I'm impressed. I may not be a fan of Manila Mayor Erap Estrada, but I am totally impressed at what his administration has done with the Lacson Underpass. There have been multiple attempts to upgrade this area over the last two to three decades. Once upon a time, it was not only scary but dangerous to pass here. Too many petty criminals and pickpockets. The first attempt was only mildly successful, although one bank did put up a branch there. Now, the place looks like a typical mall. Start with the entrances. They're all guarded with glass doors. Head down stairs and the first thing you will notice is the air-conditioning. Cool, huh? Then there are the various stores, most of which will be familiar to mall rats like me. Sure, it's the usual stalls and food kiosks. But to see them here in Quiapo is a most pleasant surprise. Oh, yes. There are the toilets. They're clean, too. Unlike before when you had to pay a few pesos to use the mostly dirty and smelly toilets, today's underpass toilets are not only clean, they're free as well. I have no idea why it's called the Victory Lacson Underpass, but it doesn't matter. I hope that the next administrations of the City of Manila can maintain this place. For now, my hats off to the local government of the capital city of the Philippines for the remarkable job they did in transforming this underpass. read more