Backpacking Philippines: DIY Walking Tour of Escolta, Manila

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Flight chronicles of the backpacker Tutubi, with travelogues, pictures/photos/videos, travel guides, independent and honest reviews, affordable, recommended resorts and hotels (including inns, guesthouses, pension houses, lodges, hostels, condotels, bed and breakfast and other cheap accommodations), commuting guides, routes (sometimes street maps and GPS coordinates/waypoints) and driving directions to answer "how to get there" questions, information and tips on tourism, budget travel and living in Philippines, Exotic Asia and beyond!

Backpacking, independent travel, and flashpacking are cheaper than the "cheapest package tours" and promotional offers around but you can also use travel information for family vacations, even romantic honeymoon destinations.

More than the usual tourist spots and "places to see," this blog advocates heritage conservation, environmental protection, and history awareness for Filipinos, foreigners, and ex-pats wishing to explore Paradise Philippines and Exotic Asia!

DIY Walking Tour of Escolta, Manila

I have to admit to you that I didn't bring out my camera to take pictures while Ferdz was rummaging for certain DVDs in quiapo, asked for spare batteries in on Hidalgo St, paused momentarily at Plaza Lacson, formerly named Plaza Goiti. It was only Ferdz who took pictures of the "indefatigable" Arsenic long standing in that pedestrianized road.

It was only upon reaching Escolta that I took out my camera and snapped at different buildings that I later learned Ferdz liked so much and even compared them to Singapore's magnificent buildings. (We even talked about the Fullerton in Singapore that used to be their post office building but that's another story)

Continuing with our journey on foot and snapping away at every opportunity, we reached the magnificent Perez-Samanillo building, an art deco creation of Juan Luna's son Andres Luna de San Pedro. Across the edifice is the neo-classical Regina Building (shown below in monochrome plus a little noise just for fun and experimentation).

neo-classical style of Regina (I experimented with adding noise intentionally on this one)

Trudging slowly westward, we arrived at Calvo building which, unknown to many, houses the Escolta Museum (open on Sundays) with memorabilia and photographs of Escolta of old. Across this building is another art deco gem designed by Juan Nakpil in 1935-- the Capitol Theater -- with its relief carvings and again in sorry state.

relief carving on the facade of Capitol Theater

Continuing with our journey we chanced upon the Filipino-Chinese WWII War Memorial near the banks of Pasig river bearing these inscriptions: "This memorial was erected on June 12, 1995 by Confederation of Filipino Chinese veterans in remembering and honoring the anti-Japanese heroes who died in defense of our country during the Second World War in 1941 to 1945."

portrait of Ferdz: photographing the shadow of the photographer :)

Related Posts:

Panciteria Lido and pictures of Pasig River
Manila's Paco Cemetery (Paco Park and St Pancratius Chapel)
Manila's Luneta (Rizal Park) and Baywalk

How to get to Escolta, Manila:

Commute: the eastern end of Escolta is accesible via LRT Carriedo station where you can walk and pass by Plaza Lacson (formerly Plaza Goiti), and Sta. Cruz church.

You may also take the Pasig River Ferry and alight at Escolta terminal near Jones Bridge

Commuting to Escolta is also easy from Taft Avenue, if you don't like the LRT, you may take jeepneys bound for Sta. Cruz for the eastern end via MacArthur Bridge, or those heading to Divisoria for the west end of the street via Jones Bridge

Directions by car/taxi: from Manila City Hall take Jones Bridge. Escolta is just the second street to your right after passing Jones Bridge. (Not sure but think Escolta's a one-way street). Landmarks of the place include the old Savory Restaurant.

Labels: Manila, Metro Manila, Museums, National Capital Region, Walking Tour, World War II

posted by GingGoy @ 8:52 PM,

11 Comments:

At Dec 8, 2006, 8:00:00 AM, Señor Enrique said...: Nice photographs, and most especially, very interesting perspectives! Galing!

Can't wait to see more.
At Dec 8, 2006, 10:26:00 AM, carlotta1924 said...: sobrang ganda ng iyong pagkakuha ng mga litrato! =)
At Dec 8, 2006, 12:24:00 PM, Sidney said...: Wow! Gorgeous set of old buildings!
At Dec 8, 2006, 12:41:00 PM, eye said...: ganda ng perspective sa regina building, against the bright skies. kudos to you & ferdz sa pagkakaroon ng lakas ng loob na ilabas ang inyong mga mamahaling camera sa manila hehe!
At Dec 8, 2006, 12:58:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Love the last photo the most!

P.S. --- Can I link you?

(:
At Dec 8, 2006, 1:21:00 PM, Resty Odon said...: this is the area we skipped before, right? sayang, maganda pala!
At Dec 8, 2006, 3:18:00 PM, Marco said...: ibang klase rin pala mga building dyan di ko masyadon napansin dati nun college...
At Dec 12, 2006, 6:56:00 PM, GingGoy said...: and here are some more ericsa :)

eye, kaya nga buddy system kami as in hindi ako lumalayo kay ferdz when shooting. mapansin mo dami kami pareho pwesto. but then again it was ok :)

r.o., let's revisit one of these days. just text me. there's always somthing new to discover there :)
At Dec 13, 2006, 12:12:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Beautiful. Kakainggit!

Superpasyal
At Feb 4, 2008, 11:01:00 AM, Anonymous said...: hi! great site, exactly what we filipinos need to appreciate our country more. how did you get to escolta? my friend rode a river bus and went through the stretch and got off in escolta as this is the last station.
At Oct 5, 2008, 4:29:00 PM, dodong flores 도동 플로오리스 said...: That was a very nice Manila experience...

DIY Walking Tour of Escolta, Manila

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