Manila, Queen of the Pacific 1938

Summary

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, has evolved from a Spanish colonial town to a bustling modern city. With its rich history, including the Battle of Manila Bay, it now serves as a commercial hub. The city's unique blend of old and new is evident in its architecture, from the Spanish-era Intramuros to the modern business district. Its diverse transportation, from traditional boats to modern vehicles, and cultural elements like the Filipino dress and local markets, showcase Manila's vibrant identity as the heart of the Philippine archipelago.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Manila is the capital and the largest city of the Philippines, with a rich history that includes Spanish colonization and the Battle of Manila Bay.
• 🛳️ The city has transformed from a sleepy Spanish town to a modern city, serving as a hub for American commercial interests in the orient.
• 🏞️ Manila is located on the shore of a bay and is surrounded by waterways, with inter-island ships serving an archipelago of around 7,000 islands.
• 🛶 The local trading in Manila is partly carried out using traditional flat-bottom boats called Cascos, which navigate the city's many canals.
• 🌞 The city's climate is described as kind to all, with a population that includes water gypsies living beneath the roofs of bamboo or palm.
• 🏙️ Manila is described as three cities in one: Old Manila, the home of the Philippine masses; modern Manila, born of American development; and Intramuros, the walled city of the Spaniards.
• 🏰 Intramuros is surrounded by walls that were built in 1590 and have withstood earthquakes, serving as a historical bulwark against invasions.
• 🐠 Manila's famous aquarium is located in the Bastion of the Royal Gate within Intramuros.
• 🛍️ The main shopping street, Calle Real, caters to tourists and presents a picture of busy activity with colorful traffic.
• 👗 The typical dress of Filipino women includes a bodice with large sleeves made from pineapple plant cloth and a long skirt.
• 🏫 The University of the Philippines is a government institution offering a wide range of learning opportunities and is located in the city.

Q & A

What significant event took place in Manila Bay in 1570 and 1898?

In 1570, the Spaniards sailed into Manila Bay, and in 1898, Admiral Dewey achieved one of the greatest naval victories in history, the Battle of Manila Bay.

How has Manila transformed from its Spanish colonial roots to a modern city?

Manila has been transformed from a sleepy Spanish town into a modern city, serving as the headquarters for American commercial interests in the orient.

What is the significance of the Commonwealth government in the Philippines?

The Commonwealth government of the Philippines is still under the protection and advice of the United States, indicating a period of transition towards independence.

What is the traditional mode of transportation used in Manila's waterways?

Casco, flat-bottom boats, are traditionally used for transportation in Manila's many canals and waterways.

What is unique about the living conditions of families on Casco boats?

Each Casco has a family whose life is spent beneath its thatched roof of bamboo or palm, making them very able water gypsies.

How is Manila described in terms of its composition of different areas?

Manila is described as being three cities in one: Old Manila, home of the Philippine masses; modern Manila, born of American development; and Intramuros, the walled city of the Spaniards.

What historical structure surrounds Intramuros and what is its significance?

Intramuros is surrounded by 2 and 1/2 miles of walls which began in 1590, serving as bulwarks against invasions for centuries.

What is the function of the area inside the circling walls of Intramuros today?

The area inside the circling walls of Intramuros, which was filled in for sanitary reasons by the Americans, now serves as a drill ground, a recreation area, and a golf course.

What is the typical dress of Filipino women as described in the script?

The typical dress of Filipino women is a bodice with huge sleeves made from pineapple plants and a long skirt, with the train tucked into the front of the belt.

What is the oldest and most densely populated quarter in Manila?

Tondo is the oldest and most densely populated quarter in Manila, where the masses live.

How does the modern business area of Manila contrast with the older sections?

The modern business area of Manila contrasts with the older sections through the presence of fine skyscraper office buildings and banks among crumbling thick-walled ancient structures, broad straight streets alongside narrow crooked ones, and canals filled with boat activity next to paved streets with modern traffic.