Thursday, August 28, 2008
HISTORIC WASTELAND
The photo at the bottom of Avenida Rizal was taken immediately after the war. The tall building in the middle was one of the few buildings that remained standing and unscathed after the intense carpet bombing during the Battle for Manila. It was the Avenue Theater & Hotel building. (Photo courtesy of UW Digital Collections)
Avenue Theater: End of an Era
Capitol Theater on Escolta
Sigh-Sigh-Sigh - Walk This Way
I very much appreciate my articles and photos appearing on fellow bloggers' sites, popular broadsheets, and local broadcast news segments, but I would appreciate even more a request for permission first.
Thank you!
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Labels: Avenue Theater, Manila history, Manila movie theater, Rizal Avenue
posted by Señor Enrique at 7:27 AM
8 Comments:
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escape said... the first shot is really nice. i like photos like these. it features then and now.
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said... it's a shame that such a historic building was demolished, only to be made a tricycle parking lot. susme, sayang!
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said...
nice entries..,
nice shots..-
ka tony said...
Hi Eric,
I love your photo & your camera angle, specially in B&W added drama & nostalgia on Manila's disappearing past.
Sardonicnell is right...
"it's a shame that such a historic building was demolished, only to be made a tricycle parking lot. susme, sayang!"
Pinoys & Chinoys have no sense of value, give no importance about our past, thus we as a nation can't move forward. If one have a chance to visit Cuba, specially the city of Havana - is a trip in a time capsule. Its like being in Binondo, Sta. Cruz & Quiapo, with all those old Spanish houses & "accesorias." Vintage cars of 1940s & 50s, still running & well kept!!!
Before I left Metro Manila, there were a lot of cities & subdivisions being build, opened, developed & planned. Yulo's Canlubang is one of them, which was beautifully & perfectly planed. Why can't these rich young Chinoys & Pinoys, construct their buildings in those new "cities," instead of demolishing "Old Manila." Not only demolishing old historic buildings & houses, but changing the names of the streets!!! Gossshhhhh! PLEASE LEAVE THEM ALONE!
I've seen photos of old houses present condition in my home district of Binondo & San Nicolas on the web, it's heartbreaking! The decaying houses are just waiting for a mild earthquake for these old historical houses to collapse & be part of the "pusali." I guess these young Chinoys who bought these old houses are praying & waiting for this earthquake so they can save money on demolition and build new taller structures!!!
Well... young Pinoys & Chinoys, sorry to let you know... the foundation of those old Spanish houses are deep & curved, in order to "sway" with the earthquake. The gaps on the walls were made to "sway" independently. Japanese & Chinese artisans didn't use metal nails, they used wooden pegs to fasten interlocking wooden floors again... you got it!!! to "sway" & dance with our constant visitor "Ms. Lindol."
Maraming salamat muli Eric on giving importance to one of our vanishing possessions of our identity,
ka tony-
Señor Enrique said...
Thanks, donG! Glad you like it :)
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Señor Enrique said...
From the owner's perspective, Nell, the property tax for an empty lot is much lower than for a building which is no longer operating; thus, of no economic value, though of historic importance.
Nonetheless, sayang talaga!-
Señor Enrique said...
Thank you very much, Aina!
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Señor Enrique said...
Sad but true, Ka Tony.
By the way, Old San Juan in Puerto Rico has managed to preserve its historic structures and districts.
As for Manila, I agree with you. Somehow, we have to instill in our young Pinoys and Chinoys a "sense of pride in place." I guess, many of them are just too preoccupied with their foreign travels, and ignoring old Manila in the process.
Thank you, Ka Tony!
