SNAPS

First impressions, harsh realities

Raffy Ayeng · Sep 28, 2026, 1:57 AM

FROM crowded streets to quiet monuments, Delhi reveals itself in contrasts — chaotic, colorful and alive at every turn.

Never in my life did I imagine setting foot in India, a country I knew mostly through Miss Universe and other international pageants.

Coming to India offered a mixed experience — uneasy, irritated and curious. The noise on the aircraft was overwhelming, while the unfamiliar smell added to the discomfort.

At the airport, Filipino journalists covering President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s participation in the 18th BRICS Summit were confronted by a diplomat who claimed we were in the wrong immigration lane. Philippine Embassy personnel eventually helped us through.

Things improved at The Park Hotel in New Delhi, where the staff’s warm welcome made us feel at home.

Outside, I was surprised to see monkeys freely roaming the streets and trees, along with huge stray dogs I jokingly called “AsIn,” or “Asong Indian.”

Locals even have designated areas where food is left for dogs, something that pleased me as a fur parent.

Delhi is a city constantly on the move. Vehicles, including tuk-tuks, crowd the roads, with drivers frequently using their horns.

FROM crowded streets to quiet monuments, Delhi reveals itself in contrasts — chaotic, colorful and alive at every turn.

JOURNALISTS share a moment with Malacañang spokesperson Claire Castro (third from left).

But Delhi’s biggest challenge was impossible to miss: air pollution.

The city’s skyline was often hazy, making it difficult to see landmarks such as Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of India’s president. The pollution reflects the environmental pressures brought by rapid economic growth and a population of more than 1.5 billion.

Delhi is a city constantly on the move. Vehicles, including tuk-tuks, crowd the roads, with drivers frequently using their horns. Pedestrians, meanwhile, often have to fend for themselves.

As for the food, I am not a fan. That’s all I can say.

I did not get to see the Taj Mahal, more than six hours from Delhi, but I was grateful to experience New Delhi and add another stamp to my passport.

India’s massive infrastructure, including the Indira Gandhi International Airport, reflects its ambitions.

With proper regulation and attention to its environmental problems, India can go far. But it must also protect the air its more than 1.5 billion people — including about 1,500 Filipinos — breathe every day.