Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife

When I get bored to my guts and really wanted to have some peace and quiet or just want a change of scene, I just step out of the house and trek anywhere within the OLD FORT BONIFACIO. I just grab a book and read away under almost century old acacia trees. Just me, my book, under a tree, sometimes atop its branches, while a cool and gentle zephyr blows. But ever since "development" of THE FORT and the coming of modern structures, the natural ambiance and serenity of the place vanished along with the trees and endemic wildlife. Gone is the peace and quiet, leaving only bits and patches of "untouched" land as you see in the picture below.

An almost century old acacia tree still left untouched in Fort Bonifacio today

But, now that tall edifices replaced the once tree laden FORT, I go back to Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife in Quezon City. It has been a while since I last visited this park. For those on a budget, both time and money, the park is a quick getaway for those who want to commune with nature or for those who just wants to sit back and relax, without ever leaving the city. I just hope cities in around the metro with patches of land to spare, can make parks like these for all to enjoy.

Details of Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife

Location: Quezon City
Entrance Price: PhP15/car; PhP8 per person

For first timers. Make sure you fully charge your Digital Cameras and Video Cameras. Bring extra batteries if you have to for there are lots of great vistas wherein you can have photo ops with friends in nature scenes, and with various flora and fauna as backdrops. Coming to the park is far more rewarding in my opinion, to relax by your lonesome, a special someone, or be with friends and/or family while communing with nature other than gallivanting in concrete jungles (READ: Malls).

For those who haven't been to Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife, check out the pictures below. These were all taken inside the park.

Other Write ups:

A refreshing experience of the woods and its wildlife in a safe environment. Quezon City harbors such a place. Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife was started in the mid Martial Law years (late 70s to early 80s). It’s an 80-hectare city forest reserve for woodland and animal life. It is along the Elliptical Road in Diliman, Quezon City, across the Quezon Memorial Circle.

From downtown Manila travel takes, via the España-Quezon Avenue route, some 45 minutes to an hour. Public transportation plying Quiapo to Philcoa or Fairview will never fail to drive past this Philippine tourist spot in Quezon City. It’s right at the very tip of Quezon Avenue right across Kidney Center and Lung Center of the Philippines.

Named “Philippine Parks and Wildlife” in the Marcos administration, it was changed to “Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife” in the reign of President Corazon Aquino. This Philippine tourist spot in Quezon City boasts of a number of caged wild animals and tree and plant species, plus a vast playground, deeply shaded promenades, a man-made lagoon, eatery, huts and cottages, among others.

Lots of school excursions, tourist trips, movie and commercial shooting, and casual visits are scheduled in this Philippine tourist spot in Quezon City. Even health buffs like joggers and volleyball and badminton aficionados frequent it, especially in early mornings. Picnic grooves and huts are best for outdoor meals and helpings are available at the eatery beside the lagoon.

The lagoon is littered with benches at its edges under big tree shades. A sunken amphitheater is at its bank. It is a favorite hang out of lovers, book readers, bonding families, idle visitors, and students rehearsing a drama or concert. Others celebrate religious fellowships there and display public communion with their Creator. The lagoon has an extended covered port where curious visitors can venture farther and nose around for what may be hiding in the lake.

Life activities of men, the wilds, and nature burst with vibrancy at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wild Life. This wooded haven standing right in the midst of business affords travelers with an accessible Philippine tourist spot in Quezon City.

c",)

NOTE: All photos except THE ACACIA were taken from the Web.
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Greed and Avarice, Military Style

First posted in Amiel Aguilar Cabanlig's Victorina site as Andro: (This entry with corrections and additions.)

This is another classic example of the dangers of playing with other people’s money. Greed along with its twin, avarice.

Long before the news of Major General Carlos F. Garcia's plunder of the military funds came into focus, soldiers were already complaining, albeit silently, about failures of their military arsenal in the midst of battle along with the lack of or inferior military gear. This was proven when a report from a leading network, covering the war effort, made a broadcast on the conditions of soldiers in Mindanao as well as to cover the reported kidnapping of Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi. They were ambushed on the way back and they saw misfiring mortars, locking guns and outdated communication devices and almost no air support. The soldiers like "normal” Filipinos were laughing but alert at their sorry plight. We Filipinos do have that inherent trait amidst all adversity to laugh at ourselves. But the fear and shame that were in their eyes betray that flimsy facade they are trying to project. Fear that their equipment will fail them in their hour of need, shame in knowing their high ranking officers and dependents are living luxurious lifestyles somewhere else, far from the war zones. The scam of a scum pilfering tax payers’ money and treating it like it was his personal piggy bank was more than just shameful. He was dealing double jeopardy. One, pilfering military funding and two, he was putting the lives of deployed soldiers at risk. Fourteen marine soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice in that ambush, most were even beheaded.

I may not be a destitute or that fully padded, but what little I have, I worked my ass off honestly for. My former job had me exposed in handling millions of pesos, in cash, which I could make disappear in a flash and still appear accounted for, but I was never tempted to do so. Not even during the hardest of times. And I'm proud of that fact. There was even a running joke in the office when I bungled up making a check, they said: "Ayan kasi, ayaw sa intsik, gusto lagi encash." So, it is hard for me to be impressed or even jealous of sons or daughters of other military officers most especially if said sons or daughters are known bums and just living off their family's questionable assets. I may be startled a bit at first, but that's just about it. There are still lots of them here in Fort Boni acting like demigods and dropping of their father’s or even their mother's rank as if to inspire awe and intimidate anyone to submission. Some military spouses and paramours are likewise guilty of this fact. Ang sarap pagbabatukan! Sometimes I wonder whatever happened to that much publicized life-style check.

June of this year, another Major General and a Staff Sergeant faced a court marshal. Major General Jose T. Barbieto and his co-accused Staff Sergeant Roseller Echipare was charged and investigated for possible violations of Article of War 55 (Officer Making Unlawful Enlistment), Article of War 96 (Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman), and Article of War 97 (Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline). MGen Barbieto was relieved as commander of the Army's 4th Infantry Division on March 6, 2008 following an order from the Ombudsman. To simplify, they are scamming money off recruits in the thousands of pesos per person just to be enlisted or re-enlisted in the military without the need of passing all the stringent tests required for enlistment and/or re-enlistment. Great! First, we had failure of equipment now we have failure of personnel. As of this writing, the case is still on going and both of the accused are confined to quarters.

A soldier is a formidable living, breathing and thinking machine. His ingrained skills are tools he can call upon in life or death situations, while his weaponry increases his chances of surviving or successfully completing his given mission. How can he be confident knowing his equipment or lack thereof, may fail him at any time? How can his morale be bolstered knowing that his supposed adversaries are carrying far modern equipment than what he has? And the fact that his family is living in near slum conditions while his generals, officers and their dependents are living la vida loca? All these and still, be expected to perform brilliantly and to ultimately make the greatest sacrifice, if he has to, for God, for country and freedom.

A soldier friend of mine, the son of a late Colonel, is on his second tour of duty in Mindanao. Both he and I come from a military lineage, although, mine extends longer and broader. Ironically, he is assigned again in my dad's province of Basilan. We have lost several buddies over the years to the war in Mindanao. And it is with respect, when we do get together, to dedicate our first bottle of beer to our fallen. I do hope and pray for his safe return.

"Kaya walang kukurap, baka malusutan ng corrupt."

-Pictures are from the web-

Global City and their Marshals

Dear readers:

After mulling several items to talk about, I have not found a worthy thing to talk about until now, hence the new blog. But please bear with me as this one is more of a personal nature which I would like to share with you. Here we go...

As you may well know, I live in Fort Bonifacio, now part of Global City.

Let me tell you that my family has been in this area since the time Fort Bonifacio was still Fort McKinley. My dad's uncle was the first Filipino camp commander then until Fort McKinley became Fort Bonifacio. Like I mentioned in my "In the heat of the moment" blog entry, I am still in a state of flux about the changes happening around me. I still maintain however that controlled change is good.

Last Mid December 2007, a few days before my friend Kenn was about to leave for abroad, we decided to treat ourselves for a burger, sort of a midnight snack. So we took his motorcycle and drove off. Upon reaching our destination, we found out that it was already closed so I said let's just go home instead. He said that there is still one open for 24 hours at the 32nd street and so we went and it was. We parked his motorcycle on the pavement since it was more of like a scooter really than a motorcycle so as not to hamper traffic even though it was already late that night. One of the guards approached us and politely informed us that Global City marshals might apprehend us for parking there. So we asked the guard to look after the vehicle for we won't take very long anyway. To our surprise after a few minutes, the same guard approached us to inform that Global City marshals are asking who owns the motorcycle so we decided to face the music sort of speak. An oral altercation between us and the Marshals broke out when we were asking what our violation was. They will not give a straight answer. One of the buildings guard informed me silently that the marshals were looking for another motorcycle when they chanced upon ours. So to make it short, they were looking for someone else, not us. So again I asked what it was that they want, are they going to arrest us, give us a ticket or something. None. They just kept on harassing us so I said leave the cycle and let's get a cab. I wanted to go home and if they want to make a case out of it, fine. But before I left, I told the Global City Marshals that we may have a violation, even though they will not say what it was, I can take it. But what I could not take, is the way they handle apprehending someone. They are rude and arrogant. And by the way, the marshals took the license plate of my friends' motorcycle after we left. My friend Kenn came back home with me in the cab to get his van and to go back and pick up his motorcycle. What happened between him and the marshals after that, I don't know, but he was able to get back his motorcycle and license plate.

I let it pass and charged it to experience thinking maybe that the poor marshal might be too tired and it was his only way to relieve stress. until ....

I bought me a new Sony handycam from Park Square in Makati a few days before Christmas 2007. Alongside with it, I also purchased accessories for it. Unfortunately, not all of my choice accessories was available and they advised me to place an order for them. I asked where the new stocks will be coming from, they said that they will check first with their other branches and pull them out then call me as soon as they become available. The process will take days.

Two days ago, I found out that there is an Avid Sony Center right here in Global City. So I decided to take a walk from the house to the Sony Center, bringing along my new handycam. I was in good spirits. So I put on a long sleeved Polo Shirt, khaki walking shorts and walking sandals. When I got there, the only available accessory for my handycam model is a polarizing filter so I bought it and placed an order for the other accessories I still need. Feeling happy with my purchase and the accessibility of a new Sony Center a stones throw away from my house. In my excitement, I decided to try out the filter when I reached the front of The Fort. They have a big Christmas Tree out in front and its size set against a blue sky was too good a chance for me to pass up. So I put the filter on the cam and took several test shots using different settings of the filter. It was few minutes after when a Global City Marshall approached me and said rudely, "Hoy! Bawal kumuha ng picture at video dito!" I was flabbergasted since I was able to do so freely and unhampered before as evidenced by the pictures from my previous blog. I have been around the Philippines and this is the first time that I was informed that it was "Bawal" to take a picture or video of a Christmas Tree on a corner lot located outside the Fort. Not inside the establishment. Not to ruin my good mood, I walked away and said to the Marshal, I find what he said, a stupid proposition. In reply he arrogantly said, "Sa management ka na magreklamo!" I let it pass forcing my patience to last a little bit longer. I did not put my handycam away and instead continued to take video as I was walking. I'm too excited that the new filter is working the way I want it.


Last night, my mates and I decided to walk to 32nd street for a night stroll. I decided to take my handycam with me and take some shots while we were walking for fun. When we chanced upon a "Sleeping Marshal" in front of Essensa. I woke him up and asked him why it was bawal to take videos in Global City. Probably he didn't like the Idea of me waking him up and so I decided to turn the camera on and took shots of him while I asked my question again. He said, "Sa management ka na magreklamo!" I was beginning to suspect that these marshals have a well rehearsed script. He must have radioed the Motorcycled Marshals for in a few minutes time, one of them approached us and called out. "Hoy! Ano vine-video ninyo?" I recognized this rude Marshal as the same one that harassed Kenn and myself a month back. So I said to him, "Ano ba ang problema? (what's the problem?). So I asked him in the vernacular, if they have a written order which I can see to explain this weird rule of no video/picture taking on open ground. He can't give a straight answer and instead gave rude remarks as if he was the emperor of China. This time I was pissed, I can't let this pass. Since they were saying that I file a complaint with management, I gave the rude marshal my name and asked for his in return and informed him that this was the second time he showed me his rude behavior. He eyed me curiously and I saw it in his eyes that he recognized me. It's only logical that if I were to complain, I need to know the identity of the one I am complaining against. But instead of giving me his name or showing me an ID, He just hopped on his motorcycle and sped off. My analysis, is that he must have seen it in my eyes and heard it in my voice that I meant business.


So on we went to 32nd street and took snacks at McDo then headed back for home. We were already near The Fort on our way back when we came across another Motorcycle of Marshals riding in tandem. I waved to them and asked for their help in identifying their rude comrade. They directed me to their outpost and to file my complaint there with their Officer-In-Charge (OIC). I asked for their OIC's name and they said "dun nyo na lang po alamin" (please find out from there). Total weirdness. Why won't they give their officers name? I felt something odd is going on here. Before I reached their outpost, we came along another marshal on foot, so I asked the Marshal for their OIC's name since I was about to meet with him in a few minutes. He said "Bakit?" (Why). then his radio cracked and we heard if anybody asks for names, don't give any information. Then I told the marshal, never mind. Right there and then, I knew that this GLOBAL CITY MARSHALS are in cahoots with each other and they will definitely cover up for their misdemeanor.

When me and my mates were finally there, I went in and found two people seated inside, one in blue marshal uniform manning the radio and one in barong. I asked who among the two of them is the OIC, Of course I knew who it was based on their attire. The one in blue said he was the one and immediately hurled accusations at me without even asking what the problem was. None of them even asked me to sit, nor get a log of my complaint, nor will they identify themselves even if I asked. Hurling my complaint to be filed with their management. Which by the way, I did today through e-mail.

The bottom line dear readers is this, these GLOBAL CITY MARSHALS are ill trained and ill mannered as they come. They do not and will not honor complaints if one of them will suffer. This might be admirable, but on the hindsight, visitors and residents of Global City will suffer for this. Where can residents like me get any information when they refuse even to give their own names? Even if I filed my complaint with their management, I cannot pinpoint them unless management put them all in a line for me to identify them by face. The only conclusive evidence I have against them is the video of the "SLEEPING MARSHAL" at Essensa and the time and date of the incident at the outpost.

So visitors of Global City, beware. Not for anything else, but beware and be wary of GLOBAL CITY MARSHALS. They are a detriment against the development happening in Bonifacio Global City. They are a tumor that needs to be expunged and expelled for the betterment of our guests and residents. I hope someone from the management of Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation read this and remedy the situation pronto. I am ready and willing to help them solve this dilemma.

So there.

In The Heat of the Moment

Ang init! These two words has been reverberating in my head at the start of the summer season. I noticed in the last several years, summers here in the Philippines have become somewhat hotter. I looked it up and indeed I was right. Compounding the problem is the high humidity we have in this country.


The heat was not a problem back then when Fort Bonifacio was a closed Fort. We had lots of trees literally peppered all over the place. My father's uncle happened to be the first Camp Commander of then Fort McKinley before it was renamed Fort Bonifacio in honor of Andres Bonifacio. It was hot during the summer months alright but once you step in the gates of the old Fort Bonifacio, one will feel the refreshing cool breeze brush up against your skin thanks to those wonderful acacias. Now they are all gone. No thanks to the BCDA which came into being by virtue of Republic Act No. 7227, or Bases Conversion Development Act of 1992, which was signed into law by President Corazon C. Aquino on March 13, 1992. Technically speaking, all military bases within the Luzon area are now up for sale. This started the development of the Subic Economic Zone some 15 years ago. But that didn't stop there. During the time of President Fidel V. Ramos, Sangley Point in Cavite was also put up for sale. Camp John Hay in Baguio, Villamor Air Base in Pasay, and then Fort Bonifacio through the Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation (FBDC). FBDC is a joint venture between Bonifacio Land Corporation (BLC) and the state-owned BCDA.


Incidentally, Fort Bonifacio (Makati) is now more popularly called the Bonifacio Global City (Taguig). What used to be my safe playground when I was young is now a rising city with first class amenities. Several condominium edifices rose like mushrooms after a lightning storm. To name a few, there rose Pacific Place, Essensa, One McKinley Place, The Fort, Market Market, Serendra, High Street, etc.


And because of these changes, the quiet Fort Bonifacio was reborn. And accompanied with this changes we lost the once moderate temperature we had back then. Oh well that's progress for you. More on this topic later on as Global City further develops.