Saturday, December 29, 2007
PORT OF MANILA
This is the country's most active port. The width of its entrance measures 19 kilometers and expands to 48 kilometers. Its anchorage is at Mariveles, Bataan which is just inside the northern entrance.
However, long before the Americans built Port of Manila in Manila Bay, all ships docked at the mouth of the Pasig River at its northern bank in Binondo. Ships back then were able to sail up to where Jones Bridge is now.
The old port also served as the staging point for the Manila galleons during the Spanish era. Supposedly, there are historical findings that indicate even before the Spanish rule, the original port had already been frequented by ships from various Asian countries.
The old names of some streets near the north bank of the Pasig River reflect this area as a maritime hub -- Muelle del Rey (King's Wharf) and Muelle del Banco. There were also facilities for repairing ships including a shipyard, as well as the customs house or Aduana which is located over on the southern bank. It has since been abandoned and probably demolished.
Nowadays, the old port is still being used mostly to load and unload barges.
Related link: I Heart Manila - Port Area, Manila
*
posted by Señor Enrique at 10:35 AM
10 Comments:
-
said... Interesting post about the Port of Manila.
(:
Anyway, I hope you had had a merry celebration during Christmas, Eric!-
said...
The Pasig should have been a River all Manilans proud, but they are not for it is a dead river, where thrash, sewer and industrial wastes flow.
It could have been like the Seine in Paris, Rein in Germany or the Thames in London.
What did we Filipinos do? We destroyed it. What's wrong with all of us?-
Señor Enrique said... Many industries housed along the river may be partly responsible for dumping their used chemicals and various wastes into Pasig, Anonynmous. You may even throw in into the equation some local residents who did the same with their garbage, including those who used the river as their personal toilet.
Nonetheless, from what I undestand, there is an ongoing effort to revitalize the river and Laguna de Bay.-
Señor Enrique said...
It was as always much appreciated by all the kids in the family, Kyels ... hehehe.
Trust your Christmas was just as enjoyable :)
Thanks!-
said...
I remember performing the Lion Dance at a family friend's shop at the port some time in 2005.
There were so many people we all thought it was Chinese New Year already!-
Amadeo said...
First, I read that there is now a ferry service plying the Pasig River. Thus one can go from Guadalupe (Pasig?) and dock at the Escolta. Thus, this could be a good tourism vehicle.
Second, as I recall the port area was divided into North Harbor and South Harbor, with the former for interisland vessels. And was it Nagtahan Bridge that brought one to the pier area?
Used to be familiar with both harbors. But by now surely they have changed a lot.-
said...
Interesting. I only know about the North Harbor and the South Harbor but it's been ages since I've been to them. North Harbor is where the ships plying the Visayas are berthed.
-
Señor Enrique said...
Port of Manila is comprised of the North and South harbors, BW, I think :)
I've only been to the one right behind the Manila Hotel.-
Señor Enrique said...
I think that's the Del Pan Bridge, Amadeo, which I had once driven on from Intramuros. I then turned right passing Divisoria along Claro M. Recto Avenue. The traffic was so bad it took many many hours to reach Jose Abad Santos Avenue from the bridge. The cause was the amazing amount of street vendors right on the street.
The ferry service you speak of will soon reach Marikina. Once it's able to get there, I will then board one and take some pics. I think it's only 20 pesos for a one way fare at any destination.-
Señor Enrique said...
What was the special occasion, Jhay? Usually, when lion dancers are involved, it means a major celebration :)
