Ang Maynila

Ang Maynila

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Masayang mahirap ang buhay sa Maynila lalo na para sa mga ordinaryong mamamayan.  Ang unang-unang pagdurusa ay dulot ng mala-impiyernong trapik. Ang mga lansangan ay umaapaw sa mga sasakyan. Lalong malala ang kalagayan ng trapik tuwing panahon ng tag-ulan dahil sa mga baradong drainage o mga imburnal at mga hinukay na kalye na ire-repair kuno subalit iniwang nakatiwangwang ng mga dispalinghadong kontraktor na hindi naman pinapansin ng mga walanghiyang in-charge na ahensiya ng gobyerno. Ang mga kawawang estudyanteng nahuhulog sa mga imburnal kung may baha ay ni hindi nakakapagreklamo dahil hindi rin sila binibigyang-pansin.

 

Walang disiplina ang karamihan ng mga drayber kaya hindi maiwasang magkapatayan dahil lang sa tinatawag na “road rage” o init ng ulo sa kalye….wala kasing gustong magpalamang. Dahil sa matinding trapik, mas mahaba pa ang oras na ginugugol sa biyahe papunta sa pinapasukan at pauwi ng bahay, kaysa sa pagtigil sa mismong pinapasukan at sa bahay. Maraming magulang ang umaalis sa bahay nang madaling araw habang tulog PA ang mga anak, at nakakauwi sa bahay ng halos hatinggabi na kung kaylan ay tulog NA ang mga ito kaya nagkikita lang sila kung weekend.

 

Sa Maynila, hindi napapansin ang ganda ng buwan kung ito ay nasa kanyang kabilugan dahil sa dami ng mga streetlights, neon lights, dancing fountains, kumukutitap at patay-sinding signboards at billboards. Wala ring nakikitang mga alitaptap sa mga puno, naririnig na kuliglig (cicadas) at kokak ng mga palaka. Ang paglubog ng araw ay nakikita at kinamamanghaan pa rin sa natitirang bahagi ng Roxas Boulevard mula sa breakwater ng Mall of Asia at mula sa Philippine Navy hanggang sa US Embassy. Subalit baka dumating ang panahon na pati ang mga bahaging nabanggint ay mare-reclaim na rin upang patayuan ng mga nagtataasang gusali tulad ng ginawa sa Baclaran at Pasay.

 

Maraming manloloko sa Maynila. Ito ang mga animo ay linta na nabubuhay sa dugo ng mga niloloko nilang nagsisikap upang makaraos sa araw-araw na pamumuhay. Hindi lang mga bagong salta sa Maynila ang biktima ng mga ungas na ito kundi pati na rin ang mga matagal nang nakatira sa lunsod pero hindi hindi pa rin nagkakaroon ng leksiyon. Samantala, ang ibang ungas na manloloko ay regular na nagbabago ng strategy upang makalusot.

 

Kung magpakasipag lang at magsikap habang nakatira sa Maynila, walang mamamatay sa gutom sa Maynila…nakakatiis lang dahil sa pagpipilit na pagkasyahin ang maliit na kinikita. Marami rin ang nakakaraos sa pagkain ng “pagpag” (tira-tirang pagkaing napulot sa basurahan, nilinis at niluto uli). Dahil diyan, kahit ang mga nakatira sa bangketa at marunong dumiskarte tulad ng pamululot ng mga mapapakinabangan sa basura ay nakakaraos pa rin. Marami ring mga nagwo-working student sa Maynila sa pamamagitan ng pagpasok sa mga burger joints, restaurants, malls, at iba pa. Ang iba namang gustong kumita agad ng pera ay nagpuputa o nagpoprosti sa Avenida. Marami akong nakausap na nagtatrabaho sa Ayala business district na dating mga “escort ladies” at “escort boys” habang nag-aaral hanggang makatapos sa kolehiyo.

 

Ang Maynila ay malaking lunsod na maraming oportunidad o pagkakataon para sa masisipag. Okey ditong mag-aral dahil sa dami ng mga unibersidad at kolehiyo. Ang matindi lang ay ang ugali ng mga iskolar ng bayan na dito nag-aaral at naghihintay ng pagkakataong makasama sa mga rally ng mga komokontra kay Duterte. Marami ring nagbabakasakaling dito sila makakatisod ng partner na mayamang matandang malapit nang mamatay. Subalit marami rin akong nakausap na may kakambal yatang kamalasan na na-stranded sa Maynila at sumusumpang hindi na babalik dito kapag nakaipon ng perang pamasahe pauwi sa kanilang bayan.

The Dynamic Streak of Asia United Bank (AUB) Reaches Buendia Avenue Extension (Pasay City)

The Dynamic Streak of ASIA UNITED BANK (AUB)

Reaches Buendia Avenue Extension (Pasay City)

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

The first time I was impressed by the service of the Asia United Bank (AUB) was when it took over my former depository bank at Rotonda, Bacoor City in Cavite. I almost decided to cancel my accounts but I changed my mind when I met its first branch manager. A few months later, another branch manager took over, Ms. Nanette Quincena whose typically aggressive salesmanship further bolstered my trust.

 

When the AUB decided to expand its operation to cover the Pasay area, it opened a branch along the Buendia Avenue extension, between Harrison and Leveriza Streets, on September 20, 2016, with the deployment of Ms. Quincena as the first Branch Manager tasked to lay down the foundation. She has been expecting a tough job as along the stretch of Buendia are also other reputable banks. Nevertheless, she considers the situation as a challenge which she can hurdle, together with equally aggressive, Ms. Gemmalou Ortega, the Field Sales Officer, with whom she confers every morning before the latter starts her sales calls.

 

Interesting to note is the fact that AUB pioneered the paperless transaction in the country with the use of the Virtual Teller Kiosk (VTK) which resulted to a resounding success. At the Buendia branch, the VTK occupies a prominent space which easily catches the attention of the customers. The transaction via the VTK, has likewise, reduced the queuing time considerably.

 

What impressed me most is how the bank starts the day with a heartfelt prayer, in which everybody joins – the guard, Utility/Messenger, the Operations staff, such as Richard Dumayas, the Service Manager; Gemmalou Ortega, the Field Sales Officer; Jowell Agaban, Counter Teller; and Jean Marie Padua who handles the New Accounts Section. I found out too, that the youthful staffs are all from prestigious schools known for their scholars – Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila (PLM), University of Makati (UMak), and New Era University (NEU).

 

According to Ms. Quincena, the bank maintains its high standards with the support of its consistent utilization of every available banking technology and young recruits who are willing to learn the intricacies of the industry and most especially, are willing to grow with their chosen benefactor. The bank’s investment in human capital so far has been successful, as consistent show of diligence on their part has been very prominent.

 

On October 31, 2016, Asia United Bank is celebrating its 19th year of success. By then, and onward, Ms. Quincena is expecting more challenges that she aims to clear, to significantly improve the steady growth of the Branch… but of course, with the cohesive co-operation of the whole Buendia Branch Team!

 

By the way, Asia United Bank is proudly 100% Filipino!

 

 

 

 

Girlie Retos…benefactor ng mga pusang kalye (pusakal) sa Libertad, Pasay City (Philippines)

GIRLIE RETOS…BENEFACTOR

NG MGA PUSANG KALYE (PUSAKAL) SA LIBERTAD, PASAY CITY

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Nang mapagawi ako sa Libertad, Pasay City, nadaanan ko sa isang bangketa ang grupo ng mga pusa na kumakain at umiinom. Mga ampon pala sila ni Girlie Retos isang sidewalk vendor. Siya ay taga-Aklan na dumayo sa Maynila mahigit dalawang dekada na ang nakaraan. Sa Maynila na rin niya napagtapos sa pag-aaral ang isa niyang anak. Ang isa pang anak na nagsisikap ay biktima naman ng contractualization kaya patigil-tigil ang pag-aaral.

 

Taong 1980 pa nagsimulang mag-ampon ng mga pusang iniiwan sa bahagi ng sidewalk kung saan siya nagpupuwesto upang magbenta ng mga kendi, sigarilyo at mumurahing panty. Ang nakakatuwa ay may isa daw siyang “donor” ng pagkain, isang matandang Intsik na babae. Ang mga madalas namang dumaan sa bahaging yon ng bangketa ay todo iwas naman sa mga pusa na mababait dahil pagkatapos kumain at  uminom ay isa-isang nagpapahinga sa tabi o di kaya ay pansamantalang namamasyal. Bumabalik sila kay Girlie tuwing oras na para sa pagkain nila. Nakapermanente namang nakapuwesto ang isang lagayan ng tubig sa isang tabi na pinupuntahan ng mga pusang gustong uminom.

 

 

Rederson: Kahit Hirap sa Pagkontrol ng Ulo sa Pag-iling, Tuloy pa rin sa Pagtraysikad

Rederson: Kahit Hirap sa Pagkontrol ng Ulo sa Pag-iling

Tuloy pa rin sa Pagta-traysikad

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Halos tin-edyer pa lang si “Red”, palayaw ni Rederson Rivera, subalit hindi ito naging hadlang upang siya ay magsikap, at lalong hindi naging hadlang ang kanyang sakit na palsy kaya hirap siya sa pagkontrol ng pag-iling ng kanyang ulo. Nang unang sumakay ako sa kanya, muntik pa akong mainis nang sabihan ko siya ng direksiyon tungo sa pupuntahan ko dahil napansin kong panay ang iling niya habang nakangiti…akala ko ay niloloko niya ako.

 

Nang umagang yon na sumakay ako sa kanya sa kanto ng Baltao Drive sa Pasay City, hindi pa raw siya nakakapag-almusal dahil medyo madilim pa lang ay pumila na siya. Nag-aabang daw siya ng maski dalawang pasahero para may pambili siya ng almusal. Nagkukuwento siya ng pautal habang nagsisikad kaya may kasamang hingal ang kanyang mga salita. Hiwalay daw ang kanyang mga magulang, at siya ay napunta sa kanyang tatay pero wala naman daw itong trabaho dahil mahina ang katawan, kaya lumalabas na siya pa ang sumusuporta dito. Dahil naging interesado ako sa kanyang kuwento, tumigil muna kami sa isang kainan sa tabi ng kalsada upang maibili ko siya ng almusal. Pinagbalot ko na rin siya ng pagkain para sa tatay niya.

 

Sinubukan daw niyang mag-aral pero nahirapan siya dahil sa kanyang kalagayan palagi daw siyang tinutukso kaya nang magkaroon ng pagkakataong makapagtraysikad ay sinunggaban na niya. Sa simula ay wala pa daw tiwala sa kanya ang may-ari ng traysikad dahil maliban sa kaliitan ng katawan niya ay may sakit siyang palsy, kaya baka daw hindi niya makontrol ang direksiyon ng traysikel. Subalit, sa kapipilit ay pinagbigyan din siya, lalo pa at alam din ng may-ari ng traysikad ang kuwento ng buhay niya. Todo kayod daw siya dahil nag-iipon siya upang makabili ng mga bagay na gusto niya tulad ng cellphone, maliban pa sa mga gamot ng tatay niya, at pagkain nila sa araw-araw.

 

Nang mga sumunod na pagbalik ko ay hindi ko siya natataymingan, kaya nagtanong ako sa ibang nagtatraysikad din tungkol sa kanya at sinabi nilang bilib nga daw sila dito. Ang problema nga lang ay may mga kaibigan daw itong nang-uuto sa kanya kaya nababawasan ang ipon niya o kung minsan ay nawawalan pa siya ng pera.

 

Pero isang beses ay inabot ko si Red na bumibili din ng malunggay pan de sal na binibili ko para sa kaibigan kong pinapasyalan sa lugar na yon. Nasa likuran niya ako kaya hindi niya ako napansin, pero pansing-pansin ko naman ang walang tigil na pag-iling ng ulo niya. Pagkatapos niyang magbayad ay saka niya ako napansin kaya nakita ko na naman ang kanyang ngiti na may kasamang kagat ng labi. Kahit alam niyang bibili ako ng pan de sal ay inalok pa rin niya ako ng kanyang nabili. Mabuti na lang at nagkita kami kaya nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong iabot sa kanya ang ipinangako ko noon pa na palagi kong dala kung pupunta ako sa Baltao.

 

Nang makilala ko si Red, naalala ko ang anak ng kaibigan ko. Matanda lang siguro ito ng ilang taon kay Red, pero siya ay malusog, at sa kabila nito ay nagbabayad pa ng oras sa gym upang magbuhat ng barbell kaya lumaki ang katawan. Araw-araw, ang oras ng gising ng mapalad na taong ito ay alas nuwebe o alas diyes ng umaga dahil napupuyat sa kai-intenet. Samantala, si Red na payatot ay gumigising ng alas singko upang mag-abang ng pasahero at upang may pambili ng almusal nilang mag-ama ay kailangang makapaghatid ng dalawang pashero man lang.

Baclaran Creek: Ugly Stain on the Philippines’ Tourism Image

Baclaran Creek: Ugly Stain on the Philippines’

Tourism Image

by Apolinario Villalobos

 

Nothing can be one hundred percent clean, sanitized, germ-free, well-kept, etc., to show a pleasant image. But in exerting an effort for such end-result, consistency should be exercised, as failure to do so could be tantamount to being negligent.

 

Among the ugliest manifestation of the Philippine government’s negligence and inconsistency is the creek at Baclaran which is fringing the northern edge of the purported “business-tourism showcase” of Metro Manila – the cornucopia of condominium buildings, malls, office buildings and the supposedly biggest casino in Asia. Practically, the creek that serves as the catch basin-cum-open drainage of Pasay and Paraἧaque that flows out to the Manila Bay, shows it all. How can the Department of Tourism proudly declare that Manila is a clean city with the obnoxious filth floating on the stagnant creek in all its obnoxious glory greeting the arriving tourists from the airport on their way to their hotels along Roxas Boulevard? Is this progress as what the Philippine president always mumbles? How can such a short strip of open drainage not be cleaned on a daily basis, just like what street sweepers do to the entire extent of the Roxas Boulevard?

 

It has been observed that every time a government agency’s attention is called for not doing its job well, it cries out such old lines, as “lack of budget” and “lack of personnel”. But why can’t they include such requirements every time they submit their proposed budget? In the meantime, as regards the issue on the maintenance of the city waterways, national and local agencies throw blames at each other, trying to outdo each other in keeping their hands clean of irresponsibility and negligence!

 

During the APEC conference which caused the “temporary” bankruptcy of commercial establishments in Pasay and Paraἧaque, as well as, local airlines and lowly vendors by the millions of pesos, the creek was almost “immaculately” clean with all the floating scum scooped up and thrown somewhere else. But as soon as the delegates have left, the poor creek is back to its old self again – gagged with the city denizens’ filth and refuse.

 

Viewing the Baclaran creek is like viewing the rest of the waterways around Metro Manila, including Pasig River, as they are all equally the same filthy picture of neglect, irresponsibility and inconsistency of government concern! One should see the nearby creek at Pasay where the Pumping Station is located, with an “island” that practically developed out of silt, garbage and clumps of water lily! Some days, the short length of artificial creek is skimmed with filth to make it look clean, but most days, it is neglected.

 

In view of all the above-mentioned, why can’t the national and local government agencies concerned co-operate and do the following?

 

• REQUIRE the daily cleaning of the creek by assigning permanent “brigades”, just like what they do for the streets. If there are “street sweepers”, why can’t there be “creek scoopers” and “dredgers”?

 

• REQUIRE the vendors with stalls along or near the creeks to maintain the cleanliness of their respective periphery so that they are obliged to call the attention of irresponsible pedestrians who do not show concern. Each stall must be required to have a garbage bag or bin, as well as, broom and dust pan. Their negligence in carrying out such obligation should be made as a basis in revoking their hawker’s permit.

 

• REQUIRE government employees with sanitation responsibilities TO GO OUT OF THEIR OFFICES AND DO THEIR JOB, and not just make reports to the City Administrators based on what street sweepers tell them.

 

• DREDGE the creek regularly on a yearly basis, not only when flooding occurs during the rainy season, which is a very repugnant reactionary show of concern on the part of the government. The yearly dredging of the waterways would eventually “deepen” them to accommodate more surface water during the rainy season, and even bring their bed back to their former level.

 

The costly effort of the national government in putting on a pleasant “face” for Manila every time there is an international event, as what happened during the APEC conference, may elicit sympathy and grudgingly executed cooperation, but there should be consistency in it….otherwise, it would just be like sweeping the house, only when visitors are expected, or worse, sweeping the dirt to a corner to hide them.

 

Cooperation between the government authorities and the citizens is necessary. However, as there is a clear indication that the concerned citizens, such as vendors and pedestrians, lack discipline, the government should take necessary steps in imposing measures to ensure their cooperation, albeit by coercion, so that whatever sanitation projects may have been initiated can be consistently maintained, for the benefit of all.

 

If littering on the ground can be prohibited with appropriate penalty, why can’t the same be done for the sake of the waterways? If ever local government units have passed such measures why can’t they be imposed authoritatively and consistently?

 

Embarrassing Prides of Manila – Roxas Boulevard and Macapagal Avenue

Embarrassing Prides of Manila –

Roxas Boulevard and Macapagal Avenue

By Apolinario Villalobos

Roxas Boulevard is considered as one of the main arteries of Metro Manila. Along this strip of avenue, flow traffics to the airport, southern destinations, Rizal Park, Makati business district, and city proper of Manila. Unfortunately, the boulevard is being used for special events, hence, closed for as long as half day, posing a problem to motorists. Traffics get snarled along secondary streets where the motorists are redirected. The length of the boulevard is shared by Manila City, Pasay City and Paraῆaque City. None of them ever thought of sitting down to discuss options on how to solve the problem, one of which is using the reclaimed area now being developed into an “Entertainment City”. Its streets are more than enough to accommodate running events, as they are wide without any impediment, especially on Sundays. Meanwhile, for as long as this problem is not solved by the “three heads”, the historic strip shall remain an embarrassment to the government.

Then, there’s the Macapagal Avenue, right in front of the Dream City, with its giant potholes. For several months now, the road made useless by these traffic obstacles, have not been touched by the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), headed by its General Manager, Peter Anthony Abaya, who is incidentally, brother of Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Jun Abaya. President Aquino always refers to the whole area where a forest of modern structures has sprung up, as the next “Entertainment City of Asia”. But, even with the simple retouch to a short length of road not applied, will it happen?…or remain just to be a dream.

The Shabby Scenes from the Airport Terminals and the Derelict Intramuros and Liwasang Bonifacio

The Shabby Scenes from the Airport Terminals
and the Derelict Intramuros and Liwasang Bonifacio
By Apolinario Villalobos

The problem with the Department of Tourism is that, while it promotes touristic destinations in the countryside, it forgot Manila which is supposed to be the gateway. The agency is proud of the oceanic theme park at the back of the Luneta grandstand and also the “dancing fountain”. But those can be found anywhere as they have become ordinary fixtures of parks, with some provinces even having more picturesque and enticing dancing fountains. The tourism people seem blind to the shabby scenes from the airport terminals that surely catch the eyes of incoming tourists on their way to their hotels along Roxas Boulevard and Makati Business Center.

From the Terminal 1 and 2 for instance, what catch the eyes are big bill boards and ramshackle shanties of barangay Pildera. The patroness of air voyage looks forlorn with the neglected shrubs at the base of its pedestal. Trees that line the street are untrimmed. Pieces of garbage dot the ground with wilting grass due to neglect. From Terminal 3, the same monotonous view greets the visitors as they drive down Andrews Avenue toward Baclaran and Tramo. From terminal 4, the short distance to Airport Road of Baclaran is worst, especially, as one exits towards Roxas Boulevard, with both sides of the street lined with run-down beerhouses.

The clusters of modern edifices that are filling the reclaimed Manila bay are being developed by owners of the business establishments, themselves who are mostly foreigners. In this regard, the Department of Tourism has no right to claim the credit for the fast transition of the once grassy reclaimed land.

Intramuros at the northwest terminus of Roxas Boulevard is supposed to be the historical showcase of the city, together with Liwasang Bonifacio or Lawton Plaza. Unfortunately, both are awful disappointments. What makes Intramuros interesting a bit, are just the presence of Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, and some of its streets lined with old houses that are not even refurbished to improve their antiquated facades. What worsen the disappointing landmark are the filthy skeletons of neglected government buildings and stinking nooks of the once formidable walls and their imposing bastions.

Liwasang Bonifacio’s conspicuous landmarks are the Post Office Building and the fountain behind the statue of Andres Bonifacio. But the grounds are always littered with refuse. The public toilet is perpetually closed and has become the abode of vagrants. The police precinct under the flyover lacks decency in appearance, though, fairly clean. The vacant lots have become dumping grounds for practically everything. The once glorified Metropolitan Theater because of its exquisite beauty is now an eyesore. Entrances and exits to the underpasses are lorded over by vagrants and rugby-sniffing street urchins. Ironically, the Manila City Hall, is just several meters away!

Several years ago, a foreign student blogged the dirty public toilets that stink due to the absence of water, with cracked and grimy tiles, lack of tissue paper, doors without lock, and lack of lighting fixtures. Instead of being thankful, the government reacted negatively, threatening the poor student with deportation unless he apologized publicly which he did, when all he wanted was just to call the attention of the negligent government agencies, particularly the Department of Tourism and concerned local government units.

And now, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is located in a busy section of Makati, and housed in a building – far from the people that it is supposed to assist. Its location can be accessed with much difficulty due to heavy traffic along the way. The agency should have made use of common sense in relocating itself within the “tourist belt” to serve its purpose with propriety. If the DOT is renting and how much, I dare not say more…