leeway for me to get out of these negativities is to plunge my life out – to travel. This year, I did not mind going far to the North or South of Luzon or Visayas or Mindanao to kick-off my 2014 travel whereabouts. I did not need to wait overnight for Cebu Pacific promo fares to book the cheapest flight (cebupacificair). I did not need to reserved for accommodation and submit my preferred final itinerary to travel agencies. I did not need to spend Php10,000.00 or less (usually my best budget travel) to experience fun in the Philippines. This is because the travel destination I have gone so far, yet just near, was in Manila (wego.ph). It was then the perfect timing to lift my life’s strains and qualms. Surprisingly, yes Manila. I recently re-explored the busy city of Manila, in which I did not get to appreciate during our high school field trips and in my almost entire 8 years of stay in the place during college and up to the time I started work and graduate school (I was born in Bulacan and go home during weekends). Manila is infamous of its horrific traffic jams, pollution, and overpopulation. Home of politics, government, and economics, the city that seem to be long forgotten by many because of the exciting classy malls, hotels and casinos around, is also the city that never sleeps. Yet, Manila, has its own fascinations and bliss, one could have discover and appreciate its exceptionality. My journey set-off at the National Museum by trying out the pedicab lined up under the LRT1 Central Station. It took me almost 3 hours to visit the galleries. Each piece of arts and crafts inside the museum never fail to give me “ouhhh, woaah” expressions because of its richness in history and exclusivity. It is in this place, I get even more proud to be a Filipino. At around 12:30 noon, I ride a jeep going to Manila China Town and Malate Church for appreciation. After which, I walked from Binondo to Intramuros (at the middle of the heat of the sun) where old Spanish colonial past are very evident. Adjacent to the old walls of Intramuros is the Luneta Park, where anyone can just sit, relax and feel the winds behind the honking of the jeepneys and cars. What I saw in Manila was not all about the spots I visited, but it was a world run by clocks and hectic schedules where people live life at a fast pace. I saw how people jump in and out of public vehicles and rush in and out of the office. I saw people from all walks of life; most of them are underprivileged and struggling for everyday survival. After a very long walk in Manila (which made my legs really painful after), I hurried up to the SM Mall of Asia near the bay to catch up the sunset. Looking at the sun’s horizon, I saw the other side of Manila – the slow life world of Manila. I saw a world where people can just take time and watch the sun as it sets slowly beneath the sky and sea. I saw how they did not worry about the time. I saw how they appreciate the simple joy that this creation can bring. As I embrace the wind that glides off the sea, I thought, how hectic and swift is my life in the past days that I forget to stop and sip a cup of coffee. I thought that I should desire to slow down in my feverish job and school. I thought I should appreciate what simple things in my busy journal can bring about and refrain from pushing myself to the limit while I end up frustrated. I thought of putting away my calendars and planners, and just live life come what may. I thought, I should replenish to take one step at a time in every endeavor I enter into. I should not rush on so many things and be extra careful with my decisions in life. As the sun finally sets, I thought, I should replenish what was missing in this fast pace journey, things that are just near but never gets appreciated. And I thought, it was my family…
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:34:54 +0000