Coolies at the Banks of The Pasig River, Manila c.1900s. Coolies -A historical term for manual labourers from Asia, particularly China and India, in the 19th century and early 20th century.
A Beautiful Calesa Outside Ermita, Manila ca. 1900s. When the kalesa was introduced in the 18th century during the Spanish colonial period, it became one of the modes of transportation in the Philippines, especially for commerce. Rich Filipinos known as the Ilustrados used the Kalesa for personal travel as well as for the transport of goods to nearby areas.
A Beautiful Nipa Hut Outside Ermita, Manila ca. 1900s. The Nipa Hut also known as "Bahay Kubo," is an indigenous house used in the Philippines. The native house is constructed out of bamboo tied together, with a thatched roof using nipa/anahaw leaves. Nipa Huts were the native houses of the indigenous people of the Philippines before the Spaniards arrived. They are still used today, especially in rural areas. Different architectural designs are present among the different ethno-linguistic groups in the country, although all of them conform to being stilt houses, similar to those found in neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Palau, and the Pacific Islands.
President William Howard Taft (3rd man from right) in front of the Ayuntamiento, the then House of the First Philippine Assembly, Intramuros, Manila. In the 20th century, the Ayuntamiento earned the sobriquet “Marble Palace,†because of its generous use of this material. The Ayuntamiento was used as the meeting place for the Philippine Assembly convened in 1907. Ruined by the bombardment of Manila in 1945 it has never been restored. The ruins of the Ayuntamiento stands on the eastern side of Plaza Roma. The ruin is temporarily used for parking-Another casualty of war.
Carabaos In The City -- Carabaos At The Binondo Quayside ca. 1900s. Carabaos are highly associated with farmers, being the farm animal of choice for pulling the plow and the cart used to haul farm produce to the market. Carabaos are often used by farmers in the Philippines. It is one of the most important animals in the country specially in agriculture.
Beautiful Tranvia At The Escolta,Manila c.1900s. During the Olden Days, Escolta was the shopping capital of the rich and the privileged Filipinos who were then known as the Ilustrados, the Principalias, or the Insulares. Going back in time during the early 20th century, a casual tourist in Manila will find in Escolta all the luxurious bazaars, like Heacock's, La Estrella del Norte, Oceanic, and Beck's, to name a few. They are all gone now, replaced by more modern edifices, now occupied mostly by banks and fast food stores. Yet Escolta still exist, only its past splendor is gone. It was also in the Escolta where the first Ice Cream Parlor was established (Clarke's Ice Cream), the first Cinema House was founded (Cinematografo), and the very first Electric Cable Car was installed (The Trambiya). It was indeed the classic old Manila of cobblestones and beautiful promenades.
Carabaos In The City, Manila ca. 1900s.
Philippine Normal School In Background, Legislative Building To The Right, Manila ca. 1920s. The Philippine Normal School, an institution for the training of teachers. Its first teachers were the Thomasites, a group of American teachers sent by the U.S. government to the Philippines. The Legislative Building designated as the National Library in Burnham's plan for Manila, it became the Legislative Building instead in 1929, with both library and museum in the lower floors. The premises served as the Executive House (Prime Ministerial Office) during the 1970's and early '80s) and as the Senate seat from 1986 to 1998, when the whole building was handed over to the National Museum. The National Musem is the official repository and guardian of the Philippine cultural, historical and natural heritage. Created on October 4, 1901 under its old name, the Insular Museum of Ethnology, National History and Commerce. The museum boasts of five (5) divisions, namely: Art, Botany, Zoology, Geology and Antropology.
An Old Spanish Church At Cavite, Philippine Islands ca. 1900s
Inside The Old Molo Church, Panay, Philippine Islands ca. 1900s. Molo was a Chinese enclave at the turn of the century. Its Neogothic church is one of the few in Iloilo not built by the Augustinians. The church is attributed to a Chinese mestizo secular, Fr. Locsin. The original church of Molo was built of tabique with a tile roof. Fr. Jose Ma. Sichon replaced it with a temporary church in 1863, probably because the earlier church was damaged. In 1866 plans were presented for approval. Bp. Mariano Cuartero approved construction in 1869. Heritage Features: The church is an amalgam of Gothic and Renaissance. The plan is fundamentally Renaissance, evident in the arcade of Corinthian columns in the interior, the use of semi-circular arches, and the disposition of space. The church’s height, however, and its narrow width points to affinity with the Gothic. This is further emphasized by the decorative elements, spires, lancets, tracery. The wooden varnished altar, said to have been built around 1930, carry the Gothic theme. On 16 columns supporting the roof are images of female saints, hence the church’s sobriquet as church of women. In front of the church is plaza with a band stand, a typical plan of Western Visayas towns.
The Courtyard Of An Old Spanish Residence, Manila, Philippine Islands ca. 1900s.
Bilibid Viejo After An Unusually Severe Tropical Cloud Burst, Manila, Philippine Islands ca. 1900s.
The Dock and Old Spanish Fort San Pedro, Southwest Bastion La Concepcion from the Waterfront taken from a Steamer - Cebu, Philippine Islands. ca. 1900s.
La Naval De Manila, Intramuros.
Better Class Spanish Houses In Outskirts Of Manila, Philippine Islands. ca. 1900s.
American Soldiers At The Old Bamban Bridge, Mabalacat, Pampanga ca. 1900s.
Near The Harbor At The Pasig River, Manila, Philippines c.1900s.
Molo Church, Iloilo, Philippine Islands ca. 1900s. The Molo Church is one of the most familiar landmarks of Iloilo. Built in 1831, the church stands as a reminder of Iloilo’s rich history and a monument for Ilonggo artistry. he Molo Church exudes a blatant expression of Gothic-Renaissance architecture, the one of its kind outside Manila. The interior is a fusion of Gothic and Romanesque architectures, there is a constant alternation between the overpowering features of Gothic and the recessive characteristics of Romanesque. The interior is rich in Gothic elements. There are five gothic altars which are made of wood while beautiful paintings dominate the walls. Female Saints Stand on each pillar and a pair of interestingly decorated pulpits contrast the entire structure. The Spires of Molo are yet the most interesting colonial skyscrapers in Iloilo City aside from the Neoclassic Belfry of Jaro. It is said that in August 4, 1886, Dr. Jose Rizal, on his way back to Manila from his exile in Dapitan, passed by the church to pray and view its collection of biblical paintings, which is no longer extant. Molo church is very sturdy and has survived fires, earthquakes, and artillery barrages in 1945.. Molo church was made as an evacuation center for the civilians during WWII. One tower is said to have been destroyed by the Americans after suspecting it was used for military purposes by the Japanese during the Second World War. The bells still bear the scars of bullets shot at Philippine resistance fighters in the second world war. The National Historical Institute declared it a national landmark in 1992. This magnificent structure is best seen during the late afternoon when the coral stone facade of the church reflects the soft golden rays of the sunset.
Inside Paco Cemetery, Manila, Philippines Islands ca. 1900s. Paco Cemetery is also called the Paco Park, located in Paco, Manila. It was built in 1820. It was intended for the victims of cholera epedemic. Nine niches were donated by by the city of Manila in gratitude of the services of the Dominicans to the victims of the cholera.During that time a niches were rented for P20.00 each, renewable after three years. The mausoleum of Governor General Ramon Solano Y Lladeral is found inside the mortuary chapel.The remains of the three martyred priest were also lain here. Dr. Jose Rizal Mercado's remains were interred here from December 30, 1896 to December 29, 1912, then his bones wre transferred to his execution site, the Bagumbayan, now Rizal Park. It is no longer operating as a cemetery anymore. It has been a favorite venue for weddings, and concerts of traditional artists. It is frequently visited by lovers and families who attend Sunday masses at the Chapel of San Pancratius, located inside the cemetery.
more to come...
