Here's a fresh, new entry! Minsan lang to haha. I am just so excited to share with all of you how fruitful and amazing my Sunday last week was. Spent that day learning about history, reliving the past, admiring world class architecture, re-igniting our love for the country and imagining how Manila once was. How? Well, when Carlos Celdran announced on Facebook that he'll be doing an Escolta & Old Manila tour on a weekend, I knew I just had to be there. I've always been a huge fan of Carlos. I joined his Intramuros and Imelda tour before and they were such a huge hit. His storytelling skills' just phenomenal. Perfect din 'coz I had no ASAP that day (Mother ZsaZsa is leaving for New York to shoot their new teleserye) and my pulmonologist cleared me to leave the house again. I convinced my cousins, Nico, sis & bro-in-law to come too, so I had our slots reserved. Here are stories through photos!
Meet-up place was at El Hogar, a 102-year old beaux-arts style building, a majestic piece of architecture found at the corner of Calle Juan Luna & Muelle dela Industria facing Pasig River. It survived World War II and several earthquakes. Sadly, in this modern world, it might not survive from greedy businessmen or people who wants to tear it down. The tour was organized to raise awareness on the true state of our national treasures and heritage sites. It is a wake up call and a shout out to the government, to end the neglect and save places such as this. Places that were part of our history, and a part of who we are now as a country and a nation. As Carlos said during the tour, to make the invisible city visible.
Carlos gathered all of us in front of Polland. He gave us some background about Escolta and what's it like living here a century ago. He gave us a few minutes to roam around on our own, avail of the free hopia (and buy too!), and interact with fellow tour-ists.
Capitol Theater is an art deco building built in the 1930s, and designed with a double balcony by National Artist Juan Nakpil. During that time, architectures such as these were considered rare and difficult.
The Calvo Building, located on the corner of Escolta & Calle Soda, was built in 1938 by architects Tomas Arguelles and Fernando Ocampo. It was named after its wealthy owner, Dona Emiliana Mortera de Calvo. The building is an outstanding example of beaux-arts style architecture and the site where the famous & magnificent Crystal Arcade once stood. This is where GMA's DZBB-AM first held office. It now houses the Escolta Museum which contains memorabilia from the past. Wasn't able to go inside the building or check out the museum. Next time!:)
The Jones Bridge, formerly known as Puente de Espana (Bridge of Spain) or Puente Grande, is the first bridge ever built in the country in 1623. It was rebuilt by the Americans in 1916 and renamed after Atkinson Jones, a member of the U.S. Congress and chairman of the Insular Affairs Committee who sponsored the Philippine Autonomy Act in 1916. Jones Bridge was once hailed as Manila's queen of the bridges until it fell into neglect and disrepair in the 1980s. However, some partial restoration has preserved the elegance of its neoclassical architecture. It connects the Binondo/Chinatown/Escolta area to the center of Manila proper. (source: Wikimapia)
The Natividad, located along Escolta corner Calle Tomas Pinpin, is one of the most beautiful buildings along Escolta! It's amazing how it survived the war and seems to continually age gracefully. I cant believe that this building is more than a hundred years old!!! Just like Calvo Building, it is famous for its beaux-arts style architecture which originated from France. It was designed by Filipino-Spanish architect Fernando de la Cantera Blondeau.
The old Edificio Roxas on the corner of the Escolta and Calle Banquero facing Plaza Sta. Cruz. Photo taken sometime in 1905. (photo: http://arquitecturamanila.blogspot.com/)
One of the oldest buildings in Escolta & Manila is the The First United Building, formerly known and still commonly referred to as Perez-Samanillo Building. It is a beautiful Art Deco building on Escolta Street in Binondo designed by Andres Luna de San Pedro, the son of renowned painter Juan Luna. It was completed in 1928 and was known as one of the tallest building that time. It was once home to the famous Bergs department Store and is now being used commercially. It is also home now to the super hipster Saturday Market. :)
At the ground floor, on the right side, there's an entrance to an abandoned area or warehouse. This is now where the Saturday Market is held. Was lucky enough that day to catch the art exhibit inspired by the "I Love You" virus named “Escape 2016: I Love You Virus”. :)
Escolta Street facing west. Pre-WW2. Heacock's Department Store to the right. Burke Building on the right.
I learned from this tour how jeepneys came about! Did you know that they were actually US military jeeps left over from the war, sold to local Filipinos for P1 at that time? Since most of the trams and vehicles were destroyed during the war, Filipinos had to be resourceful and look for other modes of transportation. The surplus jeeps were refurbished & altered to fit more passengers, they added roof for shade, and then decorated them using vibrant colors and hood ornaments. Now, local factories produce modern jeepneys. :)
The Don Roman Santos Building is a Neoclassical building located along Escolta. It was built in 1894 and expanded in 1957. It fronts Plaza Lacson (formerly Plaza Goiti) which leads directly to Carriedo Street or to Rizal Avenue. The site has been the original offices for Monte de Piedad Savings Bank from 1894 to 1937. It then became an American Red Cross-operated hospital from 1945 to 1947 after which housed Prudential Bank and South Supermart. Currently, since 2005, the ground floor serves a branch for the Bank of the Philippine Islands. (source: Wikipedia)
Plaza Lacson, also known by its old name, Plaza (de) Goiti, is a public square in Santa Cruz, Manila. It is bounded by Plaza Santa Cruz and Escolta Street to the west, Carlos Palanca Street (formerly Echague Street) to the south, and Carriedo Street to the east. Originally named after Martin de Goiti, who founded the City of Manila in 1571, it was renamed by Mayor Lito Atienza in 2003 after Arsenio Lacson, who previously served as mayor of Manila from 1952 to 1962. (source: Wikipedia)
Carriedo Fountain (Spanish: Fuente Carriedo) was built in honor of the 18th-century Capitán General of Manila, Don Francisco Carriedo y Peredo, benefactor of Manila's pipe water system. It was moved three times before its current location at Plaza Santa Cruz, right in front of the Santa Cruz Church. It was built in 1882 as part of the Carriedo water works system, more famously known as Manila Waters or MWSS!
Monte de Piedad is considered the Philippines' first savings bank. Its original name in Spanish was Monte de Piedad y Caja de Ahorros, and had its first building on Plaza Goiti in Santa Cruz, Manila. The bank was instituted by Governor General Murillo and the Archbishop of Manila in 1882.
Ongpin is famous for its many Chinese herbal stores, restaurants, jewelry shops, bakeries and groceries. When I turned 11, my Mom gave me a pretty gold ring which we bought from Ongpin! Ayun sinangla ko sha when I was in HS during my rebelde and emo days. Haha. In fairness, tumaas yung value! Haha.
There were so many good restaurants along Ongpin, but we've got Estero na on our minds. Next time we go back, will definitely try them all!:) I saw so many Chinese drugstores along the way.
This place was recommended by my Tito. Also saw this (post tour) sa MMFF movie na All You Need Is Pag-Ibig! Cool. It's called ESTERO because obviously it's located beside an estero-- Spanish for creek. Haha. They offer Chinese & Filipino dishes. :) If you're feeling adventurous, order the fried frog legs!
Drop by Eng Bee Tin and don't forget to try out and buy their famous tikoy & hopia! They also offer other chinese delicacies. Perfect for pasalubongs. Tried out their ube pastillas hopia and it's so good!!!
Dong Bei is located along Yuchengco St. in Chinatown, Binondo. It's super famous for their dumplings!!! There was a line when we got there (as expected), so we patiently waited until we were seated. We waited for more than 30 minutes but it was worth it naman! :)
Verdict: Would definitely go back here! Legit their dumplings. Super tasty and it's not soggy. It's also super affordable for P180 per order. Each order is 16 pcs. :) I also loved the fried pancake! Matches the dumplings perfectly. Right mix of salty (dumplings) and sweet (pancakes). Perfect pantanggal umay. Careful lang of the sticky colorless syrup inside the pancake. It may look like water but it's super duper sticky. had a hard time removing it sa phone ko. And sa clothes ko. Haha.
From Dong Bei and Yuchengco street, we walked nalang going back to El Hogar where our car was parked! We just crossed the street (still along Yuchengco) and walked 'til we reached the end of the road (Pasig River and Jones Bridge). Touring around Manila and this area is actually very easy because it's just all in a circle. Sabi nga rin ni Carlos and based on our own experience. Also helps a lot if you have Waze!
Meet-up place was at El Hogar, a 102-year old beaux-arts style building, a majestic piece of architecture found at the corner of Calle Juan Luna & Muelle dela Industria facing Pasig River. It survived World War II and several earthquakes. Sadly, in this modern world, it might not survive from greedy businessmen or people who wants to tear it down. The tour was organized to raise awareness on the true state of our national treasures and heritage sites. It is a wake up call and a shout out to the government, to end the neglect and save places such as this. Places that were part of our history, and a part of who we are now as a country and a nation. As Carlos said during the tour, to make the invisible city visible.
Built in 1914 by the Zobel Family as a wedding gift and former offices of Ayala Life Insurance.
Muelle dela Industria
El Hogar on the left, First City National Bank (or Citibank) on the right:)
Guide map! It was also a "Pay As You Can" tour. We paid P300 each.
From El Hogar, we walked to this newly built Filipino-Chinese friendship Arch at the entrance of Binondo, Chinatown:)
Can you see that building where Philtrust Bank is? That is the Art Nouveau Mariano Uy Chaco Building, now the Philtrust Building, designed by Samuel E. Rowell in 1914.
Plaza Moraga. Pre-war. With view of Uy Cha Co Buiding. Now owned by Philtrust Bank. WOOOW.
Hi guys!
Walking along Escolta!
View of Escolta towards the east. Spanish Colonial times. Note: No electric wires.
And streets made of cobblestone! Ganda.
Shempre hinahabol namin lagi si Carlos. Hehe.
First Stop? POLLAND Hopia Cafe! Since 1966:)
P.S. My sister and I are obsessed with their lumpia! And now, with their hopia. Hehe. So good!
Quick selfie with THE Carlos Celdran!
Ayan o inavail ang free hopia. Haha!
Yum!!! Melts in your mouth.
Hopia na food? Or hopia sa love? That is the question.
2nd Stop: Capitol Theater!
Capitol Theater on the left!
3rd Stop: Calvo Building
Surroundings
The Crystal Arcade. Designed by National Artist for Architecture Andres Luna de San Pedro, son of National Artist for Painting Juan Luna. It was considered the most posh building on the whole street.
Postcard of the Crystal Arcade. Floors were made of Carrera marble from Italy; ceilings of stained glass; the entire edifice was air-conditioned, and it was the home of the Philippine Stock Exchange.
Casualty of war:(
Hello from the other side.
Mag ama? hehe
Calvo Building & Masonic Headquarters now.
View of Calvo Building and the Masonic Headquarters post-WW2.
4th Stop: JONES Bridge
View of Jones Bridge and cascos.
Detail of Jones Bridge. Designed by National Artist for Architecture Juan Arellano.
Across the river is the Manila Post Office
Masonic Headquarters now
Calvo Building now
The Philippine National Bank and Masonic Headquarters. Pre-WW2. View from across the Pasig River.
Pasig River now:)
View of the Pasig River, The Manila Post Office, and Jones Bridge from the rooftop of the Juan Luna Building (Citibank).
Back to Escolta St!
5th Stop: NATIVIDAD Building
It was known before as the PECO or Hamilton Building
Natividad was known or called the Philippine Education Company Building or the Hamilton Building during the pre-war years. Two popular stores occupied the lower floor-- Hamilton Brown (department store-ish) & H. Alonso Boutique (which carries the famous Florsheim Shoes). The Philippine Education Company Inc. or PECO occupied the upper floor. It's a pre-war bookstore.
Regina Building, originally known as Roxas Building was designed by Andres Luna de San Pedro, son of Juan Luna and was built in 1915 at the corner of Escolta Street and Calle David in Binondo, Manila. The design combined the styles of neoclassicism and beaux-arts. It was a three-storey structure during the time it was built but was later expanded into a fourth floor by Fernando Ocampo when the De Leon family bought it from the Roxases. The building was renamed Regina Building in 1926. (source: Wikipedia)
I hope they make this into a boutique hostel or a quaint cafe!
Escolta corner Burke St!
6th Stop: Regina Building
The old Edificio Roxas on the corner of the Escolta and Calle Banquero facing Plaza Sta. Cruz. Photo taken sometime in 1905. (photo: http://arquitecturamanila.blogspot.com/)
The Regina Building (left), and the Pérez-Samanillo Building (right) partially damaged during the Liberation of Manila in 1945.
The restored Regina Building in the 1950s
A view of Escolta facing west. Pre-WW2. Berg's Department Store to the right (First United Building today) and the Regina Building to the left (Extant)
Such a beauty:)
6th Stop: First United Building
(photo: Paulo Alcazaren)
Escolta Facing west. 1950's. Perez-Samanillo Building to the left (Today known as the First United Building).
A detail of the Perez-Samanillo Building, today known as the First United Building. Designed by Andres Luna de San Pedro. Juan Nakpil and Jose Cortes as collaborators.
The Perez-Samanillo Building (First United Building). Pre-WW2. Circa late 1920s; early 1930s.
Escolta facing west post WW2. Regina Building to the left. First United Building to the right.
Now, let's go inside First United Building!
Old school elevator:)
Wall art:)
At the ground floor, on the right side, there's an entrance to an abandoned area or warehouse. This is now where the Saturday Market is held. Was lucky enough that day to catch the art exhibit inspired by the "I Love You" virus named “Escape 2016: I Love You Virus”. :)
Ang deep db? Hehe
Issue na napapanahon
The area where the art exhibit is held was the old Bergs Department Store! Photo was taken in 1941. SO COOL.
Let's go upstairs!
There's a mini bookshop on the 2nd floor:)
Love the staircase!
May nagtatago sa sulok hehe. Cute o creepy? haha
Took a photo of the staircase from below when Kuya in red decided to take a peek see. Ang tanong-- tao ba sha or mumu? Haha.
Free water, juice & hopia!!!
Guyabano juice!!! yipee!
Waiting for others
Just had to take a photo of this beautiful stranger. Love her outfit and her vibe! So 50s, so Pan-Am!
Enjoying the free hopia. Haha. Sarap!
Escolta St. Regina on left, First United on the right. 2016.
Same street and angle. Before World War II.
Here are some more old photos of Escolta!
This is just WOW. No automobiles yet. And look at their clothes. This was taken early American era, that's why there are electric wires na. .
View of Escolta towards the East. Now you could see more electric wires, trams, an ice cream parlor (Clarke's) & a few English words!
Escolta Street facing west. Pre-WW2. Heacock's Department Store to the right. Burke Building on the right.
Escolta facing East. 1890s. Santa Cruz Church belltower in the distance.
Plaza Goiti turning into Avenida Rizal. Pre-WW2. Note the trams (tranvias). Today, the LRT trains cover all of Rizal Avenue.
View of Escolta to the East. Post-WW2. Most buildings damaged and a jeepney in the far end of the picture.
Can you see the SYVEL sign? It's a popular, high-end department store during the pre-war time. The sign is still there until now. That building is also known as the Gonzalo Puyat building built by National Artist for architecture, Leandro Locsin in late 1960’s.
End of Escolta Street. Across the street is Sta. Cruz church:)
Ito sha dati o! Wooow. Circa 1890s.
7th Stop: BPI Escolta or Don Ramon Santos Building
Look at the details
Beautiful!
American Red Cross building in 1945
8th Stop: Plaza Lacson or Plaza Goiti
P.S. Can they stop renaming historical sites??? It gets confusing and there's a reason why it was named that way in the first place. :(
History: Pre-war, Plaza Goiti was considered the heart of Manila. During the American colonial period, the commercial activity in Manila happened here because of the many infrastructures made and the launch of the Manila tram system with its central terminal located at the plaza. There were lots of commercial establishments and shops which serviced American servicemen. After the war, the plaza remained as the business center but the area had a hard time picking up the pieces so they transferred businesses to Makati.
Santa Cruz Church is a Baroque church located in Plaza Santa Cruz. It was built by the Jesuits in the early 17th century made of stones and wood. The church got destroyed by an earthquake in 1863, but Fr. Agustin de Mendoza reconstructed it in 1868. It's last repair and reconstruction was in the 1950s. Today, the church architecture employs a California Spanish Mission façade silhouette with the usual Filipino (Asian-Hispanic) baroque ornamentation. The church facade is topped with an effigy statue of Our Lady of the Pillar, the patroness of the church whose feast happens during the second week of October.
History: Pre-war, Plaza Goiti was considered the heart of Manila. During the American colonial period, the commercial activity in Manila happened here because of the many infrastructures made and the launch of the Manila tram system with its central terminal located at the plaza. There were lots of commercial establishments and shops which serviced American servicemen. After the war, the plaza remained as the business center but the area had a hard time picking up the pieces so they transferred businesses to Makati.
Plaza Goiti (Plaza Lacson) post-WW2. Note: Gutted Santa Cruz Church.
Plaza Goiti (now Plaza Lacson) pre-WW2. Circa 1920s. Note: Two tranvia stops right in the middle of the plaza.
Plaza Goiti in the 1950's. No more tram station. Jeepneys now present in the far left of the photo.
Meryenda muna!
9th Stop: Sta. Cruz Church
Santa Cruz church in the 19th century.
10th Stop: Carriedo Fountain
Carriedo fountain up close:)
11th Stop: Monte de Piedad Building
Plaza Santa Cruz. Pre-WW2. Monte de Piedad Building is third from the right (Extant). Today, Carriedo fountain is located at the center of this plaza.
This is where our tour ended!!! Learned so much in the almost 2 hours of walking around Old Manila and Escolta. :) We all parted ways here. While most of the people who joined the tour immediately returned to El Hogar, our group decided to walk around some more and explore Binondo!
12th Stop: ONGPIN!
My cousin and sister shopping. Yayamanin. Hahaha.
So much to choose from! They're pretty cheap too!
Ongpin facing the Plaza.
OOTD sha o
Kalesa
There were so many good restaurants along Ongpin, but we've got Estero na on our minds. Next time we go back, will definitely try them all!:) I saw so many Chinese drugstores along the way.
typical chinese store
Passed by the original LIDO resto! Next time ka sakin!
I know na this area! If you go straight sa Ongpin North Bridge, you'd see Ramada Hotel & Binondo Church.
Facing Ongpin North Bridge, immediately turn left and you'd see ESTERO!
13th Stop: ESTERO Fastfood
For sharing! We paid P200 each ata. I forgot. Haha. We ordered fried squid and spare ribs. Also yang chow.
14th Stop: Eng Bee Tin Chinese Deli
Across Eng Bee Tin is Blesed Lorenzo Ruiz Crusader's Academy!
15th Stop: DONG BEI Dimplings
Watched the Presidential Debate 2016 muna while waiting
how their famous dumplings are made
it's for everyone to see!
Finally seated!
Ordered fried sugar pancake, pork dumpling & fried dumplings! All 7 of us paid P100 lang each. Not bad!!!:)
The very friendly ates.
How to go to Escolta or Binondo? You can go here by bringing a car or by commuting. If you're commuting, just ride the LRT and get off at Carriedo station. From Carriedo station, malapit nalang the BPI Escolta building. ;) You could also ride the LRT Purple line and get off at Recto station. From Recto, ride a jeep ging to Sta. Cruz and tell the drive to drop you off at Escolta. Voila! Easy breezy db?
Raising our hearts and our love for El Hogar, Escolta and Manila. :) (photo: Karl Aguilar / The Urban Roamer)
Carlos Celdran has another Love Parade: Escolta Tour on March 6 and on April 9. Join na! If you want to save these buildings, our heritage and history, take part and let your voices be heard. No task is too small, no goal unattainable, if in the end it gets us to save pieces of our history. Pieces that anchors all of us to our past, a past that made us who we are today-- a strong and free nation. :) Viva Manila!!!
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These look interesting and I also want to go there.
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Lovely article! Thank you for this. It is my dream to revamp these buildings some day with our development company. However, for now, the projects are out of our reach. But some day!
ReplyDeleteNice read..
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