Manila Mayhem: Humidity, Halo-Halo, and Honestly, Just Trying to Survive
okay, so manila. it’s…a lot. i’m a freelance photographer, usually chasing light in quiet places, and this is…not quiet. it’s a full-on sensory assault, and honestly, i’m kinda here for it. i just checked and it’s like being wrapped in a warm, damp towel right now, hope you’re cool with that.
landed yesterday, flight was predictably delayed (thanks, universe), and the air hit me like a wall. the weather report said 27.55 celsius, feels like 28.45, pressure’s 1011, humidity’s 56%, sea level’s 1011, and ground level’s 987 - basically, it’s sticky. really, really sticky. i’m pretty sure my camera bag is developing its own ecosystem.
spent the first few hours just wandering around *intramuros, trying to get my bearings. it’s beautiful, obviously, all those old stone walls and spanish colonial architecture, but also…intense. so many jeepneys! they’re like mobile art installations, each one more brightly decorated than the last. i tried to photograph one, and the driver just yelled something at me in tagalog and sped off. i think it was a compliment? maybe?
someone told me that the best halo-halo is at Razon’s, but you have to get there before noon or you’ll be queuing for hours. i haven’t tried it yet, but i’m willing to risk a sunburn for shaved ice.
my accommodation is…an experience. it’s a tiny room above a karaoke bar, which means i’m currently being serenaded (or tortured, depending on your perspective) by someone attempting to cover bon jovi. the walls are thin. very thin. if you get bored, batangas and laguna are just a short bus ride away.
food-wise, i’ve been living on street food. seriously, the adobo is incredible, and i’ve discovered a new obsession with isaw (grilled chicken intestines - don’t judge). i heard that you should be careful where you eat, though. apparently, some places aren’t too fussy about hygiene. a local warned me about a place near binondo church that gave a bunch of tourists the…runs. charming. you can check out some reviews on Yelp.
*Camera: Sony a7iii (obviously). Gotta have that dynamic range.
*Lens: 35mm f/1.8. My go-to for street photography.
*Backup: Extra batteries and SD cards. Because running out of juice mid-shoot is a nightmare.
*Essentials: Wet wipes. So. Many. Wet wipes.
spent this afternoon getting lost in quiapo market. it’s absolute chaos, but in the best way possible. mountains of fruit, spices, electronics*, and everything in between. i think i accidentally bargained for a live chicken. i’m still not entirely sure how that happened. i also overheard some people talking about a hidden speakeasy somewhere in the area - apparently, you have to know the password. i’m on a mission to find it. TripAdvisor has some threads about it, but they’re all super vague.
apparently, the traffic here is legendary. someone told me they once spent six hours in a jeepney. six hours! i’m starting to think walking is the faster option.
overall, manila is exhausting, exhilarating, and utterly captivating. it’s not a place for the faint of heart, but if you’re willing to embrace the chaos, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget. i’m off to find that speakeasy. wish me luck (and maybe send some dry socks). check out Manila Standard for local news. Also, Philippine Primer has some good event listings.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/is-aleppo-overrated-a-reality-check-for-newcomers
- https://votoris.com/post/mafraq-jordan-a-students-cheap-thrill-and-cold-nights
- https://votoris.com/post/prozor-bosnia-a-street-artists-freezing-forgotten-detour
- https://votoris.com/post/kuala-lumpur-sweat-satay-and-seriously-questionable-karaoke
- https://votoris.com/post/woke-up-to-drizzle-in-prauge-and-decided-to-wander