Tuesday, July 17, 2007

HERE WE GO AGAIN...

AND THEY'RE BAAAACK...
And so without much fanfare and without much complaint from society in general, Rizal Avenue has returned to the jeepneys. Oh well, time to move on. Such a shame. Rizal Avenue, you really could have been something. Maybe someday, when north side of Manila is ready and once we've tamed the beast known as the jeepney, the pedestrianization can return once again. Very interesting photos and thread on Senor Enrique's blog: WISH YOU WERE HERE.
PARTING SHOTS...
The pedestrianized Avenida immortalized on the HUMAN clothing billboard (above) at the Magallanes Interchange. Ironically, Apl d. Ap of the Black Eyed Peas seems to be "plugged" into the jeepney right behind him. Nevertheless, Rizal Avenue's appearance in such a high profile advertisement is confirmation that Avenida was well on it's way back into becoming an iconic location/backdrop for the City of Manila. I wonder if it will still maintain the momentum now that the jeepneys are back or will Rizal Avenue just fade away into urban oblivion the way it did in the mid-1990's. Only time will tell I guess.
A shot of Rizal Avenue on Filipiniana.net. Just to illustrate the street's historical value. And proof that this stretch of Manila has risen and fallen more than once.

And on a brighter note though. The MMDA is allowed back in Manila. Maybe some Bayani Magic will keep the traffic under control.