A Walk in Manila by Catherine Ramirez

 A piece of Binondo
       It was a cloudy day and storm 'Kabayan' finally is out of the country, it is such a nice timing for the group's itchy feet to have walks and tour a part of Manila which we always used to pass yet we are'nt aware how much these sites and places made up History in longevity. Manila, perhaps would not be complete without Binondo and Quiapo.

Binondo Church- A shot from across

           Binondo, known as the Chinatown in Manila. It was also known as the commercial center during the American occupation where relative business establishments existed and even up to now marks some old buildings for commercialization.

         Under the creation of Spanish Governor Luis Perez Dasmarinas on 1584, Binondo was created for the main purpose as for the settlement of the Chinese Immigrants known then as sangleys and with a strong intention to convert them to Catholicsm or if they refused then death will be the punishment.

         Binondo tour would not be complete without a drop in Binondo Church. Formally known as Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish or the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz, was constructed in 1596, founded by Dominican Friars. Although repeatedly damaged from earthquakes (1645,1863,1880), typhoons and war the often rebuilt Binondo church still reflects its historic Spanish and European Baroque style and retains many elements of its original characters. The octagonal bell tower found in the above picture, however, is the only significant remaining part of the original structure.
          Another interesting historical stories was about St Lorenzo Ruiz (1660-1637) was the son of a Chinese Father and Filipina mother; both were Catholic. He initially served as notary and clerk for the confraternity of the Holy Rosary. Falsely accused murdering a Spaniard, in 1636 he took refuge on a ship, he was arrested, tortured and killed ( he died Sept. 19 ,1637, in Nagasaki) without renouncing his faith.
            Binondo because of it's grandeur structures served as an ideal marriage venue, but among those who married at the church, I bet, people were unaware that Andres Bonifacio "The Father of Revolution" married Gregoria de Jesus in the same church year 1895. That is why the group is really that fascinated when we stood in front of the altar , imagining as if we were back at the time when Andres Bonifacio and Gregoria de Jesus were taking their vows.


 Hotel de Oriente


     Across Binondo Church is Plaza Calderon de la Baca which was one of the most impressive open spaces in old Manila. From the first glance, you will actually get fascinated to the structure and ambiance of the place.It was named as Plaza de Binondo, then Plaza Carlos IV, before it was named after the Spanish playwright, and later as Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, whose statue dramatically stand on the plaza.T he Chinese called it Hue Heng Khao or at the foot of the garden because the plaza was lived with plants and trees with Baroque Fountains at either ends. The Binondo Church, Hotel de Oriente, and La  Insular Cigar Factory were the plaza's principal landmarks before WWII.
TRIVIA: It is believed that Hotel de Oriente in Binondo, Manila was the first hotel built in the Philippines. The hotel was a two story building with 83 rooms fronting the Plaza de Carlos III. It was a first class hotel constructed in the 1850's just beside the famous landmark, La Insular Cigarette and Liga Factory. The national hero-  Dr. Jose Rizal- reportedly stayed at room 22 of that hotel. It was among the crown jewels of the old Binondo.

  It was just unfortunately ,both Hotel del Oriente and La Insular were burned down during the Japanese occupation.  The metro bank now, occupies the former site of the two buildings.

    Actually we had a shots of the site,but we missed to focus it on the picture of the bank and to capture closer the fountain, because we are not yet aware how much these sites matters in History way back, oh! how much we missed to capture another historical marks in Manila. The fountain in the picture is still the same old fountain, imagine? . The local municipality and in behalf of the Church and the residents are unified to preserve the fountain, from the structures , designs and and its artistic curves.
you can check this link for more information: source of pics

Santo Cristo de longos- Chinese devotes praying and burning incense

Santo Cristo de Longos

     Walking along Binondo , the group will not actually miss touring around the famous Chinatown. Just on the corner of Ongpin and San Nicholas streets is a shrine wall of a building called Santo Cristo de Longos where across is adorned by garlands of sampaguita and a jar of incense sticks burned by devotes and curious passersby like us. That is the first time I smell a  scent of incense, but not bad I love how it appeals to my nasal sense. And for an experience my friend had try and follow what the Chinese devotes were doing with the incense; the rest of the group is not just sure if he is praying or simply posing for a picture. According to stories, the site was a former well, and there was deaf- mute Chinese whose speech was restored after finding an image of a crucified Christ on the shrine's very spot.


Ongpin

Don Roman Ongpin Statue

     Perhaps one of the famous street in Binondo is Ongpin. When we asked some of the people roaming around the street ; who was Ongpin.. some would just answer us with smiles nor would direct us into his statue erected on the side of the Binondo. Ongpin is simply a sympathetic Chinese businessman to our Filipino Revolutionaries. Don roman Ongpin, who used to be the local government's "Teniente de Mestizos de Binondo". Due to his artistic endeavors he supported the Filipino revolt against Spanish colonization by funding the foods, rifles, ammunition and supplies for the movement. Even during the American occupation, due to his solid support to the Filipinos , he continued to support as well the revolt and was imprisoned from December 6, 1900 to March 1901.  


Escolta

Old pictures of Escolta- shots from  tarpaulins around Natividad Building

TRIVIA:  Escolta. one of the busy and known commercial street of Binondo. The first modern building in the Philippines is considered to be the Crystal Arcade in Escolta, completed in 1932.