E D IT O R ’ S N O T E
“Is Manila really as bad as Filipinos say?”
So goes the top entry on Quora about Manila. The first time I read it, I was ready to be offended;
then I remembered interactions I myself had with foreigners who were visiting. I had probably told
a dozen to “skip Manila” with an embarrassing amount of enthusiasm. “The traffic in the city is
horrible. The landmarks are just okay. Anyway, don’t people go here for the beach? We have really
nice beaches.” (It’s true, we do.)
When I finally caught myself, I felt that I had done my city a great sin, and what followed was a
compulsion to explore it for my own redemption. I thought that maybe if I looked closely and earnestly
enough, I may find that Manila has plenty of qualities and stories that would make it as excitable as, say,
Taipei or Tokyo. Of course that may be shooting for the stars (or comparing apples to oranges), but if I
were to start convincing others that my city was beautiful, then I had to be convinced, too.
Doing an entire issue on the Philippine capital was actually Patrick’s idea. (In case you’re a new
reader: he’s the real chief around here.) In the last few years, and together with other friends, we’ve
gone on several photo walks and special tours around Escolta, Binondo, Taft and Quiapo. Though
he recognizes that a day in the city requires mental and physical preparation, Patrick is always
excited to visit new-to-him spots and check up on old favorites. I had never really seen the same
interest that Patrick had for Manila with other friends who, like me, grew up here. It was refreshing.
It was also his idea to play with the irony of naming the issue after the partially-realized urban
planning movement the noted American urban designer and architect Daniel Burnham envisioned
for the city. While his plans for spacious parks, avenues and grandiose public structures quickly met
its demise when war intervened and the fledgling nation had to mind more pressing priorities, we’d
argue that there is much to still celebrate and champion beyond the admittedly tired and smoke-
stained façades of the city. It is time we push for a movement that recognizes Manila not just for its
historical significance but for its potential to be a proponent for local culture and creativity. In our
exploration of the city looking for beauty, we find a city of possibilities.
Through this issue, I am happy to discover more creatives who recognize that the city contains
many hidden and obvious beauties. Even better, some of them actively take part in the constant
creation of that beauty. Take photographer Jose Bautista of The Manila Project; he tells us (shows
us, too) that Manila’s stories and spirit “more than make up” for everything else that it lacks. The
folks of Don’t Skip Manila argues that it really is only as bad (or as good) as we make it to be.
Artist Gerome Soriano offers perspective on what draws other artists to the capital. We also have
philosophy student Jay Asiddao, who proposes to reframe our definition of beauty. You’ll find more
of their thoughts, and the work of other wonderful creatives, in the next pages.
So, is present-day Manila really as horrible as locals and pop culture depictions make it appear?
Honestly, it’s not perfect. Is it beautiful despite its plagues? To me, and the rest of the people in this
issue: absolutely. Don’t just take our word for it. Come and see for yourself.
Dani
@awsmchos