Manila Vibes: Drumming Through the Chaos of the City
manila. the city that never sleeps-unless you count the cats napping on jeepneys. i landed here with my sticks and a backpack full of dreams, ready to hit the stage with a local indie band. the air was thick with humidity, like stepping into a sauna that someone forgot to turn off. i just checked and it's 26°C there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
my first stop? a tiny bar in paco where the drummer before me apparently "left in a hurry." someone told me that the owner still has his broken cymbal hanging on the wall like a trophy. i didn't ask.
between gigs, i wandered through intramuros, where the cobblestones felt like they were judging my sneakers. the food stalls near san agustin church smelled like heaven-or at least, what i imagine heaven smells like after a 3-hour set. if you get bored, quezon city and makati are just a short drive away.
one night, a fellow musician dragged me to a rooftop party in makati. the view was insane, but the real highlight was the impromptu drum circle that broke out at 2 a.m. someone had a djembe, someone else had a bucket, and i had my trusty sticks. we sounded like a marching band that had lost its way.
pro tip: if you're ever in manila, don't trust google maps. it once sent me to a dead-end alley where a stray dog was guarding a pile of broken drumsticks. true story.
i also heard that the best pancit canton in the city is sold out of a cart near recto. i haven't tried it yet, but a drunk guy at the bar swore it was life-changing. i'll let you know if i survive the experience.
manila is chaos, but it's the kind of chaos that makes you feel alive. the kind that makes you want to keep drumming, even when your hands are sore and your ears are ringing. it's not for everyone, but if you're into that sort of thing, you'll love it here.
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