La Vie En Rose

Malate is back to its chic, flamboyant, and eclectic bohemian self. Particularly in the Nakpil-Orosa area, it's shed its old skin, boasting of a new cluster of establishments. Those that count, we dare say, are French Bistro The Blue Frog, gay-proud clothes, books, and adult novelty item store, Pride Exchange, and gay/lesbian-friendly La-di-da, which opened only last week. Add Fidel, and the list is nearly complete.

Six months ago, we feared Malate's untimely demise as the Queen of the Scene. Before then, and in the months to follow, the Verve Room, Matina, Café Caribana, Matina, Kemistry, and Pepe and Pilar had closed, their replacements uncertain. The others forged on, despite the downturn in the economy, and the onslaught of a crowd less appreciative of Malate's bohemian soul, seeking inexpensive beer and "standard" entertainment.

The mainstream establishments

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