Reviving the Old Manila One Step at a Time II: #selfiEscolta Walking Tour

Chance upon seeing a Facebook ad of the #selfiEscolta Walking Tour on the 15^th of November, I immediately got all the pertinent information and made necessary arrangements for an afternoon walking tour at the forgotten Escolta. It has been a year since I had the sole of my favorite walking shoes feel the pavements of lovely old Manila, and finally, here's another chance to discover the other side of its face.

The #selfiEscolta walking tour ad on Facebook

Comes the 15^th of November, the weather is kind of looking not-so-good in the morning, but nevertheless, I, definitely, am not missing this chance to explore this forgotten cultural remnant at the heart of Manila.The small group of 4-6 assembled at the Escolta Ferry Terminal at around 1:30 PM and waited for the tour organizers from Heritage Conservation Society Youth (HCS Youth). 

We were guided by the young and vibrant folks from HCS Youth, Jericho and Clara. Escolta, according to our guides, is actually the home of the finest showcase of Philippine architecture during the American colonial period. This tour may sound a bit of an architectural-ish type, yet, complementing the street's cultural significance to Philippine history. Some even brand Escolta as a street museum because of the various historical edifices in that street. I was thinking, if Intramuros may have branding like 'if these walls can talk', perhaps Escolta may have something like, 'if this street can talk' or maybe, 'if these buildings can talk'.

And to start the tour, the first stop is this UFO-like building designed by the famous National Artist for architecture, Jose Ma. Zaragoza. Now, it is being used as a commercial space by Bank of the Philippines Islands.

BPI Building

As the tour progresses, next stop is Juan Luna E-Services Building. According to the guide, this is the perfect example of the solution to the recent demolition issues of our old buildings. The concept of adaptive re-use is employed here. The façade remains as is, but the structure or the insides were re-constructed to ensure its endurance and functionality that meets the demand of its occupants.

Juan Luna E-services Building

Just across the Juan Luna E-Services Building, is the famous El Hogar Filipino Building. Although it has been popularly known these days as another soon-to-be victim of the demolition of our cultural hot spots, this almost a century-old building actually used to be a wedding gift for the Ayalas. Now, it doesn't have any occupant.

El Hogar Filipino Building

What is #SelfiEscolta tour without a selfie? :)

This one's HSBC Building, and is the home of the first ever commercial office of HSBC in the Philippines. It doesn't have any commercial function at the moment.

HSBC Building

We walked through De los Reyes Building and Uy Chaco Building. I wasn't able to take some nice shots there. Just a few walks away, you'll find the famous Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arch. And yes! Escolta is just a few streets away from Binondo and Divisoria, yes!

Filipino-Chines Friendship Arch selfie

Capitol Theatre is the next stop. It is designed by National Artist Juan Nakpil and used to be an art deco theatre. Right now, it is an abandoned edifice.

Capitol Theatre, Escolta

Few steps away from the Capitol Theatre is the Calvo Building, the home of Calvo Museum / Escolta Museum. If one will try to trace back the history of this building, GMA 7 had their first radio broadcast here. Calvo Museum, on its second floor, houses old movie posters, soda bottles, literary works, and other odd cultural artifacts. Most of which are the actual stuff found and seen at the Old Escolta.

Facade of Calvo Building

Some of the cultural artifacts found in Calvo Museum

After a tiresome walk, we made a quick stop at this snack bar just in front of Calvo Building. Ice creams, halo-halos and even full meal courses are served here. I got tuna empanada that perfectly goes with the complimentary ice cream scoop from this snack bar. I got Pistachio flavor, yumyum!

After a quick break, off we go to Regina Building. It is one of the most charming buildings found in Escolta. It used to be the office of the then largest tramp steamship company, Madrigal Shipping. Here in Regina Building, you'll find also a grand staircase.

The grand staircase in Regina Building

Right infront of the Regina Building, is the First United Building. It is the first commercial high-rise structure in Escolta. It has this charming old elevator and is the home of the old Berg's Department Store. Recently, it is being commercially occupied.

The Dolphy Museum in First United Building

The #selfiEscolta tour officially ended at the topmost floor of
First United Building with kuchay.
Kuchay is a yummy empanada-like delicacy that you can find in Escolta.

Cool folks from Heritage Conservation Society Youth

What made my Saturday Escolta adventure even lovelier is the once a month Escolta market happening at the ground floor of First United Building.

Escolta Saturday Future Market

Just before this extraordinary Escolta experience turns into a memory, I definitely would love to have a photo taken together with these two buildings, Regina and First United.  

On my right (your left) is the Regina Building and
on my left (your right) is the First United Building.

There were some interesting stuff I learned from the tour that I wasn't able to take a photo of, so here are some quick facts before I end this blog:

• Clarke's, the first ever ice cream parlor in the Philippines used to have Escolta as its home. 
• The very first elevator in the Philippines is also found here, at Burke's Building.
• Philippines' first moviehouse
• The very first National Bookstore
• Escolta used to be the business district of Manila. A good number of commercial banks first had their transactions here.

I might have a very limited imagination of how things were back then in Escolta, but this #selfiEscolta walking tour experience definitely opened my eyes and heightened my interest and awareness of how beautiful this street was. We just need to re-discover it. 

Rescue. Revive. Relive Escolta.
(Photo from Escolta's official Facebook page)

Time may pass, seasons may change, typhoons and earthquakes may come and go, people's preferences may appear to have much diversity this time around. But one thing is never leaving us, it is our rich history and cultural heritage, passed on to us by the previous generation. This heritage we have, it's just there, it never left us. It is us who abandoned it just because we are all too excited about what uncertainty this modernization and commercialization lead us. Before Manila is known to be the 'Gates of Hell' and has this cockroach-y smell, it used to be Asia's queen city, the pioneer in everything! Whatever happens to the good old days. But then, it is never too late to bring back the glory to our beloved city. 

Let's all revive the Old Manila, one step at a time. How? It's simple, spend your Saturdays exploring the streets of Escolta, Malate, Intramuros. They are never dead. It's you who forgot about them.

I'd like to end this blog entry with this:

"Viva Manila would like to remind you that this is what your city is supposed to feel like. By getting people to really be involved to a city, you really won't be concerned about safety issues, you will create a community and what's more importantly, you'll actually create a place where you want to live in and not a city that you would want to getaway from every weekend." (C) Carlos Celdran

Go. Visit. Escolta. And. The. Rest. Of. The. Streets. Of. Manila. NOW.
It's now or never.


*Because demolishing old buildings is a going trend in real estate nowadays. 

THINGS I learned before I turned 25. Yes, I am 25 years old starting today!

It was really fun to list down the things I have learned before I reached my quarterlife. Today's my birthday (and not to mention I ditched my classes today) and I finally had a blog entry after almost 5 months. 

•  CHILLCHILL LANG MANTRA. In every nerve-racking, heart-pounding moments, I remind myself and the folks around me: chillchill lang. Why do I have to keep it cool at all times? It’s simple. Panicking won’t help the situation, instead, aggravates it.

• THERE'S NO POINT IN HOLDING GRUDGES OVER SOMEONE. Why? Again: holding anger over a person won’t undo the bad happening and memory with that person. Forgive, but never forget. Forgive the wrongness of the act, but never forget the lessons that situation gave you. She could be your ex-bff who was linked to your ex-boyfy but hey, giving her that stare is totally so unbecoming and will lead to nowhere good.

• PAIN MAKES YOU A BETTER PERSON. Pain makes you think and reflect about your actions in the past. Why do you deserve that kind of feeling, what you did wrong, how can you make things right, the poor decisions and inactions. You learn, you grow, you mature, then later on realize you are version 2.0 of yourself.

• BRILLIANT IDEAS ARE NOT ENOUGH, YOU HAVE TO ACT UPON THEM, NOW. Not after an hour, or tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, but NOW. EXCUSES (oh it’s raining, I don’t have the budget, etc) are B---S----s  and will just keep you going round and round in circles and you’ll get nowhere!!! Trust me on this.

• STRATEGIZE YOUR LIFE. Create a strategic plan of yourself and determine what you really want. Take a SWOT inventory of yourself. My strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Maximize your opportunities by using your strength and avoiding threat by improving your weakness (and you just did a TOWS matrix). I did this the other day, and it serves as a reminder of what I really want despite the opportunities I got.

• CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD BAD OUTCOMES. OKAY. So you chose to take this street over the other and ended caught up in a bad traffic. A normal reaction would be that regretful feeling, you should’ve taken the other road. BUT will regret change a thing? Will it improve the traffic situation? Think of it this way: you were destined to be in that street because it could be that, you are destined to be late because there are things that won’t happen if you come in early to your destination. Makes senses?

•  STOP BLAMING OTHERS. Pointing fingers will get us nowhere! Take accountability of what little action that leads to greater disaster. He could’ve, she could’ve, it is their duty, why didn’t he, why didn’t she…. Quit it! Start it by this: This would’ve not happened only if I am vigilant enough. Everybody’s accountable, stop playing clean, because each one of us is responsible for each other.

• CONNECTIONS, NETWORKS AND COLLABORATIONS ARE THE KEY TO MAXIMIZED OPPORTUNITIES TODAY. Pure luck is not very reliable really. Connect, build your network and explore. You’ll never know unless you initiate the talk. Who knows,i t might lead you to something greater? And never burn bridges, because you are crossing them again someday.

• YES, again, maximize and optimize opportunities, but NEVER FORGET YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL. Yes, we have countless of opportunities in life, be it directly related to your expertise or maybe not at all. Again, you’ll never know what’s instore for you unless you try. I am, by mind and heart, a tourism marketing professional wanna be. But where am I now? In the academe, and would later on explore the world of real estate because I am optimizing my mom’s expertise on the field. Tourism? Lecturer? Real estate? Lecturer, yeah, still in line, but real estate, is not really. What I’m trying to say is that, I’ve got short term plans with those pursuits, but my ultimate goal is still towards the corporate world, doing some tourism marketing stints. 

•  INVEST ON SOMETHING THAT HAS LONGTERM EFFECTS AND BENEFITS. God knows how I have been painstakingly saving up for my graduate school tuition fee. Whenever I have this feeling of ‘I could’ve bought the latest iPhone, or iPads or nice dresses and shoes with those tuition fees’, I think about this: I am having an intangible investment for my future. When I finish this challenge, opportunities will unlock, and in few months time, the return on investment would double or even triple, I just have to be patient and contented. iPhones, iPads, in a blink of an eye, I can lose possession of, but this education investment I am into, nobody can take it away from me, even comes the day I die.

• TAKE RISKS AND CHANCES. You’ll never know what’s instore for you if you keep hiding in your comfort blanket. For the past 4 years of my post-college life, I have been jumping from one job to another (travel agency to medical tourism to airline to academe). Some think I am too impatient with my career’s progress. But I couldn’t help but think, if I have not been assertive when it comes to these opportunities, how can I have discovered my love for marketing? For doing presentations? For lectures? How can I have not known I can somehow be instrumental in shaping other person’s lives? If I stayed in an office, checked my Outlook mail every 30 minutes and booked tickets to places I haven’t been before, for people I haven’t even met. How can I be ME now?

• BOYS COME AND GO. Male species nowadays are A VERY complicated human complex. I’ve seen and witnessed enough. Enough said. No more pointing fingers, I have reached this conclusion, so be it. Please respect that.

• SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW, WHAT IS KNOWLEDGE IF YOU DON'T SHARE IT? There’s no point in being great at something when you know that people around you are plainly good. Infect others with your positivity and enthusiasm in everything they do. Integrated ideas are always after win-win outcomes, and that is possible when we share our ideas and knowledge.

• YOUR ENERGY/AURA AFFECTS THE MOOD OF YOUR ENVIRONMENT. So you’re late for your 7AM class, you blame everyone and everything, from the traffic light, the jeepney driver, the guard, the turtle-slow queue for inspection, the gasoline boy. There are two possible scenarios coming up next: first, you can enter the room, frowning and attracting more negativities, the projector doesn’t work, room clutters get to your nerves and there you go, the students attending the class could’ve posted on their Facebooks (oh the millenials that we all are) how their professor is such a source of bad vibes. ORRR you can just, flash a smile when you enter the room and act as if it was indeed a good morning.  Later you’ll realize everybody else is just smiling just like you are, because they got infected by your vibrant disposition. At the end of the class period, you didn’t even notice that you had a rough start. Yes. Because you just countered the negative vibes.

• IF YOU NEVER TRY, YOU'LL NEVER LEARN. If there’s one song to represent my entire life right now, it would be: “FIX YOU” by COLDPLAY. My heart’s every unspoken words, the lyrics of this song tell them all.

• No matter how much you love a person, there will really come a time that they will hurt, not only once, or twice, but a dozen of times, but at the end of the day YOU'RE STILL THERE FOR THAT PERSON. You cannot impose the changes you want over a person. But rather, accept things the way they are and compromise.

• PEOPLE, IN GENERAL, WILL ONLY REMEMBER YOU WHEN THEY NEED YOU. You might feel taken for granted, yeah. But it’s okay, it’s perfectly okay. Just think of it this way: You are planting good seeds in them. In due time, they will bear fruits and let’s all hope that they share that fruit to anybody who is hungry as well. Just pass it on.

• WOMAN'S INSTINCT. They are 99% real. TESTED AND PROVEN.

• Someday, someone will make you realize why it never worked out with anyone else. Because I am destined for you and you are destined for me. 

THAAAANK YOU for reading this post!

Cheeeers to me! 

xx,

Eenapot

Eenapot's 8 Goals for 2014 (because 2014 has just begun, errr, for Chinese folks)

TODAY marks the start of a new year (well, yeah, for the Chinese community, but hey~ who says I can't join their celebration by having my own 'stuff' for CNY). 

Having to reflect about what happened to my first month of 2014, I'd like to describe it as a really tragic month. I have experienced worst of the worsts (I know you would understand if I won't be narrating much of the stories behind it). But then I managed to get through it all by faith and optimism. Before 2013 ends, I came up with a list of goals to which, I, clearly, didn't have any progress with- atleast for January. I know I should not be making excuses for not having any 'tiny step' towards the realization of it, but hate to admit it, I did nothing. Now is the time to realign them. It's as if I'm starting anew. 

8 GOALS FOR 2014 

*Drumroll please! Followed by a very enthusiastic 'YAAAY!'*

(in no particular order)

1. I am a real estate broker. (Or atleast exploring careers in the real estate industry). Both mom and dad are in this field, and I think it's about time to learn their craft this year. 

2. I am knowledgeable in online marketing. I always have this burning desire for marketing, and since I spend most of my time online, why not dig deeper into knowing what online marketing is all about: SEOs, links, analytics, RSS feeds, blogs, etc. 

3. I am an entrepreneur and an events organizer! This coming summer, I am looking at being really productive by having to manage our own 'mum and pup' resort and have a seasonal restaurant in operation. My primary objective (initially) is to get my bills paid since there won't be any teaching units available for me this summer, I assume. This could be a good progress check of my graduate school learnings!

4. I am financially wise. This friend of mine taught me this 'technique' in saving up. I will definitely try this on and see where it will lead me. I was always in a financial 'stress' the past years and I keep on blaming my decision to pursue my graduate studies in an expensive school. Not playing the blame game this time, because I will be more matured financially, at the very least.

5. I am a freelance writer. I have been thinking of trying this online writing job for the longest time. But I don't know if I'm just not that confident enough to try it or what. But this year, I will definitely try it. Added channel of financial resource, at the same time, taking advantage of my strength-love for writing, I suppose. (~Yeah, I'm doing some SWOT analysis here. :D) But aside from that online freelance writing thing, I'd love to write/contribute to whatever, wherever publication, be it online or not, with monetary remuneration or none.

6. I am a blogger. This goal is in relation to my love for writing. But I want this goal to be focused in this blog. I may not have a 'great' number of viewer, but I want this blog to be my online 'journal' of how I lived and viewed 'life' and other stuff under the sun. I just do hope Blogger won't end up like those of 'Friendster' and 'Multiply'. Every month, I am aiming to post atleast 1-2 blog entries, any topic under the sun, just to keep this site going. Will try also to apply my online marketing learnings here.

7. I am a tour guide of Intramuros. Inspired by its century-old beauty and historical remnants, it is always my heart's desire to tell the story behind the Walled City of Intramuros. But ofcourse, before I tell that 'story', I would have to do some readings and research. This year, I am definitely hosting my own tour of Intramuros! 

8. I am working on my French dream! <3 Some 4 years ago, out of frustration about my first job (and 'immersion' to Dan Brown's literature), I made a goal: SET FOOT TO LOUVRE MUSEUM by the age of 25. I don't know how will that dream become possible but I am very hopeful that by 25, it shall come true. This year, in 'pursuance' to that dream, I am reviewing my 'college' French lessons. It is making me feel like my French dream is just a few sleeps away. "Je reve d'aller a Musee de Louvre"

I purposely used present tense because I believe in LAW OF ATTRACTION. 
You reap what you sow. Generosity leads to prosperity. Gratitude leads to abundance. :)

This entry is a personal REMINDER for me to KEEP SWIMMING.

Just keep swimming.. Just keep swimming.. Just keep swimming..

(what's not to love about Dory -of Finding Nemo-?!?)

xoxo,

Eenapot ^_^

*photos used in this entry have been randomly selected from Google Images. The author do not own a copyright of the images used here.*

How can YOU tell, if indeed, you really are 'successful'?

Oftentimes, I ask my students the typical no-brainer question: "What do you want to be after your tertiary education?" 80% of my folks answer me with a statement starting with the word 'successful' (i.e. successful business man, successful restaurant owner, successful blabla). Out of the blue, one student of mine asked me back, "What about you Ma'am, do you consider yourself successful?" The moment that question reached my inner sense, I began to ask myself, "Oo nga 'no? Am I really 'successful' enough to be infront of these kids?", but what does being 'successful' really means ba talaga? Not that I doubt my credibility of being a college lecturer, but it was one hard question to answer.

Success, I believe, is a very subjective point of discussion. For some, success means landing on their dream jobs, or having a payroll account of this much, or having their own properties, or having the ability to go places they once dreamt of going. At this very point, I can say I AM FAR from those definitions of being 'successful'. 

To answer that question: 

YES, I am successful right now because I wake up each morning with a smile and enthusiasm of getting to share what I know to the young and fresh tabularasa (minds) around me -even with just few hours of sleep. 

YES, I am successful right now because I know, in my very own little way, I am able to take my part in other person's life, by being a source of encouragement for them to pursue their aspirations in life.

YES, I am successful right now because I may not have a lot, but I know I have a lot. 

YES, I am successful right now because my students trust me that they will get something from me. To be trusted is a way better compliment than to be loved.

YES, I am successful right now because I am hearing the 2 magic words -- 'Thank you!' from my folks.

YES, I am successful right now because I learned how to accept life's realities and be open on how to deal with them. 

YES, I am successful right now because I know where to invest my resources and set priorities.

YES, I am successful right now because each problem I face, I see learning points and opportunities.

YES, I am successful right now because I may not have the top of the line technology and systems, different city's arrival stamps on my passport, extra dimes that would allow me to give my parents a grand European holiday, but, truly, I wake up each morning happy and contented with what I currently have. Not wanting for more, but feeling plainly blessed for everyday's grace.

I never actually had the chance to explicitly express these 'realizations' to this student of mine. My answer that time was: "Yes, I am, because I am here in front of you." Period.

But really, being successful, for me, is having that blissful feeling when you wake up early in a verrrrry cold morning and not dragging yourself to do a 'routine'. 

We all deserve to be in our happiest form as we continue our journey in this path we call life. :)

Reviving the Old Manila One Step at a Time: The #VivaManila Walking Tour

On the cloudy afternoon of the first Sunday of September, an estimated tour participants of almost two hundred flocked to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Children's Road Safety Park in front of the Manila Zoo along Quirino Avenue in Manila. The participants gathered up to attend the #VivaManila free walking tour facilitated by the new Tourism Consultant of Manila, Mr. Carlos Celdran.

#VivaManila is the tourism campaign of the City Hall of Manila which aims to revive the luster of the Old Manila by highlighting the tourist belt of Manila and reintroduce to Manilenos, and fellow Filipinos, these glimmering gems of Manila.

#VivaManila button pins for the volunteers

The #VivaManila free walking tour on that cloudy Sunday was the second (first one was sometime in July) and all about Malate, the cultural remnants of the old and vibrant Malate. Though it was a pseudo-rainy Sunday, the ever curious tour participants still followed the way Carlos walked.

Sharing with you a map I made for the volunteers.
Take note: this is NOT the official itinerary. 

1st stop. MMDA Park.
MMDA Children's Road Safety Park is like a mini-city of its own. It has its own mini-footbridge, mini-tunnel,etc.

Photo courtesy of thehoppymommybunny.wordpress.com

After the tranquil experience at the little park, the big group took batches of Jeepney along Mabini cor. Quirino Avenue. A group of my FEU Tourism Management students assisted in securing jeepneys that would bring the tour participants at the next stop: Padre Faura.

2nd stop: Tesoro Building and Lotus Garden Hotel (Mabini cor. Padre Faura)

In Casa Tesoro, 1335 Mabini is found. As the signage below suggests, it houses antiques, tribal art and contemporary art. It showcases art exhibits also of local artists.

Here are some photos taken from the interior of Lotus Garden Hotel.

3rd stop: La Solidaridad Bookstore. (Padre Faura near the corner of J Bocobo)

La Solidaridad Bookstore is owned by the famous Filipino novelist/write, F.Sionil Jose. This bookstore houses a lot of Filipiniana collections. Unfortunately, it was closed that Sunday.

La Solidaridad Bookstore facade. Yes, it's closed.

4th stop: Hizon's Bakeshop (J Bocobo corner Arquiza Street)

Hizon's Bakeshop used to be the favorite hangout place of Dolphy in the 70s if I'm not mistaken.

5th stop: Hiraya Gallery (UN Avenue near J Bocobo)

Hiraya Gallery houses some interesting work of arts.

6th stop: Jade Vine Inn (UN Avenue cor. J Bocobo, across Hiraya Gallery)

Jade Vine Inn (if I remember it correctly from Carlos' spiels) is where the Manila drag scene began. It used to be the venue of performances by drag queens and cross dressers. The complimentary refreshments and canapes were sponsored by this humble inn.

Jade Vine Inn Facade *with the kalesa shot*

The function hall of Jade Vine Inn.

7th stop: Miramar Hotel (Roxas Boulevard cor. Padre Faura)

The cozy bar at Miramar Hotel. 

The ever kind hearted people from Gawad Kalinga sponsored the native iced tea at the second to the last stop. According to the GK representatives, Bayani Brew is an authentic Filipino iced tea on which the produces were harvested from GK's enchanted gardens. The red/maroon one is Sweet Potato flavor while the brownish/yellowish one is lemongrass (tanglad) with pandan flavor.

You have to try one!

The last and final stop: Rizal Monument at Rizal Park (Roxas Boulevard, across Kilometer Zero)

Second batch of #VivaManila free walking tour class picture

Me and my FEU tourism students with Sir Carlos

Another shot with the tour guide in bunny ears. 

I have to admit that I have very few stuff to say about the stops. I would really love to add more details about the stops though, but then I, together with the rest of the volunteers, am too busy making sure everybody is well-informed of the the next stops (that I only have a very few chance to actually listen to the glittery bits of information that Carlos narrated.) Yes, it was my first time (and my students) to join the tour and our knowledge about Malate is not as extensive as that of a local resident in the area, but we want to get involved and do our part as future tourism stakeholders.

Nevertheless, the voluntourism experience has never been this fun. Seeing the enormous crowd of tour participants excited and patiently walking the streets of Malate despite a not-so-fair weather. Truly, tourism is so empowering that it makes people appreciate and value natural beauty and cultural resources around us that was once disregarded and unrecognized. :)

Until the next #VivaManila! Reviving the Old Manila One Step at a Time.

I challenge all the tourism students out there to practice voluntourism and get involved in their local tourism initiatives!

Voluntourism at its finest! Get involved!

xx

Eena :)