Last weekend was tops!

It started Saturday afternoon with a restful stare of the Manila Bay sunset with its vast stretch orange skies spread all over as far as your eyes can see. I was seated in one of the benches along the promenade with a hundred other people looking out to the sea. Some are senior citizens with probably their children with them, others were young families and their playful kids, but most were loving and affectionate couples who didn't have the slightest discomfort on diplaying their affection. Not that it was bad. On the contrary, I thought it was uplifting. How nice it was to be surrounded by partners who were so dearly sweet and hopelessly romantic. It makes you think then, this could be heaven.

I left Manila Bay that night feeling inspired. I thought, Manila could very well be the world's most romantic city. Just before crossing the street, I made a vow. I said, I should drop by for a visit regularly and make it a habit. It will be good for me.

The following day, I met up with two friends and went to other equally famous Manila spots, Quiapo-Binondo/Chinatown areas. I didn't just sit and stare. This time, we had camera bags and backpacks slung over our shoulders, sweaty face and arms, and thousands of burned calories from visiting on foot the four beautiful churches of Quiapo, Sta. Cruz, Binondo, and the Manila Cathedral. Along the way, we took hundreds of pictures (Thank God for digital cameras!!) and made friends with some strangers.

When we got to our last destination at Intramuros, all of us either ran out of films or had discharged digicam batteries. We decided to rest over coffee and funny stories of the day. The three of us agreed, we should do it again.

In parting, I say, Manila's incomparable. Its smiles, smell, and sights are truly one of a kind. It's no wonder that some people, like my friend Adel, can't imagine themselves living anywhere else in the world than sweet old Manila.