Traffic Lights, atbp.

I just made a drive around the city, looking for things new, a pinch to myself and notice to the world that Tacloban is inertia on the run, that stimuli, in the form of economic and political forces, is bringing growth and welcome changes.

First stop is literally that, a traffic stop, as the much-awaited traffic lights are now up and operational in major intersections of the city. For sometime now people had been wondering whether the derailed project would ever be finished as the metal posts stood incomplete without its red, green and yellow lights in the city streets, that is until about two weeks ago. After a delay of almost six years and with all legal kinks ironed out, motorists will now be greeted at the intersections of Real St. and Avenida Veteranos; Real and Independencia Sts.; and J. Romualdez and del Pilar Sts. by these tri-colored computerized director of traffic and pedestrian flow. It has since ensured the smooth stream of traffic with pedestrians and motorists alike most cooperative. I like this a lot, the hubby commenting that now errant drivers no longer rule the streets. After all, who could argue with a red light?


Traffic lights on intersection of Paterno and Justice Sts.

But that is not the only sign of progress for this Waray capital of Eastern Visayas. Just by the outskirts of the city, in Brgy. Marasbaras, men are working round the clock to meet a December deadline in finishing the first ever, true blue and honest to goodness mall in the city. Yes, folks, Robinsons Corp. of the Gokongweis has decided to include the city in its expansion plans and have placed their money where there mouth is by building the gargantuan Robinson’s Mall of Tacloban City. Reports has it that the two-story structure includes a food square, a grocery, stores for tenants and one or two (or is it three?) movie theaters (yippeeee!). The latter is what I’m eagerly awaiting for: fully air-conditioned and as clean as its counterparts in Manila. Now I truly have a place to go to watch all those favorite movies of mine without the usual unwanted companions, the sudlot (bed bugs). If we go by the December timetable, then there’s also the possibility that we will be able to watch the latest of the Harry Potter series which is set for a November playdate this year (Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince) in air-conditioned comfort of the mall!!!.

And what would be better after watching your favorite movie than dropping by the Tacloban City Convention Center to have your pick from a score of dining establishments encircling the auditorium? You have a choice of burgers from “Porbida”; pizza and pasta from “Canto Fresco” and an array of Filipino dishes from “Ramos” place to name just a few. Slowly Taclobanons have discovered this fine dining row judging from the rows of cars lining its parking lots at night. No, smooching inside the cars is not allowed.