Noble and Ever Loyal City

"The result of all of this was a new swagger in the Manileno. Foreigners who came to the city could pride itself in a style - strutted by both dress and manner - that was not European, nor Mexican, nor Chinese, nor even Indio. It was quite simply Filipino. - From Manila, My Manila: A History for the Young by Nick Joaquin

[theurbanhistorian]

안녕하세요? 잘 지냈어요?

[theurbanhistorian]

Ever wonder why it took us so long to find someone of Magsaysay's calibre (69 years or the life expectancy of a Filipino to be exact)?

Read the middle photo.

Not exaggerating but Leni Robredo is a once in a lifetime candidate, hope we're not wasting our only chance of a lifetime.

[theurbanhistorian]

[theurbanhistorian]

From "Reinventing Streets for Bikes" by Mark Schlossberg, PhD and other Authors

[theurbanhistorian]

With the resumption of public transportation when Metro Manila is downgraded to the General Community Quarantine, it return to a radically different form to the one that it was before all the lockdowns of 2020.

Whether they grabbed the chance to reset public transportation after the closure of the economy or to finally push the jeepney routes to obsolescence remains to be known, but the rationalization of the much higher capacity buses to Mega Manila’s is a much wanted upgrade for the public transport system of the Metropolis’ 20 million daytime population.

The current network looks like EDSA (Route E - EDSA Carousel) is the trunk line and the other lines serve as feeders to the system (Notice that radial road buses terminate at a point in EDSA.)

While the rationalized system looks well, rationalized but only the routes and stops has been established. That’s the bare minimum of overhauling the transportation system.

We have yet to establish actual passenger demand, timetables, proper vehicle fleet going into the end of pandemic since all old transport behaviors have been changed by the pandemic. We are still seeing buses breaking health protocols because commuters have no where to commute on given few buses, trains run and the capacity restriction.

Sources:

Image 1: LTFRB route diagram

Image 2: GIS road network layout by the author

[theurbanhistorian]

Pediment of Don Roman Santos Building, Manila

[theurbanhistorian]

So I guess life happened and here we are being a transport planner and researcher. I have the honor to present to you my first ever co-authoring a journal paper.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0739885920301530

The perception of service quality among paratransit users in Metro Manila using structural equations modelling (SEM) approach

Paratransit, in this paper, refers to the informal modes operating in the urban transport system of Metro Manila with the dominance of publi

I guess I would plan slowly resuscitate this one slowly back to life. Maybe in longform, fitting of the growth and depth I acquired in years.

[theurbanhistorian]

Cebu Provincial Capitol

I’m just reminding you all, who is the sovereign in this country.

[theurbanhistorian]

QC Roads that where planned but still unbuilt, 7 decades since the establishment of the city as the Capital.

Imagine how QC’s traffic could be better with these roads. The Right of Way (ROW) of these roads are still traceable through Google Earth.

PS: Image layout through QGIS

[theurbanhistorian]

Laban lang.

[makerswomen]

On the anniversary of his death we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a brilliant orator and hero who dedicated his life to the fight for civil rights. Celebrate Dr. King’s legacy by learning how six bold women were influenced by his actions, driving change and making history in their own right.  

Art by MAKERS graphic designer Nathalie Gonzalez.

[theurbanhistorian]

Million People March 8/26/2013 Quirino Grandstand, Manila

This is not your usual protest. The count was 400,000 people attended. Usual faces during protests, first time to attend a protest and some attended their last protest when President Estrada was ousted from Malacanang.

Some of them are the usual protesters with flags, effigies and their fists in the air.

Some are students from the grossly underfunded Public Schools and State Universities.

Some are private school students automatically paying 12% VAT on every item they buy.

Some are medical workers from Underfunded Public Hospitals.

Some are from the posh and gated villages paying business, income and real estate taxes from what they own and earn to the government.

Some are from the middle class, paying so many taxes and contribution of government services, saving a little for themselves and the families they raise.

Some are from the poor, those who badly need the care of the government.

All Filipinos from all walks of life were represented in this protest and is rallying for a single cause: the abolition of the Pork Barrel in any name or mean and the prosecution of those who misused the public funnds. This is the biggest and the strongest protest so far in the Aquino Administration and the most memorable and significant commemoration of the National Heroes Day Holiday so far, in living memory.

The real battle has began. The Executive Department already submitted the Proposed 2014 Budget with the PDAF (Pork Barrel) still in the details, and we, as taxpayers and the Filipino People must see to it that the taxes, the nation’s budget is well appropriated and well spent. The deliberations on the 2014 Budget is ongoing.

If the Rizal Statue could talk, what is his reaction on this happening in front of him?

[theurbanhistorian]

I was just reminded of this event almost five years ago, so because of today’s news about Janet Lim Napoles being under the Witness Protection Program. Am I about to ask, was that all for nothing now?

[theurbanhistorian]

Korea Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

North and South Korea, in the absence of a formal Peace Treaty, technically remain at war today. What was signed during the end of the Korean War is just an armistice delineating the border and a 2km buffer zone from each Koreas from the actual border line, making a 4 km gap between sufficiently far enough for any army to cross and invade the other (but it didn’t count missiles). (See first Figure)

The Korea DMZ is the most military fortified place in the world. The South Korea side of the DMZ has been opened to tourism but with special permit and guided by the ROK Army and be educated about the Korean War that split Korea into two.

Figure 1. Kaesong City, North Korea as seen from the Dora Observation Deck

Figure 2. Bridge of Freedom and Imjigap Park

Figure 3. Third Infiltration Tunnel (actual Tunnel can’t be photographed)

[theurbanhistorian]

Give 2 applying questions

1. Tell us something about yourself.

2. Why should we hire you?

[i-hate-chick-fil-a]

This whole thread is a blessing. 🙌🏾 #BlackCulture

[theurbanhistorian]

Bust of Arthur W. Fergusson and Plaza Ferguson (Mariano Benlliure Y Gil)

Arthur Fergusson is one of the first American colonial Officials in the Philippines Islands, becoming Secretary to the Philippine commision until he died in January 1908. He was honored years after his death with a bronze bust by Mariano Benlliure Y Gil in a plaza bearing his name in Malate, Plaza Fergusson. The Plaza is where Rajah Sulayman Park now stands.

Source: National Museum of the Philippines

[theurbanhistorian]

Gyeongbokgung Palace and grounds

Seoul, South Korea

As soon as the 600 year old Joseon Dynasty is established and the capital city founded at Hanyang (now Seoul), the new dynasty set upon building their royal palaces, the largest of them is Gyeongbokgung Palace. It was the official Royal Office of the Kings of the Korean Joseon Dynasty until the occupation of Japan in 1910. Government offices are also built inside the palace complex.

Japan attempted to demolish the palace to erase Korean History and Culture during the occupation of Korea, demolished some existing buildings and even built building for the Japanese Governor General inside the premises, further defacing the imperial throne hall.

The Republic of Korea is currently restoring the building to former glory which included the demolition of the Japanese built house for the governor general.