Binondo Bytes

Same time last year, we had a brilliant guest lecturer in the person of Ms. Lorelei de Viana who did extensive research on Binondo architecture. She published a book which is a valuable resource tool for anyone who wants to do a tour of Binondo.

Anyway, all the Mabuhay Guides were so impressed with her knowledge of the area that we keep going back to her book if only to borrow "nuggets" for our commentaries on the Binondo area.

The last time I was in Binondo I noticed black netting on what used to be the British Chancerry, a building that survived the carpet bombing during the Liberation of Manila in 1945. I hope they don't plan to tear the building down. That would be a shame and an outright violation of R.A. No 10066. That's the new law that prevents people from changing, destroying or defacing anything that is more than 50 yars old. I wonder if the authorities at the Manila City Hall have any knowledge of this.



The glory days of Escolta are all but gone but vestiges of its past remain in the old buildings that proliferate the area:

- The Capitol Theater is now heavily guarded and there seems to be some business going on inside, another renovation in progress?

- The Calvo Building - Formerly the headquarters of the Kapuso Station, now the site of the Escolta Museum. The building has remained faithful to its neo-classical design

- The Natividad Building - reminiscent of 18th century parisian buildings in the Beaux Arts style. A favorite site featured in TV commercials.

- Perez-Samanillo Building - Art Deco building that survived the bombing of WWII. Features an Otis elevator with exposed dials.
- Regina Building - Major business address for financial institutions from the early to mid-20th century. It has retained its neo-classic details over the years.

Aside from the buildings, Binondo has other treats to offer... particularly the food!!! Seriously, why wouldn't anyone want to do a walking tour of Binondo when, at every turn, one is faced with the possibility of having a tasty treat? The prospect of trying Chinese food is enough to make one salivate.

The usual hopia and siopao are just part of the usual niblets. The guests will determine just how much food they are determined to try... or how much they can take... I can't enumerate the food they can sample, else I give the tour secrets away. Best to try a Binondo tour with any one of the Mabuhay Guides. The cost is certainly well within reason. After all, the long walk is chock-full of visual and gustatory treats...

Call the Mabuhay Guides for a Food/ histtorical trip to Escolta and Binondo. We throw in a Pasig Ferry ride too if you're coming from the Makati area.