Waiting to be scavenged? Or willing to be rubbled?

Waiting to be scavenged? 

Or willing to be rubbled?

It's been decades past to see those familiar edifices be end almost dismantled if not turned into rubble.

Once recognised in the districts of Metro Manila, these edifices withstood the wind and rain, wars and coup attempts, endured soot and grime, and eventually threatened, discreetly dismantled, or destroyed altogether by the wrecking ball in the name of development. 

That somehow made the worrisome really worried about this. Some of the old yet recognisable buildings fell under the wrecking ball in the name of development, there are those trying to keep and be given a new face, yet most fell under deaf ears that made efforts to conserve known structures, be it pre or post war, impossible to keep and meet the demands of today's time. Yes, it is really worrisome, knowing that in an age of unbridled consumerism and "careless moving", very few undestood the value of perserving, of renovating, of keeping age-old roots firm while enjoying the present. 

In this writeup, one well known building has been left deterioriated till being end demolished for another; while another building, made decades earlier as the former, has been almost left to the wrecking ball, or even discreetly removing every age-old pieces, only those whom are really concerned had afforded to stop with court orders; 

that somehow made this person would think that as time goes by, are these edifices waiting to be scavenged till enough to be destroyed? Or left in its agony, gone deteriorating till willing to be end as rubbles? 

It's been decades past since this edifice  has stood in the once grassy Ortigas Centre in Pasig City, known as the "Philippine Communications Centre", several government establishments, as well as radio stations had offices in its floors, and its architecture reflected the era wherein concrete being heavily used so was granite and ceramic tiles. 

However, as time goes by it shows getting wear and tear, compared to its really modern-day neighbours, or even those being built in that district same decade as this, it seems that it had waited to become a mere empty shell, and the fact that there were establishments stood there before, it was ill-maintained, making it further dilapidated and really out-of-date, or even ugly, in its subjective sense according to some of the commentators regarding its state. 

And given its dilapidation, the structure has been weakened by cracks according to some who had once worked in its rooms, it was burned years ago after an accident, and eventually considered as dangerous, condemned, yet few persons dared to enter just to encounter ghosts according to some urban legends prior to its demolition. It took years to be demolished from top to bottom, thus losing one of earliest structures in a once grassy field.

To some nostalgics, this means a loss to a contemporary heritage, and yet from others the edifice is deemed ugly and thus should be taken down in favour of a new one similar to its neighbours as Philinvest land (the developer) hath took over the entire lot from the government. There were earlier proposals that involves integration to a new edifice and be given a new makeover, yet given its sorry state it was sheved and forgotten. 

But given its contribution as one of the earlier buildings, if not for its sorry state and its eventual demolition, that once stood edifice should been considered as one of its monuments to the development of Ortigas centre, of both Mandaluyong and Pasig just like its factories near C5 and in the river. If given chance, those edifices of old (made in mid to late 20th century) should be retrofitted, given new concrete, granite, steel, anything just to give a modern feature so as to deal with the demands of present yet rooted in its 20th century heritage. 

But then, today's people are too obsessed with "state of the art" that also means disregarding heritage save what comes from their experiences during their childhood. Owners and developers demand money as much as possible, that somehow . Ortigas centre, has been full of buildings that showcases "development" in a still developing country, and like Makati, there are old buildings waiting to be demolished simply because they are old and hence dilapidating and being simply forgotten; yet being old does not mean ugly, it's just that developers are seeking for prime lots to create another than keeping it and be given a new feature just like the still standing Insular Life building. 

But lucky for that decades-old El Hogar, for it remained stood, withstanding the soot, grime, and time, yet still threatened, especially after concerned individuals has afforded to record how men, assuming to be trying to undertake their job coming from its "owners", whom are still stubborn, yearning to dismantle one of Manila's familiar buildings in the old financial district. 

Starting by forcibly evacuating its tenants, of removing its time capsule a year ago, then few days later with its decades-old steel grillwork that had end halted as of its latest report, it seems that the developers has trying to make their action "clean" knowing that there are cease and desist orders, if not really concerned individuals and organisations trying to block their obvious attempt. "things are moving too fast" as one of them may say, seeing men trying to remove anything prior to its stoppage by the authorities. 

It may sound strange to some that in removing those grillworks (or any other pieces possibly been removed) may meant "cleaning" it and be returned and fixed if that's the case, but on the other hand it may also meant just selling it for bucks since it was decades old and be fallen to collectors (if not plain and simple straight to the scrapyard); in times like these the stubbornness of those trying to dismantle heritage makes the other also stubborn to keep it and insist its importance, much more the idea of putting it in adaptive reuse to keep in touch with the times yet having the same old dignity as in the past. 

But since it end halted by an order, hope that there's enough time, especially in this uncertain fate over El Hogar to put an end to the "owner's" stubbornness,  especially after its developers removing one of its grillworks, or even last year's barricades being set up without any permit (and end removed by an order) and the removing of its time capsule (that luckily, end in the former owner's safe hands). The new owners may still insist that the property as theirs and having the right to take it down regardless of its significance, that also shows plain, simple, aloofness in heritage especially in the once well known district in Manila. 

***

Pardon this person for being nostalgic like the others, but to think that heritage is not limited to old churches and houses, so should be the edifices regardless of its architecture. Be it as Renaissance-like, neoclassical, or brutalist with anything that is made entirely of steel girders and concrete, yet recognisable fo generations. Quite dismaying though for some commentators, for they can't even understood the architecture of the contemporary past, and most of which are likely deemed "ugly" for being brutalist in case of the Philcomcen or Strata 200, compared to the usual glass and steel exteriors of the present like those of  Union Bank.

Whether it is as very old as El Hogar, as somewhat contemporary as Philcomcen, or any other edifice that is currently threatened or totally destroyed in the name of "progress and development", these buildings had somehow contributed to their district's development theough ages, that somehow inspires others to educate people on preserving it. Again, as said in earlier posts, it would take years, if not decades for people to be aware of heritage, with the idea of bridging the ideas of both past and present involved. There are edifices willing to end in rubble no matter how significant they were, but the more its agony should be a more of its concern, and that concern is more than just rhetorics. 

For sometimes, memories are destined to be forgotten the way pictures are often fade away. 

Photos from Tumblr, Skyscrapercity, Isidra Reyes, and Stephen John Pamoranda

Fooling the Free and Pitying the Brave: notes on the stubbornness of the United States on home and outside

Fooling the Free and Pitying the Brave:

Notes on the stubbornness of the United States 

on home and outside

It may be offending to some that while one has to celebrate life, liberty, and happiness, behind those celebrations is an aggravation of existing problem within the prison of nations such as the United States of America.

That, behind the festivities and cheers are those of hatred and despair, that behind peace through strength is weakness through fear, that behind life is those of death. And if that's the case then where were the values cultivated if it is all but treated as façades by its ruling system? Well, thanks for the reports stating how that country fails to cultivate Justice, Equality, same as those of defending Life, Liberty, and pursuit of Happiness; or of so, these are rather taken by a small percent of people, who can afford to pay just to satisfy those words, all at the expense of the people's hardship.

And for everyone knows that the United States has both acknowledged and denied their unjust actions, in the name of manifest destiny and today's exceptionalism. That in pursuit of security, the system has to curtail laws at home, or create conflicts outside its shores using "terrorism" or "regime change" as its alibis. Its propaganda machine called "western media" by mainstream audience continues to divert rather than enlighten people's minds, such as favouring showbusiness or anything "state-of the-art" over those of economic and social affairs. Most People do enjoy those diversions, but, as this person would guess, these are only concerning matters that do not significantly touch their lives, or rather say focused on interests that would somehow made themselves escape from the realities. However, as news reports touch their lives, these people ask for something more than a series of judgements and distortions, exaggerations or diluted information.

But regardless of justifications and denials, for sure everyone knows that the west, particularly the United States of America and its tributaries has trying to keep firm its dilapidated status quo, that is contrary to the founding fathers' perspective of having a country neutral over foreign relations. The Philippines of example, has been rabidly pro-American like those of the banana republics of Central America while assuming to be non-Aligned like those of its southeast Asian neighbours. It tries to assume itself as patriotic and non-aligned like Indonesia, yet obviously favouring American over Filipino-oriented policies such as in National Defence, Economy, and Foreign Affairs as it was in the past starting from the commonwealth period; that somehow made statespersons like Claro M. Recto or Lorenzo Tañada described as "mendicant" and "unfair". On the other hand, apologetics like Ely Pamatong and Raul Manglapus may still insist that the United States has trying to relieve its "Cold War" nostalgia (or perhaps expanding further its "Manifest Destiny"), such as  carrying "the cause of the free world" in new terms such as "coalition of the willing" during the Bush administration, if not "peace through strength" during the Reagan presidency. 

Yet despite its justifications apologetics trying to assert on Washington's behalf, it is the same United States that exploit and repress despite sugarcoated in terms like development, defence, or partnership; in today's face-up between the said country and those of Russia and China, triggered both by the Ukrainian and Syrian crisis, as well as the standoff over the contested isles in the west Philippine sea, its tributaries would again relieve the cold war paranoia of "defending the free world", particularly those of free trade and its brand of "democracy" that benefits the system than its people. Most comments in social media sites would babble the paranoia towards Russia, Syria, North Korea, Iran, and even China, the way it babbled in regards to Iraq, Libya, and the unforgettable Soviet Union decades ago. 

It may sound strange but inconveniently true to see US and its tributaries desperately trying to keep firm against internal and external problem. The former, through its emphasis on internal security and pseudo-welfare, created paranoia on its citizens, particularly those who are victimised by state repression, be it from Baltimore or Charleston, or its tributary equivalents like in Manila or Cairo, the state (or the system that controls in it) has rather created, if not becoming a monster that devoured the aspirations of the people, most of which being crippled by economic problems tolerated by its bureaucrats and compradores. 

That somehow should insist the non-aligned movement and other related organisations to expose the nature of some of its members who are still clinging to the interests of the Americans and its attempts to justify latter's provocative actions in the name of order and stability. Of what is non-alignment if most of its policies cater to a superpower than standing up for themselves as a nation? Having its own flag besides those of the US in a military base, a native commander and a detachment within the premises, or even limiting advisers to recommend or suggest, does not end the issue on American control on domestic affairs. For the United Nations failed to undertake its task, while Assange and his Wikileaks, and various anti-imperialist organisations doing it despite various risks. Recto was even killed by the CIA for being outspoken as an anti-imperialist, and there are others whom end fell victim both at home and outside with the same reason, yet still the same old clamour remains stronger and growing.

But the more apologetics insist its "importance", be it Military or Economic, especially amidst reports over the actions the United States and its tributaries done to its people, then is this what mainstream media described as the "free world"? Freedom based on repression laid by the attack dogs, happiness based on escapism insisted by its propaganda, life based on fear and injustice laid the policies of its bureaucrats and supported by its compradores? Some conservatives and liberals may worried about its country's very own "manifest destiny" gone mad with reports talking about destabilising regions and people tired of being vassals of the stripes and stars, paying "tribute" in form of raw materials (oil, sugar, minerals, etc.) to satisfy Uncle Sam's appetite in exchange for insufficient development (likely in a form of loans taking generations to be paid) if not rhetorics to fool its undernourished subjects (with terms like what this post stated). 

Thus, no wonder why the people of the United States, as well as its subjects outside is sick and tired of their system's dealing, that somehow aggravate age old tensions "in the name of interest." The propaganda machines continue to churn denials, diversions, or even threats in the contested regions; so are the armed thugs that trying to subjugate its subjects in the name of order. 

But these people are having their eyes wide open, and they demand another chapter that favours themselves than of the system. They demand independence, peace, and a realisation of what their forefathers had spoken of, not just in America, but in the entire world the stars and stripes had almost covered over. Americans, as well as its tributary subjects, may both accepted and opposed this writeup either out of loyalty without understanding or convenience; but the message is clear that the country, as well as others demands something different from what the system and its apologetics says so.

Other scenes from "Vitamin Shit"

Other scenes from "Vitamin Shit"

Background:

Vitamin Shit is a one month showing of artworks coming from Frances Abrigo, Bryan Araneta, Marius Black, Adam Flores, Mara Herrera, Sharla O’Hara, Tad Pagaduan, Jhemuel Slavador, Rem San Pedro, and Joum Valera.

The artworks focused on their interpretation of reality, particularly those of today's culture. True to its title, the works defied the odds coming from others scrutiny as well as lack of Materials.

The exhibit, which was opened last July 2, will run up to 30 July 2015. 

Giving a dose of "Vitamin Shit"

Giving a dose of "Vitamin Shit"

A group of artists exhibited their works at the Gallery of the National Centre for Culture and the Arts last July 2, 2015. 

Entitled "Vitamin Shit", it is a group exhibit coming from artists whose odd defying stints and observation of reality became a contributative factor in making those artworks. Factors would include facing fears from others, and lack of materials that somehow means a major problem in finishing artworks. 

And yet, they afford to show it in the gallery, thanks to the urge of being more creative, or as what they say: "turning shit into sugar." Thanks to the critics whose statements may trying to pull them down just because they simply did it out of their observation, in a way others would post a writeup and provoke a debate, or for reality's sake, a series of heckles. 

As this person noticed, most of the artworks featured are based on today's culture. Let's just say a depiction of sorts and be vented according to their respective mediums. Some would say it's interesting, for it reflects the reality, such as full of defects to the extent of having a need for a major surgery.  Meanwhile, others would abhor in the artist's way of venting their reaction from their surrounding, and end in Scotch Tape or in mixed media, that one painting would offend the church because of its depiction of a priest raising the body of christ, and of course they would say that the painter had mocked their faith: "¡Ereje!" or "Blasphemy!" Would be one example of it.

But regardless of the opinion, the artist's intention is to enlighten, or educate others through their work. Based on their observations it is worth compelling to create it, and sometimes it is difficult to convince people their work's relevance in the society; furthermore, it even reminds of a statement coming from this person's earlier post that they create out of what they accumulate from their observation and experience, rather than fame in a way students are educated just to learn and cultivate, rather than just to compete and compare. But anyways, the latter is an another story to read over. 

but this time, the problem may be this: not all artists are enlighting or educating others regardless of their work's strangeness, for there are those whom are making for chrissakes such as fame and fame alone, maybe a few would dare to break the cycle; much more that there are works that are indeed too inconveniently relevant, hence likely to be described as offensive by those whom understand subjectively those works, yet acknowledged and justified by some able to bear the inconveniences and willing to make major changes in their views. 

And it is up to the artist on how to handle it, in a way these artists have afford to continue their craft. 

More than a rebirth

"More than a Rebirth"

As media continues to praise the efforts of the community in reviving the historic Escolta in Manila, this person rather says that the efforts is more than a rebirth, for Escolta was there alread and it needs a thorough general cleaning.

Most covered in grime and in soot, concerned groups and individuals are rolling up their sleeves, taken up the mop and the bucket, if not bags of cement and trowel to bring back an almost lost masterpiece after decades of being left out by well known companies and institutions alike, that once made that said district known from the early days of American occupation to the early days of the republic. 

But as time goes by, of rapid developments in once barren districts, existing ones are being left out in favour of much "modern" ones developers afford to offer. Negligence, intentional or unintentional, contributes both grime and soot that somehow deteriorates the district's integrity. There are developers willing to take the businesses, but not to develop and improve the existing edifices in favour of just demolishing them, in case of the old Jai Alai, San Lazaro Hippodrome, Sta. Ana Park, and others that brought fame and development in Manila's respective districts.

However, in an era where people having no taste in culture except those of their consumerist fantasies, it seems to be difficult to encourage people to preserve heritage amidst modernity. Yes, most would say that classical art is nonsense, that age old architecture is useless, that anything old is as ugly full of dirt, gime, and soot, all in favour of modern-day clutter fueled by an illusory progress. Ironically, Most wanted to see the grandeur of other well known cities, but how come the more people ought to admire its neighbours the less they look on its own? They do see the beauty of the Napoleon III-era buildings in Paris, but how come the once beauteous Escolta and Sta. Cruz, till the concerned came and afforded to clean, was full of grime and soot? Is the grandeur of the Philippines be limited to those of Intramuros and Vigan, if not Makati or Ortigas? Even some of the buildings that brought development in the latter two districts were also demolished like the old Benguet centre of Locsin, as well as the Monterey Apartment that was once stood as one of Makati's earliest modern buildings. But given the profiteering attitude of most developers, of owners, heritage, no matter how decades old it is, pre or post war, were disregarded as such. 

Sorry to say this, but such inconveniences compels one to give up the good fight, but that person chose not to discontinue for that good fight is more than a series of general cleaning, painting, refurbishing, educating people within and from the outskirts of The City of Manila, that revival is an attempt to bridge both the aspirations of the past and present.  

And yes, it is a difficult task but worth fighting for. It may take several years or even decades to bring back its age-old grandeur as part of reclaiming its heritage being a culto-financial hub, and for sure there are others whom seriously adhere to reclaiming and preserving heritage treated their life's work a "devotion" in bridging the past and the present. After all, why to give up anything that is deeply rooted for an illusory progress that requires demolishing altogether no matter how sturdy or good it was? Decades old indeed, full of grime and soot, but destroying it just because it is ugly and bereft of value and be replaced with another which is plain and also bereft of value (except those of commercialism) is all but a mockery of development the system afforded to brag. What's wrong in having old edifices in that district anyway? The decades-old El Hogar remained closed and its neighbour, the former head office of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation became a mere warehouse. Lucky for these two edifices since they are threatened to be destroyed by scrupulous developers all for the sake of building "modern, high-rise" buildings yet saved by those whom really concerned about the value of these edifices made decades ago, with the El Hogar made during the early days of the American occupation. Meanwhile, its other neighbour, the former First National City Bank head office was given a "real" general cleaning, a fresh coat of paint, putting new concrete, new tiles and fittings, anything that is worth reclaiming the grandeur; yet with a different task that includes turning into a hub for Call Center Companies abroad.

Besides general cleaning and impovement, there are legislators whom, inspired by the success of Vigan and Iloilo, urging the local government of Manila to grand tax incentives, if not exemptions for heritage buildings within the district; furthermore, these legislators like Cavite's Francis Abaya expressed willingness to sponsor a bill that will impose strict implementation of real estate tax holidays and reduction of inheritance tax to structures duly recognised by national cultural agencies. Some European countries, particularly those in urban districts, did encourage tax exemption in centuries old buildings as part of preserving heritage, amidst modernity. Since this writeup cited the examples of Europe, of Vigan, and Iloilo, how about Manila? Do need to wait a major threat to happen to make people respond to save the deeply rooted and reclaim lost grandeur? 

Again, as said in this post, is part of a rebirth, that is, more than just a rebirth. It may take several years, if not decades, of general cleaning, rehabilitation, improvement of grand old structures to bring back Escolta, as well as other similar districts around Manila and other cities in provinces to its former grandeur, to its lively setting, to its bustling yet picturesque appearance as it was in the past. Continuous developments requires consideration to the ones that also contributed to the city's development, and that requires enlightening everyone the value of heritage, its relevance, and the continuous pursuit of bridging the aspirations of both past and present for a promising future to come. 

To see blooming sunflowers more

To see blooming sunflowers more

At first, this page congratulates those who had finished their years of hard work, of studying theories and various topics, taking into practise, of gaining both high and low grades, of disagreeing with the learned, of enjoying campus life with the perks of discounted fares in buses and jeepneys. Its been days past to see them finally reaping the fruits of their hard work and slacking. Spending time studying complimented by drinking bashes, campus life, like all others, is all but a series of both confrontation and escapism, of trying to live a normal life tempered by its own free will.

However in actual, most, if not all rather chose to escape those times all for the illusion of good life than to confront the reality those whom are concerned sought, acknowledge, and oppose in favour of what they learned and what is just. Being PetitBourgeois would think that with "idealism" meant hard work in their respective professions to change themselves, if not the world and make it appropriate to their so-called "dreams and aspirations", no matter the position or fate least their work may be as long as that good life be realised for themselves like those featured in Instagram. The system, controlling anything in the society, has carefully crafted it, with appropriate sentence, shape, colour, texture, even taste, knowing that these newcomers wanted their dreams to realise "their full potential", not knowing for the latter that they are being unnoticingly exploited, bled dry with gusto.
Few may have noticed behind those beautiful façades, and even endure the pain both from being exploited and the sedative being given to; least they may continue moving, but the more they simply "move on" and at the same time endure being exploited comes a willingness to break down the cycle and with what they learned, be taken to practise to support the people and its aspirations while others chose to think the usual of attaining higher education as a requirement for a steady, high paying job with moccha frappes and state of the art gadgets awaiting for them.

Sorry to say those words, but since the society nowadays is driven by consumerism, it is inconveniently true to see it. The objective of education is to learn, to cultivate, but in actual it becomes more of to compete and compare. Yes, there are those who will say life is all but competition, but on the other hand through education people tends to develop a spirit of excellence rather than competitiveness, that excellence means that one is able to achieve one's best, of attaining the highest limits of their capabilities and carefully cultivating it, rather than comparing it to others (true to the statement that "education is the great equaliser"). The important is they taken it into practise the theories being learned from the classroom, with results good enough to realise both theirs and the peoples' aspirations.
Yet how come the system negate the idea in favor of their view that education means an intense competition? Good to see people having good grades, but why comparing it and foster insecurity and pride? Well, they are nurtured to become natural achievers, and should negate the insecurities in favour of cultivating further their good works. Albert Einstein, Mother Theresa, Nikola Tesla, Jose Rizal, Mahatma Gandhi, are non-competitive people, but they do have wonderous works left for the people to see, and even willing to break the cycle just to realise the aspirations just and meaningful. They are imbued with honour and excellence as any other aspiring PetitBourgeois wanted to attain, but they value the people more than themselves in seriously taking their craft.

But to disregard the people seems to negate the values imbued in the institution they learned. One may gain honour and excellence, but there is a disclaimer telling that honour and excellence should use with the purpose to serve the people faithfully, not merely to gain a job and moccha frappe for chrissakes. You may hate rallies, but in this era of both natural and intentional crisis no wonder why there are rallies against the system and its policies, be it the commercialisation of public assets to the skyrocketing of tuition and other fees; not even wonder why there are those willing to go beyond the parameters just to assert what is just and right for the people, and sometimes at the expense of good life, or even friendships as bashers trying to malign one's commitment to the struggle.

However, there are also those who remained true to their principles and finished their commitments inside the classroom. Like the late Leandro Alejandro, they don't want to have their studies interfere their education, they want to attain good grades but they do also affirm that there is life to commit than making good grades. Hate them if one wants to, but least they are creative in spending their time in having their learnings taken into practise, particularly to the alternative. Hate them just because they chose to go to a road less taken, that because in being with struggle they are deemed outcasts bereft of anything modern out of voicing dissent, and if attained some be called hypocrites for they both work and fight. If that's the case, of what is academic freedom, creative scholarship, and progressive instruction that also serves as basis for a well rounded being imbued with honour and excellence? Well, as what Gerardo Lanuza, the "Rector", said:

"What we need to dismantle in our classrooms is the motto of the neoliberal guru that that good life is all about making profits and that the essence of democracy is profit making. Academic excellence is the passport to the good life. What kind of students do we breed? In ‘Rectify the Party’s Style in Work’, Mao wrote: ‘They proceed from a primary school of that sort to a university of that sort, they take a diploma, and are regarded as stocked with knowledge. But all that they have is knowledge of books, and they have not yet taken part in any practical activities, nor have they applied, in any branch of social life, the knowledge they have acquired…their knowledge is not yet complete. What, then, is comparatively complete knowledge? All comparatively complete knowledge is acquired through two stages: first the stage of perceptual knowledge and second the stage of rational knowledge, the latter being the development of the former to a higher plane’. Furthermore, ‘the most important thing is [to] be well versed in applying such knowledge in life and in practice’."

Anyways, regardless of the slander, hope that these people who finished those years inside the campus really imbued with the qualities that made them known. People may misinterpret this writeup and chide that this era isn't the same era as Voltaire's, Marx's, or Rousseau's, but no matter what they say, the sunflowers bloom in their path being taken, blooming as a new day shines for them.

"Notes from the Langar Kitchen"

"Notes from the Langar Kitchen"

(Or how this person entered the Sikh Temple)

It was last monday when this person visited the Sikh Temple at Isaac Peral St.* in Manila. Originally planned to go to the National Museum, the area's been closed during mondays, that somehow made he look for another place of cultural interest. 

Walking from Taft to Isaac Peral, as well as driven by curiousity and a renewed interest in Indian culture, this person find it interesting to visit the actual place (besides the Hindu Mandir in Mahatma Gandhi St.), and somehow quite devoted to the needs of the Indian community in the Philippines, known for their turbans in their heads as well as the moneylending business Filipinos usually make Indians known for.

But in entering the premises has to follow rules: wearing of a head covering, washing of the hands and feet, and silent mode when it comes to cellular phones being carried. The temple's main hall is somehow is as same as any other Sikh temples being featured in the internet such as pictures and a guru reading the Guru Ganth Sahib, but with the modern amenities such as air conditioning and a sliding door both for entrance and exit to the sacred premises. 

Yet, in order to get to know about the religion and its culture, this person entered the temple's library. There are Sikh intellectuals whom are cleaning and organising books inside the area, and one of them told yours truly that there are few books about Sikhism written in English, while the rest are written in Punjabi, and one of the most interesting tracts being featured and read is about the life of Guru Govind Singh, the War against Emperor Aurangzeb of the Munghal empire, as well as "Sikhism and Politics" which tackles about Khalistan (the Sikh Homeland) and India.

Entering the dining hall 

However, one of the most interesting areas within the temple (besides the temple hall and the library) is the Kitchen and Dining hall known as the Langar.

Spacious, and supported by volunteer Sikhs both in Cooking and in Cleaning the premises, the Langar is known for the free food being served to its devotees, as well as to the non believers as part of its service. As according to history, Langar or free kitchen was started by the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is designed to uphold the principle of equality between all people of the world regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status, as well as expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness and oneness of humanity. 

To a Christian perspective, this means the virtue of Charity and brotherly love that is being seriously practised, to the Muslims, the place reminds of the Imaret, the free soup kitchen that also became a state policy (due to the Zakat or Charity Tax) during the Ottoman Empire, also known to be a Caliphate ruled in the same era as Guru Nanak in India. 

Quite delicious the food being served from its Kitchen, that most of the meals being served lately were bread based not just sweets; but despite seeing the interesting ones, he chose to eat a meal that consists of Dal (a spiced Indian Lentil Stew) and Chapaties (Flatbread), plus a glass of hot cocoa enough to fill a stomach before journey home. Some Indians find it common for a Non-Indian to visit the premises, be it for the rites, the library, or perhaps for the free food that is served in the temple's dining hall (that somehow made some of Manila's poor satisfied according to one security guard talking about the said area).

Conclusion

Call it uninteresting for a typical person to enter a religious place besides those of the Church, visiting the Chinese Temple would have been driven by picture-taking tourism rather than spiritual and cultural interest, but to enter an Indian temple? Maybe most would call it strange. 

But regardless of what they think as "strange", his visit is quite informative not just interesting both because of the books being featured in its library, the sacredness of its place that involves washing of hands and feet, and last but not the least, the free food being served to everyone regardless of colour, sector, religion, status. This person may not be a Sikh, but having a Langar is more than just a Sikh tradition, for in its very known essence, it is a practise on a virtue today's world trying to take it serious.  Knowing that "the Light of God is in all hearts", as what the Sahib says.          

*currently known as U.N. Avenue