Kenneth Whiting (AV 14) - Naval Cruise Book

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WE TOURED THE CITY A stone gate-house guard- ing one of the entrances to dungeons. Typical Filipino lass. AND MET THE PEOPLE A place out of the sun.

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The new and ultra-modern University of Manila. The B . - . - . .;;:ppines. Rare. War ii, 11 iius Leeri completely restoieu impression of living in a small town. Social habits and dress are sophisticated, society is cosmopolitan. Filipinos in Manila wear western clothes almost exclusively and almost all speak English. Although evidences of the heavy destruction of World War II are everywhere visible, the city is for the most part reconstructed. There is, however, a severe housing shortage. Shacks and lean-to ' s (barong barong) without plumbing serve as shelters for vast numbers of people. But Filipinos have the highest standard of liv- ing and the highest rate of literacy in the Orient. A land where sobriety is a virtue, most of the people lead a simple agricultural life. Only a small percentage is employed in industry. Class distinctions are very marked, with the great masses of farmers belonging to the lower class. The middle class is small and is com- posed of government workers, teachers and professional workers. The upper class is com- prised of large landowners and wealthy mer- chants. As an expedient though, seemingly everyone has pitched in on the job of rebuilding the war- torn damage, and in most quarters the barriers of class distinction has been lowered some- what. Downtown Manila, trees have recently been planted along Dewey Boulevard, and it will eventually be a shady bayside drive. But the one outstanding attractive feature of the city is Manila Bay. Rimmed by low hills and islands flooded with frequent flambuoyant sun- sets, it spreads from the horizons of the Bay across the city to the eastern hills. Although we had only a six-day stay, many of us made friends there. And getting to know these friendly but fiery people, it isn ' t difficult to understand their almost neurotic zest for House of Parliament — This was headquarters for the General Staff during the Japanese occupation. There are still many horse-drawn taxis on the streets of Manila.

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SCENES INSIDE THE WALLED CITY ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL OF MANILA — First built in 1582, it has withstood typhoons, lire and earthquake — not to mention wars. The center of the cross atop the front entrance is the reference point of all astronomical longitudes of the archipelago. freedom. The Portuguese navigator, Magellan, attempted to pick a prize plumb, but one of the island leaders, Lapulapu, amputated his giz- zard in short order. And during the three-year occupation by the Japanese during World War II, small bands of guerillas fought them to a standstill. When the North Korean Communists attacked South Korea, the Philippines was among the first of the member nations to ans- wer the call of the United Nations in repelling the invading forces. So when we moved out of the Bay and set our bearings for a second visit to Hong Kong, we said farewell to many good friends and staunch ally. And it ' s a safe bet that that proud, infant nation will grow into a powerful giant amongst its Oriental brothers. And it won ' t be long . . . ' cause the Filipinos are in a hurry.