Here are places where you may probably find these cute critters — if they were in the Philippines. We’ll focus first on the the first 152 Pokémon so that we won’t disorient the millennials of the 90’s who have loved them before and then forgot about them after puberty arrived.

[Note: All animated GIFs sourced from pldh.net]

CAMANAVA

The combined cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela (CAMANAVA) could probably be the answer to all your water-type Pokémon needs if you’re just here in Metro Manila. A sizeable percentage of these cities has elevations below sea level. That’s why it makes sense to put a fish port in Navotas.

And now that it’s the rainy season, you don’t even need to go out to sea to catch them. Just wait for a strong typhoon or torrential rains and water-type Pokémon such as Horsea, Seaking, Goldeen, Staryu, Lapras and Shellder may come flooding in quite a number of streets in CAMANAVA.

Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal)

This place has so many names even if it is not an island, technically. The West Philippine Sea hides and engulfs this shoal on normal days when the tide is high. But the Chinese Coast Guard was really wearing their game face as they drove Filipino fishermen and our news teams during our visit in the disputed territory on July 21, 2016.

It’s possible they may be guarding a precious secret in this shoal. I’m thinking it’s a bevy of Magikarp that may soon evolve into their dominant Gyarados forms. After all, the Gyarados looks like a Chinese dragon. Sea superiority!

Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Last July 19, we received reports of flight delays because of damages to the runway of NAIA. Beyond the usual wear and tear, I fear the authorities may not be telling us the entire situation. It’s quite probable there are huge bird-type Pokémon like Pidgeot and Fearow nesting in the runway. Tough luck for Filipino trainers out there because you would need a high-level security clearance to reach the runway. Even journalists have to coordinate in advance before we can enter these important installations.

At least, there’s hope that you can catch them flying around together with the airplanes.

The Streets of Metro Manila

Sadly, if you try to play Pokémon Go at night, you may probably encounter a lot of these ghost-type Pokémon such as Gastly, Haunter and Gengar. Here’s hoping there are no cardboards attached to them referring to them as drug pushers. Hindi naman sila nanlaban.

The Home of Your Ex

Likely, there is an ice-type Pokémon near a former lover whose feelings have gone cold on you.

If you’re looking for an excuse to visit the house of your ex, just say the app brought you there and that you’re just trying to catch the ice/psychic Pokémon Jynx. No malice. (But it’s okay to admit to yourself that you just want to catch his or heart back).

Take all these with a grain of salt. If you have ideas for hotspots in the Philippines where you can find Pokémon, tell us and we may include you in the 2nd Edition. But before anything else, safety first! When playing this game, do not commit trespassing, and look both ways when you cross the street. Enjoy!

[Entry 158, The SubSelfie Blog]

About the Author:



Bam Alegre is the founder of SubSelfie.com and writes from time to time as a guest contributor. He is a News Reporter for GMA News (2012) and a Special Lecturer for the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of the East (2015). He was also part of the team that won GMA News the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award for the news coverage of super typhoon Yolanda (2013). Previously, he worked behind the scenes as a Segment Producer for State of the Nation with Jessica Soho and 24 Oras (2009-2012). He is also the vocalist, pianist and guitarist of the band No Parking (2005). BA Broadcast Communication 2007, UP Diliman. Read more of his articles here.