Friday, February 6, 2015

Idyllic life in Old Manila through a looking glass

Compiled and edited (Adobe photoshop) by Dr Abe V Rotor.
Courtesy of Prof Alice Villadolid, University of Santo Tomas

Living with Nature - School on Blog
Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid with Ms Melly C Tenorio

738 DZRB AM, 8 to 9 evening class Mon to Fri


Manila then is like Vigan 
     though in size small
yet shines the pride of history
     and the link of all - 
the east and west for centuries 
     their art and culture 
the Europe that was, ingrained
     in blood and nurture.   

when change sets tradition free,

     and the spirit with buoy,
take a new view, not with tears, 
     if at all, with pride and joy;
forgiving is time and memory
     they leave only the good,
neither master nor slave conflict,
     the weak and the bold.         

Vigan keyhole of our distant past -

     Renaissance Europe 
on this other half of the globe -
     where cross, sword, hope 
ruled, 'til a neo-colonial power
     took our independence; 
and to win peace, we keep loyalty 
     through reminiscence. ~
  Heritage City of Vigan: Calle Crisologo today, the hub of tourist is likened 
to Manila's Escolta then; so with Vigan Cathedral with Manila cathedral 

    NOTE:  In the heart of Metro Vigan there is an area of contiguous streets and blocks reminiscent of old Manila during the Spanish colonial rule. The ambiance of the original Spanish settlement is a major tourist attraction.  Vigan has been declared a UNESCO Heritage City, and recently one of the Seven City Wonders of the World  - the only kind in the world, These photographs serve as basis of comparison of the Manila then and Vigan today. 
 Cozy Sunday in Quiapo 1904 painting by FV Adriano
 San Agustin Church, the only remaining church in the old city of Intramuros.


 Sunday in Quiapo 1904, painting by FV Adriano
 The Cathedral, Cabildo (left), Plaza Mayor, and Palacio (right) 1852, painting by FV Adriano
 San Sebastian Church and tranvia (streetcar) and caleza (horse drawn carriage), 1909, painting by FV Adriano 
Colgante Bridge, now replaced by Quezon Bridge, and casco (cargo boats) on Pasig River, 1860  painting by FV Adriano 

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