A stray of sunlight crosses the streets where passengers stare at the cluster of vehicles leading to the boulevard. The city hangs each minute, shifting from time to time as walkers pass by. There is nothing particularly new to the capital of the Philippines as it commemorates today (June 24, 2015) its 444th anniversary.
A metropolis of great history and diverse culture, Manila is home to millions of Filipinos of different social classes.
On June 24, 1571, Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez De Legazpi declared Manila as the capital city of the Philippines. Foreign invaders dubbed the city as the “Pearl of the Orient”.
The name “Manila” was derived from a mangrove tree variant covered with white flowers called nila. Originally, the metropolis was called Maynilad which later developed into “Manila”. In the 13th century, Manila was labeled as “Gintu” or “The Island of Gold” by its neighboring countries.
Here are additional facts about the city called Manila.
In 1935, General Douglas MacArthur stayed at the Manila Hotel when the American soldier served as the military advisor of the Commonwealth, and helped in building the Philippine Army.
Gen. MacArthur received the honorary title as Manila Hotel’s General Manager.
In honor of MacArthur’s legacy, the room where the five-star general used to call home was named after him.
As strange as it may seem, Manila City Hall resembles the shape of a coffin from an aerial view. The 76-year-old building’s floor plan was said to have been constructed in the shape of a coffin or a shield of the Knights Templar. Urban legend has it that it was made to look like a coffin to pay homage to those who died during the bloody Battle of Manila.
Manila has underground tunnels. One of these is the Fort Bonifacio Tunnel located in what is now Bonifacio Global City. The said tunnel measures 4 meters wide and 2.24 kilometers long that runs from Pasig River to Pembo and East Rembo in Makati City. With 32 built-in chambers, it is believed to have served as a secret passageway for military supplies and a storage room of war materials during the time of General Douglas MacArthur in 1936.
However, some say the Fort Bonifacio Tunnel was built by Igorot miners from Cordillera.
In 2012, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) redisciovered the tunnel and disclosed plans to make it one of the country’s historical site.
The business street of Escolta is one of the oldest streets in Manila and boasts of the early forms of skyscrapers in the country. Escolta is multicultural business district, selling imported goods from different countries. It also used to house the Manila Stock Exchange building.
Hidalgo Street in Quiapo, which was once considered as the most beautiful street in the city of Manila, was named after Felix Resurreccion-Hidalgo, one of the most brilliant painters in the country.
The street has a deep historic significance for Quiapo. Its establishments date back to the 1960s when Manila’s rich families lived there.
Hidalgo is now widely known for its business establishments that specialize in photography and ancillary equipment.
Many establishments in Manila were previously cemeteries. Harrison Plaza, Espiritu Santo Parish Church and Paco Park used to serve as camposanto in their respective districts.
MANILA BULLETIN
