PHILIPPINES JUNE-JULY 2017 PART 3 - ARRIVAL IN MANILA

All photos by Kokoy.

In this edition, our guide takes us through the experience of arriving in the city of our birth.

DEPARTURE FROM TAOYUAN

AND ARRIVAL IN MANILA

Even though the flight from Tao Yuan to Ninoy Aquino International Airport is just a quick southbound jaunt from one Pacific rim island to another, EVA Airways manages to squeeze a meal in, enough to tide you over until you get into the city. The first glimpses of your homeland are the tiny flickering dots floating in the darkened void of the planet's surface, the lonely lights of fishermen's boats in the Luzon Strait catching what may conceivably end up on your plate in the coming weeks. As it descends towards the runway, the window seat of the Airbus Jet 321 offers a spectacular view of Metro Manila, a sprawling megalopolis lit up with contradictions.

Once you have gone through customs, pick up a free cart on the left side of the baggage claim belts. As the airport terminal's glass doors slide open, the muggy heat hits you like a wall as you wheel your nearly 100 pounds of luggage towards the taxi cab station. Take a deep breath of Manila's unique stench, a cocktail of diesel exhaust fumes, burning trash, and your own sweat. It is the unmistakable aroma of home. 

From the airport, it is strongly suggested that those traveling alone, especially women, use the yellow official government-accredited taxi service. If you do not care to use one of the city's ride-sharing companies like Uber or Grab, this is the safest bet from the airport. The yellow cabs have a higher level of accountability and supervision than the independent white taxis. The car number is recorded by the dispatcher on site, as well as the names of the driver and passenger, and the destination. Furthermore, the official yellow cabs are strictly metered, its drivers forbidden to negotiate their fares up, which is usually what those of the independent white taxi cabs do to try and take advantage of foreign travelers who may not know better. The seasoned traveler that you are, you come prepared with Philippine pesos which you saved in your wallet from your previous trip so that you do not have to bother exchanging your dollars at the airport, knowing you can get a higher rate elsewhere.

The relatively light traffic en route from the airport through normally some of the most packed streets of Manila surprises you. It takes 20 minutes and less than 200 pesos to get from the airport to Legaspi Towers at the corner of Roxas Boulevard and Pablo Ocampo, or commonly known as Vito Cruz. Tip the driver about 20 pesos or less.

Waiting in the lobby for you is the most beautiful woman in the world. She rushes up to the cab as you unload your bags and throws her arms around you. You both cannot contain your laughter. Her younger sister, whom some claim is just as beautiful, is all smiles as she helps the security guard lift your bags up the driveway steps and onto the building's loaner cart. 

As the security personnel welcomes you respectfully, greet them with a smile, genuinely happy to see them. Push the cart across the intricately laid tile floor of the cavernous Legaspi Tower lobby to the elevator. There is no joy equal to that of being among loved ones. Now, your journey has finally truly begun.

NEXT: PART 4 - A PHILIPPINE FOOTBALL FEDERATION WOMEN'S LEAGUE MATCH

"Life is not a journey, but a pilgrimage..."

- Kokoy Severino has been in a constant state of travel since he was four years old.

(Friday June 30)