Above, under & beyond the rainbow: Rediscovering the Beauty of Manila

No matter how long you may have resided in a certain place, you really haven't seen everything that it has to offer. This is so true with the city of Manila- Old Manila that is. The history, the beauty and the stories behind each building, store and street.

Some weeks back, a good person asked me if I wish to be part of his Food and Heritage Tour of Manila; it was a half-day tour of Escolta and Binondo, respectively. I love Binondo and I love food, plus it was a Sunday, so I said yes. Meeting place, the fountain in front of Sta. Cruz Church at 8:00 am.

It was a sunny Sunday morning and all participants were set to see what is in store that day. For me, I simply want to know the different food treasures there is in Binondo but was I in for a surprise. The tour started with a highlight of the Sta. Cruz Church. Because of nature and of people going in and out of the area, you would never really notice it now but the place is a historic graveyard. Before the entrance of the church are tombstones of some Chinese family, who I guess helped and was prominent during the creation of the said church. I normally go that church before and know that churches are part graveyards but I never knew that some of the markings are actually tombstones. Talk about holy ground and respect to the dead.

A tombstone at the entrance of the Sta. Cruz Church

From Sta. Cruz Church, we went to the famous business area of Manila decades past: Escolta! To those who were born in the 50's and 60's, Escolta is what you would consider as The Business District. If you have a big business, then this is your location. Unfortunately, the place lost its grandeur and slowly deteriorated. At present, the business people of Escolta and Binondo is taking actions to revive the said street and bring people back to see the history and the beauty of the place.

Escolta at 8:00 am

That day, I get to see Escolta the way it was before. Uncongested and quiet, you could just imagine how it was during the early 60's. The architectural details presented in early morning light is fascinating to look at. Buildings that once houses the big and known companies at that time. Escolta at its prime and grandeur.

First stop in Escolta, The First United Building.

Like any buildings, this one has transferred hands already but what is worth noting is the architectural design and the history of some of the rooms. The whole building boast a semi-spiral staircase that is still sound despite the years. The metal-crafting and wood is still whole and sound. Arches are visible on all floors showing the integrity of the whole place. You also see the craftmanship of the past on the gates of the said building. The way it was crafted to show the initials of the family who made the said edifice. On the 5th floor, left wing, it was pointed to us the old room used by the Comedy King himself, Dolphy, during his younger years. This was a building where the different production houses in the film industry was housed. Beside the room of the Comedy King was the room used by the Superstar herself, Ms. Nora Aunor.

For an active psychic, if you have the gift of psychometry, then this is simply heaven for you. The laughter, the music, the people who left mark in this place, all there for you to read, feel and hear. You get to see, how they were at that time.

From there, we went to a museum located at the Edificio Calvo or simply Calvo Building. Here you see photographs of socialites of the past dressed in their best. Gentlemen in white coats, ladies in their best baro't saya; fashion at its best, something that the former 1st Lady Imelda Marcos was so found of presenting during their reign and up to now. The different coat of arms of various prominent family connected to the building was displayed at the main hall. Thankful for my Spanish classes, I was able to understand the text written about the different coat of arms presented. In whole honestly, the museum was not that big but it was enough to draw some reactions from us, especially me. It boast some copies of newspapers from the Spanish Period and items such as old bottles from beverage companies that are still present. Las itemas estan muy fabulosa! (see photos of the place at the bottom of the article)

From there, it was off to the first of two food stop. The New Toho Food Center.

To those who wanted something grand, then you would definitely skip this place for it looks old and a little grand when compared to your turo-turo but in reality this is a food treasure place. The servings are big! The food is delicious! The sauce is your typical homemade chinese sauce so typical then. To those born in the 70's till the 80's and would normally take the time to eat in Chinese restaurants in Binondo, you would know what I am talking of. It is sweet, thick and with the right spice. Let us face it, cooking has evolved in time and some of it has turned to something different to offer something new to the changing people but for The New Toho Food Center, they were able to maintain their original flavor and style of cooking. I know, they may have adopted some new cooking techniques and tools but the flavor is still the same. This is classic Chinese cooking known here in the Philippines. The chicken was fried without any batter like the way your grandparents used to do so, again for those born in the 70's and early 80's you know what I am talking of, but the meat was still soft and not too dry. The smoked meat is simply divine! I know cause I bought the remaining pieces before somebody gets hold of it. The rice, may it be the chorizo or the yang chow, is a meal already by itself! You don't simply see the added ingredients but also taste it. (see photos of the food at the bottom of the article)

I was able to talked to the present owner, 3rd generation already if I recall it right, and he told me that the place originally started in 1866 and not 1888 as the signage shows. He was able to find some documents showing such after the new signage was made. Wow! Talk about history. It was said that Andres Bonifacio and Jose Rizal were customers of the said place. I am not surprise if this was also the basis of the place noted in Rizal's famous novel El Filibusterismo.

From a delicious lunch, we went to Sincerity Cafe and Restaurant for some dessert.

Their halo-halo is big! It is not served in tall glasses but in bowls. Bowls big enough for two but if you wish to finish a serving on your own, you may do so. It is one refreshing dessert after walking. I thought we were done eating but the host thought differently. We were treated to some of their dishes such as their version of fried chicken, kikiam and cha bihon.

The cha bihon was good! Even it was cooked in the afternoon, it was still good when I brought some back home - and I arrived at night that time. For some pancit, it may have spoiled since it was still warm when packed and I don't have a cooler with me but it was still good to eat and delicious. Sign of good cooking. Their kikiam is good also but I prefer the smoky flavor of New Toho's kikiam.

Unfortunately, we have to end the tour because our good host has another appointment at that time. True we may have visited simply four spots but it was something worth doing so that day. The richness of the place in terms of culture and history. The beauty of the place and the people behind the preservation of it. Thank you Mr. Rence Chan for the opportunity of rediscovering Manila.

Come and rediscover Manila and see why it is said: "It is more fun in the Philippines!"

Photos:
(All photos used were personally taken by me during the Food and Heritage Tour conducted by Mr. Rence Chan)

Sta. Cruz Church: