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Post by fots2 on Dec 30, 2012 19:19:46 GMT 8
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Post by okla on Dec 30, 2012 21:14:12 GMT 8
Hey EXO....It would seem that Urban Renewal "overkill" also exists in areas not in the U.S. The demolition of the Jai-Alai building was an atrocity to my way of thinking. Progress is one thing, but methinks this kind of activity should be highly selective before the Bulldozers, Wrecking Balls,etc go to work.
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Post by darthdract on Dec 30, 2012 22:21:27 GMT 8
Hey Darth....Methinks that the present day Ball Park, Rizal Stadium, is the site of the 1945 "Ball Park Battle". I am sure Battery Boy or some other local authority can tell us for sure. I still find it difficult to envision our guys rooting the enemy out of the team dugouts. Ball parks are for baseball, Cheers. hi Okla, Sure it really feels surreal to imagine that. The reason why I am interested with the Rizal stadium is because I can say that became a part of my childhood School Varsity games are being held there. There is a Mall Nearby as well, and I hang out at that mall every week end so I have to pass by the stadium almost every week. Thats what I felt when I visited Corregidor I tried to reflect and envision the Japanese Shells falling on the barracks. But it feels more surreal if the place is close to home or something you are very familiar for example the UST. I studied there for like 5 years and I fell in love with that place. To relieve stress I get some coffee and sit on the benches just infront of the main-building I would imagine that just 70 years ago a Sherman tank was infront of that building and a Japanese Shell just destroyed a part of the wall while Gen.MacArthur and Press.Osmena visited the internees. I always do that every time I visit same with the Rizal Stadium I imagine the Sherman tanks entering and crashing the ticket booth and shooting the Japanese at the Bleachers. It just feels so surreal that you are going to historical place everyday because you study or work there. The History behind those place is a real Bonus. And not to mention my Great Grand dad was interred there. If you had not told me you haven't been to the Philippines I would think you have stayed here for sometime by the way you talk and feel about these places seems you have lived here for a long time,Sometimes you mention places that I never heard before. I have mad respect for for that. And about the Jai-Alai. If you are already upset that they demolished that Building, just imagine what I felt as a proud Manila born kid. I always passed by the Jai alai going to UST every day while riding a Jeepney along taft Avenue. So again my wild imagination always comes into play when ever I am stuck in traffic. Then one day I was shock when I saw it crumbling down like it was hit by an earthquake from then on I saw it slowly getting demolished day by day. Sorry very long post. Its not too often I get to share these to people who understands and share the interest in history.
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Post by okla on Dec 30, 2012 23:56:11 GMT 8
Hey Darth....It's true that I have been bitten by the PI Bug, lo these many years. I followed the Bataan/Corregidor saga as an elementary schoolboy and my addiction has multiplied over the following years. I have tried to familiarize myself with your country, its history, geography,etc to any extent that was and is possible. I think I may have mentioned to you, in the past, that I even tried to swing an assignment to Clark Field back in 1953 when I was slated to return to the US after pulling my hitch in Korea. That little deal fell thru, much to my regret That was my only shot at visiting the Philippines, so I will just have to depend on folks like Fots, Battery Boy, yourself, and others to keep my "habit" fed. History lurks around every corner over there and I so envy you good folks being able to wallow in it on a daily basis. One of my cousins landed at Leyte in 1944 and followed up with the Lingayen invasion and the liberation of Luzon before being wounded on Okinawa, so I feel that my family has a wee bit invested in the Republic of the Philippines and am proud of that fact. I will continue to learn as much as is possible about your nation and its history, especially the Bataan/Corregidor campaign. It never gets old, but I confess that I am still trying to change the final 1942 outcome. That relief Task Force just has to appear, coming around the Batangas headlands, riding to the rescue before General King is forced to meet with General Homma.
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