On this episode, Paco is commissioned by Gabby Malvar, author of the Viajero Chronicles in Travelife Magazine, to shoot for his story, Manila By Train, which focuses on a few choice stops that can be reachable by the MRT or LRT lines. Though Gabby gives him a list of places to visit, Paco discovers even more of Manila’s hidden, but easily accessible, secrets. The shoot is for the magazine’s December/January issue.

 

First stop on the list is Sa Lido, the oldest panciteria in Ongpin. Originally called Panciteria Lido, this excellent, simple, and non-pretentious hangout of politicians, business tycoons, and Manila’s residents, has been satisfying its customers for decades with its menu of good food, fantastic coffee and hot chocolate. Another food place Paco visits is Café Adriatico, which used used to be an antique shop where one could have cake and bottomless coffee, but it has since turned into a restaurant that serves Spanish, American, Italian and Filipino dishes. Café Adriatico used to have small paintings by the late Ibarra de la Rosa, among others. Claude Tayag had watercolors of “santos.” Jon Pettyjohn had coffee mugs and plates. It was quite a Who’s Who collaboration.

 

For architecture, Paco visiits historic  Basilica Minore de San Sebastián, which was  completed in 1891. He also visits the Sta. Clara Monastery.

 

For art, he visits the Spoliarium, which won for Juan Luna the gold at the Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in 1884. The painting now rests in the National Museum, the Old Congress Building designed by American Architect Daniel Burnham back in 1918.

 

The episode raises awareness on the benefits of taking public transport like the LRT and local tourism.

Music Used:
Up Dharma Down: Broken Mirrors And Screaming Turtles
Up Dharma Down: Pag-agos
Up Dharma Down: Hiwaga
Up Dharma Down: SIlid
Up Dharma Down: Sugarcoats & Heartbeats
Up Dharma Down: Oo (Fragmented Mix)
Encounters with a Yeti: Brute Canal
REVEAL: Up Dharma Down: Sana