Ten Interesting Facts about Manila and the Philippines

rom My FaceBook Page the Other Day: Filipinos need to go out of the Philippines to look at their country in a better light and perspective.

Manila, Philippines- Some Parts are Chaotic with Traffic Congestions, but the Rich Suburbs are Places for Big Mansions, First Class Shopping Malls and exemplifies the luxuries of Living on Planet Earth.

I will badly miss the following. I was born and raised in the Philippines but now I am residing abroad- Quotes from the Author of this Article

1. The sun- sun here is constant and reassuring. We know it will rise at 5am and sets ut 5:30 to 6pm, 365 days.

2. The chaos, traffic and smoke- it can be overwhelming for newcomers but a constant sense of adventure for us. Everyday, we ride on motorbikes and gets a different vibes, different level of thrill and danger.

3. The language and chatter- I will miss hearing Tagalog and local dialects if I am in a foreign land. I miss speaking it.

4. The smiles- I will miss the smile and gentle nods of the taho vendor, the grocery store owner and neigbors.

5. The ease of meeting friends- Filipinos are always just a call away. Need a coffee date, message a friend, meet halfway. Need a drinking buddy, call the tropa and head to the local bar. Or just go anyway and talk to the waiters.

Typical Rural ( Provinces) Scene in the Philippines

6. The entitlement- yes, as a natural born citizen I will miss that liberty to complain, rant, and vent without being discriminated, validated or threatened.

7. The beaches- It hits different here because our beaches are generally full of locals and not foreigners.

8. The food- Filipino food isn't recognized as world's best but for all I care, our food are nostalgic of the love and warmth of our mother's hands and father's hard earned labor. It was never meant to please a foreign palate. It is always meant to be shared.

9. The Filipino humor- it always comes easy and handy.

10. The natural calamities- on hindsight, it is a constant reminder of our mortality. Hence, we are more grounded and act with a sense of humility..

The Black Sand Beaches of the Philippines

So if Manila is the riskiest city to travel why are we making it to 3rd Friendliest country? Also, as one of the happiest nation on earth? Think! Don't just agree

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo of Batman- one of my pet Tuxedo Cats ( Black and White). His Brother Cat look-alike is named Robin.

Lastly, Did you know that during the American colonial period, Manila earned the nickname "Hollywood of the East." As a vibrant hub for U.S. films being distributed across Asia, Manila’s film scene thrived, showcasing American cinema to a wide audience in the region.

The city became a bustling epicenter of cinematic culture, with theaters and film studios popping up to cater to the growing demand for movies. This period marked a significant cultural exchange between the Philippines and the United States, influencing local filmmaking and entertainment.

Travel with Me to France via Carenna's Recent Photos

Carenna and Me-The Lolo, Grand Pa or Abuelo!  Photo Taken, September, 2023 

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/11/my-youngest-grand-daughter-carenna.html

Carenna my youngest grand daughter is spending a semester of college in Paris this spring semester. She sent me photos of Paris and surrounding areas, on French Food, architecture, art and popular tourist spots the other day.  She said:

Bonjour Lolo!!! Im having an amazing time in France. Learning a lot of French and eating good food! Here are the photos:

Meanwhile enjoy this Monet Painting: 

and my cat abstractionism

Just received from Dodie and Ruth- They are in Machu Pichu now and on their way to the Galapagos Island next week.

And Lastly, here's the latest news on President Macrons plan to leave a mark on the Notre-Dame windows

https://www.foxnews.com/world/backlash-may-shatter-president-macrons-plans-leave-mark-notre-dame-windows

Twelve Journey to Success-What is Life?

It is time for My Food for Thought for the Week!

From My Face Book This Morning!

1. You will always have problems. Learn to enjoy life while solving them.

2. People don’t decide their future; they decide their habits, and their habits decide their future.

3. In life, you can only control two things: your effort and your attitude.

4. Don’t ask how to start. Start, and then ask how to improve.

5. Happiness has less to do with pleasure and more to do with purpose.

6. Life is harder when you expect too much from the world and too little from yourself.

7. Life gets easier when you expect a lot from yourself and little from the world. High standards, low expectations.

8. Half of your problems are simply your mind turning minor issues into major ones.

9. Don’t look for secrets when what you need is repetition.

10. Don’t let yourself be controlled by three things: people, money, or past experiences.

11. In every challenge or even tragedy, there’s an opportunity. If you train yourself to find the opportunity, you can take control of the situation and even turn it into something positive—or, if it cannot be entirely good, at least something good can come from it.

12. Be thankful every day, because even if you feel there’s nothing to be grateful for, your “normal” day is someone else’s dream.

Meanwhile, "What is life?

💜What is Life to:

• Dostoevsky: It’s hell.

• Socrates: It’s a test.

• Aristotle: It’s the mind.

• Nietzsche: It’s power.

• Freud: It’s death.

• Marx: It’s the idea.

• Picasso: It’s art.

• Gandhi: It’s love.

• Schopenhauer: It’s suffering.

• Bertrand Russell: It’s competition.

• Steve Jobs: It’s faith.

• Einstein: It’s knowledge.

• Stephen Hawking: It’s hope.

• Kafka: It’s just the beginning."

Finally, My Photo of the Day!

💜Personal Note: My Dear Readers, If you are ask what one word, What is life to You, What is your answer? I like to hear from you.

Two More Books from My Blogs Published

💚💚Batman and Robin-My current two apartment mates- They kept me active and wakes me up at the same time in the morning

The Four D's ( Ditas, Dodie, David E (RIP) and Dinah) and Me at Ian's King Wedding November, 2021 

 I was so happy with the first book of photos and articles from my blog in 2023 that arrived a few months ago,

https://planningtovisitthephilippines.blogspot.com/2024/01/my-2023-blog-book-has-arrived.html

that I ordered two more books from www.mysocialbook.com. The first book is the highlights of photos and articles in my blog for the year 2021-2022 and the second book is from January 2023 to January 2024.  Here are some sample pages from the 2022 year book. My apology for not able to rotate the photos for better viewing.

Modeling My Batman  Sweat Shirt 

Empanada and other Pinoy Dishes

My Purple Okra Harvest- from My Backyard Garden, Fair Oaks, CA   

Bitter Melon (Ampalaya) also from My Garden. Fair Oaks, CA

Summary of Photos for 2022

Here's sample of photos and pages from the Year 2023-2024 

Playing Mahjong and my Dinugu-an ( Pork Blood Stew) and Fried Fish ( Pompano) Dinner 

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Macrine and I - our Photo Crystal -the Original Photo versus the Finished Photo

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The Katague Clan- All White Party during my 88th Birthday Party-Dungeness Crabs Served

Here's my favorite quote on Memoirs Writing:

“Memoirs are the backstairs of history.” “Inside each of us is a natural-born storyteller, waiting to be released.” “Memories too often die with their owner, and time too often surprises us by running out.” “After nourishment, shelter, and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”

Meanwhile, Did You Know?

The Philippines, with its bustling cities and diverse islands, is the 12th most populous country globally. This means its population size even surpasses some of the world’s largest countries in terms of land area, like Japan and Russia! With over 113 million people packed into a land area that ranks just 73rd in size, the country is one of the densest, making its cities vibrant but often crowded. The islands’ mix of urban centers and rural areas results in a unique demographic blend, contributing to a rich tapestry of cultures and languages.

And while it may be surprising that such a geographically compact country has this many people, the Philippines’ youthful population—where nearly 40% are under 20 years old—adds a dynamic energy, making it one of the fastest-growing populations in Asia.

Lastly, here's my amaryllis 4th and 9th days after planting: