Tuesday, March 20, 2007

KVETCH! KVETCH! KVETCH!

AND THE BEAT GOES ON..
Last Sunday, while other Manila broadsheets were babbling on about something or another, only the Manila Times seemed to focus on a subject that really matters: The Ongoing Desecration of Intramuros by Ace Barbers. Read the Manila Times Special Report about the scandalously ugly side of the Philippine Tourism Authority, a government institution I believe should have been abolished years ago and it's chair, Dean Barbers sent back to the poverty stricken province from whence he came. The article also goes on to question why Ace Durano, the chair of the PTA, is standing idly by and letting the Dean get away with the murder of the sancitity of our heritage sites. So far, the article says the construction has stopped. But really, for how long?

And aside from illegal structures defacing Intramuros, Mr. Barbers and the PTA are also responsible for the unsightly (and unhelpful) green plastic mesh on the golf course that blocks the view of the walled city, the current "Oceanarium" being built right behind the Quirino Grandstand (photo below - HELLO!! PHILIPPINE PRESS. This sea monstrosity is an expose waiting to happen! Why is there an "Oceanarium" being built right by our national heroes monument? Hello parking, overcrowding, animal cruelty and typhoon damage issues!) and tons of other questionable construction projects around the entire country. All funded by the Travel Tax that they bleed from us everytime we leave the country.

Really, Dean, my maid Elma fled your fricking province due to it's grinding inescapable poverty. I have an idea. Why not alleviate the poverty of Surigao first before commencing any "improvements" here in the City of Manila?

NEXT:
MALATE BAYVIEW APARTMENTS: HOW NOT TO BUILD A CONDOMINIUM.