Thursday, April 12, 2007
TAKING THE LRT
This is a view of Plaza Goiti from the platform of LRT’s Carriedo Station. I took this shot while waiting for a train on my way to Padre Faura the other day. I parked my car where I often do at the university belt area and decided to take the train and compare the experience from a few years back when I first arrived in Manila.
For starters, all the trains appear to be air-conditioned and come more frequently nowadays. Although most folks still crowd the doorways, there’s enough room inside; however, finding a seat even during the non-rush period remains futile. Nonetheless, taking the LRT is a more comfortable experience these days than before when everyone would be packed like sardines at any time of the day. I’m certainly glad of these noticeable improvements.
I am yet to take the MRT train that runs from Claro M. Recto Station mainly because I have no special need to go to the newly-refurbished Araneta shopping complex in Cubao. So far, most of the things I need can be readily purchased at my usual haunts. But then again, I was given two free PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) upperbox tickets which is good until this Sunday at Araneta Coliseum. Alas! The seats would be too high up to take any decent shots of the game. So, if anyone is interested, just send me an email and you can have them.
Speaking of pro basketball, my cousin Leo used to play for the PBA. However, I was already in New York during his heyday; hence, never got a chance to see him play. Jaworzki I did, but it was before he turned pro -- during the NCAA games.
And speaking of PBA -- this time, Philippine Blog Awards -- does anyone know where Bangkal, Makati is exactly? I have to pick-up my PBA trophy at P. Santos Street and not really sure where that is. Thanks!
It's a hot and humid day in Manila today. Keep cool, everybody!
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posted by Señor Enrique at 11:25 AM
32 Comments:
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said... Believe it or not, Eric, I had my first train ride the last time I was in Manila with my kids. And what an experience it was! We rode in Cubao and got off in Pureza, then took a jeep going to Bacood, Sta. Mesa where we spent the night at my niece's place.
I never liked commuting in Manila. Nahihilo ako sa pagpapalipat lipat ng sasakyan. Kaya nga, pag nagpupunta ako diyan nang walang sariling sasakyan, dapat marami akong dalang pera, kasi sakay lang ako nang sakay ng taxi... LOL!-
TOW Blog said... Hey Eric,
May I ask what your camera model is?
I remember you were contemplating on buying a dSLR. I am making do with a Canon Rebel xti. It is my first digital so I am learning.
Nice LRT shot.
Any news on the paintography site?
More power!-
said...
eirc, before going to araneta, walk towards proj 4 then turn right when you see the "man-made lake"
walking further you'll see chowking then marikina show expo other wise known as Cubao X :)
happy hunting!
planning to return there one of these days-
said...
regarding bangkal, it's the barangay near magallanes and malibay
p santos, i think, has a corner with south superhighway
when you're there, explore the flea markets of evangelista street that carlos celdran raves about-
Señor Enrique said...
The trains are tolerable but the jeepneys and tricycle I can do without just because of my back. With my luck, the only vacant spot on a eepney wold be the one near the driver and I have to crawl-walk all the way inside. The tricycles nowadays have been redesigned for midgets with those super low cabs attached to the bikes.
The taxis are okay if you can find one who'd take you to where you want to go.
This city that I love can use a mass transit system makeover, Rhoda.-
Señor Enrique said...
I haven't run into Vic, yet, Minotte. Maybe this weekend.
I'm using a Nikon D80 and a Canon IXUS65. Great digicams!-
Señor Enrique said...
Aha! I think I read about Cubao X on your site, Tito. So that's where I'll find it, huh? Many thanks. I'll search for it :)
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Señor Enrique said...
Thank you, Tito! And all along it would be an area of Makati somewhere near Sta. Ana border or something. My nephew lives near Malibay so he should know then where this is. Thanks again!
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sheilamarie said...
eric, lovely shot you took!
what's nice about the lrt now is that they have a separate area for the senior citizens and pregnant ladies (or those carrying small kids).-
Señor Enrique said...
Thanks for bringing that up, Sheilamarie :)
You're right! I think the first one or two cars are usually reserved for the women and senior citizens.-
said...
Hi Eric,
Was this shot at noon. Minsan-minsan on rare days nakakasakay ako ng wala masyadong Tao sa LRT, o cguro dahil galing ako Edsa kaya medyo kaunti.
Didn't have a chance to visit Phnom Penh though I would like to meet up with Toe din. Maybe next time.-
Sidney said...
Never noticed that the Plaza Goiti was so colorful.
Nice view!
I once played with the idea to do a little guidebook about all the MRT-LRT stations/line with a story (historic spots, landmarks, distinctive restaurants, unusual shops, attractions, etc.) of all the neighborhoods where the train stops.
But I quickly realized I wasn't knowledgeable enough.
Maybe something for you or Tutubi?-
said...
I used to ride the LRT from Monumento to Blumentritt everyday. The trains then were not airconditioned, and I'd experienced getting squashed inside during rush-hours. But I guess that's bearable, considering how convenient it is to take the train compared to PUJs. Here in Tokyo, you couldn't believe how crammed it could be during rush-hours. Meron pang mga tagatulak sa labas ng tren sa mga tao to squeeze them in just before the doors close. Yikes!
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Photo Cache said...
i loved riding LRT. someone mentioned bangkal....blast from the past for me...brother used to live there and i would stay with them for the weekend for some shopping then back to university belt. what station was that near lawton again? that's what i usually take to get to bangkal.
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said...
A few months back we rode the LRT to get to Quiapo and I was absolutely fascinated by the feel of the LRT stations. I wish I had brought my camera and took some pictures. (Although I doubt the guards would have let me.) Maybe because everything was new, clean, modern, and unlike everything else in the metro. The Plaza photo is also like that - a refreshing sight from the rest of Manila. Even if it's old as opposed to new, it's different and artistic. Sigh.
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said...
Gosh nakakahiya... don't even know where Plaza Goiti is. But it looks really nice and colonial. When I took the EDSA-MRT, the only view I could see were ugly rooftops.
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Señor Enrique said...
Sayang, Ferdz, you didn't get to visit Toe in Phnom Penh.
Yes, it was high noon when I took this shot with my P&S. And no guard was looking :)
I was so impressed by the lines that I just had to tak a pic of it.-
Señor Enrique said...
That's a wonderful idea, Sidney, but to make it more fun, I'd do it as a group effort -- inviting other photographers and blog writers.
Asking for the Heritage Conservation Society's blessings would be a plus as well :)-
Señor Enrique said...
Tokyo has always been like that since decades ago, right? But then again, I only took the train to Ginza on a late morning so there wasn't much of a crowd, Kathy.
These days, I'd also have to get off at Blumentritt Station if I took the LRT going home. I would then just hop on a jeepney to Retiro from the palengke.-
Señor Enrique said...
Yes, Photo Cache. I have to go to Bankal, Makati to get my PBA trophy ... hehehe. Tito had already told me how to et there. Thanks!
LRT has surely improved since the first year of my riding it.-
Señor Enrique said...
Thanks, Kyels.
If only the LRT and MRT ran underground. But I guess that's too much to ask.-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Ia! I'm afraid some of the views from the platform at other stations may not have anything picturesque to offer, except the usual rooftops and trees, or boring crossroads.
I could have taken more pics if I wanted to because I had my small P&S digicam with me. As long as you're quick, the guards may not notice :)-
Señor Enrique said...
It is now called Plaza Lacson, Toe -- at the foot of MacArthur Bridge near FEATI and Universidad de Manila. Riht behind it is Sta. Cruz Church.
Yes, as I told Ia, not too may photogenic subjects from the train other than rooftops.-
-= dave =- said...
Hey, you've finally written a post about the LRT! Not familiar with the the places you mentioned. I guess it's out of my range. I've only ridden the MRT up to Cubao and the LRT-2 from Cubao to Katipunan. The only good view I know of is that of the EDSA shrine, but this is obscured by flyovers.
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Señor Enrique said...
Hi Dave!
You mean to say I can take the LRT-2 from Recto to Katipunan and can I then just walk over to the Ateneo camus from the station?
This way, I need not drive all the way over there because I'm not too familiar with directions to that area..-
said...
Hi eric!
i forgot to tell you, we have the same first name hehe.
anyway, i read tutubi's comment and i couldn't help but share my posts with you. aside from the nice furniture shops there, they also have different galleries. and i am hoping *crosses fingers* to hold an exhibit there next year with my friend.
here are my posts about Cubao-x in case you're curious what it looks like. puro phoros.
http://projectmanila.com/2006/09/happy-anniversary-pablo.html
http://projectmanila.com/2006/09/vintage-pop.html
http://projectmanila.com/2006/10/nelz-yumul-chunky-far-flung.html
http://projectmanila.com/2006/10/future-prospects.html
http://projectmanila.com/2006/09/future-prospects.html
http://projectmanila.com/2006/09/lomo-love-blacksoup-project.html
i love this place!-
said...
oh, and before i forget, i wanna tell you that i love this shot!
i wish to ride the LRT soon. i haven't experienced it hehe. LRT2 and MRT lang nasasakyan ko eh.-
Señor Enrique said...
Yes, Rick ... we certainly do! Hehehe! But mine was spelled just Ric.
Many thanks for the URLS! I will certainly read each one and hope our other fellow bloggers will do that same. I want to go to Cubao X!
Many thanks! I was also surprised when I caught a glimpse of this view that I was just compeled to whip out my P&S and take a quick shot or two :)-
Photowalker said...
I've always wanted to shoot that area too. But per experience I decided not to. Am getting really tired of being told "picture taking is not allowed".
Were you hassled by the guards then?-
Señor Enrique said...
I timed it when an oncoming train was about to approach the station, Change. That way, the guard's attention was focused on it instead of the waiting passengers on the platform. I also did it rather discreetly. I could've also taken some pics inside the car if I wanted to but opted for the next time instead.
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palma tayona said...
hmmm... the LRT. being a frequent commuter of that train, i have had my fair share of amusing and sometimes bordering on the poignant incidents happening along its route.
i remember one incident a couple of years back when the train stopped right between the stretch of carriedo and doroteo jose stations. they opened the doors and all of us passengers had to walk out of the train and were herded to the nearest station (d. jose) along the way, we all saw blood, pieces of mangled meat and a foot with a slipper littering the tracks. one man beside me remarked, "P*******a naman oh. dito pa sa lrt napiling tumalon at magpakamatay. masisira sapatos ko nito eh." i looked at my brand new shoes and wondered if that was a good way to break them in - on the lrt tracks.
a particular day i also find interesting to ride the trains is on a sunday. i call it "araw ni inday at ni boy", also known as "gulliver's travels". i would ride the tracks going to caloocan from baclaran and i'd be riding it in the midst of a throng of lilliputians. (i stand at 5'11" and i thank my parents for feeding us oatmeal and eggs instead of Imelda's nutribans in the late 70's.)
for a pinoy, i am big and i can't help but notice how on this particular day of the week, i'd be towering above most commuters in the lrt. it also made me wonder why on sundays there's this hubbub, a feeling of excitement going on inside the trains, until one day i found my answer.
a group of young ladies and their dates trouped into the train at the baclaran station. giggling and throwing sheepish smiles towards their dates, they all bundled up near the train's doors. in the cacophony of their conversations i recognized they were all ilonggos and seemingly were all excited.
i overheard one of them say, "makadto tayo sa chinese garden ha?". (let's go to the chinese garden) to which the smallest girl chirped, "di takon. dun makadto sila bibing. mahambal pa niya tayo kina ma'm." (no way. bibing will be there. she'll tattle us to ma'm)
then i realized, that on this particular day of the week, the maids and their escorts are out on their dates. everywhere i looked in the train were couples or groups of young men and women, chatting, chirping in their provincial tongues like it's a tourbus for contestants from a dating gameshow. when the train doors opened at the u.n. station, the throng thinned. their eyes betraying their excitement on a sunday off in the park.
i saw my ilonggo troupe going out, excited and chirpy, walking along the side of the train towards the turnstiles.
it made me think. i wonder if they'll avoid bibing at the chinese garden. hmmm.....-
Señor Enrique said...
I wonder if there were some passengers disgusted by the sight of mangled human flesh? I would have; even seeing them in pictures.
That "gulliver's travels" day was amusing. Sunday is the day for most of them :)
