The Quiapo Theaters (Part 1)

One of the first gems ive taken pictures of in my expeditions in Manila.

Before i discovered their hidden identities, i pass them almost every time when i was young. Incredibly after i researched more about them, it amazed me to know that Quiapo was one of the most brightest areas in Manila; an incredible diamond in a rough. There were numerous stand-alone theaters scattered all over Quiapo and border Sampaloc before World War II, lining the streets with magnificent works of art-deco and entertainment. The sky was awake at night with these theaters, people from afar would come to Manila and die to hope to watch at least one the theaters. Ah those were the glory days.... Now but a history long forgotten, the names Galaxy and Bellevue theaters don't ring a bell in our present days because most of the theaters have been let out to rot and abused while some were fated to face the iron wrecking ball, reducing their proud facades to rubble. Their great days as theaters are now lost from the entertainment industry to moth-balled textbooks and various webpages. I'll be posting more about them in the near future, but for now let me introduce you to the most noticeable ones in the area.

If you ever see yourself passing by near Quiapo Church, better take a look at these art-deco treasures.

The First National Bank Building

Built around 1915, The First National Bank Building (The rectangular building on the right) is only one of the few buildings in Manila that survived World War II The Battle of Manila. The neoclassic facade gives a majestic presence and beauty as such to compete with the Museums of Rizal Park! The first time i saw this building before its current state was left out dilapidated with grime just like its neighbor the El Hogar Filipino Building (left). The current new owner, The Juan Luna E-services seems to know a thing or two about adaptive reuse unlike some private companies who are ignorant enough to belittle heritage buildings demolishing them to make way for their condos and malls all in the name of good business, the new owners are currently renovating and retrofitting the latter as the new home for the call center industry!

This gorgeous building definitely deserves the attention its having; it has been given a second chance to bring back life in the city. Let it be a lesson and a reminder to all of us out there on how important these heritage buildings to us and to the identity of the city. Sometimes in order to be successful in the future, you need  to learn from the past. I can only wish, that another good-hearten owner would do the same to El Hogar and to the rest of the neglected heritage out there. Think how Manila would be, if it retained its post-war beauty...

Then the title of "The Paris of Asia" would not be no more a thing of the past....