WELCOME BACK!
After a 19-year long absence, it gives me great joy to welcome the bougainvilla flowers back to the center island of Roxas Boulevard. These vibrant blooms, first planted for the 1974 Miss Universe Pageant by former First Lady/Governor of Metro Manila/Minister of Human Settlements Imelda Romualdez Marcos, form a great part of my childhood memories. Images of crimson and violet flowers flitting outside the window of my grandfathers Renault on a sunny 1977 Manila afternoon are still fresh in my minds eye. Sadly, these lush colorful bushes were one of the first casualties of the 1986 revolution. Once Cory Aquino was swept into power, the Department of Tourism, then headed by Secretary Antonio Gonzalez, had all the bougainvillae uprooted as a knee jerk reaction to all things Imeldific. In its place, frangipani trees were planted until they too were moved to the side islands for reasons of bad feng shui, bad air, or bad aesthetics. I just hope the bougainvillae stay for good this time. There is a reason why Imelda chose them. They are perfect for the maintenance standards of the city. They thrive on neglect and bloom when urinated upon. And despite the backdrop of Marcos' human rights violations and the systematic rape of the Philippine economy, these flowers stand as a testament to an era when Manila was more orderly, more cultured, and, for the lack of a more specific term, more beautiful. Congratulations to the Department of Public Works for getting over the bitterness and bringing Madame's flowers back where they belong.
posted by carlosceldran @ 12:31 PM
6 Comments:
Hi Carlos. First and foremost I would like to welcome you back to our country. Well, what can I say, 19 years is such a long time. You may find our beloved country different from when you used to walk the streets or observing the looks of the metro while you were sitted in your grandfather's renault as you so beautifully narrated in your entry. Things have changed and alot have develped whether good or bad, I'll leave it to your discretion. One of key developments that I would like to clearly point out is that now, more and more Filipinos are keen into blogging. As such, I would like to invite you to our blogsite at www.i.ph
From March 16- to March 27, this Filipino blogsite will be conducting a Lenten Photo Galore. It is a Photo contest that features entries that is inspired by the lenten season or contains a lenten theme. In relation to this, I would be honored if you joined our contest. If you are interested or has any questions regarding www.i.ph or the contest for that matter, you can email me at jpaclan@domains.ph or visit my blog address at www.johnpaulaclan.i.ph
Thanks and God Bless
All the best,
JP
Hi, Carlos. Thanks for keeping me in the mailing list. Phew. =)
I'm guilty of using the adjective beautiful way too often, too. I guess I just love imagining people reading that word aloud and I like the feeling of the last syllable making my upper lip move and release air.
19 years? You must have grown homesick. Maybe the parade of flowers is Manila's way of welcoming you back.
Thanks for the previous commentor as well. I took the liberty to copy and paste a portion of his comment and the link here and encourage my friends to join the event. =)
Hmmm. I should rephrase that first sentence. :o)
Actually, I've been here all along. Its the bougainvillae that's been gone for 19 years.
Im also taking pictures now and i'll send it in if I capture anything of note. :o)
Hi got here from old manila walks blog.
I pass by Roxas Blvd regularly and i noticed the bougainvilla too. just like you, i hope it stays there.
by the way i linked you up in my blog, okay?
ten-e.blogspot.com
'They thrive on neglect and bloom when urinated upon.'
lol. poor flowers! i agree they're beautiful, but don't they get unwieldy when not properly maintained? :)
it's my first time to visit your blog and i'm having a blast. i'm planning to join some, if not all, of your weekend tours. caught an article on your tours in today's sunday inquirer magazine. :)
did you know you had competition on these tours now? ever joined any of ivan dy's tours or has he ever joined yours? :)
i think you're doing a great thing!
thank you for keeping faith in this country alive!
Ivan and I are mutual fans of each others tours. Ive only been to his Cemetery tour though. We arent competition. There is totally a lot of room in this 12 million strong city for more of us to do this sort of thing to tell you the truth.
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