Inspirational murals and ceiling art for commuters in Dela Rosa pathway

Like any business center, Makati area can be a bit empty during the weekends, especially on Sundays. Although I would have been interested to compare the pedestrian traffic of incoming workers versus going home workers, I was glad I didn't need to go through it. However seeing the murals and ceiling paintings on this highly used pathway made me curious about the pace, attitude of commuters.

The pathway is a long elevated, roofed walkway that spans between the Legazpi street to Greenbelt mall. A long part of it is along Dela Rosa Street, and also serves as parking lot and office building access. It is a convenient alternative to walking along the high car traffic Ayala Avenue, and has convenient stores, vending machines, ATM machines, several food joints, and green plants to enhance the landscape of glass and metal.

Bougainvilliers, cactuses to make a parking lot preppy

Some greens to line up the grey buildings

Small garden area to stroll by

The green plants would probably lower the stress of traffic below, as well as the sights of dreary buildings around. What caught my interest and enthusiasm though was a the colourful paintings on the ceilings and walls on some parts of the walkway, mainly on the Dela Rosa street portion.

The first time I saw them it excited my sight, leaving me entertained by the variety of shapes and colours. It made me wonder if the commuters would see them. Walking this path every day in a catatonic state in the morning and evening, some commuters would not even remember seeing anything but grey walls. But on this section, they would catch colours and weird shapes here and there, between crowds, and may be curious to look up and come back to life.

Upon watching closely, most of the murals had inspirational and encouraging messages. They could make you smile, you could agree with them, or just admire the art. I am truly grateful to the artists who painted those delightful scenes.

Smile more!

Hustling nine to five

Be well

In this age of digital information overload, it was refreshing to see messages that conveyed messages that touched the heart and soul by its richness and effort put into making them: simple messages, but truly heartwarming  in its composition.

Makati astronaut

The pipes, the utility boxes were all part of the paintings, and it was a challenge sometimes to distinguish them apart from the walls or ceilings.

Goooood morning everybody

Floating lotuses

We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time

There are many more on the walls (#delarosamurals) and it makes for a nice walk on Sunday to check out creativity get a new eye on things. There are also underpasses in Makati, and I will make sure to look up and check those out once I have seen all the ones on the pathway. In general though the walls are quite entertaining with ads while the ceilings are decorated with artfully painted graffiti. It made me want to pain walls as well, in a catharsis like dance of paint splashing and smudging...

A rainy afternoon stroll in BGC

After a short nap to recover from the morning rowing, I decided to get back to BGC, Bonifacio Global City, as it promised much original and local shopping in its Market Market premises. It took about only 15min from Makati to get there, but it cost double the price fo going to Mall of Masia across town (230PHP). I supposed there were more traffic at that time.

My main objective was the Market Market mall, with its food stalls filled with specialties from the various regions of the Philippines. But before that I ended up in the fashion market stalls, where very affordable clothes (100php) awakened my dormant shopaholic tendencies. I needed a blue t-shirt for the next day rowing practice so all I could see was blue. After acquiring a top I could probably fit in, I explore the mall which was terribly crowded.

When I got outside, I understood why everyone and their hair got indoors: it was raining enough to make puddles. It took me a while to get oriented and eventually walked toward the High Streets area, which is an outdoor shopping area with restaurants and shops on both sides of a park stretching from 11th avenue to 5th avenue (yes, they have numbered avenues). The streets were empty and glistening with rain.

There were some interesting building dominating the skyline, but mostly there were constructions.

The little park in the middle was shiny silver with rain and empty, adding to the melancholy of the weather.The area was famous for its murals as well but I could only find one of them.

It was a lovely stroll, without the smell of pollution, or the pressure of hundreds of other pedestrians to navigate. I had nothing to buy and didn't feel like joining the other visitors inside the Mind Museum nearby.

So I grabbed another taxi, which got pulled over as soon as I got in it. The driver got caught making an illegal u-turn, and got away with it with 100php fine. It was another  eventful ride where we got stuck into traffic for 15min, and instead of taking 15min, the return to the hotel took almost 45min and it was dark by the time I got to the room.

Rowing with the Manila Dragons in Manila bay

What do you know about dragonboat? I didn't know much apart from the fact that you needed to row on pretty colourful boats and that there was a dragonboat festival or race wherever I lived. Yet I have never attended one.
Dropped on foreign land, suffocating in a forest of skyscrapers, I had promised myself to try this watersport. I had meant to join a couchsurfing event, but upon mentioning it at work, my boss wanted to see it as well and wanted to introduce me a former colleague of hers that did dragonboat regularly.

And so on a Friday evening I had a short night nap, to wake up at 04:00am, to be at the lobby at 4:40am and be picked up by my boss. She came with another Japanese colleague and her 7 year old daughter (gasp!) who was fresh as a flower. I was prepared for everything but the rain that day:
(non whitening) sunblock lotion
water
flipflops
hand fan
mini towel
phone
cookies
sunglasses
plastic shoes

We crossed town to Manila bay with the driver expertly slaloming in fluid traffic (a rare situation since my arrival a month ago). It was still dark humid outside, but the temperature was comfortable. We got tot the meeting point early, and walked around puddles in the big parking lot of Manila CCP centre to grab some breakfast in an empty KFC. S-chan hated Jollybee, the local chicken chain, but seemed to enjoy KFC, so she got herself a drumstick and mushroom soup for breakfast while the ladies got coffee. My brain was still on sleep mode so no hunger was registered at 5:15am.

There were many cars and rowers in the parking lot by then, and the teams would have their own colours to identify themselves. We were introduced to our team, or at least the team that J was member of: The Manila Dragons, wearing red on Saturdays. Other teams were blue, yellow, orange and green.

As dawn timidly showed the city's outlines, we jogged 5 laps around the parking lot for the beginning of the warmup.N-san and myself were feeling warmed up fast, thanking the weather to be cloudy and cooler than usual, allowing us to only sweat after the 2nd lap. By the end of the 5 laps, I was already drinking half my water bottle and sweating as much. However the warmup continued with dynamic stretches and x sets of :
1min jumping jacks
5 squats
5 jumping squats (squat, push up, jump)

By the 2nd set I was getting out of breath, tired of jumping jacks and was doing steps and moving only my arms. After the 3rd set, I was getting dizzy, and by the 5th set I blanked out, barely standing and staying conscious. During water break N-san and I were laughing it off, depleted of energy to talk or comment. The other members reassured us that it was almost over, but to watch out for the next day's soreness (no kidding!).

Eventually, after surviving millions of jumping jacks while dawn turned into day, and loosing my mind over my painful calves, it was time to start land rowing. Or at least the regular team members got some rowing movement training by the warm up coach (who didn't do any of the jumping jacks or warm up, which angered N-san). My mind was in such an open/free mode after all that jumping, that I understood tagalog  from the body language and intonation of the coach that they needed to use their lower body as well when rowing. As example, he even cited the Japanese team which won the Palawan race the previous weekend. Apparently they rowed quite calmly without the frantic rhythm other teams were using, because they prioritized form and technique to rowing speed and power.

After trying out the movement with a stick and a wooden paddle, we headed towards the water and were given a tiny life-jacket and a wooden paddle, used for training sessions. During races, carbon fiber paddles are used, which are much lighter.

With national team coach, N-san, S-chand and J

Although there was no breeze to flip our hair or refresh our very warmed up bodies, the stench of the sewage water that end up in Manila Bay attacked our nervous system and permeated our senses. Sadly dirt was everywhere, and although the boats were pretty, we could not forget about the smell around us. We also had to walk on gooey dark stuff, which we did not wish to identify, before hopping on the boat. We sat at the back, in front of the steering person. In the front, a signal person was also monitoring and coaching the rowers during practice.

We were taught the movement in water, in slow motion first, before joining the pace of other rowers in front of us. Unexpectedly the sitting position was very uncomfortable, as one had to put all the weight on the outside of the boat, extend the outside foot and row. As a nice surprise though, once everyone rowed, the water had little resistance and it was nice advancing in the still water, with a nice breeze on our face. The smell still was not enjoyable as we inhaled and hoped for that fresh and clean odorless oxygen.

A bit further of the coast, more teams were practicing and rowing in sync, racing each other and preparing for the following week's competition. The national coach was in the other boat and from time to time both boats would get closer to get instructions, before racing each other or getting individual practice. Rowers would row by pair, and the signal person would correct, comment  the rowers. We beginners even had our turns. It was fun exercise, but I realized there were much splashing water when I rowed, which was disgusting given the stench surrounding us. To be added to the equipment for future practice would be a hat, swimming goggles and face mask.

By 8:45am we finished the practice, got back to moor and took some celebratory photographs, with invitations to come back (it was 50PHP as non-member). I was eager to come back for practice and the companionship of the team members. The team was very friendly and I am grateful to have experienced such exercise, despite the less than perfect water/air conditions. We all tried to wash our feet and hand, getting rid of any speck of dirty liquid that touched us. As we hopped into the car to get back to our lodging, we felt filthy.

We still had to drop S-chan to her dodgeball practice (the reason she was up at 4am?) in Bonifacio Global City, another modern area of Manila full of expats, before getting back to Makati. So it gave me a quick view of the area.

I was back at the hotel around 9:30am, rushed for the hot shower where I scrubbed myself until I was red, grabbed breakfast and had a nap. For a dragon, I was out of fire...and there would be more rain

Weekend roadtrip to Crystal Beach Resort, Zambales

A leap of faith, a thrilling jump into the unknown, that was what made my heart race since 5:00am on Saturday morning. A Couchsurfer was winging a roadtrip to Zambales, north of Manila, and he invited up to 11 people that could join him on the weekend camping trip to Crystal Beach Resort for  less 1000PHP gas money per person. The pickup time was at 7:00am, a walkable distance from where I was staying. Although on time due to my nervous nature, the van and some of the participants arrived around 7:20am, and some even needed to be picked up at their residence. To be honest that family were the most irritating participants in term of punctuality. The group of 9 adult and a forever pouty 8 year old girl fit snugly in the 11 seats van, with tents and bare necessities.

We drove north through Quezon City, to catch the North Luzon Expressway out of Manila by 9:00am, and we were soon zipping through the countryside, with rice paddies being labored, and lush greens.

Rainy clouds on the horizon when leaving Clark

Toll fees and an idea of towns reachable by the Expressway

We drove past Clark which had an airport, and an Emirates add that advertized a daily flight to Dubai, amidst rainy clouds overhead. It even rained a bit during our approach to Subic bay. After 2h30 drive I asked for a restroom break at the entrance of Subic, where we all stretched our legs. We were getting somewhat comfortable with each others, casually and carefully probing our origins, interests and sense of humour to establish a common ground. It was somehow easy though as we were all avid travellers and had many anecdotes to share. The host or event organizer was very playful and chatty and made everyone at ease. He even brought tents for some of us who didn't have one.

The weather in Subic, a former US military base, was sunny and we had to drive through on a single road in and out of town, zigzaging between jeepneys, tricycles, craft trolleys and bad traffic. The road was busy with small resorts hotels catering to families, so it was also full of small food joints on both sides.

Subic bay

Tricycle loaded with craft/utensils

Color coded Jeepneys

We admired the bay borded by mountains, and stole a view of some of the resorts close to the road to give us an idea of our destination. It was everybody's first time going to Crystal Beach resort. And once we saw the first big sign advertising it, we were all excited and admired the small village and small road that led to the place. The resort is accessible by bus, which stops on the main road, and a tricycle can be taken/hired to drive for 15min to the resort from the main road.

After checking in, we walked to the camp site along the partially covered corridor that led to the beach. Just the idea of being at the beach was refreshing, and feeling the gentle swooshing of the sand when walking made us all closer somehow as we escaped the pollution and hustle of Manila.

Central corridor between reception and the beach

View from the campsite. After the trunk, the beach and Pacific ocean

We set up tents, checked out the beach and went back to the resort restaurant across the reception area for some food. It was almost 2:00PM and we were all starving. I discovered some Filipino food, such as lechon, buko pandan (coconut and pandan dessert), bulalo steak and kalamansi juice. I was most excited to swim and try surfing after lunch, wich was probably not the wisest move.

In any case we all moved to the beach, doing an awkward crossing on hot sand for the few feet separating the camping site and the ocean. The water was warmer than expected, and the waves no higher than 4feet. A group of beginners in their yellow rash-guards were trying out their new skills, some more successful than other at catching waves.

By 4:30PM I was pestering the surf school to teach me, despite having finished lunch at 2:30PM. I was afraid the weather would cool down as soon as the sun set. I managed to catch 3 waves standing and surfing, among the maybe 15 waves the instructor (Christopher) set me up for. On the unsuccessful rides, I would be one knee up or almost standing before being thrown in the water loosing balance. I also managed to hurt my lower back, which I presumed was due to the lack of warming up my muscles body parts.

Another couchsurfer also joined me and she definitely had more surfing skills or experience than me. We had a good laugh waiting for waves no bigger than ripples, and enjoyed the thrill of riding a few waves. It stays as a good memory, especially with someone I have just met that same morning.

Eventually the sun set and lent its orange colours to the horizons and skies, but the temperature stayed high and we could not rest or change into the tents. instead we lied down near the water, enjoying the couples doing photoshoots and making hilarious poses with the camera.

campsite in sunset

After much deliberation and regrouping all the couchsurfers, we went out of the resort to find authentic village food outside, and drove through 2 towns before coming back to the resort town and grab filipino food. After all there were only 3 foreigners in the group and it was the perfect opportunity to get local recommendations. So most of us got bulalo soup, which was a huge bowl of beef soup, with a big portion of tender beef and bone marrow seeping in its broth.

Happy campers

Drank 2 of these

On the way back, the other surfer girl got rhum (captain morgan) from 711, and thus started hours of drinking, chatting and laughing outside our gathered tents. No mosquitoes would dare fly around us, and from time to time some tents would be seen move by themselves in the dark towards the ocean to catch a breeze. In our inebriated states, those tents looked like supernatural events or funny gags. When out of Cola, we ventured towards the resort's restaurant to buy a bottle (that I bought back form the trip), not without getting distracted by the music and fire dance happening at a team building event on the next campsite across the corridor.

Fun light trace of fire when long exposure

A fire jump rope on long exposure

 We were still feeling so hot because of the heat and alcohol we gave up building a bonfire. Luckily for us, the resort had a huge bonfire at the first campsite, and we were glad to just hang around it and be hypnotized by the dancing flames, while hugging a bag of ice cubes collected from the restaurant for our cocktail...

Back with the group we drank some more and before I knew it, I crashed in my tent while the others tried to go dancing at the team building next door. I laughed and Jo the surfing girl when she said it would freeze if it rained. But while the alcohol started to seep into my blood around 1:30am, I started feeling cold at 26C...and had to wear the fleece jacket I brought just in case! I slept in my fleece and covered by my beach blanket until I woke up beaten up by the sand beneath me (forgot to level it flat).

At 6:30am, the air was fresh in the campsite. On the beach the sun was just starting to heat up the sand, and there were so many couples again doing photoshoots. It was as if they only came to take pictures. I spaced in the shade of a hut, looking at the ocean and the multiple photoshoots, wondering if I would have gone crazy as well if I came as a couple. Then around 7:am I changed into my swimming suits (baywatch red hanging in the picture above) and swam in a much cooler ocean when the spaniard kept the hut for us. After a nice exercise, we lied down in the shades of the hut, enjoying the ocean breeze, the relatively quiet beach, before people with swag put their boombox on.

By 7:30am being in the sun required sunscreen and a hat. So I slept some more with my head in the shades, while drying my swimming suit in the sun.

Eventually as the campsite stirred up and people started to pack, I had to head back and pack as well. My tent mate was cutely eating his cookies as breakfast and I tried not to rush him before folding the tent. I don't even know when he came in to sleep. I also ate my cookies and drank my water bottle and we were off on the road to reach Olongapo city to drop off the Spaniard at the bus terminal, on his journey north.

We ate at the mall, took some time to gather together again as everyone got spread out, to finally regroup in the van. By 1PM we dropped off Gustavo (Guiller for real) and drove back to Manila. Everyone was digesting and soon fell in a long food coma, followed by motor induced sleep. I barely woke up before Clark airport, even being seated in the back seats where the suspension were inexistent and felt like riding a horse.

We then dropped off Ray in Marilao, an got stuck in traffic between Quezon city and Makati. We saw the fumes of the fire that destroyed hundreds houses in Mandaluyoung.

Eventually we arrived safe and sleepy back at the Petron station at 4:45PM, where it felt like we all were trying to awkwardly act like strangers again because were back at the city. There were talks of exchanging facebook accounts, emails and rushed goodbyes. I walked back to my room, took a shower and slept.

It was fun meeting strangers on a trip. I wish it would always be this safe. I would join the next expedition if the organizer plans another one.