The Sta. Mesa Motel Belt: Romance in a Quickie

There is a joke that the Earth shakes on Valentine’s Day. For us living near the Sta. Mesa motel belt in Metro Manila, we probably experience a stronger earthquake intensity.

In most households in the Philippines, having a culture of extended families commonly living under one roof, married couples sometimes lack private places at home. At night, parents often sleep next to their children in one room, so for some romantic time together they check-in at a motel.

These are not the usual motels where you check-in after a long travel or road trip. These were created for quickies or short-time stay, 3 hours minimum. Occupying three major roads, these motels can easily be seen by people riding public transportation. Mention the place Stop and Shop or Sta. Mesa in a group conversation and someone will surely giggle and laugh because motels or “mot-mots” as they are also called locally will probably be on their mind.

The rates vary from hours of stay, time, and if you are occupying a taxi or garage room. They are actually inexpensive and from what I heard, clean.

Some are like drive-through motels. The taxi enters the place, you go out, and the driver exits the other street.

There are times when the staff gives out discount cards (only to adults, of course) at the sidewalk near their motels. So you must keep an eye out for them if you want to get a discount. But there are some lodges that accept discount cards regardless if they are from other motels.

Love month or not, lovers will probably be checking in at one of these motels and lodges in Sta. Mesa and I hope they will be spending the romantic night together with their legal partner.

This is a submission from Community Member icuresick.

written by icuresick on 2012-07-09 #places #location #motel #motels #quickie #night-on-the-town #sta-mesa #short-time #motmot #drivethru