When I say I'm weirded out in Manila, take it as a compliment. It means I am pleasantly surprised. My friends from all over are always surprised -- not pleasantly, I must point out -- whenever I say (Metro) Manila is my favorite place. I don't bother to explain the reason why: Manila has a high weird-me-out quality. Here are some proofs: Manila is drowning in a clutter of red-hot texts, all competing for your short attention span. (Pasay Rotunda, EDSA)