The fort with a view

Netnet Camomot . 

ONCE upon a time, there was Fort Bonifacio. Now, there’s Bonifacio Global City where you can walk and walk and walk and eventually reach the condo where you’re staying without inhaling the pollution that usually plagues urban areas in Pinas.

Try going to Quiapo, Manila, though, and… Ugh.

Metro Manila used to be the Pinoy’s ultimate vacation destination in Pinas when it had no traffic, no pollution, and no burgeoning population. Those were the days. But upon realizing Pinas has more than 7,000 islands, he began to discover El Nido, Coron, Boracay, Siargao, Camiguin, Batanes, and other tourist spots that have inspired the Department of Tourism to continue the mantra, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”

But now that the government is bent on rehabilitating Manila Bay, perhaps Metro Manila will regain its charm, provided Pasig River will also be completely rehabilitated and squatters relocated.

Hotdog’s “Manila” aptly describes the Pinoy’s view of the place where his dreams may come true: “Manila, Manila / I keep coming back to Manila / Simply no place like Manila / Manila, I’m coming home.”

Metro Manila is the most urban of all the urban areas in Pinas but it’s also the most polluted and populated, with only a few areas that have room to breathe, like BGC where you can detach from the rest of the country and continue living like everything is okay with the world.

One good thing about Metro Manila is the food, with restos and hotels serving the yummiest fare which a Cagayanon can only dream of having in Cagayan de Oro (CDO), too. For the dieter, that could be bad news but he can always lose the weight once he’s back in CDO.

While at BGC’s One Bonifacio High Street, the Cagayanon should try the banana pudding at M Bakery whose owner happens to be Candy Lu of Candy’s Café.

That’s the banana pudding that can definitely sate the sweet tooth.

A BGC condo with a view—a golf course—is the next best thing to the room with a view—green trees. Who would have thought that a place in Metro Manila could still have wide open spaces? This is what the Pinoy needs so he can make muni-muni and ponder on Election 2019’s political candidates who have begun to make bola-bola through their campaign promises. By the way, the golf course has balls, too, but of another kind.

A political candidate will always promise you the moon and the stars so he can afford the moon and the stars once he wins.

About 20 senatoriables have already spent P2.4 billion for campaign ads even before the campaign period began. That’s P2.4 billion for senatorial work that has a P260,000 monthly salary, with Bong Go “investing” the highest amount at P422.5 million. Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos occupies second place with her P413.1 million. If you’re now thinking, Oh, both are pro-Duterte, dilawan senatoriable Mar Roxas is third place with his P401 million.

The Pinoy who could hardly sate his hunger daily must be shocked now with all these campaign-fund reveals. From where do these candidates get their hundreds of millions? How many meals can the Pinoy buy with P422.5 million?

Even the middle-class Pinoy who’s working with a less-than-P10-million budget for his dream home is also asking that same question. How many houses can he build with P422.5 million?

And while at M Bakery, the sweet tooth also wonders, How many banana puddings can he buy with P422.5 million?

And there’s the golfer thinking of the golf club shares he can afford with P422.5 million.

The list goes on and on for the food, dreams and shares one can acquire with so much moolah.

Pinas’ population seems to be divided into two: the haves and have-nots. Politicians definitely belong to the haves since power attracts moolah here in Pinas. Having power and money is fine as long as they’re gained with generally accepted principles. It’s when graft and corruption enter the picture that power and money may become uncomfortable despite the comforts they provide.

But huge amounts are seldom gained in the most honest of ways. And how is that? Hmmm. Go ask those who have been there, done that with all sorts of business whatever.

Well, at least The Fort is there for the Pinoy to sate his hunger for yummy food, relaxed shopping, and a view.