Here is something interesting that was emailed to me by a listener. I'm not sure if you've seen this, if it's been forwarded to you or if you even know the source (I am sure that in a short while, a few of you will post the source here on the comments section anyway).  I just thought the digital enhancement of the photos plus the commentary was excellent.  If you have seen these photos already or if this is an old email that went around years ago, I apologize, you can move on. For those who haven't, enjoy what our city used to be, and it may help you vote a little wiser in May.

From an email entitled, Old Manila. (click Read More for the rest of the photos and text)

For zoomed in photos, you must click here--it gives it a whole new appreciation for it.

The environment was still very clean.  Very little wires hanging from posts.  I still remember Mackay Radio and La Estrella del Norte where my parents would shop.Based on the Oldsmobiles, Studebakers, Buicks & Pontiacs, I must have been 10 years old then.

There were no Metro Aides, Bayani Fernando Cleaners, and stores cleaned their areas.  Pedestrians were also very disciplined. Very little “hukays” and Manholes were clean and were clearly visible to pedestrians. People were so disciplined. Take a look at the Pedxings. I remember this part of Escolta as my Dad would buy us Boursege’s from Greg Shoes or Ang Tibay. It could be much better looking than Colehaans and Ferragamos.  The streets were shiny, much like the streets of Singapore now. 

LYRIC Theatre (in the photo below), IDEAL, STATE, ODEON were the best theatres.  Environment inside and outside ....absolutely clean. There were no double parking allowed and drivers followed.  Streets didn’t have 2 policemen and 4 Traffic Aides for each corner.  You’d be safe even if you held a clutch bag while shopping. Manholes were covered well and during those days, I remember them....as clean and polished, much like those you’d see in Champ Elysee’.  We could beat Paris .  Ang ganda ng bayan natin noon. 

Dencia’s was famous for Pansit Mami, much like Mamonluk or Ricebowl. P1.50 ang Mami, 10 sentimo ang coca cola.  5 centimo ang sarsaparilla This was very near Villalobos and Carriedo. Look at the jeepneys. They were not overloaded.

Pasig was very clean.  The photographer must have taken this photo (below)  October to December timeframe.  But Pasig , during summer would have beautiful water lilies, tiny Quiapo’s floating amidst white, yellow and purple water lilies that I remember.  Water from our rich and abundant rivers were emerald green and blue.  Napakalinis and walang amoy. In fact, I know for a fact that a lot of private yachts would pass through our Pasig River from various parts of Rizal, Malabon and Marikina .  It was beautiful.

Manila was just a beautiful place. 

If you’d take an L5 plane or a Piper Cub and take pictures of Dewey Boulevard (now Roxas Boulevard) from above, you’d be so proud to say, that the place is much better than Cote ’ d Azure.  My Dad would even bring soldiers sick of asthma from the PAF, so that they could do early morning breathing exercises at 5AM.  Environment was just so very clean, air was refreshing, and take a look at the sea....wasn’t that a gift given to us during those days?! 

Sidewalks were not extended to suit the pedestrians.   Quiapo Church was a blessed monument.  Nagbibigayan ang mga drivers.  Bihira ang nag-gigitgitan. 

Avenida Rizal was a treat to everyone.  There were no prostitutes nor body-brokers. Avenida was not a fickle place.  It was not  a “now a bistro boulevard, tomorrow a street; now a tiangge or night market and tomorrow a bistro boulevard”.  It was a simple avenida where everyone enjoyed to see what was “now showing”, what movie was “extended showing”, and if Otis or Good Earth had a big sale !!!   It was just a big clean place. 

Ayala Avenue was just like Wilshire Boulevard (Los Angeles).  Clean and no pollution.  You can walk and enjoy the sun.  Napakalinis.  

And then, we had more technocrats, more intelligent people educated here. What did we do to our environment ? Sayang. Maswerte kami noon.  Mas na mas maswerte kami noon.  We saw a country that was much cleaner, a much better place to live in and a truly healthy place. 

For zoomed in photos, you must click here--it gives it a whole new appreciation for it.

On a personal note, ironically I was also emailed this photo this morning of a billboard on C5 (that even has our station logo on it, ugh), looking at Gwen Garci here helps me appreciate what we "used to have". Now I want to punch someone in the face, excuse me.

(update:) here are some extra pics that some of you readers have emailed in:

Araneta Coliseum

Rizal Park

TAFT AVE, BEFORE THE SUN WAS BLOCKED OUT PERMANENTLY BY THE UGLIEST FUCKING TRAIN STRUCTURE IN THE WORLD