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.
Today the country commemorates the 26th anniversary of the death of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. He made a name for himself as a journalist, politician, and brilliant statesman. To many Filipinos, he has become a contemporary national hero of sorts immortalized in streets, paper bills, and of course, monuments.
Arguably the most famous of the monuments dedicated to Ninoy would be the monument found along the intersection of Ayala Avenue and Paseo De Roxas in Makati City which reenacts the moments Ninoy was being led away the airport police of Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983, showing courage and strength in the face of the fear which would be realized a few seconds later…
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.