a home for strangers

Prior to moving in Cambodia, I have lived in Manila - that bustling Philippine capital of 12 million souls (almost the entire population of Cambodia!), the centre of daring film festival scandals, 3 revolutions named after a single traffic thoroughfare, the teeming cornocupia of 300 years of Spanish rule and 50 years of Hollywood sensibilites from the Americans. For 5 years, I lived on its dangerous streets, glamorous enclaves and rode into its public transportation systems that would give sardine factories a run for their money... and boy, I had fun.

Had I not plucked myself from its toxic roots, I probably would have stayed long enough until my last breath. But just as I thought that I knew Manila by heart, I discovered that I only knew it skindeep...

The last time me and my wife were home, we decided to leave our boring Makati-tinged world - in itself a living witness of the nation's uncertain yet restless growth...


We took a cab, got ourselves caught in traffic and went to a place we would never imagined ourselves going... to the nostalgic walls of old Manila, where we hailed a horse drawn carriage and employed a guide to discover a place we ought to have discovered a long time ago...


So off we went and rediscovered the streets of home where we are strangers all over again...


we rediscovered its deeply rooted commitment and monuments to faith...

we discovered love fluttering around in pure contrast to the bleakness and hopelessness of its smog-choked skies


we discovered how people would sell salvation like cheap pancakes...

We rediscovered the proud tales of its heritage, succumbing to lonely years of decay...

We rediscovered the boisterous playfulness of its youth...


...and the poignant wisdom of its elders

We rediscovered that life and its superficial trappings begins and ends within a microcasm of society called the Sari Sari Stores...

... and we found out how faith and commerce blends in beautifully on its pavement stalls


We rediscovered a world hidden from the sanctity of its faith, and oveshadowed by glittering skyscrapers. We found real people fighting for existence...


...and even people willing to sell their very existence...

But the most important discovery of the day is that we should never ever, become strangers to our own home...

Although I have friends from India who have never seen the Taj Mahal, Cambodians who haven't been to Angkor Wat and buddies from New York who have never ventured out of Manhattan, I don't think it's proper for any Filipino to see the world without conquering our own shores... there is just too much stories, people, colors, characters and aspirations awaiting on every corner, calling and beckoning.

We might love the idea of being exhilirated with new sights, incredible experiences, exotic cultures and world wonders... only to find them existing in our own backyards afterall.