SNAPSHOTS
February 1-28, 2025
Feb Snapshots: esplanade, bike lane, open vs close, good roads, Vietnamese resto, night light, honor coin, urinal, phone charger, keys, or else, pedestrian
Location 
: Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines
Iloilo City
It's my first time to visit Iloilo City after 8 years. What the locals no longer notice is fresh and stark to me. It gets my attention.
Robinsons Mall Lounge
Robinsons Mall Lounge
(February 16, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines) Robinsons Malls keep pushing the boundaries of customer experience...better than Ayala, better than SM. This time, it has a comfy customer lounge with a clean washroom and phone charger - P20, but free to Seniors. Whenever I have to take a shit, my worry is the cleanliness of the public washrooms. I don't mind paying for this convenience but often, it's not available unless I crash into a hotel lobby. Kudos, Robinsons!
River Esplanade
River Esplanade
(February 15, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines) Iloilo City's intricate river system is lined up with wide cobblestoned walkways, sometimes on both sides. This is a huge reprieve from the city's bad air (jeepneys spewing black smoke) and gives Ilongos a getaway from the city while being in the city.
Dedicated Bike Lanes
Dedicated Bike Lanes
(February 15, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines) Iloilo City's major thoroughfares are lined with dedicated bike lanes. This makes commuting by bicycle safe and easier. This promotes cycling for cleaner air.
Quantum Mechanics in Classical Physics
Quantum Mechanics in Classical Physics
(February 14, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines) Crazy things happen within the realm of Quantum Mechanics...like Schrodinger's cat being both alive and dead at the same time until you open the box. This cannot happen in classical physics. But this cake store seems to defy that exception. It is both open and close at the same time until you open the door - if the door is locked, then it's closed. If the door opens, then the store is open.
Government Officials Destroy Good Roads
Government Officials Destroy Good Roads
(February 9, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines) In a blantant display of corruption, government officials destroyed this good road to build another road on top of it. In whispered tones, they say, "We have to use the money or next year's budget won't include it.". That is cras, but the worse truth is, they make a bundle for themselves by way of corruption.
Vietnamese Resto in Jaro, Iloilo City
Vietnamese Resto in the middle of Jaro, Iloilo City
(February 9, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines) I was riding my bike along the busy street of Jaro in Iloilo when I spotted a Vietnamese restaurant. It was owned and operated by a Vietnamese woman who could not speak English. Of course, I stopped and ordered my fav Pho beef noodle soup. I guess the greens that traditionally come along with Pho soup were not locally available, but it was great to taste a little bit of Vietnam in Iloilo.
Night Light
Night Light
(February 8, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines) My first night on top of the bunk bed in a dorm room facing the long flourescent light gave me no sleep when anyone arriving at night would open the light. First thing I did the following day was to buy a night light. Others got it but some assholes would still open the light. I then had to put a night eye mask on. Life throws you manageable little jabs...you just smile and learn to dodge and duck.
Military Honor Coin
Military Honor Coin
(February 8, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines) A retired US Army officer showed me his collection of military coins. This is not widely known, but apparently, on military occassions guested by high ranking brass (captain to general), the lower officers take turns introducing themselves with a handshake. Sometimes, the higher ranking officer slips a military coin in the handshake. This means the big guy has been keeping an eye on the small guy and the small guy has been making the grade. This usually means you are being groomed for higher office. When these small guys get together for a drink, they play a game. Each tosses his bragging coin and everyone compares all the coins. The coin given by the highest ranking officer (usually a general) wins and the holder get free drinks from everyone. This US Army officer I was talking to, showed me all his coins. I would say he was on the fast track up until he took early retirement.
You are not gifted...step closer!
You are not gifted...step closer!
(February 6, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines) Some guys need to move back while some mortals need to stand closer...that's just life.
Free Phone-charging at SM City Iloilo
Free Phone-charging at SM City Iloilo
(February 6, SM City Iloilo, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines) Some big reputable malls don't offer phone charging stations, but SM City Iloilo does...FREE!
Which key to the back door?
Which key to the back door?
(February 6, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines) If they still haven't figured out the right key after 5 minutes, it now becomes, "choose your wild"!
Or Else
Or Else
(February 6, 2025, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines) Consider yourself warned !!!
Fair Game on a Pedestrian Lane
Fair Game on a Pedestrian Lane
(February 5, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines) Motorists will still beat you to it even when you are already crossing the pedestrian lane. Cross the street at your own risk. If you are run over while crossing the pedestrian lane, it means you can win your case in court...if you are still alive.
Ending Thoughts
Iloilo City is better than where I am now. But like most cities in the country, it is plagued by the same issues - uncontrolled black soot emission from jeepneys / commercial vehicles and destruction of good roads by questionable politicians. That's just the way it is in the Philippines - take it or leave it.
--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit 
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