Wish you were here

Thursday, January 31, 2008

PEANUTS

posted by Señor Enrique at 8:17 AM | 22 comments

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

MAYOR LIM AND MANILA'S ILLEGAL VENDORS

Remembering what Mayor Lim said last month -- that he was determined to implement the city ordinance against illegal vending -- I walked around the streets of Quiapo today to see if his intention has been enforced. Much to my delight, it was and is.

Unfortunately, there were still a few vendors here and there, though they no longer obstruct traffic as they used to.

The corner of Evangelista and Paterno Streets used to be teeming with peddlers right on the street hawking their wares. Back then, it would take me at least half an hour just to drive through that corner. Today all vehicles were passing by smoothly.

There is bad news, though: no longer allowed to occupy any part of the street, the vendors have started to take possession of most sidewalks in the area. So now, pedestrians have no other option but to walk right on the streets. Talk about trading places. I wonder if Mayor Lim would ever find this issue important enough to address next; in a not too distant future, I hope.

According to the city ordinance against illegal vending, it is prohibited for any person who peddles, hawks, sells, offers for sale, or expose for sale any articles on the passageways used by purchasers in any city market. This is to avoid unjust competition.

In other words, peddlers or hawkers shall not be permitted to offer for sale, in the city markets and their surroundings within a radius of 200 meters where goods are sold or exposed for sale in the stalls, of booths of city markets, neither shall they be permitted to expose or sell merchandise on sidewalks, courts (patios) or places designed and intended for passage of the public to the city markets.

At the risk of sounding like an embittered skeptic, I wonder if such ordinance can ever be totally enforced in Manila. Notwithstanding, based on what I saw on the streets of Quiapo today, I must say, "Thank you, Mayor Lim, for a job well done!"

Related links:

Virtually Unpassable Sidewalks of Quiapo

Mayor Lim firm on clearing city of illegal vendors - Manila Bulletin

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posted by Señor Enrique at 9:11 PM | 20 comments

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

REMEMBERING THE BATTLE FOR MANILA

It is a beautiful sculpture in Intramuros, Manila, created to commemorate the victims of the Battle for Manila.

Although fought for only a month -- from February 3 to March 3 -- by Filipino, American and Japanese forces, the Battle for Manila was the worst and most devastating urban fighting in the entire Pacific theater.

An estimated 20,000 Japanese troops under Rear-Admiral Sanji Iwabuchi conducted a scorched earth policy on the city and committed atrocities against the civilian residents, while the American liberation forces under the command of General Robert Beitler, US Army 37th Division, continually shocked and awed the city with intense carpet bombing.

Such sheer madness brought on by twisted fanaticism and dubious heroism reduced Manila to rubbles within a mere single month period. Manila was slowly rebuilt after the war, all right; however, it never regained its status of being one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

In their analysis, a trio of British historians have likened the Battle for Manila to "a Greek tragedy, with the main actors drawn inexorably toward a bloody climax by forces largely outside their control." Indeed, neither MacArthur nor General Tomoyuki Yamashita, the Japanese commander in the Philippines, wanted to fight there. But each made decisions which made the battle inevitable: MacArthur by racing madly toward Manila without leaving the Japanese a way out, Yamashita by failing to force the commander of his Naval Defense Force to evacuate the city when he had the chance. Although greatly outnumbered, the Japanese improvised effective defenses which forced the Americans to reluctantly use major artillery to dislodge them. In fact, the American bombardment may have killed more people than the Japanese did, and certainly caused more physical damage. But whatever the factors which conspired to cause it, the destruction of Manila stands as one of the great tragedies of the Second World War. - PBS.org

In today's Manila Bulletin, Mayor Alfredo S. Lim has announced that the City of Manila will observe with solemnity this coming Sunday the 63rd Anniversary of the Battle for Manila. It will take place at the Freedom Triangle of the Manila City Hall.

After the memorial, Mayor Lim will open Kagitingan at Kalayaan, a photo exhibition of the devastated "Pearl of the Orient." The exhibit will be held at the Bulwagang Rodriguez, on the second floor of Manila City Hall. It is sponsored by the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission in cooperation with the Museo ng Maynila.

The National Historical Institute formally changed the name of "Liberation of Manila" to "Battle for Manila."

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posted by Señor Enrique at 6:01 AM | 43 comments

Monday, January 28, 2008

ZHANGZHOU WARE: FREE TALK & TOUR

Zhangzhou ware was produced amidst a dramatic era in China: the 200-year trade ban of the Ming Dynasty was lifted, and European colonial powers looking for spices discovered the flourishing trade. As China's largest ceramic kilns catered to the new, affluent European market, smaller kilns—like those from the Zhangzhou district of Fujian province—supplemented the demand of loyal Asian customers.

Rita Tan is an independent researcher on Chinese trade wares ranging from the 10th to 17th centuries. She is currently curating the Villanueva collection of Chinese and Southeast Asian trade wares at the Ayala Museum, and the Ceramic Gallery of Kaisa Heritage Center.

Join Rita Tan, guest curator and President of The Oriental Ceramic Society of the Philippines, for a talk on the circumstances behind the creation of this sought-after ceramic. The unique traits of Zhangzhou ware will also be explored. Following the talk, Rita Tan will lead a special guided tour of the exhibit Zhangzhou Ware Found in the Philippines.

Zhangzhou Ware Talk & Tour
At the Cone Room - - Yuchengco Museum
February 9, Saturday, 10:30 a.m.

Free with museum admission.

For more details, call Elma Abrina at 889-1234.




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posted by Señor Enrique at 8:52 AM | 8 comments

Sunday, January 27, 2008

ATI-ATIHAN IN MANILA

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:49 PM | 20 comments

YKL PHOTO CONTEST AT PHOTOWORLD ASIA 2008

YKL is once again presenting an exciting array of activities at PhotoWorld 2008 in Glorietta's activity center next week, from January 31 to February 5.

There will be photo and costume contests with great prizes and free lectures for all photography enthusiasts, as well as various photo shoot opportunities of mime artists, fashion models, and cosplayers. A wonderful time, indeed, is guaranteed for all..

In addition, everyone will get a chance to learn about Lomography -- the latest craze going on in the photo community. There will be a photo exhibit installation -- Lomo Wall -- and lectures on LOMOGRAPHY, featuring Lomo Manila's leading personalities. The tentative schedule is from February 4 to 5, from 6:00 pm onwards.

A hands on black & white developing lecture with Jay Javier will also be offered at the YKL's booth. Topics to be discussed are tips on how to develop black and white films using Rodinal-type chemicals, and how to improve on your black and white photography. This is slated on Saturday and Sunday (February 2 and 3) from 12:00 noon until 2 pm.

For additional excitement, YKL is sponsoring a COSPLAY competition on Saturday and Sunday (February 2 and 3) afternoons. For those interested to join this competition, please check out its contest mechanics at Cosplay.ph.

Attendees are also invited to try Fujifilm Finepix point & shoot digital cameras in shooting the fashion models at the Fuji/YKL booth.

As for the photo contest, its mechanics are as follow:

1. This photo contest is open to all -- camera club members, professionals, amateurs, hobbyists, photography students, and lomographers. You may use film or digital cameras. Cell phone cameras are also allowed.

2. The subject/theme – Everything about YKL Photo booth activities such as:

a. Mime Artists
b. Ramp Modeling
c. Cosplay
d. Other Events within YKL Booth

3. Size of Entries – 8 x 10" (8R) - colored or black & white prints,

4. Photo Printing should be done in the following Fujifilm Digital Imaging (FDI) stores only: - Php. 28.00 per 8R

a. FDI Digital Exchange - Glorietta (3rd Level Glorietta 3, Ayala Center)
b. FDI Dela Rosa 1 (G/F Dela Rosa 1 Carpark Bldg. Dela Rosa St., Makati)
c. FDI Dela Rosa 2 (Upper G/F Dela Rosa 2 Carpark Bldg. Dela Rosa St., Makati)
d. FDI Pasay Road (Jackson Bldg. # 926 Arnaiz At., Makati)

5. Entry Form/s can only be obtained through FDI Stores stated above. Entries should be properly labeled - attached with an entry form (one entry form per photo),

6. Submission of the entries will be at YKL Booth during the PhotoWorld Asia 2008,

7. Deadline of Submission of Entries - Feb. 04, 2008 (Monday) until 12:00 PM,

8. Judging of entries will be on Feb. 04, 2008 - Monday afternoon,

9. For verification – Original Media (negatives, slides, digital file) of the winning entries must be presented to the contest committee before the awarding of prizes,

10. Awarding of prizes will be on Feb. 05, 2008 (Tues) at 5:00 PM – YKL Booth

11. All the decisions of judges are deemed final.

Prizes:

1st Prize : One (1) FinePix A900 Digital Camera (9 MP Effective)
2nd Prize : One (1) FinePix A700 Digital Camera (7.3 MP Effective)
3rd Prize : One (1) Digital Mobile Printer MP-70 (Mobile Printer for Camera Phones with Infrared)

Again, everyone is invited to join this photo contest!

For additional information, visit the YKL Booth at the Glorietta activity center during PhotoWorld 2008.

posted by Señor Enrique at 5:28 AM | 10 comments

Saturday, January 26, 2008

ON EATING FRUITS

Do you feel like burping after enjoying some watermelon? Does your stomach feel bloated after eating some durian? Do you sometimes feel like running to the toilet after eating a banana?

I received an email from our fellow blogger, Aura, the other day which I'd like to share with everyone. It's about the proper way to eat fruits. Truth be told, never thought that such thing exists.

Actually, I found it quite astounding, especially after making more of an effort to include fruits with my regular diet since a few months ago. This email has certainly proved me wrong. It boats, however, that eating fruits correctly can make us look and feel better, enhance our health, and help us maintain our normal weight.

Here goes:

We all think eating fruits means just buying them; cutting them into pieces; and then just popping them into our mouths. It's not as easy as that, as it turns out. It's Important to know how and when to eat them.

What is the correct way to eat fruits?

* Not after a meal!

* Fruits should be eaten only on an empty stomach!

If you eaten properly, a fruit can play a major role in detoxifying your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

Fruit is the most important food.

Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.

In the meantime, the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.

So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals!

You have heard people complaining - every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, when I eat banana I feel like running to the toilet. Such things will never happen if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. Fruits tend to mix with the other putrefying foods that produce gas; hence you will bloat!

Incidence of balding and graying hair, nervous outburst, and having dark circles under the eyes can be minimized by eating fruits on an empty stomach.

There is no such thing as some fruits like orange and lemon are acidic because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did a research on this matter.

If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.

As for fruit juices...

When you need to drink fruit juice, drink only fresh fruit juice, not from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get their nutrients at all. You only get to savor its taste.

Cooking destroys all the vitamins.

But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must allow it to mix with your saliva before swallowing it.

You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body.

Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

Now, for some fruits and their healing effects ...

KIWI: Tiny but mighty

This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, Vitamin E & fiber. Its Vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away?

Although an apple has a low Vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of Vitamin C, which lowers the risks of colon cancer, heart attack, and stroke.

STRAWBERRY: Protective fruit

Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits; they protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

ORANGE : Sweetest medicine

Eating 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, prevent and dissolve kidney stones, and lower cholesterol, as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher

Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost
our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are Vitamin C and potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for Vitamin C

They are the clear winners for their high Vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.

Furthermore, on what we drink ...

Drinking cold water after meal = cancer!

Can you believe this?

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion.

Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine.

Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

Perhaps, now that I know about these things, I'd get more benefits from the fruits that I love and from the refreshments that I drink. Thanks, Aura, for these valuable information!

posted by Señor Enrique at 12:55 PM | 25 comments

Friday, January 25, 2008

OH NO, NO MORE COCO!

Carlos Celdran has sadly broken the news last week that the Coconut Palace in the CCP Complex has been closed for now.

He said, "My Living La Vida Imelda Tour was unceremoniously re-directed because the Coconut Palace has suddenly switched hands from the Department of Tourism to its 'rightful owner', the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)."

However, the 15-day shut down of the Coconut Palace -- supposedly, for inventory purposes -- came without any specific date for its reopening. And according to some of Carlos' sources, "there is talk of it becoming a casino."

Outrageous, I think!

And Carlos is absolutely right, -- the Coconut Palace is one of our world class tourist attractions. Hopefully, its new administrators will seriously consider keeping it as such and not turn it into another casino.

Now I feel fortunate to have joined the Living La Vida Imelda Tour a year or so ago that included Coconut Palace. It was a wonderful and enlightening experience which I blogged about, A Peek Into Her Madness.

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:35 AM | 37 comments

Thursday, January 24, 2008

MANILA'S STREET MUSICIANS

Besides the occasional blind musicians with their electric guitars and amplifiers, I hardly see other local musicians performing on the streets and parks of Manila. Whereas in Manhattan, especially on weekends, there would always be an individual or band -- from pop to jazz -- who provide live music for the public's entertainment for nothing more than spare change.

There are, of course, certain New York City ordinances on this matter such as restrictions on performing in certain areas or neighborhoods, as well as the use of microphones and amplifiers; hence acoustic makes a tolerable compromise.

Anyway, the absence of a vibrant live music scene on the streets of Manila may have to do with the ubiquitous videoke machines; that local folks would rather hear themselves sing than support an unknown musician. But then again, the blind musicians of Avenida Rizal can easily dispel such notion, for they steadily attract quite a large crowd, including a stream of loose change at the end of their every set.

So now I'm wondering if perhaps, our local music artists just find street performances as simply uncool. But speaking of which, the world famous Cirque Du Soleil has always included in its cast a fair amount of street performance artists.

posted by Señor Enrique at 2:25 PM | 22 comments

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

MENDIOLA MASSACRE COMMEMORATION RALLY 2008

posted by Señor Enrique at 9:17 PM | 20 comments

Monday, January 21, 2008

A WALK TO TONDO CHURCH

Despite the niche in history that it proudly occupies, as well as being the home to many distinguished families, Tondo, Manila, has always been a subject of place-bashing -- that it's the dangerous, downtrodden underbelly of the city; teeming with crime, vice and disease.

And the fact that many political parties and candidates consider Tondo only in terms of votes, does not do much in terms of helping correct this negative perception. But then again, since Tondo has the densest population in the entire Metro Manila, it's only logical that this district may have more of everything when it comes to practically anything at all -- from good to bad.

Most of my classmates and friends at Bonifacio Elementary School in Tayuman came from Tondo. They were, for the most part, regular kids like me whose parents were hardworking and ambitious; nurturing the usual set of middle class values common to many Manileños.

These thoughts permeated my mind yesterday while some friends and I walked along Moriones Street from Tutuban to the historical Tondo Church. It was my first time to walk the inner streets of Tondo. I was so energized by the experience that as soon as I got home later that evening, I searched online for additional information on this district. The results I found were colorful and fascinating, indeed.

Although renowned for being the most underdeveloped and economically-challenged district of Manila, Tondo is the birthplace of former president Joseph Estrada, singer and actress Regine Velasquez, businessman and politician Manuel Villar, and Manila Mayor Antonio Villegas. Andres Bonifacio was also born here. It was in Tutuban where he conducted the early Katipunan meetings.

The historical Tondo Church serves a great number of devotees, while Plaza Moriones was once considered the best alternative to Quiapo's Plaza Miranda. As for public education, Torres High was one of the best secondary schools in the nation. Supposedly, it produced eminent graduates who excelled in journalism, literature and public service.

In Tondo was also where Lakandula founded his kingdom.

Furthermore, here is what Wikipedia has to say about Tondo's rich history:

The former region of Tondo is over eleven hundred years old. Historically, Tondo already existed in the year 900 AD according to the Laguna Copperplate Inscription, a legal document written in Kawi now housed in the National Museum of the Philippines. According to this document, Tondo was ruled by person called Jayadeva who holds the Sanskrit title Senapati or "admiral".

In 1279 AD, the remnants of the Song Empire under the leadership of Grand General Zhang Shijie established Lusung Guo or "The Lesser Song Empire" at its capital Tungdu after their defeat from the Mongols at the Battle of Yamen. Tondo became so prosperous that around the year 1500 AD, the Kingdom of Brunei attacked it and established the city of Maynila on the opposite bank of Pasig River as the new capital of Luzon Empire. The traditional rulers of Tondo, the Lakandula, retained their titles and property but the real political power now resides in the House of Soliman, the Radjahs of Manila.

After the Spaniards conquered the Luzon Empire in 1571 AD, Tondo was initially included in the creation of the Province of Pampanga, the first colonial province carved out of the former empire. In census conducted by Miguel de Loarca in 1583 AD, Tondo was reported to have spoken the same language as the natives of the province of Pampanga. Institute of National Language commissioner Jose Villa Panganiban once wrote that the dividing line between Kapampangan and Tagalog was the Pasig River, and that Kapangpangan was therefore originally spoken in Tondo. Eventually, Tondo became a separate province in the later half of the Spanish colonial era.

Tondo, was one of the first provinces to declare rebellion against Spain in year 1896. In 1911, under the American tutelage, there was a major reorganization of political divisions, and the province of Tondo was dissolved, and its towns given to the provinces of Rizal and Bulacan. Today, Tondo just exists as a district in the City of Manila.

I will try to explore more of Tondo during the coming months, and as always, share my discoveries. I'm confident that much like Binondo, Quiapo and Santa Cruz, I will find many points of interest here (besides its famous Divisoria), as well as meet some of its charming personalities.

posted by Señor Enrique at 9:17 AM | 44 comments

Sunday, January 20, 2008

THE FEAST DAY OF STO. NINO DE TONDO

The sudden afternoon rain sent most devotees seeking shelter inside the Tondo Church, while others rushed over to the neighboring fast food eateries. Meanwhile, there were those who braved the rain and brought out their pedicabs bedecked with greens, fresh flowers and icons of the infant Jesus. If Quiapo has the Black Nazarene, Tondo has the Sto. Nino.

The feast day of Sto. Niño in Tondo is celebrated on the third Sunday of January. It is one of Manila's biggest and heavily attended fiestas, not only because Tondo is the most populous district in the city and poorest but perhaps because of the many miraculous anecdotes connected with the Sto. Niño of Tondo.

It is celebrated with a fluvial procession that usually attracts thousands of visitors. Nick Joaquin, in his Almanac for Manileños, described a typical celebration as follows:

“At four in the afternoon on the visperas (meaning the Saturday before) the Sto. Niño of Tondo is borne to the sea by a dancing crowd among which groups of women in pastora hats, or in katipuneda attire: white camisa, red saya. The dancing is through sunny streets hung with bunting and here and there will be a giant heart of bell that opens up as the Sto. Niño passes to unloose a shower of petals. Everyone dances, even the barefoot men bearing the image and the boys bearing standard or farol."

As for the anecdotes, legend has it that during the Spanish-American war, the Tondo church was used by the American forces as their quarters. However, their stay was no more than 24 hours because they had to vacate the church since everyone contacted smallpox after having occupied it.

During the Second World War, the Japanese turned the church into their headquarters. But much like the American colonial forces, the Japanese had to abandon the church when they could no longer endure the unexplainable sounds of crying babies in the middle of the night.

And during the liberation of Manila in February 1945, the Japanese troops set the church on fire. Msgr. J. Jovellanos, the parish priest, evacuated the Church taking with him the image of the Sto. Niño. Miraculously, the Tondo devotees who followed the image and Msgr. J. Jovellanos escaped unscathed the crossfire of bullets and mortal shells.

I didn't stick around for the evening procession because of the rain, but I intend to go back another day to visit the church and climb its stairs to touch the antique image of the Sto. Nino as Pusa of Manila Daily Photo had attempted to do last October.

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:51 PM | 18 comments

Saturday, January 19, 2008

THE ART OF PRINTMAKING AT UP DILIMAN

Printmaking is the art of producing printed images on paper. Its process involves the transfer of an image or design from a plate (a prepared surface) onto paper for the purpose of artistic expression. Printmaking techniques include woodcut, wood engraving, linocut, etching, metal engraving, collograph, serigraph, and lithograph among others.

And if you wish to know more about it, the Philippine Association of Printmakers will be offering a free lecture and demonstration on Thursday, January 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at The Landing Gallery, Jorge B. Varga Museum and Filipiniana Research Center, UP Diliman Campus.

In tandem with the free lecture and demonstration is an exhibit -- autoretrato: Virgillio Aviado's Selected Graphic Works from 1950 to 1990 -- that will feature 49 of Aviado's visual landscapes translated into drawings and prints. The exhibition is made possible with the support of Avellana Art Gallery and runs until January 27, 2008.

The Philippine Association of Printmakers (PAP) in its four decades of existence continues to bring art to the people with its multi-original prints, exhibiting and holding workshops to promote the art form and subsequently to democratize art.

It was founded in 1968 through the pioneering efforts of Manuel Rodriguez, Sr., along with Adiel Arevalo and other printmakers he mentored. It has since become the prime mover of graphic arts in the country. For almost forty years, the association has devoted itself to the promotion of printmaking and bringing art to the people.

PAP programs include the continuous training of members, regular exhibitions, annual competitions, outreach workshops and lectures, and hosting of exchange programs with international visiting artists. From its ranks, the Philippines was represented in international exhibitions, competitions, biennales and triennials. In 2001, it was conferred the Dangal ng Haraya Lifetime Achievement Award for Cultural Promotions by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:49 AM | 8 comments

Friday, January 18, 2008

MENDIOLA MASSACRE REMEMBERED

Law enforcement personnel has begun installing barbed wire and steel barriers at the Chino Roces Bridge on Mendiola in preparation for a major rally commemorating the 21st anniversary of the Mendiola massacre next Tuesday, January 22nd.

With reports of a destabilization plot being hatched to coincide on this day, security measures by government forces are expected to become even more stringent as that day approaches.

Some 50 farmers from Southern Luzon will mark the anniversary of the massacre with a six-day march to begin on January 16 and to end on January 22 at the Legarda-Mendiola thoroughfare in the San Miguel district of Manila near Malacanang Palace. Other militant groups are reportedly expected to conduct protest marches that will convene at Mendiola on the 22nd of January.

Thirteen farmers were killed on January 22, 1987 after police fired on a protest rally comprised of about 10,000 peasants demanding genuine land reform from then President Corazon Aquino. That tragic incident has since been known as the Mendiola massacre.

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:31 AM | 16 comments

Thursday, January 17, 2008

PLAZA CALDERON DE LA BARCA IN BINONDO

In front of Binondo Church on an island in the middle of Juan Luna Street is Plaza Calderon de Barca; also known as Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz (the first Filipino saint). And between Oriente and Veronica Streets, in front of this plaza, once stood Hotel de Oriente, a ritzy hotel that Jose Rizal patronized.

According to Anson T Yu's The Founding of Binondo, the name Binondo was derived from the word Binunduc (or Minundok), which means a hilly place. Originally, Binondo was an hacienda owned by Don Antonio Velada. It was purchased from him in March 24, 1594 by the then governor general, Don Luis Perea Dasmarinas. The adjoining village of Baybay was also acquired and was merged with it, creating the sub-district of San Nicolas.

The idea was to create an enclave outside the walled city of Intramuros wherein the Chinese migrant workers who opted to convert to Catholicism could settle. Hence Binondo was given to the Catholic Chinese people in perpetuity, tax-free, but with limited self-governing privileges. The Spanish government believed that such measures would encourage loyalty from the growing Chinese population and prevent another revolt.

Manila was just basically the area within the confines of Intramuros; however, by the end of the 18th century, along with Binondo and San Nicolas, the suburban towns of Trozo (Sta. Cruz) and Quiapo were eventually merged to become districts comprising Manila.

Nowadays, Binondo commands the highest real estate prices in the entire City of Manila.

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:41 AM | 28 comments

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

ON PLAZA MORAGA IN BINONDO

This is Plaza Moraga which is right at the foot of Jones Bridge on the north bank of the Pasig River.

Plaza Moraga was the site of the very first ice cream parlor in the Philippines, Clark's Cafe, which created a commotion when it opened in 1899. But of course, what made this area truly popular is Escolta, which means escort in Spanish. During the British occupation from 1762 to 1764, this street was favored by the British Commodore as a convoy route.

And as everyone knows, this thoroughfare has since become Manila's premier shopping center; that is, until the malls started sprouting all over the metropolis. Except for the Savory Restaurant that's still there and doing a brisk business, some of the well-known establishments that used to be in Escolta were Botica Boie, Heacock’s, Alonzo, Estrella del Norte, Dencia’s Pansit Malabon, Max’s Fried Chicken, and Hen. The first fully air-conditioned commercial building in the Philippines, the Crystal Building, still stands on this street but has been renamed Philippine National Bank Building. It now houses the City College of Manila.

To the left at the stop light is Plaza Cervantes where the First National City Bank of New York and the Bank of the Philippine Islands are located. A fellow blogger who used to work at the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Amadeo of The Ignatian Perspective, once shared an interesting trivia about this building.

He said, "During that big earthquake in the late '60s, part of the façade of that Plaza Cervantes building moved about an inch or two, noticeable only from the inside because of the cracked floor. So, one wonders if that building was allowed to be used soon after that. But it definitely was a landmark building site, as gleaned from its history."

Although the building remains standing to date, I'm uncertain if it's fully occupied. Plaza Cervantes seems dusty because of vehicular traffic, and not too many people can be seen in the area as compared to the neighboring streets even during the busy office hours.

Up ahead from Plaza Moraga, on both sides of Paredes Street (formerly Rosario) are rows of numerous banks; at its end is Binondo Church.

To view an image of Plaza Moraga taken during the late 1800s, click here.

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posted by Señor Enrique at 8:27 AM | 24 comments

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

MANILA'S ESTERO SYSTEM

Up to the outbreak of the Second World War, according to her short overview of Quiapo's history, Margarita de los Reyes-Cojuangco writes that the inextricably linked esteros of Manila gave the city the claim of being an "Oriental Venice."

But I am one of those who now ask the question, "What happened?"

According to the essay, The Changes Through Time in Quiapo's Esteros by William E. Reynolds and Evelyn J. Caballero (Quiapo: Heart of Manila, edited by Fernando Nakpil Zialcita), there is a diverse database from which to draw the answer to the question "What happened?" This is comprised of historical documents dating from the Spanish period, magazine articles and professional papers, maps from the Spanish period to the present, interviews with Quiapo residents, and data on the pollution of esteros.

Esteros are the broadened seaward end or extension of a river. They contain a mixture of fresh water from the river and salt water from the sea, and their water levels rise and fall with the tide. Throughout Manila's history, some thirty-five esteros totalling about twenty-one kilometers have been flowing into or have been associated with the Pasig River.

Produce from the farms of the suburbs accessible via the waterways was brought to Divisoria on boats, such as bancas and cascos that plied the esteros (which are now replaced by pedicabs and kuligligs that compete with other motor vehicles on the city's already congested streets).

In Noli Me Tangere, Jose Rizal wrote that the esteros served as bath, sewer, means of transportation, as well as for laundry and fishing -- "and even drinking water, if the Chinese water carrier found it convenient."

Historical records support Rizal's observations. They indicate that, indeed, during the Spanish era, practically all human refuse, garbage, and manufacturing wastes generated in the area found their way into the esteros. Obviously, the Spanish government was already burdened by this problem.

Spanish doctors, on the other hand, correlated many diseases with the amount of garbage and refuse being dumped into the esteros. Reports of epidemic had taken place, especially during the dry season when the water level was very low, exposing the bottom of the esteros. Medical authorities attributed the raging smallpox epidemic in Manila to the miasmas released by the water and mud in the esteros that were in the state of putrefaction.

The Spanish government developed a public sewer system, though limited in scope, that crisscrossed some of the more densely populated areas. However, liquid easily escaped through the loose slabs of stone that made up the drains. Also, a large number of drains from private houses emptied directly into the esteros. These rendered the esteros a serious health hazard.

Many programs were created by the Spanish government to improve the estero system, but insufficient funding prevented the construction of an underground sewer system. Unfortunately, the esteros were the only way to keep the city of Mania clean. After the Philippine Revolution, the American colonial government did what it could to correct this growing problem.

The esteros are a natural component of Manila. Before the area was heavily populated, the tides and seasonal changes refreshed the natural environment. When Manila became a major city, esteros acquired new uses. They became a means of transportation, communication, and regrettably, waste disposal.

Hence the people of Manila killed the city's estero system.

To date, the problem goes unresolved. As a Manila Times editorial has pointed out last September:

What little remains of canals or esteros will soon fade into memory. Eighty percent of esteros in Metro Manila, all bearing historic names, have drowned in human and commercial waste or taken over by squatters or small businesses.

Residents and transients have transformed our rivers, lakes, bays and canals into their personal toilet or kitchen sink. Squatters living on the riverbanks, coastal walls and lakeshores have no qualms throwing personal and family trash into waterways.

Most factories, plants, industrial and commercial establishments treat our rivers and lakes as an extension of their business activity.

The government, for decades, has talked a lot about rescuing the Pasig River and Manila Bay—to name two bodies of waters—and has rehabilitated them in fits and starts, with negligible results.

But nonetheless, despite the great damage we had created to our canal system, I am also one of those who ask, "Can we still fully rehabilitate our esteros and perhaps, make Manila the Oriental Venice as it once was?"

posted by Señor Enrique at 8:39 AM | 28 comments

Monday, January 14, 2008

A JAPANESE OFFER TO CLEAN UP OUR RIVERS

Here's a bit of good news: according to a Manila Bulletin report, the Saitama Prefecture of Japan has offered to assist the Philippine government in cleaning up our heavily polluted rivers, including the Pasig River.

Speaking on behalf of Saitama Prefecture, Hiroshi Yasuda, claims they have the experience and success in cleaning up and reviving its once polluted Kyu-shiba River and would like to share its technical know-how in doing the same for our biologically dead rivers such as the Pasig, Marikina, San Juan, Navotas-Tenejeros-Tullahan, and Paranaque rivers.

"This offer is most welcome and I am urging our government to avail of it," said Sen. Loren Legarda, chairwoman and founder of the environmental organization Luntiang Pilipinas.

posted by Señor Enrique at 8:08 AM | 24 comments

Sunday, January 13, 2008

BOY SCOUTING

The scouting movement reached the Philippine shores in 1910. It was a time when the first scouters (scout officials) provided the Filipino kids with opportunities to learn outdoor camping and survival techniques through its patrol and group method.

In 1923, the movement received formal organization in the Philippines with the founding of the Philippine Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Since then scouting has grown exponentially in the islands. I was told that after the United States, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines has the largest membership.

I once dreamed of becoming a boy scout. My interest in it started when I was in fourth grade. I wanted to wear its uniform and learn about tying knots and basic jungle survival methods among other things. As a sign of approval and support for my intention, my father gave me a beautiful imported hunting knife from his collection which I lovingly polished every day. I was psyched. I really looked forward to participating in various scouting activities such as day hikes and weekend camping trips.

Unfortunately, my mother wouldn't allow me to join despite my numerous pleas. The news account of the tragic crash of an EgyptAir jetliner in the Bay of Bombay, India, on July 28, 1963 was vividly etched in her mind. She was petrified that I might somehow meet a similar tragic death while in one of those scouting trips.

Regrettably, in our household back then, what my mother decided upon when it came to her "babies" (as she would refer to her brood regardless of age), my father would never dare oppose. So I spent the remaining years of grade school deprived of scouting adventures with schoolmates.

My father sensed my great disappointment and compensated by taking me along in his hunting trips. Althought it was always fun tagging along with him and his friends, I found no excitement in shooting wild pigs and other helpless animals. Boxes of bullets I'd waste on shooting mangoes off their twigs. My father didn't mind; he knew how much I wanted to be a scout and doing kid stuff with my school friends.

Anyway, as some folks may remember, the ill-fated EgyptAir (formerly United Arab Airlines) with 52 passengers and eight crewmembers bound for Athens, Greece, plunged into the sea. There were no survivors in the plane crash.

Among the passengers were 24 Filipino boy scouts and scout officials en route to the 11th World Jamboree in Marathon, Greece. Their untimely deaths was mourned by the Filipino people and the entire boy scout movement worldwide.

The boy scouts who perished were:


On April 24, 1964, the City Council of Quezon City renamed some streets in the Kamuning and Roxas Districts after the 24 boy scouts and scouters.

Labels: life in Manila

posted by Señor Enrique at 9:16 AM | 42 comments

Saturday, January 12, 2008

PALMA TAYONA'S FIRST ONE-MAN SHOW

This Monday, January 14th, is the opening of Palma Tayona's first one-man show entitled LIVING/Stories. The show will feature some paintings he had done during the past two years, including those he wrote about in his blog, Visual Viscera.

LIVING/Stories opens on January 14, 2008 at 7pm and will run until January 25th. it will be held at 1/OF Gallery, 2nd level Shops at Serendra, Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila.

For details call 901-3152 or email at 1ofgallery@canvas.ph.

You could also visit www.canvasdownstream.com or www.canvas.ph.



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posted by Señor Enrique at 5:24 AM | 10 comments

Friday, January 11, 2008

SCENES FROM THE FIESTA: STREET FOODS

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:47 AM | 31 comments

Thursday, January 10, 2008

SCENES FROM THE FIESTA: BIRDS

posted by Señor Enrique at 10:11 AM | 12 comments

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

THE FEAST DAY OF THE BLACK NAZARENE

posted by Señor Enrique at 9:45 PM | 25 comments

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

PARADE OF THE REPLICAS IN QUIAPO

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:05 AM | 25 comments

Monday, January 07, 2008

THE UPCOMING FEAST DAY OF THE BLACK NAZARENE

While Plaza Miranda expects the onslaught of hundreds of thousands of devotees who will pay homage to the Black Nazarene on Wednesday, January 9th, the environmental group EcoWaste Coalition, on the other hand, is expecting tons of plastic bottles and food wastes to be left behind in their wake.

Manny Calonzo, secretary of the EcoWaste Coalition, has led an initiative to request Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio of Quiapo Church and some of the barangay captains in the area to urge residents and visitors not to spoil the feast of the Black Nazarene with litter as what happened after the recent New Year revelry when piles of trash were left scattered all over Plaza Miranda.

Several barangay chairpersons, including Josie Dee (Brgy. 306), Tessie Sharief (Brgy. 384), Rudy Chua (Brgy. 392), Rosie Ruz (Brgy. 393) and Goyang Lipana (Brgy. 394), have agreed to put up EcoWaste's banners to remind the public to care for the environment during the festivities.

Every year, the Black Nazarene statue is placed on a gilded carriage and taken through various streets of Quiapo. It is led by a huge procession participated by a throng of Catholic devotees who walk in bare feet. The statue itself, which is made of blackwood and handcrafted in Mexico, dates back to the 17th Century when it was transported to the Philippines aboard a Spanish Galleon.

This festival is considered to be one of the largest festivals in the country. It observes the death and affliction of Christ. Devotees who are able to touch the Black Nazarene with their handkerchiefs or face towels, believe that they will get their prayers answered by the Black Nazarene.

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:42 AM | 20 comments

Sunday, January 06, 2008

TANDANG SORA

This is the Mausoleum of the Veterans of the Philippine Revolution at the Manila North Cemetery. I had no idea of its existence until I came across it while taking some photographs of this cemetery last October.

On its wall is a plaque that commemorates some of the veterans of the Philippine Revolution and the Filipino-American War, like Trinidad Tecson, Pio Valenzuela, Tomas Mascardo and Baldomero Aguinaldo. And although they may have been interred there as well, the names were not at all familiar to me. I was hoping for at least one name that would ring a bell.

As it turns out, although not mentioned in any of the mausoleum's plaques or markers. there was, indeed, a very famous revolutionary interred in there -- Tandang Sora.

I was led to this discovery while reading a feature in the editorial section of this Sunday's Manila Bulletin, "The Life and Death of Melchora 'Tandang Sora' Aquino.

She was one of the famous figures of the Philippine history; born in Banilad, Caloocan on January 6, 1812. Already an octogenarian when the revolution broke out in August 1896, she wholeheartedly supported Andres Bonifacion and the revolutionary forces. Because of her many selfless acts and heroic contributions, she gained honorable titles such as the Mother of Balintawak, Mother of the Katipunan and Mother of the Revolution.

When the colonial authorities discovered her activities that aided the revolution, she was arrested and imprisoned. On August 29, 1896, she was brought to Manila and jailed at Bilibid Prison. Despite the rigorous interrogation that she was subjected to despite her old age, the authorities failed to break her. Tandang Sora refused to implicate any of her countrymen. On September 1, 1896, along with several Filipino patriots, she was deported to Guam.

When she was returned and released in February 26, 1903, she returned to Banlat impoverished. And although the Americans offered her a lifetime pension, she declined. She served her country without expecting any reward.

She died on February 20, 1919 and was interred in the Mausoleum of the Veterans of the Philippine Revolution at the Manila North Cemetery.

posted by Señor Enrique at 11:21 AM | 19 comments

Saturday, January 05, 2008

CANVAS STORYWRITING COMPETITION

Everyone is invited to join the CANVAS' 4th Annual Romeo Forbes Storywriting Competition. There is no particular theme for this year, other than the use of artist Joy Mallari's oil on canvas painting as the inspiration or basis for the entry (click here to view it).

Besides the grand prizes of P30,000.00 and a trophy, the winning story -- in English or Filipino, with 2,000 words or less -- will also be rendered and published as a full color children's book in mid-2009.

Only one entry is allowed per participant. It has to be submitted by email (as a Microsoft Word attachment) to storycontest@canvas.ph with the subject heading 2008 Romeo Forbes Children's Storywriting Competition.

Also include a cover sheet with your name, mailing and email address, and telephone number. Only the story title should appear on all pages of the entry.

The deadline for submission is Friday, March 21, 2008.

For further details, visit the official blogsite of Canvas, Looking for Juan de la Cruz.

Many thanks to Daniel Palma Tayona for the head's up!

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:30 AM | 12 comments

Friday, January 04, 2008

JULIE LLUCH, ARTIST AND SCULPTOR

The bronze statue of former Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson along Roxas Boulevard was created by Julie Lluch. She was born in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte and completed a degree in Philosophy at the University of Sto. Tomas.

She held her first one-woman show at Sining Kamalig in 1977. Ensuing exhibits were held in venues like Galerie Bleue, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila and Liongoren Art Gallery. Her 1997 show Art and Faith was held at Galleria Duemila. She also joined numerous international group exhibits such as in Fukuoka, Brisbane, Tokyo, Jakarta and Bangkok.

In 1997, Julie Lluch won the Araw ng Maynila award for Sculpture. She has also won awards for her work as a set designer and as an experimental filmmaker. She produced and acted in the prize-winning short film "Yuta, Earth Art of Julie Lluch-Dalena”.

Besides the sculpture of Mayor Lacson, she has also created a statue of Ninoy Aquino; however, not sure if she had also done the statue of Mayor Lacson on Plaza Lacson (formerly Plaza Goiti).

posted by Señor Enrique at 5:52 AM | 19 comments

Thursday, January 03, 2008

DWIGHT DAVIS, POLITICIAN AND TENNIS PLAYER

Dwight F. Davis, born on July 5, 1879, served as a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army during World War I and was president Calvin Coolidge's Secretary of War. In 1929, he was appointed by President Hoover as the Governor-General of the Philippines. But what made him famous was as founder of the prestigious Davis Cup international tennis competition.

As a competitive tennis player -- winning several titles while at Harvard -- Davis played with fellow Americans while in the Philippines. Continuing to play through his senior years, at 57, he won the 1936 national veterans' (over 45) doubles title.

Consequently, a trophy shaped like a fruit holder and made of silver with the governor's name engraved on its side eventually evolved to the familiar chalice-shaped cup awarded to tennis champions.

The Davis Cup competition began in 1900 as a challenge between the United States and Great Britain. It has since grown into a major international tournament with the United States as the most successful, winning 32 tournaments and finishing as runners-up 29 times. Australia is the second most successful, winning 28 times and finishing second 18 times.

Dwight Davis died in Washington, D.C. on November 28, 1945 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:37 AM | 17 comments

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

A TOURNEY OVER AT THE CHESS PLAZA

It was a seven-round Swiss tournament with a time control of 25 minutes per game per player. The Second Rizal Day Executive Chess Championship held at the Luneta Chess Plaza on Sunday was conducted by The National Chess Federation of the Philippines and sponsored by the Tagaytay City government headed by Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, the NCFP’s secretary general. Prospero “Butch” Pichay is the federation's president.

The competition was limited to the first 40 players and offered a P23,000 purse which was broken down as follows: first prize P7,000, second P5,000, third P3,000, fourth P2,000, and fifth to 10th, P1,000 each. A trophy was awarded to the top three placers, while the fourth to 10th finishers will each receive a medal. Entry fee was P600.

The tournament, unfortunately, was disrupted by intermittent rainfall. For results, call 381-7224 or 09053269576, or e-mail NCFPsecretariat@yahoo.com.

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:10 AM | 24 comments

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

FIRST THOUGHT OF THE YEAR

posted by Señor Enrique at 9:39 AM | 12 comments

Life in Manila as observed by a former New Yorker who with a laptop and camera has reinvented himself as a storyteller. Winner of the PHILIPPINE BLOG AWARDS: Best Photo Blog in 2007 and three Best Single Post awards in 2008.

 

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