Vintage Manila

[Doc Alan]

All the views including scanned postcards in this thread are mine, so no copyright issues. All are original, unaltered. Historical notes are my responsibility – please feel free to correct me !


Part I :-

1. “ Mabuhay ! From Manila “ Possibly from the 1950’s. This shows Taft Avenue ( William Howard Taft was former Governor General of the Philippines and US President ) ; City Hall ( opened 1939 ) ; Post Office ( built 1926, damaged World War II, rebuilt 1946 ) :-



… and in 1978 ( my first visit ):-




2. “ Rizal Monument, Luneta “ ( park is crescent-moon shaped, hence name ), now known as Rizal Park. Monument dates from December 1913. Manila Hotel ( opened July 1912 ) in background :-






… and in 1978 :-




3. “ Fishing Boat, Manila “ :-
Probably taken over 100 years ago.



Poor water quality in Manila Bay has meant a decline in fishing, but sunsets just as beautiful now ( 2010 ) :-

[Doc Alan]

Part II :-


1. “ Near Divisoria Market “ ( not Divisonio ):-

Divisoria’s roots as a commercial centre can be traced back to the Spanish era.




Still thriving in 2010 :-










2. “ Binondo Canal “. Around 1910 :-

Binondo is the oldest Chinatown in the world, dating from 16th century, “ created “ by Spanish Governor Luis Dasmarinas. During Spanish colonial period many esteros ( canals ) were constructed in this area, entering the Pasig River.





3. “ Binondo Estero “ . Around 1910 :-





Binondo skyline in 2011 :-

[Doc Alan]

Part III :-


1. “ Puerta Real Gate “ :- Actually Royal Gate, dating from 17th century. One of the gates ( puertas ) of the Walled City of Intramuros, this one facing south, damaged in World War II, restored 1969-1989.





Main gate now ( 2011 ):-




2. “ Santa Cruz Bridge “ :- Around 1902. Steel truss bridge destroyed in World War II, replaced after the War by reinforced concrete MacArthur Bridge.



3. “ Escolta Street from Moragua Square “ :- One of Manila’s oldest streets ( dates from 16th century ), in Binondo. Calle de la Escolta is Spanish for Escort Street. Prime commercial district until decline from 1960’s.




4. “ Jones Bridge and New Post Office “ :-

Connects Binondo with central Manila. Dates from 1916. ( William Jones was main author of Philippine Autonomy Act ). Destroyed in World War II, then reconstructed. Manila Central Post Office dates from 1926 ; damaged in World War II ; rebuilt after the War.




5. “ Plaza Lawton “ :- Around 1930 ? South end of Jones Bridge visible.

Named after American General Henry Lawton ( killed in 1899-1902 Philippine-American War ). Since 1970’s also known as Liwasang Bonifacio.





I hope these were of interest – as they were for me !

[Dedworth]

Great pics Doc

[raynaputi]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing it Doc!

[mickcant]

Good pictures and interesting facts, thanks Doc
Mick.

[Michael Parnham]

Wonderful pictures Alan, really enjoyable and thank you!

[Steve.r]

I really like seeing stuff like that, thanks Alan

[jake]

Very interesting

It would be nice if the traffic on Taft Avenue was still that orderly.

My late father in law drove a bus from the province to Manila 3 times a day from the early 60's to the mid 80's. You would struggle to make the same trip twice today.

[Terpe]

Very Interesting thread and some nice pics ...........thanks Doc

[chrisincebu]

I'm sure you could take a deep breath without getting light headed back then.

Thanks for sharing!

[Doc Alan]

Thank you so much for your responses Dedworth, Rayna, Mickcant, Michael Parnham, Steve.r, Jake, Terpe, and ChrisinCebu .

I'm happy to share my interest in Filipino culture and history through photos old and new on this Forum .

[Doc Alan]

Part IV



Abaca ( Manila hemp ) . Harvested from a species of banana native to Philippines, extracted from leaf stems. Fibre originally used for twines and ropes, now most is pulped for specialised paper products including bank notes, filter paper and teabags.





Grading abaca :-






Bilibid Prison :-

The “ old “ prison was established by the Spanish Colonial Government in 1865 in central Manila. The “ new “ prison was opened in Multinlupa in 1940.





Manila Canal around 1900 :-






More views of Escolta – from turn of last century :-





1940:-








1960s :-




Tondo market





Cubao, 1978 :-

[Doc Alan]

Part V

Azcarraga :- north central Manila.


Named after Filipino-Spanish Prime Minister ). In 1961 named Recto Avenue ( after Filipino senator, Claro Mayo Recto.




Taft Avenue 1960s :-





Rosario Street, Binondo :-





Pasig River :-





Jones Bridge, Pasig River, and Post Office,
1930s :-





Ayala Bridge :-


Built in 1872, reconstructed in 1908 using steel – the first structural steel bridge spanning the Pasig River, linking San Miguel District to Arroceros District.



1960s ( Jones Bridge ) :-






Santa Cruz Plaza, 1940s :-





Plaza ( de ) Goiti :-


Originally named after Martin de Goiti, who founded the City of Manila in 1571. Public square in Santa Cruz. Renamed in 2003 after Arsenio Lacson ( Manila Mayor 1952-1962 ).



Rizal Avenue, 1950s :-





Quiapo Church ( Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene ) , 1930s :-





Quezon Boulevard ( with Quiapo Church ) :-





Not Starbucks :-





Street scenes :-







1930s :-





1945

[Doc Alan]

Part VI

EDSA Guadelupe 1960s :-



EDSA Guadelupe looking south, 1970s :-




Luneta playground :- 1960s

Since the Spanish colonial era Rizal Park has been a favourite leisure spot.





Manila Hotel :-

1930s









1948



Manila Bay :-





Manila Cathedral :-


Located at Plaza de Roma in Intramuros, this was reduced to rubble in 1945 during the Battle of Manila. Previous cathedrals ( dating from 1581 ) had been destroyed by earthquakes and fire.

1930s





After bombardment in 1945 :-






Manila Airport :-


The Airport on this site dates from 1948. In 1972 a fire damaged the original terminal building. In 1981 a new terminal ( Terminal 1 ) was built. This served as the domestic airport until another fire in 1985. The name changed from Manila International Airport to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in 1987. Terminal 2 was completed in 1998 and Terminal 3 in 2014. ( Terminal 4 dates from 1948 – “ Domestic Passenger Terminal “ ).


1960s

[imagine]

Fantastic! Thanks Doc Alan

[Michael Parnham]

Yes, fantastic collection of amazing Pictures, very nice indeed Alan!

[cheekee]

Lovely photos doc Alan. Thanks for sharing. Was at terminal 3 on Sunday. My first time in manilla as usually go straight to cebu.

[raynaputi]

Can I share this thread in my FB, Doc Alan? The lovely photos are worth sharing!

[Doc Alan]

Can I share this thread in my FB, Doc Alan? The lovely photos are worth sharing!

Thank you Rayna

Of course you may share them I don't claim copyright for any of these - indeed my photos may be already shared on the internet as I don't have my name imprinted on them. The " vintage " postcards are already shared elsewhere. It's impossible to trace the original ownership of the photos in Parts IV - VI but I have avoided uploading those which are clearly labelled " copyright ". ( Parts I - III are either from my old postcards or recent photos ).

Some members may be aware of " postcard fairs " , and old " real photographic " postcards are also available on sites like " eBay ". Good examples of local topographical cards may sell for a few pounds up to £ 40 or more.

If any member knows of issues around these photos please let me know and they can be deleted. That would be a shame as the purpose is to share - at no cost to the viewers or financial gain to me

Meantime, if anyone knows of errors in my descriptions please post

Thanks also to Stewart, Michael and Philip .

[Arthur Little]

Having studied your marvellous selection of postcards in minute detail, Alan ... I, personally, am of the considered opinion that the Philippines' capital - like many cities of a comparable size - looked aesthetically more appealing in the 'olden' days.

Thanks for sharing!

[Doc Alan]

... I, personally, am of the considered opinion that the Philippines' capital - like many cities of a comparable size - looked aesthetically more appealing in the 'olden' days.

Thank you Arthur, agreed, even since my first visits in 1978 there have been changes

[Michael Parnham]

Having studied your marvellous selection of postcards in minute detail, Alan ... I, personally, am of the considered opinion that the Philippines' capital - like many cities of a comparable size - looked aesthetically more appealing in the 'olden' days.

Thanks for sharing!

I'll agree with that Arthur, looked much nicer then!

[fred]

Thanks Doc.. They used to call it "The Paris of Asia"!

[Arthur Little]

Thanks Doc.. They used to call it "The Paris of Asia"!

Nowadays, of course, ... with its proliferation of high rise, multi-storey buildings, Makati City's Business & Finance District bears a much closer resemblance to Manhattan.

[Arthur Little]

Yep ... and take a look at the way ladies dressed - much more smartly (and prettier too!!) No slovenly, faded denim jeans and T-shirts back then! Not so keen on the 'winged' shoulder pad features, though.

[Doc Alan]

More " vintage Manila ", in next two posts !


• Another view of the " old " Airport :-






• Early view of " Paseo de la Luneta " – constructed 1820s ; renamed Rizal Park after execution of national hero in 1896 :-






• Originally " Cavite Boulevard " ( part of architect Daniel Burnham’s " plan " for Manila ) ; renamed " Dewey Boulevard " in honour of U.S. Admiral George Dewey ; famed for 1898 Battle of Manila Bay with defeat of the Spanish Navy ; further renamed in the 1960s after the fifth Philippines Republic President Manuel Roxas :-





• San Lazaro Hospital – founded 1577, to this day a tertiary referral hospital for infectious / communicable diseases, with 500 beds ; operated by Filipinos for the past 100 years or so ( previously U.S. and Spanish ) :-






• Binondo Church - founded in 1596 ; original building destroyed in 1762 by British bombardment ; new church completed on the same site in 1852 ; damaged during Second World War :-






• Bridge of Spain 1910 – " Puenta de Espana " was original bridge connecting Binondo with central Manila ; replaced by first Jones Bridge after flood damage a century ago :-





• Pasig River with " inter-island boats " :-

[Doc Alan]

• Bancas in Tondo Estero ( Canal ) :-





• Tanduay Fire Station – built around turn of last century ; still functioning to protect Sampaloc citizens ; horse – drawn fire engines used when Manila Fire Department established :-





• " Calle de Escolta " - one of oldest streets in Manila, dating from late 16th century :-





• Calle Rosario – in Binondo, now Quintin Paredes Street ( named after Filipino lawyer, politician, and statesman, 1884 – 1973 ) :-





• " Carriedo End Plaza Goiti " - now Plaza Lacson ( after Manila mayor ) ; originally named after Martin de Goiti ( founded City of Manila 1571 ):-





• Plaza Moraga – bounded by Quintin Paredes Street and Escolta, " gateway to Manila’s Chinatown of Binondo " , named after 17th century Spanish priest :-





• A Manila Market around 1950 :-





• Azcarraga Street – now Recto Avenue (Claro Mayo Recto, 1890 – 1960, Filipino politician ); Philippine Dental College dates from 100 years ago ; first to be established, now " De Ocampo Memorial College " ; dentistry unrecognised as a profession during Spanish regime, and few dentists able to work during Japanese occupation in World War II :-





• Rizal Avenue from about 50 years ago :-





• Harbour from about 50 years ago :-

[SimonH]

Excellent

[Doc Alan]

Excellent

Thank you Simon !