Ulog #1: Working on a Philippine Public Holiday

_{"Everyone Deserves A Break" graffiti at an underpass in Makati CBD}

_{This is my first Ulog entry which is another awesome initiative by @surpassinggoogle. As this blog is about U and me, I will record my typical life here in the Philippines. So anything goes!}

Today is a public holiday in the Philippines due to the Baranggay and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth leaders) Elections. The baranggay is the smallest local government unit here, and a baranggay captain and councilors are chosen to overlook the villages or neighborhood.

However, I have to work today because my stakeholders are in Sydney. I don't usually work on a holiday but this week happened to be a busy one.

Makati Becomes a Ghost Town

_{"Empty" Ayala Avenue Southbound}

Makati is infamous for its horrible traffic especially on Mondays and Fridays. Taxi drivers will complain and even refuse to take you when they hear the word Makati, they're allergic to it on certain hours. Whil3 carpooling prices are usually double the usual rate or more.

I can't blame Makati because it is the leading Central Business District in Metro Manila. The city has just grown to be more densely populated as it progressed. That's why to see a few cars or none is a refreshing sight on a Monday.

_{Makati Stock Exchange on the left and Ayala Avenue}

_{Taken the following day. The normal workday.}

I enjoyed walking with less pollution because there were only a few cars on the road. The air felt different, somewhat fresher. On a regular workweek, this roads would look like a parking lot during rush hour with several drivers impatiently honking. Noise pollution!

_{Ayala Avenue corner Paseo De Roxas}

_{Taken the following day. After rush hour traffic}

I arrived at the office with only a few staff present which made it even better! I am not antisocial but I am introverted when it comes to work. It would also be easier to concentrate with no one asking questions or anything.

Lunchbreak Cheatday at Jollibee

_{That big cute bee 😍}

I love Jollibee! It's the leading fastfood chain here in the Philippines. It's so popular that it survived even when McDonald's came to the Philippines. I guess the bee stung the clown 😉

_{This bee is everywhere}

Unfortunately, I am not allowed to eat fastfood and processed food due to my thyroid illness. I have been craving for Jollibee for weeks though after seeing another heartbreaking Jollibee commercial. They like making people cry because we are an emotional nation. Those commercials with the one that got away, or parents leaving kids are a hit because it hits our hearts. #hugot

Since most stores are closed today, I have an excuse to eat Jollibee because it's open today. Yay!

_{That looks a lot but I took home the Jolly hotdog 😁}

I ordered Spicy Chickenjoy with Jolly Spaghetti (also good with rice) and Jolly Hotdog. All these cost a total of Php 149 or approximately USD 2.80.

I'm happy with the price but what made me sad is the fact that healthier food is much more expensive here in Makati. It's as if being healthy is just for the rich. A salad of that plate size would cost me double here. And even if I prepare it myself, it is still more costly than junk food. I still try to eat healthy though.

Anyway, I just stopped thinking about it and enjoyed my cheat day! I have non-Filipino readers so I'll make a mini review of each.

_{Disclaimer: This is not a paid review. I'm just one of the millions of Pinoys who take a photo of their food to post online}

The Jolly Spaghetti is a Pinoy-style spaghetti. Anyone who hasn't tried this will be surprised because it's nothing like the usual sour spaghetti. Our spaghetti is sweet, it still has that tomato taste but sweeeeet. It's also very meaty with ground meat and hotdogs. This reminds me of the spaghetti served at kiddie birthdays here.

One of my favorite food in Jollibee is the Chickenjoy! It's a happy chicken I guess. The skin is so tasty and crispy and the meat is so juicy. I had the spice one and it's tolerable for someone like me who isn't used to too spicy food.

This is also my favorite when I was a kid. The hotdog is topped with lots of cheese, tomato ketchup and mustard. But I already had too much food and I took the this home.

Now back to work...

After Office

_{I just had to take a photo of this graffiti up close because... MOON}

It was the same pleasant walk back home. I am really enjoying Makati without the urban chaos. I find myself alone in these underpasses where you usually have to walk fast because of people on the rush to work or going home.

Before going home, I decided to pass by Ayala Triangle park. This is just in the middle of the Central Business District where workers go for a run after work.

Nothing unusual except this odd detached stairs. So curious me went nearer to inspect.

Both sides still look like stairs but wait til you see the other end.

Tah-dah! It's a mini library!

No one guards the place and they have some house rules posted. I think this is pretty cool that it's based on trust!

It says that this is a Book Project where you can exchange your books to what's on the shelves. You can also borrow one and read it at the park. I will have to go back here when I have more time and when it's not so hot. It would be nice to sit on those stairs and read. 🤓

That ends my public holiday today. I realized that I enjoyed working on a day like this. I might do this more when permitted and just take another day off as Time In Lieu while everyone else works.

It's already midnight here as I post this so good night, Steemians.