Before Everything Else, For The Third Time

It is with extreme pleasure that I introduce myself once again, and my new blog, Manila And Beyond.

I go by the web name Marika. It is a name that I have been using for more than ten years. Marika happens to be the author of Trash Radio Manila, a blog which talks about one of my biggest passions in life, music.

To people whom I have the chance of meeting in real life, I am Gigi. As Gigi, I do The Last Song Syndrome, a blog that talks more about my views on life, career, and aspirations, and as such may be referred to by most as "personal". Being "personal" is something that I try so much to exercise with caution, i.e., being able to express my sentiments minus the sentimentality, and hopefully TLSS has reflected that effort.

My new blog, Manila And Beyond, is borne out of a desire to show Manila through my eyes. I was born in the heart of Manila, along Blumentritt St. to be more precise, technically making me a true-blooded Manila girl. I may have traveled considerably, but Manila will always be my home. Manila And Beyond is also the result of requests from a number of friends who are mostly based overseas, as they would like an idea or two of how it is like to live in Manila.

[This blogsite is still an infant, and it will be changing formats in the weeks to come, so I ask for your patience.]

Manila And Beyond will be a collection of thoughts on survival in the Manila jungle. A lot of elements about Manila will be infused - daily living, places, current issues, nostalgia - as well as insights on travels outside of Manila. (The latter will still qualify, because this is considered an experience peculiar to a native Manileña.) Manila, like I always say, is a place that I both love and hate (making me a reluctant Manila girl) but will always call my home.

Thus, I would really love to have you around here, walk with me, eat with me, travel with me, have fun and take part in my experiences as a reluctant Manila girl, here on Manila and beyond.

Join me in my journey. You are welcome anytime. :)