GENEVIEVE, MY SEATMATE

Last Thursday was my second time attending meditation class at Brahma Kumaris. I met this lady by the name of Genevieve. She was sitting on my right, in dark-gray-almost-black dress accentuated with black semi-precious stones bib necklace. She maybe five-feet flat tall, with long colored hair, fair skinned, has mestiza features and wears a scent of nice perfume I could not recognize. She's probably old enough to be my Tita. The class was about the Art of Seeing. And although the topic was about "perspectives," I kept myself from looking at anyone. Instead, I was contented observing each one secretly in the meditation room. Most of the attendees are mature adults although, I've noticed a couple of people my age. Or, perhaps they maybe younger than I am. Genevieve caught my attention when she shared something about her childhood experience when she was growing up in Pikit, Cotabato.

She remembers it all well how life was in Pikit where each house has foxhole. They would hear gunshots here and there from time to time and as soon as they hear the sound of the guns, they'd go down the foxhole with candles and stay there until the sound of firing guns stops. It was a hard time, for those who may have watched them, yes. But for children like her in Pikit, it was a normal day-to-day living. And for her, as she relates, it was never a cause for her not to see herself succeeding in life. And never did she considered that life in Pikit would never bring her to where she is now. She even considered being a maid in Manila while studying and it didn't matter to her for her goal was to succeed in life. She has the most inspiring voice resonating in that room and the whole class was seeing her, watching her life flash before our very eyes as she relates it to us. She said that she chose to see what is positive for she knew that she may not be good at everything but she was so sure that she's really good at something. And that, she discovered and was her bullet that she carried around with her.

Why am I talking about Genevieve? Because the moment I decided to rename my blog, I was determined to find and write about women who are living or who have lived their life the way a beautiful woman should. And Genevieve would be my first. That moment, I saw through her, felt her determination and her compassion even though it was my first encounter with her. I saw how beautiful she is the way she reached for her dreams. She inspired me to believe and see, to choose to see what is positive, and to get curious. She is, for me, living a life of a beautiful woman.

Cheers for Genevieve!

More love to life,

Bella Donna

MANILA GIRL IS LEAVING MANILA: FINAL POST | MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE CITY CALLED MANILA

THE STREETS OF MALATE

This place made me feel alive! And I must tell, made me awake at one time for one straight week. What did I do? Bar hopping with friends. Hahaha. That was long ago when I've got all this fantastic friends from PAL. I lived with them in an apartment just right behind the PAL Learning Center in Padre Faura. Now, they're either living abroad, with another airline company or already gotten married.

WHO IS?  ADRIATICO (or Macario Adriatico) was a lawyer, writer, scholar, and an insurgent.  The first Filipino director of Philippine Library and Museum.  [Source:  WikiFilipino] WHAT'S IN?  ADRIATICO is a long stretch from Padre Faura to Quirino.  A busy street past Robinsons Manila with a lot of bars, hotels and restaurants.  Years back, it doesn't have too many tall buildings.  But now, there is construction here and there.  Along this street, you'll find Ritz Spa, it's the best spa I've been to in this side of Malate; Pan Pacific Hotel, which is the best hotel for me within the area before Hyatt came; Hearts & Flour bakery, a lot of people have said the cake was fantastic, but I still have to try; there is also a Chinese temple along Adriatico which keeps me fascinated everytime I pass by; of course, the most popular Cafe Adriatico, where dining is most romantic; and Cosa Nostra, a small authentic Italian restaurant along the strip.



WHO IS? DEL PILAR (M.H. del Pilar) was one of the leading Ilustrados, a journalist, satirist and a revolutionary leader.  [Source:  Wikipedia] WHAT'S IN?  DEL PILAR is also a long stretch parallel to Adriatico.  A one-way street from Kalaw to Quirino.  You'll find a lot of businesses, from travel agencies, hotels, bars, art shops, manpower agencies, restaurants and everything else in between.  I was informed that during the 80's this is where Firehouse Disco used to be.  It's known to be the best men's club in Manila.

WHO IS?  JORGE BOCOBO is a great Filipino writer in English language, who has written speeches, articles and Law books.  A few of his works include;  A Vision of Beauty, Filipino Contact with America and College Uneducation.  He was once the President of the University of the Philippines and a cabinet member of former President Manuel L. Quezon.  [Source:  Wikipedia] WHAT'S IN?  There are two sides of JORGE BOCOBO:  one that goes from San Andres to Pedro Gil right in front of Robinsons Mall and the other, at the back of Robinson's to Kalaw.  Just like any other streets, Jorge Bocobo is a busy one especially at night and most during weekends.  You'll never worry walking late on this side of Malate because there's just too many lights, and a lot of people walking to and fro.

WHO IS?  Of course, we all know who is MABINI:  The Sublime Paralytic.  The Brains of the Revolution.  A political philosopher who wrote a constitutional plan for the First Philippine Republic.  [Source:  Wikipedia]  But, do you remember the song "Magdalena?"  When I was a young girl, I used to think that Mabini is a place where "low-flying doves nestle" and such a nasty place to be.  It's an impression that left me from the song even if I haven't been in this place some eleven years ago.  When I finally walked this street, I said, "so this is the famous place from the song."  But from there, I didn't see the place as one.  Maybe because I didn't see the holes in it.  Actually, I kinda love it for the simple reason that I can find the best take-out counter for party food in this side of Manila.  Plus, a handful of authentic Persian restaurants along with other kebab and shawarma restaurants in the area which, at first, didn't appeal to me but later on, became one of my favorites.

WHO IS?  GEN. MIGUEL MALVAR was a Filipino commander who served the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American war and assumed the command of Philippine revolutionary forces during the Philippine-American war following Aguinaldo's capture.  [Source:  Wikipedia]  WHAT'S IN? MALVAR is home to residence buildings, spa, KTV, and other wellness and entertainment establishments.  I found this place because of Music 21 where I did all the karaoke we want anytime whenever me and my friends felt like it. 

WHO IS?  JULIO NAKPIL was a Filipino composer who fought in the Philippine Revolution.  His works were inspired by the revolution and his composition has been a finalist for the Philippine National anthem.  WHAT'S IN?  No wonder this place called Nakpil is one that's full of fun, music and entertainment.  The place live by its name.  And is known for it.  There had been a lot of themed-parties that went on to this place.  Street party, rave party, gay shows and any kind of entertainment you can possibly find.  It has strong flickering lights at night and at daytime, it sleeps so soundly like a deserted place.  Sure there has been a lot of gimik places that popping up and will pop up everywhere but Nakpil, in my experience has never lost its flickering light. 

Named after the church Our Lady of Remedios, also known as Malate Church, this place is the center of Malate night life.  I don't know much about the church until I referred to Wikipedia.  Interesting how the early wars has influenced the Filipinos.  And how this place was associated to the rich families living in Malate.  Anyway, Malate church has been my refuge during the times when I do some soul-searching.  The tabernacle will welcome you just as you are.



WHO IS?  PEDRO GIL.  A physician, a journalist and a legislator.  He lived a life in service in these different distinguished roles.  Helped and fought for the poor and needy.  And showed so much love and concern for the people of Paco and Ermita.  [Source:  Wikipedia]  No wonder this place is named after him.  WHAT'S IN?  I have lived in this place for nine (9) years and I loved being in Pedro Gil (two years in Padre Faura) despite the crazy noises in Taft Avenue, the stinking drain water that runs from Kimberly Hotel right in front of the dorm I stayed, the flood during heavy rains, it's heavily littered street.  I loved it despite all of these. Because I have known a lot of good friends from this place and even though we have left that little dorm in Pedro Gil, we still see each other and reminisce of the times that we walked, ran and kicked the streets of Malate.  I still miss a lot of them up to now.  And it makes my heart grow so fast as soon as I hear a news from anyone of them.  A circle of rare and good friends, is what I found in this place.

ANG BAHAY NI MANG DANNY

This was a humble abode to this blogger.  It's where I've found a lot of good friends through good times and even the bad and toughest times.  You see, this convenience store used to be a computer shop but just a couple of years back, they converted it to a Mini-stop.  By then, everytime we crave for something sweet and cold, we'll just have to go down and take a sugar-coned sundae.

ALONG PEDRO GIL AND BEYOND

Our favorite convenient store sitting right at the corner of Pedro Gil and Taft Avenue.

The side street of Pedro Gil.  This building is home to UP Manila.

I've always wanted to enroll at St. Paul Manila's music courses.  They offer short ones for guitar, voice, and other instruments that interest you.

I love breakfast meals and thanks to The Original Sinangag Express, it's open 24 hours.  The breakfast meals are good anytime of the day.  Though recently, a new "Sinangag Express" has opened much like this one (including the corporate brand's color) although they have different way of serving the food.

Wow Sisig take out counter.  When you're just too tired to think of what to eat.

The Hearts and Flours Bakery.  The cakes on their window looks masarap!

Cafe Adriatico - This is probably the most romantic restaurant I've been to in this side of Malate. And the pasta dishes are really good!

Baywalk Manila where I used to run with my jogging buddy, Kim.

Rajah Sulayman Plaza infront of Malate Church.  I always find this place nostalgic because of these calesa.  Sometimes it makes me want to go back in time when Manila at the time of Rizal.  Makes me wonder how it looks like.

The Malate Church, the flowers and its vendors.

The busy street of Roxas Boulevard.

Moonlight at past five in the afternoon.  I've seen this while there is this beautiful sunset below:

The most romantic sunset can be seen everyday in Manila.  It's really such a blessing that this scenery of water and sun settling at the end of the day calms your soul after a chaotic day.  Too bad, there will be nothing like this in Makati.  But, I have to remember, even if I don't see sunsets anymore, I see the morning sunrise in Makati.  Still, Manila sunset is LOVE.

I know, I know.  This is a long overdue post.  I didn't know it would take me this long before I can really say goodbye to a place I have loved for so many years.  Just the thought that I don't be live here anymore is something that my unconcious mind did not accept right away.  I still hope to come back to Malate, Manila.  And I'm looking forward to find a place that I can call my own here.  A place named after heroes, artists and patriots.

I'm closing this post with this video by HOTDOGS. A song called MANILA.

Goodbye, for now, Manila.

Bella Donna