03/09/2025
REMINISCING ESCOLTA, MANILA. Where I used to dwell for so many years and reminisce about the joyful moments in my life. Perhaps, I would like to add another historical building in Escolta, which was gutted by fire, and that is the Phil. National Bank. PNB was established in 1916, and an American, Parker Willis, was its first President. It was occupied by the City Colleges of Manila, and it became Universidad de Manila during the time of Mayor Alfredo Lim. But, PNB no longer exists, and it was gutted by fire. No mention also about the building of SGI Phils., a beautiful structure, and such a big religious organization in Japan should also be a part of Escolta. It also became a venue for our visual artists once. Remember this shopping Mall named Syvels. Formerly, there was a bar below Syvel's called the Cellar, which was very famous during those days. and also the famous actors and actresses used to hang out. There was the Regina Bldg, FUBC Bldg., Madrigal Building, and the Natividad Bldg., side of the BPI branch in the middle of Escolta. I used to hang out at the MY San, savoring chicken empanada, but the place is now an Ice Cream Parlor. Please also include The Escolta Twin Towers, a residential condominium in Escolta. I can not forget because on the ground floor there's the 7/11 convenience store. Innermost downtown, the Jones Bridge was the tallest structure, which is the AIC Bldg. owned by the Tan Yu group. The late former Mayor Mel Lopez also had a great plan for Escolta, like putting a call center and a cable car, but it did not push through. Meantime, with our incumbent Mayor Isko Moreno... I don't think there will be any movement or development at all. Only the sights of our unfortunate and homeless kababayans who dwelled on Escolta street are a living witness of the decaying Escolta that used to be a grand place of destination and should be protected under the law as our National Heritage and wealth of the nation. Why not Call Centers or BPOs? It is not a bad idea in Escolta to make it more lively and soar with activities. This may occupy big buildings in Escolta and Binondo, and businesses will prosper. (Original photo of Escolta taken at dawn and using a Kodak Camera by Ver Garcia Blogs). If you want to add another structure that I have not mentioned. Please comment down below. (VerGarciaBlogs)
