It is indeed the Manila’s Queen of Streets. Calle de la Escolta back then was the
posh district for business biz before the affluent Makati’s towering skyline. The
eminence had past but the memories shall live forever. The Manila Street Heritage Festival or #selfiEscolta
initially scheduled on June 28 but due to unpredictable weather, it has been
moved to July 5, 2014. The intention of this movement is to promote the conservation and appreciation of old buildings in Manila. Also to remember that this
is once Manila’s premiere business and shopping district, a historical footnote,
and has a huge part in the development of Philippine economy.
Last Saturday I had the
chance to be part of the said event; though it was only quick but enough to
witness the wealth of the street. Escolta is geographically part of Binondo –
one of the old downtown districts in Manila. That’s why it’s not really hard to
get there. Accessible via LRT line near Carriedo Station, public utility jeeps
are also passing by right at the corner of Escolta Street near Don Roman Santos
Building (BPI signage).
Why #selfiEScolta? Nowadays,
thru social media, everyone can create and share content into website which make
everybody part of social networking. Applications like Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram and Pinterest are now the least part of daily lives, that’s why the
hashtag aims to create an online buzz encouraging all the participants to post
their best selfie shot.
Through the effort of
Escolta Revival Movement; there are free guided tours starting from the ferry
at the Pasig River Station and tranvia ride tours that will tour around the
prominent spots of Escolta. Participants are cheered to take the self-taken
photographs with the fostered building at the background or any symptomatic
image of the street. Unfortunately the registration was closed when I learned
about this festival so I only stayed at the entryway.
At the entryway where the
street fair was assembled filled with food bazaar, shops of different arts and
crafts, pieces and paintings from the memories of the past. There were also different
organization occupied the street with just music. Another group that brought my
attention is the use of Philippine Musical Instruments, this group used an
instrument made of bamboo, a chordophone that you wouldn’t imagine it will
create music.
Here are my photographs of the
old buildings along Escolta. My apologies, since I wasn’t able to join with the
tour I don’t know the names. Nevertheless, it just feels so much proud that we
have these buildings that we usually see in parts of European countries. I can’t imagine how beautiful the place was bursting
with old cars, a vibrant street stuffed with non-neon lights yet the spirit
seems lift into an endless-like entertainment.
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