Motoring in the Philippines, circa 1987

First of two parts

Thirty years ago, nighttime plane arrivals in Manila were marked by two distinct characteristics. One is that the Filipino captain will announce chirpily that you are landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The other is that, while hovering over Quezon City, Makati City, Pasay City and Parañaque City, you’d wonder; what happened to all the street lights? 1987 was just several months following Year Zero for the moribund and debt- ridden Philippine economy. But the gloom was more than brightened up by the unbounded enthusiasm and hope that the 1986 EDSA Revolt ushered. The nation was set to throw a big 18-hour program/ holy mass/marathon street party on EDSA come February 1987 to celebrate the first year anniversary of People Power. Party or no party though, the reality was that much of the country’s infrastructure were crumbling, crippled by debt defaults and rock- bottom international credibility. The peso was weak and so were exports, except for the exodus of talented professionals seeking opportunities abroad. For those who stayed, the hit Rick Astley songs (“Never Gonna Give You Up,” “Together Forever”) were apropos.

But then the Filipinos are a hardy bunch, getting things done even with a dearth of resources was never impossible. Gasoline ( leaded) was available from the big and only three companies; Shell, Petron and Caltex. The roads were still there. Vacation and fun destinations, near or far, were alive and kicking. For the right price and from a severely curtailed menu, new cars were available.