A Beautyful Lyfe: Manila Sunsets

Much has been said about the spectacular sunsets of Manila but not many of the city's residents get to see it. I, myself, rarely had the experience of witnessing sunsets in Manila since I went to university. Just like everybody else, I got caught up in the hustle and bustle of growing up into adulthood and almost always was indoors when nature's spectacle unfolded.

As a small child, I had a lot of opportunity to spend early evenings along the boulevard by the bay when my family lived a few blocks away and I recall seeing fiery sunsets with the mountains of Bataan framing the entire canvas. What made it even more interesting was the clear outline of the cross atop Mt. Samat that could be clearly seen in the distance.

Manila sunset framed by the mountains of Bataan in the distance.

Sunsets have been associated with dispositive notions such as "sunset of one's life" or, "sunset industry;" all indicating situations of decline. Manila's sunsets are of such spectacular beauty that they are uplifting to the spirit and exhibit the omnipotent power of nature; it evokes very strong emotions and feelings of wonderment as it unfolds before one's eyes.

Rediscovering Manila sunsets, it now holds for me a far different meaning. It signals a celebration of wonderful times and a promise of even greater things in the future; it seems that a Greater Power is capping a great day with such blazing glory just like we mortals mark success with a grand celebration.

The magnificence of Manila's sunsets also makes me think why Mother Nature has chosen Manila as a place for such an amazing show every single opportunity it has. We have been rewarded with such beauty and yet, we hardly ever notice it while trudging on with the drudgery of life.

It will be worthwhile to take a pause and bask in the wonderful glow of the sunsets on display in Nature's Manila canvas. For once, allow yourselves to be assaulted and be enraptured by its beauty!