Commuters and the Manila City Hall clock tower as seen on the left.

On March 28, 2007, this very scene became what authorities claimed as a day of shame for Manila in the eyes of the world.
"Civil engineer Armando "Jun" Ducat, 56, armed with two grenades, an Uzi machine pistol and a .45 caliber pistol, held 32 pre-school children and
their teachers in a bizarre hostage-taking drama wherein he demanded better housing and education for the same children whose lives he endangered..." http://www.philstar.com/philstar/show_content.asp?article=309233 (Evelyn Macairan for The Philippine Star, 03/29/2007)