Gloomy Manila

Gloomy. That's how I describe Manila today. A thick dark cloud blankets 1/3 of the sky, signalling rain. Weathermen say a storm is coming. It packs winds of up to 110 kph. It came from the direction of Vietnam and heads straight to Luzon. That's why the NDCC has been up and about since late evening.

NDCC or the National Disaster Coordinating Council is doing a great job. Deputy palace spokesman and NDCC coordinator Anthony Golez is to be praised for his excellent handling of this impending crisis. A few days ago, Tropical storm Dante swept the Bicol region killing nearly 30 Filipinos. This pro-activeness being shown by the NDCC is admirable. Advance info would definitely save more lives.

I just came from a visit to Mountain Province and Pangasinan and yes, Mrs. Arroyo should definitely consider pouring money for road re-construction there. Kennon road needs repair. Even some portions of the national highway in La Union should be fixed. These places are tourist magnets and government should prioritize these places.

And mind you, these places are showing signs of progress. There are many restaurants, shops and what-have-you springing surprises in these areas. New businesses are sprouting in all these places compared a year or so ago. New money is spilling over to the rural areas which is great.

So, it's a great disservice if government ignore citizen complaints of bad roads or the lack of it. New roads usher more business. And more business means more revenues. And more revenues leads to better government services.

Manila has its gems and wonders. Ask Carlos Celdran. He knows. Manila has enormous tourism potentials if the Manila City government would only care.

Antique houses ("bahay na bato") adorn many Manila streets, yet most, if not all, are in a dilapidated state. If Manila could only pour some more money into road projects and beautification, i'll rival other Asian cities for its splendour and beauty. Time for Manila to rise up, from being a greyish, ageing and gloomy city, into a city proud of its heritage and history. Manila is being left behind while other cities and towns all across the Luzon landscape bloom like beautiful flowers.

Hottest places in RP

Here's my take on the hottest places in this country:

1. Romblon. Go see those floating cadavers. You'll know you're in the Philippines.

2. Iloilo. Go, see what Nature has wrought against men who abused it. Imagine, some government officials telling people to accept their fate since they swept the mountains of trees anyway.

3. Boracay. Now is the time to go. That'll tell you how Nature can destroy a paradise such as this one.

4. Lingayen Pangasinan. Go see the butandings there. And find their carcases lying in the beach.

5. Mulanay, Quezon. Look at those people buried in those black coasts. They are fine specimens of how governments disdain the poor and side with the rich, like the owners of Sulpicio Lines.

6. Sulpicio Lines offices. This is a nice place to see how Pinoys wail in despair but doing nothing to solve their situation. After the wailing, nothing.

7. 4 provinces of Bulacan. Inundated rice fields. Fallen electric posts. Destroyed bridges and roads.

8. Sarangani province. Visit the girl who got caught in the crossfire of men's greed.

9. Jolo. Bask in the midday sun while being ogled by armed men, thinking of making a fast buck out of your head.

10. Malacanan. Think of all those men and women washing their hands from the filth of irresponsibility. And finding erudition from suggestions of "let's not allow ships to sail when it's signal number one." What crap! But, as they say, this place still gives us nostalgia, of an era when true leaders walk its grounds at night, thinking of ways to solve problems instead of causing them.