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Showing posts with label Manila. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manila. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

[Travel and History] Appreciating Escolta




Part of the Zooper Cruise in Pasig River is a tour around the country's former central business district, Escolta. Through the Pasig River Ferry system, the Escolta station is next to Plaza Mexico. We made a stop from Polland Hopia Store which is one of the most iconic bean cake brands in the Philippines to Sta. Cruz church. The buildings in the district are the reflection of how rich and flourished it was since the Spanish Colonial Era until 1960s. Escolta came from the word “escoltar” which means “to escort”. It is surrounded by Binondo and Sta. Cruz which are also famous streets in history.

Escolta on 1899. Photo Credits to ViVamManila Facebook Page.

Long time ago the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade attracted traders from China and other countries to sell their goods and products that is why the streets were lined with different specialty stores or various products. Seeing a lot of black and white throwback pictures we inherited from our ancestors, we will see how Escolta looked like back then, busy, influx of people, cars, horses and markets.




Bank of the Philippine Islands former Prudential Bank, a Neo-classical style.
Long ago, it is where the tallest buildings could be found being the central business district of the 
country in 19th century. Among the popular buildings are the Prudential Bank that is now a branch of Bank of the Philippine Islands, the Natividad and Burke Buildings. Buildings in Escolta exhibits Neo-Classical, Renaissance and Beaux Art styles of architecture that not only architecture students would appreciate but those history geeks like me as well. Walking along the district gave me a feeling of wonder of what was life like during those times and how it was crowded with so much people back then. The feels were like of that when I went to visit Calle Crisologo in Vigan City. I recommend this place to visit for those who want to appreciate Philippine History more in line with Intramuros and Vigan City.




I would like to thank Zooper Cruise and Zoomanity Group for the chance to tour the city. For more information please e-mail  grace@tagmedia.asia or text 09166299381.

-FAF


Credits to Mr. Nikko Madrilejo for taking my photos included in this article and Viva Manila Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/vivamanila.org/.