Escolta
Escolta was once informally called the “Queen of the Streets.” In the final years of the Spanish period, it had the reputation of being the best trading district in Binondo, Manila, the capital’s original Chinese merchant district.
Old Manila
Streets and city life through the museum’s historic photographs.
4 works
Listen to the story
AI color recreation and animation of the photograph · 8 seconds with street sounds and Tagalog voices. Colors, movement, and sound are interpretations.
Avenida Rizal
Avenida Rizal, or Rizal Avenue, was the center of the city’s social life, lined with shops, restaurants, and movie theaters. Its theaters were designed by the prominent architects of the day, among them Pablo Antonio and Juan Nakpil, both later named National Artists.
The photograph also shows the tranvía, the electric streetcar that ran through Manila until World War II. It was operated by the Manila Electric Railroad and Light Company, today’s Meralco.
Calle Rosario
Calle Rosario, now Quintin Paredes Street, runs through Binondo, Manila. During the Spanish and American periods it was considered Manila’s commercial district, lined with shops mostly owned by Chinese merchants. It lies directly in front of Binondo Church.
Calle Real
Calle Real, now General Luna Street, runs through Intramuros, where important government buildings were located.