After unruly fuss, 'Manila Bay Sands' lies empty in guarded desolation

After the fuss and the unruly excitement over the "Manila Bay Sands" public opening last week, the artificial white beach along the busy Roxas Boulevard on Sunday falls empty as Philippine Coast Guard patrol boats keep people away.

Photo by Danny Pata

Sunday's sight of the artificial beach was the complete opposite of the area's view on September 20, when the project was opened to the public.

The sheer excitement of seeing a white sand beach in Manila Bay's coastline prompted curious visitors to defy COVID-19 health protocols, which resulted in the suspension of a police official.

At the opening, the hullabaloo in the beach seemed to draw the attention of migratory egrets that came in a flock, and walked on the artificial sand.

Photo by Danny Pata

A day after Sept. 20,  Twitter screamed with hilarious memes showing popular showbiz people and ordinary citizens frolicking in beaches, juxtaposed with the now “iconic” crowded footbridge overlooking the "Manila Bay Sands" project. 

—with a report from Danny Pata/LBG, GMA News