Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Lamyerda sa Maynila

Ilang beses na rin akong pabalik-balik sa Maynila. At sa bawat bisita, may bago akong nakikita at natututunan. Subalit hindi ko pa rin talaga kayang sabihin na kilala ko na ang siyudad na aking sinilangan.

Kasama ng Smokey Tours, nakulayan ng kwento ang dating gala at masid lang. Ang mga manghuhula, mga mataong eskinita, at mga makukulay na kakanin, may sariling salaysay rin pala. Akala ko alam ko na, hindi pa pala.

"Akala ko alam ko na ang lahat
Ng dapat kong malaman ngunit
Mali na naman, pero ok lang yan...

Wag kang matakot na baka magkamali
Walang mapapala kung di ka magbabakasakali
Dahl lumilipas ang oras, baka ka maiwananan
Kung hindi mo susubukan...

Wag kang matakot na sumikotsikot ka
Sa ganda ng Maynilang araw-araw nakikita
Dahil sulit dito ang oras, baka may mahanap ka
Ba't 'd mo ulit subukan..."

Fortune teller (manghuhula) in Quaipo, Manila, Philippines performing palm reading
Akala mo totoo, iba pala yung hula
Different-colored healing oil believed to be blessed by the Nazarene (Nazareno) for sale at the Carriedo Market near Quiapo Church in Manila, Philippines
Akala mo gayuma, para pala sa Nazareno
A display of muslim clothing (hijab, abaya, etc.) for sale at the Muslim Town in Quiapo, Manila, Philippines
Akala mo Little India, may Muslim Town pala
A female vendor holds up a pair of tongs as she awaits order for hopia to be reheated and sold
Akala mo hopeless, may hopia pa pala
Beetelnut (nga-nga) is cut open in half so that the fruit inside is shown
Akala mo kasoy, yun pala ay nga-nga
A river ferry approaches Jones Bridge in Manila, Philippines as it traverses the Pasig River
Akala mo madungis, may makikita din naman pala
Facade (frontage) of the Manila Cathedral with its door details and some tourists
Akala mo sa Italia, yun pala sa Maynila
Selection of rice cakes (kakanin i.e. suman) sold at Carriedo market in Quiapo, Manila, Philippines
Akala mo agahan, pati pala meryenda
A tour bus designed to look like a double-decker Philippine jeepney is parked outside the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines
Akala mo jeepyney, yun pala ay bus
Logo of Smokey Tours, a NGO that provides slum tours and market tours in Manila, Philippines
Akala mo gala lang, yun pala may tours