Have You Been To Baywalk Lately?
Loading ...Update (10/21/07): I’ve been jogging at Baywalk every morning for the last week, some of the tiles and lights were fixed, police visibility also increased but one vendor complainted of extorsion. Those sleeping at the benches and street kids/beggars who go after the tourists also increased.
I pass by Roxas Blvd. regularly on my way to work and back, and I have witnessed how the Baywalk of Manila transformed from a dead area to a glamorous one where economic activity thrives. From a no man’s land to a place where family and young people spend their time. From an abandoned area to a place where both local and foreign tourists visit. I thought then, Manila is going through revival because it became a tourist destination again and these generated employment and income to ordinary folks.
But have you been to Baywalk recently? Take a look at these pics–
beautiful landscape gone and tiles destroyed…
base and lights housing destroyed and stolen…
the new regular visitors…
the new establishments…
Is this another good(?) project that went down the drain with tax payers money wasted? What do you think have happened? Any lesson’s learned?
If you find this interesting, subscribe to my feeds or
e-mail to get regular updates, or add this site to your Technorati Favorites.
To contact me, go this way.
You can follow the discussion here,
or by checking the email subscription tag, below the comment box. Thank you for the visit.
tip box
Comments
Mayor Lim is the typical Trapo. Anything that was done by his opponent=bad. Thus, progress will never be achieved. If his idea of “progress” is to violate human rights by spray painting “drug pusher” on a poor man’s shanty walls, then how much more can we expect from him? Manila was revived years ago by Atienza (I am not from the Manila area, but Pasig, so I am not an Atienza voter, but merely an occasional “tourist” of Manila) and now, everything that he did will be methodically destroyed. If Capitalism is “creative destruction”, Lim’s leadership is “destroying what has been created”.
Its too bad the present mayor would change everything that the former mayor has done in the past…i’ve seen the old Baywalk before…and now it seems it went back to that time again……
Even during the time of Mayor Atienza, the Baywalk has already started to deteriorate. City of Manila has lots of good projects. But these good projects lack follow-up and maintenance. Sad..
I’ve always loved Baywalk… until the bands were banned and it was no longer maintained by the city government. It’s too bad that the present mayor of Manila did not appreciate the efforts of the previous mayor to provide a wholesome venue for recreation for his constituents. He does not understand that good leisure promoted by venues like these means less young people giving in to vices and more families bonding. It was an attempt not only to beautify the city but to create a new history with a renewed town plaza that serves the same function as Rizal park. Manila Bay is also a historical location, I do nnot understand why its bay walk has dropped his priority list. In this lack of maintenance, will Luneta or Intramuros be next?
I appreciated what former mayor Atienza has done to baywalk but there is an issue of over-pricing in the development of the area and who are the tenants there and owners of the establishments there at baywalk; his friends and other city officials….tsk tsk..I saw on tv once an interview with former councilor Cita Astals that the contract and other documents of the expenditures of the development of baywalk was missing. I think the National Government thru the Department of tourism or other agencies concern has the jurisdiction of baywalk because Roxas Blvd. is a national road not a City road and should take care of it just like Rizal park, CCP Complex…etc…
tsk tsk… June last year, I visited Roxas Blvd for the first time and it was doing OK… I guess… but so sad it ended like this.
sad, sad, sad! why kill a thriving baywalk just because it was a project of the other city man? a very sick mentality… let’s hope he’ll open his eyes and save the baywalk again.
Sayang talaga ang pinagkagastusan at pinaghirapang pagandahin at ayusin ng former city administration. Not only Baywalk, even the other beautification projects of xMayor Atienza have been wasted. Dating burak, ginawang ginto, at ibinalik sa burak. For what? Maybe because there are more voters na mas gusto ang marumi at magulo at walang disiplina? Is this the kind of people the present city admin cater to? Because these are the kinds of people now who took over the once beautiful parks and walks in Manila…illegal vendors, hawkers, prostis, beggars, pickpocketeers, snatchers..name it, they’re there… sayang talaga…
I dunno what got into Mr. Lim.. he had a great trhing going for him baywalk was an income generating business. and he goes and tearing it all up.. i would bet there are a lot of families and other people that are really mad at what he did at bay walk… as for me i am furious at what happened!!! I WISH I HAVE A CHANCE TO SAY IT TO HIS FACE!!!
ang dami kong nadirinig na storya at kwento sa baywalk, pero isa ako sa mga hindi pa napupunta dyan hehe
ok, keep up the nice blogging dude
This is the Philippine brand of politics. Remove all traces of the good deeds of your political enemies. It happen when Cory took over from Marcos. Erap when he took over from FVR, and Gloria when she took over ERAP,.
Let us not jump to conclusions and brand this mayor and that mayor as simply “good or evil”, especially when we are not voters of the particular place, in this case, the City of Manila.
First, the Manilenos voted for Lim, we don’t care how and why they voted for him, but they voted for him. That is their choice.
Secondly, Philippine Politics is always “STOP all Previous and Current Projects of my predecessor at-all-costs!!” From the President down to the lowest position in the government. It’s been like that, and will always be like that if other people are not given the chance - YOU, the new generation.
Thirdly, Lim have always been anti-drug and anti-crime, that is his expertise, that is his line-of-work. While Atienza is for the beautification of the City of Manila, and related projects.
Each government official have their own expertise and goals. And as I mentioned in #2, they will stop all previous and current projects of their predecessors just because it doesn’t agree with their own goals and it is not their expertise.
Fourth, Baywalk was already deterioting even during the time of Atienza, the process just went faster after the change of leadership.
Finally, for the Philippine politics to change, the new generation must stop rallying on the streets and start planning on entering REAL politics. Don’t have money? Find a solution.
If the new generation will keep on going to the streets, then we will never have any other options but to vote the “oldies” and the “sons and daughters of the oldies”. That is what’s lacking, the “oldies” and the “sons and daughters of the oldies” are doing their best to keep the new generation dubbed as “The Kinabukasan ng Bayan” to the streets.
We want to be activists? Online or offline? We have a lot of things to say against the oldies and their dynasties? Let’s support and encourage the new generation in terms of monay and morale, so they can slowly, one-by-one, win seats.
One seat for the new generation guarded by the concerned Pinoys like you and me, is one giant step to cleaning and improving our politics.
“Kabataan, kinabukasan ng bayan”, where are they? In the streets rallying or there working abroad.
Leave the oldies - they are the “past”. Let’s look into the future and live in the present.
There was an article that current Mayor Lim bowed to complaints from the residents of the high-rise condos across Roxas Blvd. complaining about the noise emanating from the Baywalk area. The question to ask is did he do this to appease those condo developers/owners along Roxas Blvd? What happened to all these dining establishments along Baywalk? I was there in March 2006 and although I enjoyed my seafood dinner there, I couldn’t help but wonder about the waste diposal in the area. Not to mention the parking hassles. It was nice during the night, but I ventured out there during the day and the stench from the sewage by Manila Bay was overpowering. Something has to be done about these bums & vagrants hanging around the area. There should more police presence to keep them away. It would certainly scare any tourists visitng the area. Not a nice place to visit, judging from these photos.
My thread is different. Among the folks in Bicolandia, Mt. Mayon stands for the regal beauty of their region.
But within the psyche of the Home Islanders, our country are 7100 islands to plunder by others, particularly those whose origins are from across the seas, now easier to reach with air travel.
And we are bearing the evil fruit of those times, to the present.
Majority of our indigeneous peoples, whether pure gened, or of mixed genes, still have the mentality of colonials. Oppressed, underprivileged colonials.
The former Mayor of my Manila had in mind beautify my city. The current Mayor does not seem to care?
Once Manila was a Pearl among the Pearls of the Orient Seas. A place to reach for those who have been born in the outlying 7000 islands of beauty, that the Archipelago is - Bansang Magayon - Beautiful Nation loosely translating from the Bikol tongue.
Shall we continue to be dominated by these scions of trespassers who left their countries of origin to improve their own economic life?
Shall we continue to be of ’service’ to the rest of the newly and already industrialized nations, by sending or causing the creamest of our youth and talent to seek economic benefits abroad?
Let us say, No way !!!! From now on.
We are from Bansang Magayon! We love our beautiful country, and will stay loving the Mother Land that way.
Globalization, yes, but with our own - whatever it takes.
Apo Satur
Magayonese-American
On the road thru California, Arizona, and Nevada, USA
September
A pity that this must happen. Much more if this deterioration is caused by intentional neglect just because of spite by one politician against another.
I frequent Baywalk before and after Fred Lim became Mayor. The place is beautiful then, until there was a change of administration. I have spoken as well to regular visitors and vendors there. These simple people prefer the old Baywalk as they generate more earnings with more visitors. They were also horrified to know that the electrical wires, lights, base were being stolen strategically. “Utos daw” ito kaya nila ginagawa. They reported these thieves to the police but were not being acted upon.
I don’t think that the removal of the establishments there is such a complete loss. For me, it even helped the traffic situation in that area.
I rarely pass by Baywalk but traffic’s a pain especially pag pa-gabi na and na-occupy na isang lane for parking and other cars slow done at the next lane to find their parking slot as well. Motorists like me don’t enjoy that at all! Pero ngayon mabilis na.
Hell, I can always find other places to gimmick and not cause inconvenience to others.
I never thought these pics will not only generate opinions, but passion as well 
While in the surface, it looks like the present city administration is responsible for this. But we can not be certain since we are not privy for the reasons of their actions or inactions. All the while, the new administration may have a better plan.
I feel sorry though for the following:
(1) the people who lost their employment and livelihood..
(2) the waste of taxpayers money..
(3) the landscaping was not preserved/protected. This way, Baywalk can still be a tourist attraction and not an eye sore..
(4) police station was removed and police visibility reduced.
As for the issue of prostitution and drug pushing, it can be anywhere with or without Baywalk. The “class” of the merchandise and the approach differs depending on the market.
With the opinion and emotions expressed here, it only confirms that a leader, regardless of his decisions/actions, can not please all.
A few lessons to reflect though, if you are a person in authority:
(1) Communicate and consult to minimize opposition.
(2) In change management, consider the economic effects to all stakeholders, specially the ordinary folks.
(3) Do not hesitate to do what is right.
(4) Regardless of who gets the credit, continue and build upon a good project.
Please feel free to add your thoughts…
Baywalk is one of the laudable projects LA had for Manila. Indeed a lot of Manilenos and those from the nearby towns and cities enjoyed Baywalk so much. it is now a pity that due to politics or poor management plus the lack of forsight and probably genuine concerns to the citizens, the glory that was once the Baywalk is now a sorry sight. To add it all, the hoodlums are back making the place their hang-outs.
Hi Angelo, Not all are happy of the old Baywalk, though it may have generated employment and livelihood to simple folks and alternative destination for both local and foreign tourists. Some are complaining of noise, traffic, sanitation, drug trafficking and prostitution. Add to the fact that there are unpaid dues to the Gov’t.
Hello Sonny,
I have reasons to say so. My family (wife, 3 kids frequent Baywalk for a walk, play, have breakfast together. it was a place where after work my wife and I go to pray because the sea and the sky, the trees and everthing you see inspire us more because we can always feel He is always with us. A few weeks ago I was surprised to see what we call now “a sorry sight”. I have seen how baywalk transformed under Atienza and it was not overnight. But turning it to what it was before seems to happen overnight. Surely the traffic, noise, unpaid dues etc. can be solved by not necessarily turning the place into an eye sore.
If it’s necessary for us to create noise so that we we can be united in voicing out our concerns, lets do it.
Dear Sonnie:
You e-expose on the current state of Bay Walk, as DENR Sec. Lito Atienza, during his tenure as Hizzoner of Manila, my City of Youth, evokes a lot of memories:
Dewey Boulevard, the original name for Roxas Boulevard, before those criminal Manila councilmembers and legislators began changing street names and historic spaces and parks, was already a haven to go for watching the wonderful Manila Sunsets, over the Mariveles Mountains of Bataan, in the late 1930s to December of 1941. It extended up to what was then Libertad Street, of the Town of Pasay.
Aristocrat Restaurant, at its San Andres St. junction, was a place to have a pleasant Filipino meal. And the homes at Malate and Ermita, fronting Dewey Boulevard, were the homes of the elite of Manila, of Manila’s 400 Society.
One of which was the Perkin’s home which was not destroyed during the Liberation of Manila, and would become a place to hold socials for the young, upcoming Manilenyos of the 40s and 50s. This home should have been a preserve for historical significance, but is no longer there, I believe. It’s footprint are now probably occupied by some high rise condominium, somewhere between Remedios and Herran (Pedro Gil now).
And Dewey Boulevard was close to where we young turks of the time, the 40s and 50s, could go “Stateside”: Street names like Florida, Dakota, Nebraska, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Kansas, and a few more, crisscrossed Ermita and Malate in our youth, and made us feel “westernized”, sporting Florshein shoes, Arrow shirts, Banlon tees, writing with Parker and Eversharp pens, and telling time with Bulova watches. The only street that were “nationalistic” was Apolinario Mabini Street, from the Luneta to Wallace Field, and which joined with F. B. Harrison street, the major N/S road from the Manila boundary to Baclaran.
We knew that vast expanse of space from the Rizal Memorial Stadia to Dewey Blvd to be Wallace Field. And the staged Battle skirmish of Fort San Antonio Abad, between Admiral Dewey’s Marines and the Spanish Guardia Civil from Manila at Intramuros, that lead to the Occupation of Manila in August 13th, 1898, is where the Central Bank of the Philippines now is footprinted, just south of the existing estero then.
This estero run from the Rizal Memorial Stadia westward to the Manila Bay, at Leveriza Street where the Arsenio Lacson’s Manila Zoo south boundary is. Perhaps, the Ospital ng Maynila also has the estero as the boundary.
Harrison Boulevard, now Quirino Ave., did not even exist yet.
In our youth during the 50s, we went nightclubbing, dateless if we had the money and paid a young, voluptuous, beautifully painted young lady to be at our table at the Bayside till 6:00 AM, or dance the night thru, doing the boogie and guaracha, with our dates, who then came chaperoned, necessarily. They were collegialas of the “Saint” schools and colleges, some from families of hacenderos of the Visayas and Mindanao. And then we went home to sleep, after a breakfast of Aristocrat’s Halo-halo, after escorting back our collegiala dates back to their dorms. Those were happy days, indeed.
Dela Fuente, Lacson, Villegas, Bagatsing, other Manila Hizzoners, then Alfredo Lim, and just not too long ago, Lito Atienza. Hizzoner Lito was doing a great job, I would imagine, in his efforts to returning Manila to its illustrious Pride. His right hand man in this programmed effort is an Architect of note. But Lito termed out.
Before up-start Makati and later on, Mandaluyong, took over that distinction, with Metro Manila’s financial center being moved to what once was the Nielson Airfield of the USAFFE in Makati, from Manila’s Escolta and Dasmarinas Streets, Manila was the CITY. To be a true Manilenyo was a distinction. And I am one of those who are so primed to maintain that distinction. I am a product of Manila’s public school system: San Andres Elementary in ‘43 and Mapa High and Araullo High School ‘49. UP in Diliman, ‘53.
Yes, indeed, it is criminal to destroy or not even respect the legacy that Mayor Joselito Atienza of San Andres Bukid, did to improve the sight-seeing, tourism oriented worthiness of my City of Manila.
But should a returning Mayor, former Senator, and former Secretary of Local Governments under a disgraced ex-President be allowed to continue to rampage the projects that his predecessor did so well to enhance the pride of Manilenyos for their City of Manila?
His famname is Lim, and his roots are in Binondo, during my youth, Manila’s Chinatown.
Of course, San Lorenzo Ruiz, a Chino-Malayan Saint, was from Binondo.
Apo Satur
Hercules, CA, USA and
Singalong, Santa Ana, Manila
Hi Apo Satur,
Thank you for the visit and for sharing your cherished memories on the land of our birth. Whenever I hear stories of Manila prior to my birth, I always envy the generation who witnessed the glory of the Philippines and Manila, the time When we are the 2nd richest nation in Asia after Japan, (Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand is not yet known then) when tourist flock to the Philippines, when Manila bay is still clean and lovely, when Filipinos are still disciplined, etc., etc.
I can only recall as far back as the 70’s. Though my youth was awakened in the 80’s, 70’s is more memorable, perhaps because of the great Filipino music back then.
Thank you again sir, more power!
Mayor Lim I don’t like what you did to Baywalk. Maganda na nga yun may restaurants at stores eh tinangal mo pa. Hindi ka na mananalo sa next election. Bad.
Hi from London, I have seen the transformation of Baywalk over the last few years, My wife and I visit it every year we are in Manila,I was going to spend New Years Eve there this coming Dec 31st.
I cannot start to understand why a project that gave employment to locals and pleasure to locals and tourist, both Filipinos and foreign has been dismantled.
Whenever I was there I have NEVER seen any drug pushing,No prostitution ( if you want prosti go to the bars close by.
It is just a way for your crazy Mayor to dismantle a successful business/ tourist project. It could only Happen in the Philippines… Lim should build on the success not
tear it down,
Remember this, Any politician who arrives in Manila and is due to meet the Govt will travel from the airport to Malakanyan and Govet offices along the Roxas Bvd.
What impression will it give them of Manila?
One very unhappy English Guy
Hello, Andy:
Have not been to London, to visit the Queen;
But have been to Lake Havasu, where the London Bridge is.
Folks flock to Havasu, AZ, and enjoy crossing the Bridge
Without the boarding a jetplane where the Queen lives.
Once there was a group of CALTRANS Engineers Who proposed to rebuild the Colgante Bridge
But powers in Manila wanted to know What there is for them, so the project may go.
And reborn Colgante would have been an icon Just as London had a bridge of reknown.
SatuR, a proud diasporan Manilenyo Shares this thought, in accord with you.
Hi Andy,
I have to agree with you, but someone told me that Fred Lim had a 10 year plan for Baywalk. I have not read it yet, though.
Sonnie, HI, Just look at the previous 10 years it was a haven for bums and druggies, not exactly the image of Manila to portray….PLus where will I go new years eve?
Its such a shame what has happened to the Baywalk. I’m of Filipino and black African parentage born in London, but make it back to the Phils every now and then to visit relatives (dunno what you’d term me as, but just letting those in the Philippines know that we exist and do not consider ourselves as just being “foreigners” or “tourists”). Anyway I was back in Manila at the beginning of this year and I was really pleased to see what the Baywalk became under Atienza; an area in which all sorts of people, rich or poor, Christian or Muslim, Filipino or non-Filipino, could enjoy and partake in the various activities offered there, even if it was sitting down to listen to some of the music or watching the colorful characters of the city stroll by. It did give the Manila some sense of class and an overall warmer image by seeing a visible place where people could actually enjoy and entertain themselves outdoors for once!
Some say “What a shame, but at the end of the day, Manilenos deserve the mayor they voted for” yet it would be small-minded for me to follow suit and say so too. Considering that the country needs a much better image to give the world, as opposed to the “worst country in Asia” image it holds now in the eyes of those who have never been there before.. (sad to say, but living in the west myself, I can say that this is true!) and Manila is the gateway to the country. The first people who will verify or clarify what exactly the Filipino image is to the outside world are tourists. If they come to Manila and see deprivation, deprivation, deprivation, that is all they take home with them, and diffuse to others, who further diffuse it until the image becomes “Manila=dangerous/extremely poor” while in reality it is much better than the negatively biased reputation it has. Baywalk (and the other schemes under Atienza’s Buhayin ang Maynila program, such as turning Rizal Avenue into a pedestrian leisure space, the plan to build a New-urbanist style shopping street in Binondo, as well as the renovation and repainting of older buildings) was the beginning of a revival of those grander social class-less leisure districts that once graced Manila, and while I was there I was even thinking to myself “if I had never been to Manila or the Philippines before, I’m sure this place would remain a positive image of the city and of Filipinos”.. and yet Lim had taken it away so quickly with the (weak) excuses of permits, traffic and noise pollution: funny, considering that most of the city has those very same problems, but I don’t see him doing anything much about them.. Collecting or enforcing permits is a simple enough plan, Prohibiting parking or designating more car parks by the baywalk would’ve been a simple way to manage traffic, and considering those so-called “local residents”, ordinances on stopping loud noise at 10pm on weekdays would’nt have hurt anyone.. But no, these things were just too complicated for Lim to implement…
Alas, once again this is just another example of Philippine ping-pong politics at play, instantly destroying livelihoods, the city’s image and even the simple pleasures of feeling carefree… such a shame, although I’m hoping Mall of Asia’s Sunset Strip Esplanade will shape up to be somewhat like Baywalk was, (even though its in Pasay…)
Dear Ahmed:
You hit it right on the nail’s head: “Ping Pong Politics”. Smash what the previous good shot to smitheerins. That’s how to win?
But, one will have to consider that Alfredo Lim is very much a Tsinoy, whose loyalty may be questionable. He is an original “Binondo” Chinatown grown man, where Tsinoy’s reign and have their own public safety organizations, so “Quidao, Madre”.
And since the Tsinoys have overgrown Binondo, and the environs around Divisoria, they probably now want to make Maynila into one helluva Chinatown, and why not. In my old ancestral neighborhood of Singalong, old homes are bought out by scions of Binondoans with upward, wealthier mobility, tear out the old structure and replaced with new heavy construction stuctures with high walls of concrete blocks, glass protrusions, and barbed wires, plus employing a ex-AFP soldier to be posted in front of the entrance. And surely, when the gate opens, an high-end SUV or BMW/MB class vehicle would come in and out.
Perhaps, at some future date, JP Rizal’s monument at the Luneta may yet have a similar monument in memory of a Lucio Tan, or even perhaps, the man himself, Alfredo Lim.
What a predicament, if we Diasporan Kababayans don’t do something about it.
Apo Satur
[…] the death of Bay Walk, all eyes are glued for the opening of San Miguel by the Bay (SMBB), formerly known as Sun Set […]
Don’t worry Ahmed, the Sun Set Strip or what they will call San Miguel By The Bay will open before the end of the month
[…] I’m not talking about the one favorited by Fred Lim, but the sprouting San Miguel By The Bay (SMBB) at the shoreline along SM […]
This is for JEM :
I feel sick everytime I hear people like you show ignorance. You said that
“I don’t think that the removal of the establishments there is such a complete loss. For me, it even helped the traffic situation in that area.
I rarely pass by Baywalk but traffic’s a pain especially pag pa-gabi na and na-occupy na isang lane for parking and other cars slow done at the next lane to find their parking slot as well. Motorists like me don’t enjoy that at all! Pero ngayon mabilis na.
Hell, I can always find other places to gimmick and not cause inconvenience to others.”
In my opinion you are so selfish and ignorant that just because the “nightlife” in baywalk hassles you (and perhaps other motorists) , dismantling baywalk establshments was the right thing to do. Didn’t you consider the people that suffered after baywalk was closed down by the SIMPLEMINDED Mayor of Manila? You are such a simpleton who thinks that life is all about yourself and your comfort — sure, there are pros and cons to any new program/project howver at the end of the day, it is what benefits the common good that should be promulgated… and people must never ever judge ANYTHING based on how itll benefit them alone, but what benefits the COMMON GOOD. I hope that people will just realize the value of looking at what is beyond and not simply what serves them at that moment.
I am so disappointed with how Baywalk turned out. I am from Manila. I know the vision of Mayor L. Atienza in putting up Baywalk… I have seen a similarity between the tourist spots in some of the places abroad… More businesses, means more jobs… more activities, means more tourists.therefore, more revenue… I have seen similar spots in L.A. , Hongkong and even China…. but I guess the people in Manila was too busy to really see that the Mayor that they were choosing did not really care for them… instead, only cared to get even with his rival ( Mayor Atienza, that is)..He claimed that the establishments did not pay full rent and all but I know of someone who opened a small restaurant there and told me that they paid rent howver during rainy seasons (sales usually turns negative during those months), rent is waived.. he told me that it is a way to help the owners to survise.. butof course, the Mayor is sooo good in his PR that they only showed what they wanted to show… I am terribly sad and hopelessly frustrated because I have also seen how Manila revived its shine and now is losing its luster… ( or for a better term, dying)….
Sonnie, I have friends that are related to the Mayor now and they told me that he intends to put up 2 big food chains in Baywalk, the glitch there is that it will be owned by his sons… Talk about GREED.. well, there it is!
@ Sandy– Ooww, so the alleged nonpayment of rent was actually waived rentals during rainy season? It makes sense….
I heard that 1 fast food chain will is already in the pipeline, but I never thought it will be awarded to a relative. The grapevine is full of similar stories, but we can not be certain.
Found you via http://whatsikat.com and I must say that you’re right. Ang ganda ganda nito dati with all the kainans and reputable street vendors. it used to be a very vibrant place at night. ngayon, pangit na nanaman. haaay…
Hi Paolo,
Politics in the Philippines is interesting. Baywalk normally hosts the new year countdown and fireworks, but not this year. San Miguel By The Bay hosted it.
Isa lang ang aking masasabi sa Mayor ng Maynila. Binoto ko siya dahil sa aking kagustuhan na
matangal ang problemang droga sa Lungsod ng Maynila. Akala ko dati siya ang makatutulong sa mga
problema sa droga.
Ngayon ko lang nalaman na isa pala siya sa problema. Isa nga siyang pulis na matulis at kitang
kita lalo na ng mahuli si Manny Lim na anak ng alkalde na nagtutulak ng droga.
Ang sabi niya ay hindi nya tutulungan subali’t alam natin na nahuli siya sa akto ng pagtutulak
ngunit ngayon ang kaso ay isa nalamang gumagamit lang umano ng droga.
Alam natin na si Mayor ay isang maimpluwensiyang tao at lalo na sa ating kapulisan. Kaya lang
nakakatakot isipin na isang Mayor kasama ang kanyang pamilya ang nagtutulak ng droga sa lungsod.
Paano na ang mga mahihirap at lalo na mga anak ng mga dukha? Ano ang aming ipanlalaban kung mga
ganitong klaseng panloloko sa tao ay nangyayari?
Noong una ay hindi ko pinaniwalaan ng mahuli si Nestor Lim sa San Francisco. Subali’t pagkatapos
ng pagkahuli kay Manny Lim sigurado ako na mga kuwento patungkol kay Roland Lim at ng kanyang ama
sa umanoy drug pushing ay totoo rin!
Para kay Mayor Lim. Ang pinakamagandang gawin mo ngayon ay pinturahan mo ang bahay mo na nakuha
mo kay George Go sa Forbes Park o kaya naman patayin mo rin ang iyong anak gaya ng sinasabi mong
pumapatay ka ng drug pushers.
Hindi mo magawa dahil alam mong kasama ka sa kalokohan ng anak mo! Ayusin mo muna problema ng
anak mo bago ka makisawsaw sa iba!
Before there was Baywalk, Roxas Blvd was an extension of the slums of Manila. It was dark, smelly, snatchers and muggers abound. There was even a time that there were squatters putting up their little houses there. Nobody in their right mind will probably go there to see the sunset.
When Baywalk was built, it created a lot of jobs, became a tourist attraction, a venue to relax, unwind, dine, and be entertained. I was able to enjoy a cup of coffee during the sunset while listening to music. It was a great moment for me that I always bring my family, friends local and foreign, to unwind there. Heck it was a lot safer there because it was regularly patrolled by cops and Baywalk patrols.
What is the real problem here? Is it really the blocking of the sunset? How about Diamond Hotel who erected their building in front of a resident’s home in M.H. Del Pilar and is blocking 10 other house’s bay view? There are people who says it is now “liberated” from commercialism. Others say that more than a thousand Manilenos are now jobless and no place to go, no money to buy food. If you were the Mayor, how would you answer to that? Did we really solve our society’s problem by removing Baywalk? Or did we just add more problems by agreeing with Mayor Lim because now, we have a fine view of the bay and let the unemployment problem solve itself?
Mayor Lim’s infamous excuse was he was just doing his job. Heck, his job is also to help provide income for the city and the city’s people, don’t you think? Wasn’t there a better alternative by providing another sunset park while giving the Manilenos employment?
I can’t believe how people can indulge to viewing a nice sunset while other people are starving because they were laid-off from their jobs. Believe me, there are way so many alternatives to solve any Manila Bay problem than just being selfish of the view of the bay.
Commercialism or not, the Manila Bay is still the Manila Bay and it will still belong to the people with or without the Baywalk.
[…] this morning, my family went to Baywalk to jog. I find it relaxing to see people enjoying life despite the skyrocketing prices of fuel […]
I am a resident of Malate and now I am currently in Dubai, Baywalk have been my hang-out just to sit and see the sunset, enjoy good music and live bands and have a delightful ice cream… It has always been a haven whenever I want to be alone and cry, it has always been a place to rest after our rowing practice/competition in the morning.. I left for Dubai last June 2007 and Baywalk was still alive, but now its so sad coming home without the feeling of being “home at last!” It felt like I was going to cry because Baywalk’s rehabilitation turned into vain… Buhayin ang Maynila was the best project I have ever knew within my 30years stay in the heart of Manila… I wish that Mayor Lim realizes how good the Baywalk was, i wished he could only have improved what was given and not to destroy to have lost it… or at least improve and preserve the landscapes and all.
baywalk is nice for those who wanted to relax..
i want to ask.. is it allowed to have a fireworks during regular nights?
me and my husband is planning to do so..
pls. tell me.. email me back at bliss_emcie@yahoo.com.ph
thank you very much..
your answer will help a lot.. god speed to everyone..
is it allowed to have fireworks in baywalk?
we are planning to fire one..
baka habulin kmi ng mmda. hehe
Sayang… I don’t know if Mayor Lim has better plans for baywalk. If he doesn’t have then it’s a total waste of money. Why fix / remove something that is doing OK? Besides there are many businesses and employees affected by this.