Escolta's glory is nothing but an old man's tale. But its buildings—although old and rusty—survived time's most vicious scars. Today, they stand tall bearing the street's rich history
Years have passed, yet the beaux-arts and art deco architecture of Escolta continue to decorate Manila with a nostalgic grandeur. As with every other cultural location in the Philippines, this humble street provides a piece of the past neatly tucked into the very modern skyscrapers of the city.
Today, the history-laden place is still alive and kicking, thanks to groups and movements that slowly brought Escolta back on the map. The 98B COLLABoratory, for example, hosts the famed Escolta Block Party, where merchants from other parts of the Metro would come together in the area and sell their goods. Street performances, lively dance parties, and vintage car displays make the street come alive.
"We want to mount projects related to contemporary art exhibitions. We had also organised community events like [when] we conceptualised the first two Escolta Block Parties," Gab Villegas, one of 98B COLLABoratory's founding members, said in an interview.
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98B COLLABoratory was also the mind behind Escolta Sunday Market, a hotbed for creative labels eager to showcase their projects and vintage items. Because of its success, the Escolta Sunday Market eventually turned into 'The HUB,' a space ready to serve its niche community and provide a space for many local artists.
If you happen to stumble upon the area, here are some buildings worthy of a visit:
The Burke Building
Named after cardiologist and philanthropist William J Burke, this historic building in Escolta is home to Manila's first elevator. It was designed by renowned architect Tomas Fernandez Arguelles who received academic training in surveying at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran and in architecture at the Escuela de Artes y Oficios.
Arguelles served in the revolutionary troops against Spain, and he was also one of the trusted advisory councils in Manila, as well as one of the founders of the Camara de Comercia Filipina (Philippine Chamber of Commerce). He was also one of the people who founded the Philippine Architects Society, the precursor to the Philippine Institute of Architects.
