The month
of June was a good time to visit Shanghai. The sprawling World Expo complex there is as large as the territory of Makati I’m told. This being the case, there’s a lot of outdoor strolling to be done. For many visitors, several days will be required just to see the best among the exhibits. Bili and Oni did exactly that during their 4-day visit. After days of walking the Expo expanse, Oni's weary legs confirm the adage that people should travel when they are young. Nonetheless, and especially with help from CAFA stalwarts Nore and Didi (who are temporary residents in Shanghai), they savored many of what the Expo had to offer.The facilities showed country exhibits and technical exhibits. The country exhibits emphasized natural resources and the spirit of people. The technical exhibits showcased the new urbanism movement and sustainable development theme. The exhibits utilized the latest in high-tech materials, gadgets and presentation systems. 4D projections (dizzying surround screens including ceilings and floors) were common place and interactive touch screen panels amused the audience no end. The USA show even had sense surround effects (strategic speakers, seat shaking and water droplets). These effects embellished the USA appeal for a more environmentally responsible world. Particularly impressive was the US cinematography that successfully integrated humor and theme.
The Philippine pavilion meanwhile emphasized the country’s musicality if not its many tourism sites. The design of the pavilion integrated three separate performing stages. On cue and following each other's performance, different artists took turns ‘rocking and jazzing up’ visitors. (If the CAFASingers had been there, they might have squeezed in a ‘Tennessee Babe’ or two as guest performers). Travel Café, the accredited food emporium within the pavilion, dished out their tested Pinoy fare to the crowd. The pancit and turron were a favorite of the mainly Chinese customers. Didi had his hands full attending not only to the logistics of the store but also acting at times as floor manager assisting customers. At one point, Didi was observed admonishing someone who sat was hogging the limited seating without ordering anything.
The special support by Nore and Didi to their visiting Pinoy friends made the visit all worthwhile. Not only were they able to procure the special VIP passes that enabled their friends to enter pavilions without hassle but they also acted as tour guides for shopping in the city. Bili and Oni had not planned on shopping this trip. However, the ridiculously low prices in the stores (especially after haggling) got them into it. One cannot be too careful in haggling. Nore thought she had quoted a riduculously low price (on something she didn't really need) and got the surpirse of her life when the salesgirl accepted her bid. Clothes, bags, trinkets, eyewear, electronic – you name it – it was there. How can one resist buying a bargain branded clothing (about half the price of Greenhills) that became even more of a bargain when you buy three of them?
Shanghai’s infrastructure and private buildings are impressive. With 20M inhabitants, Shanghai has about double the population of Metro Manila. On the basis of the visitors to the Expo (mostly locals), the people have shown purchasing power and manifested great curiosity. Even to afford the 150 Yuan entrance fee per day (more than P1k?) means that many are gainfully employed. Many owned cameras that they used to click away with at most anything. An interesting trivia are the cucumber wholes sticking out of their knapsacks that they munch as merienda .
Due to the limited time, Oni and Bili were just able to go to retail stores in the Nanjing and Science Fair area (outside Expo). In these places, the bargain prices and wide range of the latest in products rivals the HK appeal that enjoins shoppers. The mainland Chinese have clearly come a long way. They are now beginning to embrace the free market system that should make them live up to the world’s economic expectations from them. To feel this phenomenon better, you must try to go to China.
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