Manila City Hall

Old photo of Manila City Hall.  The City of Manila, in the old days, was dubbed ' Pearl of the Orient '.

Manila City Hall

           

             Men in blue shirts were manning the entry and exit points.  The lines were moving fast.  There was no hassle getting inside.  I was accompanying a friend who wanted certified true copies of certain documents.  Contrary to what we were expecting, there were no long lines. Everything was in order.  Systems and procedures have greatly improved at the Manila City Hall.

Manila City Hall facing south

The clock tower of Manila City Hall.  There are three clocks on its three facets.

Historical Marker

Remembering the heroes of the City of Manila

Jeepneys, buses and private vehicles pass by Manila City Hall.

             Manila City Hall is the seat of government of the second largest city of the Philippines.  It is located at the vast Ermita district.  It is near the National Museum, Department of Tourism Building, Philippine Post Office and the old Metropolitan Theater. Vehicles taking the three bridges, Jones Bridge, MacArthur Bridge and Quezon Bridge, pass by Manila City Hall. There is an underpass at its western side to ease traffic. The clock tower distinguishes it from other public buildings.

Manila City Hall facing north

Main entrance to the north wing 

Inscribed at the facade of the southern part of City Hall are the words: Labor, Wealth and Capital

Courtyard of Manila City Hall

Lobby at the Southern side of City Hall

            Manila City Hall was built in 1939 in a place with a wide open space.  It has a Neo-Classical architecture.  It has a courtyard that leads to the various offices.  As Chief Executive, the City Mayor discharges the administrative functions as defined by the local government code.  The City Council, headed by the Vice Mayor and Councilors, forms part of the checks and balances ideal in a democratic form of government such as that of Manila.  Notable mayors of Manila were Arsenio Lacson, Antonio Villegas, Ramon Bagatsing, Mel Lopez, Lito Atienza and Alfredo Lim. Incumbent mayor is former President Joseph Estrada. 

Incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Erap Estrada

Vice Mayor Isko Moreno

Mayor Alfredo Lim ( 1992 - 1998; 2007 - 2013 )

Mayor Lito Atienza ( 1998 - 2007 )

Mayor Mel Lopez (right)   (1986 - 1992)  with son Manny Lopez

Mayor Ramon Bagatsing ( 1972 - 1986 )

Mayor Antonio Villegas ( 1962 - 1971 )

Mayor Arsenio Lacson ( 1952 - 1962 )

            It took us only a few minutes to transact business at City Hall.  We thanked the officer in charge. On our way out, drivers with traffic violation receipts were waiting to be called.  The city government is in the midst of a serious campaign to implement existing traffic rules and regulations.  And before making it to the exit, I proceeded to the rest room.  When I thought I had seen everything, I was surprised to see a public toilet similar to the CRs of shopping malls. I called the attendant before leaving: Ganda ng CR nyo.  Nasaan ba ako? Nasa City Hall ba ako? O SM?  

New ambulances for the City of Manila

Official seal

Drivers holding traffic violation receipts wait for their names to be called.

City Hall's rest room

Clean rest room

The Railway near City Hall

Andres Bonifacio Shrine (KKK Plaza)  near Manila City Hall

The Philippine Post Office at  Liwasang Bonifacio. It is within walking distance from Manila City Hall.

- Konted

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Savory Fried Chicken

Savory Fried Chicken

          I was looking at Rene Reyes's check list. He had just disembarked from the plane. It was an 8-hour trip from Melbourne.  He had been away for quite some time. Number one on that list was his desire to try once again the famous Savory Chicken.  While fried chicken and the like are readily available in Melbourne, for Rene, nothing else comes close to Savory Chicken.

The Original Savory at the foot of Jones Bridge.  It is now owned and managed by the heirs of Jose Ting, one of the four Ting brothers.

The Classic Savory outlets are owned and managed by the heirs of  Tony Ting. Take note of the word Classic attached to the restaurant's name.

Savory Chicken was introduced in 1950.

          Savory Fried Chicken was first introduced to the public in 1950 by a band of real brothers.  The Ting brothers, all four food connoisseurs, concocted a flavor distinct from fried chickens of other restaurants. The white meat, as it is today, is tender and juicy.  And the gravy is superb. From their original place in Quiapo, they moved to Escolta, which is at the foot of Jones Bridge. This restaurant is still there.

Rene's order: One whole Savory Fried Chicken

And another whole fried chicken.  This one is chopped.

Gravy to go with the chicken

          There are now numerous Savory Chicken outlets serving the same Fried Chicken made famous by the Ting brothers. Some outlets use the name Original Savory while others are named Classic Savory.  All are owned and managed, independently and separately, by the heirs of the Ting Brothers. And the gravy has not changed. Traditional Chinese dishes such as Pancit Canton, Lumpiang Shanghai, Camaron Rebosado, Nido Soup are served hot. Dining alone or in twosome or with the entire family, Savory Chicken continues to be the centerpiece.

Pancit Canton

Beef with ampalaya

Crab meat

Yang Chow fried rice

          Rene Reyes and company took the table nearest the door.  Aside from other Chinese dishes, he ordered two whole Savory fried chickens. One was for his three companions, the other was exclusively his alone. Dipping generously into the gravy, he began savoring Savory Fried Chicken. And he was obviously enjoying every bite.  Based in Delahey, which is part of Greater Melbourne, Rene had been away for so long that he had missed a lot of good things. And this time, he made sure his craving for Savory Chicken was fully satisfied. The chicken was stripped to the bones. 

- Konted

Rene Reyes (right) says Savory Chicken is number one.

Rene R. upon arrival at the Naia. He is a permanent resident of Delahey , a suburb of Greater Melbourne.

Rene R. with lovely daughter Vina.

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