At this time when we in the metropolis are suffering from the effects of El Niño and temperatures reaching as to as high as almost 37 degrees Celsius, this urban roamer cannot help but look back at a time when there was such a thing as a literally cool spot in Manila where perhaps we can take refuge from all the heat. I’m referring to none other than the Insular Ice Plant.
Back in the days when refrigerators either were non-existent or not widely used yet, the Insular Ice Plant was one of the first buildings built by the Americans to keep the steak and beer fresh and cold. Designed by Edgar Bourne, it was a well-built building and it had a towering smokestack that was a landmark of sorts of Manila for many years, just near the southern end of the Puente de Colgante, then eventually the Quezon Bridge, right across the Post Office Building, Jones Bridge, and the Metropolitan Theater.