My Filipino family had now left me alone for the first time. I was now sitting alone in my hotel in Manila, right in the heart of the infamous Pasay.

I naively booked the hotel based off a suggestion before actually knowing the reputation of this area of Metro Manila.

Despite its convenient location in the heart of Manila; it quickly became apparent to me that I was right in the centre of the chaos. The hotel, framed by two train lines, major roadways, jeepney stops and a sea of fast food stores, bars and clubs running all night.

It is 24/7 chaos on the streets of Pasay.

I arrived at the hotel late in the evening. Before leaving the condo I was staying in with my family, I had to take care of a mirror I broke the previous week. I was putting on a shirt; I managed to swing my arm right into the mirror somehow splitting it in half.

After taking care of business at the condo l still had some other errands to run before I was able to check-in at the hotel. But after a long day, I was finally there relaxing in my room.

Venturing into the heart of Pasay

It was not long after my check-in that I started to experience intense food cravings.

After taking my bags to my room, my mind instantaneously turned to wanting to search for good food. From what I had briefly seen as I arrived at the hotel, I knew I was in proximity to what seemed like every popular fast-food chain operating in The Philippines.

To give you an idea of the level of fast food available in this area lets think of Chow King, as it’s no secret that this is a popular chain within the country.

In this area of Pasay, Chow King is so prevalent; I had the choice of no less than four different stores to choose from; all within minutes of the hotel lobby.

I could stand out the front of one of the Chow King stores and see another further down the road. This is just one fast food chain of many in the area.

So I took the plunge and ventured out late at night into the streets beneath the MRT. 

Who knew going for a walk to get fast food could make you feel so vulnerable. This particular area of Pasay had a particularly seedy feel to it. The combination of SOGO styled hotels, the cities poor sleeping outside of the bus terminals, and the numerous late night bars in Pasay did a lot to add to this impression.

The City of Pasay has something to offer

I was repeatedly told not to walk around late at night by my family. I had been told stories of muggings, pickpockets and murders frequently occurring in the area. The situation instilled fear in my mind, making me feel anxious about being out at night.

After spending my life in a quiet, sheltered city, I grew to love the feeling of being somewhere like Pasay; soaking in that sense of being surrounded by a mild anarchy.

It created a kind of yin and yang experience for me. My safe, ordered life was finally balanced by being in an entirely alien situation; faced with the uncertainty of how the events will play out.

This is a manifestation of novelty in my life. Some people prefer the same old thing, day after day. Others love, even crave new situations, events and experiences. It’s just how our biological self reacts to novelty.