Straddling between Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard and V. Mapa Street is a street with an interesting name: Old Sta. Mesa. Before the wisecrack questions are raised, yes it is old as it says it is. In fact, the area of Old Sta. Mesa is one of the oldest places in Manila’s geographic district of Santa Mesa, having served as the “poblacion” or town center of this suburb by the turn of the 20th century.
This is not about an attraction located in España Boulevard in Manila.
Even if it were an attraction, it’s not something people would be exactly proud of.
I’m talking about that perennial problem of flooding along the stretch of España Boulevard, turning almost the entire length of the road into a sunken wasteland.
As Manila grew in the 19th century, the lands of Santa Mesa and the nearby areas have become home to prominent families of the era. One of them was the Tuasons, the forebears of the First Gentleman himself, Mike Arroyo. These properties eventually were donated or placed on rent as Manila was continuously expanding outwards and more people coming in to live in the city.
At the same time, the sport of horse racing began to take hold of Manila’s sporting and recreational scene. From its humble beginnings in 1867, it became so popular that it began to outgrow its original venue at what is now known as R. Hidalgo Street. Coinciding with the growing commercialism in that area, a decision was made to move to the a more spacious area in what was then a rural neighborhood of Santa Mesa.
I’ve decided to start this with a place that is close to my heart. I actually grew up and spent most of my life as a resident of this area, so you can somehow sense the sentimentality here. Besides, having been in this place for so long should at least make me more familiar of the place, thus not get easily lost in the process, hehe…
Welcome folks to the geographical district of Santa Mesa, located on the eastern portion of the City of Manila. Surrounded by rivers of San Juan on the southeast and Pasig on the south, Nagtahan Road on the west, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard on the north (which was known before as Santa Mesa Boulevard) and the Manila-Quezon City boundary on the northeast which is just a block away from SM City Sta. Mesa. (which technically is not a part of Santa Mesa)
