There is something about bridges that enthralls my spirit. Perhaps, it is the lofty feeling of soaring above ground for a moment's glimpse of the cityscape. It might also be the idea of being removed from one world to another, such in the case of crossing the Del Pan Bridge from the slums of Tondo to the tourist havens of Intramuros and beyond.
I have always been drawn to river crossings as a kid. I grew up in a neighborhood a few blocks away from the Nagtahan Bridge. Once or twice, my dad and I used to walk until our feet carried us to the bridge's crest. On top, we watched barges pulled by sturdy tugboats pass under. I also recall the undeniable relief of seeing the jeep I used to ride get pass Plaza Miranda and on to Quezon Bridge. The snarling traffic and urban chaos of Quiapo giving way to the evergreens and wide open spaces of Lawton has always been a refreshing sight.
It was a tip from Discreet Manila that brought me to Rockwell. When the nerdy gentleman had told me that a bridge was being constructed there, the pathfinder in me vowed to see the structure before it opens to sedans and SUVs. But news of its inauguration came as a complete surprise. Its roads were paved before I could step foot and gloat about my discovery.
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| Rockwell - Barangka Bridge |
The bridge, known for the streets it connects spans the mighty Pasig River. It separates the cities of Makati and Mandaluyong at the heart of Rockwell Center. The two-lane river crossway boasts of a truss design. While considered diminutive in comparison with the timeless Ayala Bridge in Quiapo, the new bridge serves as a shortcut to the central business district, while easing the bottleneck forming along Makati Avenue during rush hours.
Much can be said about this arch of minimalistic creation, but I will leave the striking details for fellow sojourners to explore. Look for the behemoth across the river. The nostalgic reminder of Mandaluyong's industrial center will be gone soon.
The country's tallest skyscraper casts its long shadow over the river's southern bank. Its modular rooms will soon become homes to the country's moneyed elite.
Learn, how the bridge could be accessed from Boni Avenue. It might be a long walk from the main street, but the view from the bridge on a quiet late afternoon is rewarding.
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| Rockwell Center |
Finally, put yourself in the shoes of a hovel dweller living along the riverbank's northern edge. How does it feel to have the opulence and decadence of a world far away, just a bridge crossing from a home that will soon be no more?