First, it was the dolomite beach. Now, the ongoing reclamation projects have people concerned — and angry — about the changes happening along Manila Bay.
A photo of the overlooking view from Sofitel Manila has people bothered after its famous poolside view, popular among guests and tourists for the sunset views of the bay, showed a significant portion of land now covering its waters.
“I teared up when I saw this. Goodbye sunset weddings and sunset drinks by the pool,” Reddit user u/djhotpink shared on the social network.
“Just look at all the reclamation projects here. In the near future the entire Manila Bay will be covered in land,” u/poroporopoi said.
“I am getting worried about what we keep doing to Manila Bay. Reclaiming land from the sea is such an arrogant endeavor for mankind. Nature has a way of fighting back, and it’s never pretty,” u/thebreakfastbuffet said.
“Still don’t understand why the government [won’t] start moving out of Metro Manila,” u/Abangerz said, similar to how Indonesia has started moving its capital to Nusantara.
“Why would they decentralize Manila, it’s a more sensible idea. It’s not worth the government’s time to work on sensible things,” u/GuessTraining chimed in.
While the image of this spoiled hotel view can be sobering for those seeing the photo online, this is hardly the first time concerns about ruining Manila Bay and its famed sunset view have surfaced. In November, lawmakers raised alarm over 19 reclamation projects being carried out in the bay.