Thursday, May 1, 2014

My Summers in Araneta Center

In these islands I call home, we find ways to share smiles and happiness everywhere. We may be a country beset by poverty, corruption and devastating natural calamities, but we remain resilient, hard-working, hospitable and fun-loving.

Araneta Center in Quezon City is a large commercial area with major shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas, grocery stores and offices. It has links to two commuter train lines, a bus terminal, and taxi and jeepney depot. It even hosts a "government center," where satellite offices have been set up to assist the general public in securing documents. It is very accessible from where I live, so close that if I am in the mood for exercise, I can reach it by foot or by bike. For me, it is everything in one place. I grew up here, so I guess that makes me an expert on the topic. :)

Photo credits: http://www.manilagateway.com/
In the sweltering heat of the summer, people flocking to Araneta Center get entertained by a dancing traffic policeman. It makes us forget our troubles for a few minutes, turns a frown into a smile, and makes waiting to cross the street more bearable. It is indeed, Filipino talent at its best.

I am sharing a video of our very own "Dancing Policeman of Araneta Center." (Video credits: www.royalmediaent.com. Uploaded in YouTube by Mack Sean)

Its more fun in the Philippines! Enjoy!

14 comments:

  1. We also had that enforcer here in bacolod. Agree, mapapasmile ka talaga when you see them.

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    1. Exactly, Shengkay. It really takes your mind off things that wear us down.

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  2. You are right here, there are best places to just hang out and relax without spending too much.

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    1. Hi Nova! I practically grew up in visiting the malls. When I was a student, I loved going to National Superstore. Four storeys of books, school supplies and sporting goods! It was like heaven to me!

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  3. Just few months back, I stepped foot again in that area. And, how it was different during my college days where we get to hang out in Fiesta Carnival, Ali Mall, or Farmers or watch the Christmas designs at COD
    Visiting again, I felt like I was in Makati!
    Is the COD christmas live designs still on? (every xmas season)

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    1. Hi Riz! The COD display is no longer there. The store itself is no longer in existence but they still continue the tradition every Christmas. They have it set up in Greenhills Shopping Center.

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  4. I wanna see that dancing enforcer live.

    I frequent QC but I've never been to Araneta Center. Might visit it next week just out of curiosity. hehe

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    1. You'd be surprised at all the improvements they've done. Lately, I have noticed that they have constructed an elevated walkway that connects Shopwise, SM, AliMall and Gateway. No more walking in the hot sun! :)

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  5. I would love to visit Araneta Center someday. My home town in is Cagayan de Oro City :-) I love the traffic officer, he is fun to see and am sure relief the stress of the traffic :-)

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    1. Hi Jessica! You wanna swap? I have never traveled to Visayas or Mindanao. Must be exciting to see other places. Funny thing is, I've been out of the country but never out of Luzon.

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  6. We too have our version in Alabang, Kakaalis ng stress kapag nakita mo yung movements nya.

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    1. I wish we had more of them instead of the "Kotong cops."

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  7. Hahaha this dancing traffic officer is very entertaining hehehe.

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