IT'S FRIDAY, I MUST BE IN ZARAGOZA

Barcelona would be a tough act to follow for any city. Fortunately for Zaragoza, it was gifted a big coming out party, and literally the whole world was invited.

"Why thank you, 'Z' ”, I said to no one in particular. “I’d love to come. I’m sure I’ll enjoy your nice, relaxing city, get some work done, visit the Expo, maybe even get rid of some these Gaudi voices in my hea…shut up, Mosaic Boy! Shut Up!”

The City

Zaragoza seemed like a simpler, more easygoing kind of place, with a heartland feel to it. Everyone, of course, was gearing up for Expo 2008, but some heavy rains made the river that ran through city turn brown and overflow its banks - washing away the area reserved for the Expo's opening ceremony in the process. BTW, the theme of Expo 2008? "Water Resource Development". What's Spanish for "irony"?

Plaza del Pilar, the tremendous city center. I can't recall seeing a bigger plaza anywhere else. It's framed by a Basilaca and City Hall to the left, a Cathedral at the far end, an artsy fountain at the near end, and shops and restaurants to the right. Happily, for all those birds, not much pigeon poop.

Basilica of Nuestra Senyora del Pilar. Intricately beautiful and absolutely HUGE -- imposing even from far away. It also displays a Philippine flag inside (so maybe my church singing will finally be appreciated here).

La Seo Cathedral, at the far end of the plaza. Fascinating interplay of different architectural styles. Each section distinct, yet did not clash with or overwhelm the others.

(Was that actually a mature, well-developed insight? What's happening to me?)

(giggle)



(hehe good to be back =)






The Expo








Next day, we get to go inside the Expo and open the Philippine pavillon. A lot of finishing touches were still being put up around the whole Expo as we arrived, but overall the place still exuded a fun diversi-national (I'm copyrighting that!) vibe.

I've never been to any sort of international expo in my life, yet there was an undeniable familiarity to the whole set-up. It's basically a taste of a lot of different things in one go; a school fair on steroids. But instead of tin booths, you have these expensive, elaborate pavillons, and facades where you can tell the geeks from the artistes. Some countries show photo-collages . . .

...others go with understated messages...







...or put national symbols of beauty upfront...






...or even go interactive (visitors have to roll the cylinders before entering).

But - in all honesty and homerism aside - I can say with a great deal of pride: quite simply, no pavillon could match the Philippine pavillion facade.

For we had what no other pavillon had.

We had . . .

Filipo the Butanding!!!!!!






OH, HELL YEAH!!!!!

Remember those old "Blue Magic" stores in SM? That's what the inside of the Philippine pavillon felt like. Any surfer dude who stumbles in would probably go "Whoooooaaaaaa, look at all the pretty bubbles"

Those "bubbles", mind you, are actually cool videos of Philippine marine environments . . .

...and Friends of Filipo.

Speaking of Filipo, he was downright adorable outside (I don't think he's allowed inside). Whenever some directionless tourist would meander nearby, Filipo would waddle over and happily point his stubby little fin downward, as if to say "Here? You want to visit here, maybe?"

And, of course, the tourists did.

You go, Filipo!!!

(And take that, Mosaic Boy!)