The surface of the counter is smoothened before applying paint.
The last time I went to Manila was 7 years ago. I was really amazed with the increase of new rise buildings around Makati, Greenhills, Pasig etc. Some streets are kept clean now. Road smoking,littering and jay-walking restrictions are now implemented around the city. Although there's still traffic, road widening projects were completed at some parts of Quezon City and further are now on the process around the city. I hope those projects would lessen traffic on Manila in the near future.