There's no rhyme or reason in the design of Metro Manila's footbridges. Some are made of metal and some of concrete, some are pre-fabricated and others are built on the spot, some are roofed and some not, and most have the yickiest paint colors I have ever seen. This is a relatively decent-looking bridge and is one of two which crosses
Katipunan Avenue from the
Ateneo de Manila University. It is usually free of graffiti because university personnel immediately paint them over—the school doesn't bother waiting for the
barangay, city or the
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority because they'll take forever. An attempt to prettify the bridge with plant boxes is only partially successful. Several years ago, a big row between the university and one of those government units (I don't remember which) ensued over the government's plan to lease billboard space on the bridge. The university argued that a billboard would hide pedestrians (mostly students) from view and may compromise their safety. The university won and the billboard wasn't installed, but the frame, which was already built, was never dismantled. If you look closely, you can still see it on the left side. In the next two days, I'll show you the two stores at the end of the bridge.
The Rama IX Bridge over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand is named after King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He is known as Rama IX and is Thailand's longest-reigning monarch, having occupied the throne since 1946. The Chao Phraya is one of Thailand's major rivers, and in English, it is called the River of Kings. The bridge was built in 1984–1987, and was renamed during King Bhumibol's 60th birthday in 2006.
