Hello all! I'm headed back to the Philippines for the1st time in 15 years. What are your thoughts?

Question

How has my homeland changed? Advice, pretty please....

Answer 1

Good that could come home for a visit after a very long absence.

You would observe marked changes in Metro-Manila. A lot of improvement on infrastructures. Malls have risen like mushrooms in every block. You won't recognize the face of Metro-Manila now. These infrastructures (bridges, additional overhead train lines and overhead pedestrian walks), malls and new villages though, have not improved the traffic situation, still heavy like before. The waterways due to the fault of the government and the common tao have not improved either, still smelly and dirty.

The Ayala Center now prides itself with Glorietta and Greenbelt 2,3&4 that changed the dining and entertainment face of Makati. Add to this the 20-30 minute drive The Fort, and Market! Market! inside the former army camp Ft Bonifacio.

You can walk now on the Roxas Blvd promenade better known now as Baywalk. I don't like though the choice of the sputnik lamps lighting the place. There is similar place at the back of the Mall of Asia (yes, the mall made famous by the annually held World Pyro Olympics just concluded its 2nd year evnt last January 2007).

Of course there is Eastwood, Libis in Quezon City, the Ortigas Center in Pasig and Megamall/Shangri-la area in Mandaluyong, all entertainment places that will not make you believe what eveybody is saying about the worsening poverty in Metro-Manila or the Philippines as a whole.

Outside Metro-Manila, Tagaytay now has a nice woodwalks that serve as the viewing decks for the Taal Lake and Volcano.

You still have the renowned swimming and scuba diving areas in Matabungkay and Mabini, Batangas.

Up north, Banaue, Bontoc and Sagada still showcase the world famous Rice Terraces, although added buildings have cramped up Banaue somewhat. In Palawan, there are a lot of classy and expensive resorts like El Nido and AmanPulo and other resorts in the Honda bay area. Downsouth, you have the Dakak in Zamboanga, and several resorts have risen as well in Cebu like the Plantation Bay Resort, Marco Polo Plaza, Hilton Cebu adn the Waterfront CebuCity.

And of course not to be forgotten is the world renowned white sand beach of Boracay (Of course, I much prefer the time when only cottages and cabañas were offered as accommodations. Now, big buildings and sprawling hotel complexes are all over the place, and Boracay while maintaining its beauty, has suddenly become a concrete jungle.

Puerto Azul, in Cavite by the way has been taken over already by the Koreans. :)

Answer 2

My fifteen year-old son is sitting not 5 feet from me, playing XBOX-Live with his friends while I use his computer. He's slightly taller than me, with hair that lays in soft waves, and which really needs trimmed but he refuses a cut. He's thin, painfully so, and can't weigh more than 130 pounds. He and his friends are searching for glitches on the new Rainbow 6 game he bought yesterday, and from what I can tell they are having a wonderful time. His Easter candy is in a bowl between his feet, and his bedroom floor is littered with Starburst wrappers. He knows I'm tucking some cash into his wallet for a planned trip to Pittsburgh on Monday, and he's done nothing but talk about the clothes he wants to buy at the mall after my doctor appointment. This is what childhood should be. Playing with friends, eating candy and looking forward to a day in the city. Not beating yourself bloody and enduring crucifixion. Just reading this story makes me want to cry.

Answer 3

different people have said a whole lot of different things, but most of them just actually talked about Manila. Hey, do remember that Manila's not the only place in the Philippines.

Many may disagree with what I'm gonna say but Philippines has actually improved, yeah a little, but it's better than nothing. The government is regaining stability, the power of the currency is recuperating and most of all, tourism has never been better! Even my British friends find it irresistible.

Come back and visit the overly publicized Boracay (while its still there). Don't miss Palawan, Cebu (Bantayan Island), Bohol, Ilocos...and the list just goes on and on...try to see a local travel agent once you get back. You'll never be disappointed.

Answer 4

You will be in for a surprise. The same issues are still present and are challenges being tackled (I hope so), but there have been many improvements that you will see. More foreign tourists who are purely foreign families (non-filipino parents with non-filipino children for example), more foreign jobs are being outsourced in the country, call centers and industries to name a few. More signs of highly developed, chic and well-planned places. A lot of them have to do with industrialization, especially in the cities. More Filipino companies, businesses, malls and stores. Please support these ones rather than the "foreign" ones, Filipino businesses need all the support it can get (from coffee shops like figaro, clothing lines like bench, kamiseta, food like pancake house, jollibee, etc). Better transportation alongside with traditional methods like the jeepney, bus, tricycle. You'll see the metrorails. There are more attractions and island getaways. However, the Philippines natural qualities and mode is always present. But go to Philippines with your natural Filipino self and values and remembering that every country has its challenges, and besides the industrializations and developments, you will feel at home right away.

Answer 5

My thoughts on what, you coming back? LOL

Yep, 15 years is too long... since 1992??? Ohh, there are many places to see now, clubbing, malling, party places in Manila, resorts that mushroomed in the provinces. Our presidents have changed too, there have been 3 since you left, 3 national elections and one impeachment. New car models, you can see imported ones too like jaguars and BMW's, too many skyways now. Tarffic has always been bad... did we ever change for the better? LOL Oh, the dollar exchange. It has fallen deep and risen a bit since you've been gone, now it's around 40 something, almost 50.

Answer 6

A big welcome for you. Why it takes 15 years for you to go back home? Everyone will be surprised especially your love ones. But whatever changes in the environment does'nt matter. What matters is your presence to your love ones. Hug and kiss each and everyone you love, let them feel that you did'nt forget them that here is the day that your back. At present wherever you are there's a lot of changes samething in the Philippines. Maybe more crowded, more new roads, more buildings but that's okey. . but most important now is you are coming back.

Answer 7

uhmm..lots of things have changed..

check out the malls!!they built a mall of asia,one of the biggest malls, you need a whole day or two to go around the whole mall..and they have an IMAX there..cool!and yummy food..hehe

you can go right away there coz its pretty close by the airport

and the traffic's getting worse,and i heard that its really HOT right now..

go to Roxas boulevard at night and hang out with friends or family...there are lights already on the sidewalk,and sometimes there's a live band, there's also good food, and lots of good stuff but be careful though,keep your stuff close to you..

and there's this carnival, eurostar carnival,they got some crazy rides out there, check this out too..and also enchanted kingdom, i think you're familiar with this?

night clubs at Libis..
a good place to buy souveniers is at Green Hills..

oh, and when you're in the mall and someone wants to exchange a gift check or a check to you for cash..dont! ok..its hard to trust people now..

just remember always be careful!


i'm also coming home too this coming july..so good luck and have a safe trip!

Answer 8

a lot of improvements on the side walks specially along roxas blvd. government still running by old leaders. economy are not that stable. More buildings. tourism is very agressive. We have a lot of amazing tourists destinations and attractions discovered for 15 yrs. People do traditional and modern ways but the good characters still lives on.

Answer 9

It has...=( I live in the Philippines... Pasig river's dirtier than ever.. Polluted air and water... Even though I'm still a kid, it's already obvious for me that our country is corrupt.. I don't think it would be good to go back but it's not a bad idea...

But still... If I were you I'd continue to come back... Try to help our country improve.. It's the nly way to live happily here..=)

Answer 10

I had been in California x 6 months. I had been to San Francisco, LA, San Diego, Orange County, Ventura County and Imperial Valley all in California. I had been to Nevada and Hongkong too. The song, hinahanap hanap kita Manila ang ingay mong kay sarap sa tenga......song by Hotdog back in the 80's. This is what I felt when I was in these key cities. I MISSED MANILA terribly. There is really no place like home.

The Philippines might be a 3rd world country but definitely it is in my heart, in your heart! We definitely all want to leave the Philippines but once out, you will definitely miss it.

When my dad was still alive I asked him what part of the world did he liked best since he is a US Navy ( Retired) He said, it is our house, since he have his privacy here, it is his own and it is where his family is. I thought it was corny but when I was abroad, I rememberd him and totally agreed with him.

MALLS:
The SM Mall of Asia is the biggest of all SM department stores and even bigger than the MOA or Mall of America in Minnesota.
The SM Department stores had mushroomed in different places in the Philippines. Before we only used to have SM Makati, Manila, Cubao. Now, every place has SM.
There are other options:
Robinsons in Manila, Cebu, Cavite, etc
Podium near SM Megamall
Rockwell in Makati
Market Market in The Fort

Cheaper options:
168 in Divisoria which is not only popular among our kababayans, balikbayans and even foreigners. It is where my relatives and friends buy their pasalubongs back in the USA, Europe and other countries.

Tiangge:
Greenhills
Salcedo Village in Makati on Saturdays
from 7am-2 or 3 pm
Legazpi Village in Makati on Sundays
from 7am to around 2pm

What do you expect to buy here?
foods not found in the mall
it is like a weekend party among caterers
and other people selling fruits, flowers
and other products.

HANGOUTS:
Eastwood in Libis, Quezon City
The Fort
Glorietta 1-4
Rockwell
Tiendesitas
Baywalk along Roxas Blvd
( Active at night)
Wave

Transportations:
What helped ease the traffics?

Coastal road opened in 1986
Macapagal Road near Baclaran

MRT along Taft Avenue to SM North Edsa
there is also one along Recto up to
Loyola Heights in Ateneo

LRT along Baclaran to Caloocan

Flyovers


Election is in the air!
Senatorial candidates are starting their campaigns. There will be local elections from the Mayor to the Governor. This will be on May!
Did Philippine government changed when you were absent?
Definitely corruption is still very much in the air and even at its worse.

PLACES frequently visited by foreigners:
Boracay
Palawan
Sagada/Banawe
Tagaytay
Baguio City

Like other Filipinos, you might have missed:
halo-halo and siopao which is very much in this summer season
Chocnut
Ginatan
Taho
Fishballs

FASTFOOD CHAINS:
Jollibee, the Philippines counterpart of McDonalds
Greenwhich, the Pinoy pizza
Chowking, Chinese foods
Red Ribbon or Goldilocks

Others:
Yellow Cab, pizza
Starbucks

EAT ALL YOU CAN:
Saisaki
kamayan
Dad's
Cabalen, kapampangan food
Josephines Restaurant in Tagaytay offers breakfast and lunch every Sunday
Heard of eat all you can breakfast over at Eastwood which only cost P80.00


TRY:
Dampa, wherein you buy seafoods then have it cooked, located near the airport, across DFA in Roxas Boulevard