City of Manila Archives - Page 43 of 63

Manila’s First Flyover

January 14, 2023June 29, 2012 by The Urban Roamer

It is said that during the late 1930’s, at a time when Manuel Quezon served as President of the self-governing Philippine Commonwealth, he was keeping a mistress who lived in what was then the affluent district of Santa Mesa. So he would pay her a visit from time to time on a strict timeframe, something which was of convenience as well since he also maintained a residence in the area. (as well as some other prominent Filipinos during the prewar period)

One day however, in one of those visits, Quezon and his entourage was stopped by a passing train along the railroad tracks that intersected Santa Mesa Boulevard. Being in a hurry and his strict timeframe cut short, Quezon was fuming mad at that incident that he ordered the Public Works office to have an overhead bridge constructed along the boulevard, built over the railroad tracks, for the benefit of the passing vehicles.

roaming the streets: Pandacan’s Jesus and Otis

August 3, 2014June 23, 2012 by The Urban Roamer

No other thoroughfares have long defined the district of Pandacan in Manila than the twin streets of Jesus and the former Otis, now known as Paz M. Guanzon. Divided by Quirino Avenue, these two streets are actually part of a single road networks that serves to connect Pandacan to the nearby districts of the city.

Named after the patron of the district, the Holy Child, Jesus is one of the districts oldest thoroughfares where many of the district’s landmarks are located. Apart from what have been written previously, along this road can be found a city government’s housing project called the Residencias de Manila and across it the charity organization ran by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, Caritas Manila. If you are one those looking for affordable goods like clothing, household items, etc. Caritas Manila’s office is one place to go to on some occasions since they hold “garage sales” of sorts for various goods.

Intramuros on a Segway

June 13, 2012 by The Urban Roamer

For a long while, a tour around the Walled City of Intramuros would normally involve a ride in one of the city’s oldest modes of transport: the trusty old calesa. But with time and technology catching up in this historic part of the city, the Intramuros experience just got itself enhanced. Thanks to the folks … Read more

The heritage of Pandacan (Part 3 of the Pandacan series)

August 3, 2014June 7, 2012 by The Urban Roamer

For a district with a 300-year old history as Pandacan, it should come as no surprise to see Pandacan figure prominently in our history in one way or another or to see fragments of its old history surviving in the midst of the many changes this place has faced.

If there’s one foremost claim Pandacan can make in our history, it would most likely being the birthplace and hometown of one of the champions of the Filipino secularization movement in the Catholic Church and eventual martyr, Father Jacinto Zamora. Not only was he honored by having not just one street after him, a park was also built on the approximate site where he was born.