I heard a lot of stories about Quiapo, Manila's former business district and formerly the very prestige that is Manila. I heard stories about its famous church, its people, its vendors, and its shops. Add to that are stories of theft, criminality, and syndicates. No wonder this now-urban jungle is a frequent place for TV documentaries, news shows, dramas, and movies.
A few days ago, I had the perfect opportunity to visit this very mystic place since I have the intention to do so. I asked my mom's permission if I could go to Ramon Hidalgo Street, Quiapo to check out its photography stores which are well-known for selling vintage and new SLR cameras at affordable prices. I took one of my day-offs to go there, especially that I was then on my way to CSB to return something from switch@csb.
I stopped at the LRT Carriedo Station and went downstairs. To my amazement, I saw the tip of Avenida Rizal, a combination of traffic, market, and people. Traces of Lito Atienza-architecure still remains despite the de-pedestrianization on that part of the avenida by Mayor Fred Lim. Old buildings that probably dated back in the 1930's-1950's housed several tianggge markets, ukay-ukay stores and bargain shops. These buildings in my opinion looked so old and down that they are totally in need of restoration and intensive repairs. It so sad to see that the current occupants have little disregard to this one grandeur buildings which are reminiscent of pre-war Manila where Rizal Avenue even used to have a long tranvia line (think San Francisco, CA, USA).
I walked on these very busy street fronting Escolta where tons of people from all walks of life can be found right there. Some vendors selling CD's are plaing loud Christmas music while our Muslim brethren are selling clothes, accessories as well as caps and hats.
At the tip of that busy street I finally saw in my two eyes, QUIAPO CHURCH! Yes, the very church that attracts thousands of devotees come January, two weeks after Christmas and a week after New Year's Day.
I noticed though that there are three branches of Greenwich in the area, one of them I went inside to take relief inside their restroom. I came out smelling like Hawaiian pizza.
Turning around to R. Hidalgo, I looked for every store there that sells camera. I was looking for those that sell Nikon D40 camera since i heard that they are cheap, affordable, practical, economic, and is still of high quality when used. There stores that sell D40's at Php 27000 (Konica), others at 24k (...Weekend?), but the cheapest that I could find was the D40 sold in Columbia for only Twenty-two thousand smackers.
How I wish my dad would allow me to go there once I have the money enough to buy one. Fortunately, Fred told me that Columbia has another branch in Megamall for which they sell a D40 on the same price as the one in Hidalgo.
Surely, I will get my hands on that camera!
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