Manila’s Public Transportation – a pictorial essay.

As a young lad in the Manila of the Fifties, I was a pretty independent sort, usually traveling from our Remedios St. home to the downtown areas. Eschewing the larger buses, my preference was to climb aboard a jeepney , hoping to find the choice seat in front, next to the driver. The fare was cheap, as I recall it may have been ten centavos to travel all the way downtown.

Mom’s favorite stories would revolve around Manila before the war. Inevitably, she would describe the available alternative modes of transportation: Taxis, Autobuses, caretelas and small Austin Bantam jitneys (known as autocalesas) but her choice was the Tranvia, when each morning she would board from the Sampaloc area to Plaza Goiti, transfer to a southbound car to the Malate area where she worked at a small dress shop.

Tranvia ? My interest piqued as she would relate the clang-clanging bells, the slow-paced car rolling and rocking along rails that were already over 30 years old by that time. I wondered how on earth the smaller streets, choked with traffic, could possibly accommodate such large dinosaur-like public conveyances. Images of San Francisco cable cars and old European cities with their trams came to mind. As a matter of fact, on a recent riverboat cruise from Prague to Budapest, I was delighted to see the older, classic trams still operating.

Manila’s traffic in the Fifties was comprised of a unique combination of vehicles, ranging from the ever-present and wildly bedecked jeepney, the rickety buses that caromed around traffic to pick up a waiting passenger by curbside, the poor cochero with his typically lean and sinewy horse fighting for a bit of space in the already crowded streets– all exuding noxious vapors and smoke exhaust (except for the poor horse that had his own exhaust).

Much has already been written, and done very well, about these modes of transportation so instead, I thought I’d offer a pictorial review in hopes these old photos may trigger a nostalgic memory for my readers.

Of course the oldest form of transportation were pulled by horse or carabao (usually non-passenger) drawn vehicles. There was the calesin, calesa, carromata, and carretela.

Parading the Luneta to enjoy the cooler evening breezes, Manila’s elite would take to their carriages in their personal caruajes or public calesas and calesins. All went in one direction while the Archbishop and other notables went the other.

Luneta at sunset-1900-

Luneta at sunset-1900

Luneta Carriage Parade-1900

Luneta Carriage Parade-1900

Calesin awaiting passengers by the Hotel Oriente - 1900.

Calesin awaiting passengers by the Hotel Oriente – 1900.

Great shot of the Escolta showing the variety of horse carriages. c, 1890

Great shot of the Escolta showing the variety of horse carriages. c, 1890

A calesa and a grumpy cochero (driver) c.1930

A calesa and a grumpy cochero (driver) c.1930

Typical carabao "freight" cart in Binondo (courtesy San Juan Rizal Days)

Typical carabao “freight” cart in Binondo (courtesy San Juan Rizal Days)

Carabao delivery-1929

Carabao delivery-1929

Large caretela of 1930s.

Large caretela of 1930s.

Everybody loves calesas. Here's a Japanese soldier posing for a picture to send home. 1943

Everybody loves calesas. Here’s a Japanese soldier posing for a picture to send home. 1943

The next photo is rather meaningful as it signaled the introduction of automobiles with the outdated horse-drawn carriages left over from the Spanish era. Taken on Rizal Avenue by the Kneedler Building, c.1920s.

Avenida Rizal-Kneedler Bldg -1920

My wife Michelle and I in Manila in 2004.

My wife Michelle and I in Manila in 2004.

The original “tranvia” evolved from a horse-drawn tram operated by Compañía de los Tranvías de Filipinas formed by Jacobo Zobel and partners in 1882, to the electrically powered cars of pre-war. In 1904, Meralco (Manila Electric and Light Co.) acquired both the Compañía de los Tranvías de Filipinas, a firm that operated public transportation and ran Manila’s horse-drawn street railways, and added La Electricista. Construction on the electric tramway began that same year. The cars evolved from open-sided to closed; orange in color, the tranvias plied their way on rails throughout the city.

Calle Real-Horse Tranvia-Ermita-1901. (courtesy K.Cicero)

Calle Real-Horse Tranvia-Ermita-1901. (courtesy K.Cicero)

(courtesy J.Tewell)

(courtesy J.Tewell)

Escolta coming into Plaza Sta.Cruz-1890

Tranvia going down the Escolta.

Tranvia going down the Escolta.

Electric tranvia going down the narrow Escolta-1920 (courtesy Andi DesideRio)

Electric tranvia going down the narrow Escolta-1920 (courtesy Andi DesideRio)

A rare photo of the Tranvia's interior. c.1920s

A rare photo of the Tranvia’s interior. c.1920s

Tranvia routes (courtesy of Fred Magpayo)

Tranvia routes (courtesy of Fred Magpayo)

The building of Santa Cruz Bridge in 1902 and the coming of the trolley cars established the city’s center in the area bounded by Avenida Rizal, Plaza Goiti, the Escolta and Plaza Santa Cruz –an area that became known as “downtown.” Plaza Goiti was the center of the city’s transportation network – the tranvias. Looking from atop the Great Eastern Hotel, you could see Plaza Goiti transfer station in the center with a tranvia just leaving. c 1930s

Plaza Goiti view from Great Eastern Hotel-1930s-logo

(courtesy J. Tewell)

Tranvia hub at Plaza Goiti-1920s (courtesy J. Tewell)

Tranvia turning the corner onto Gral.Luna - behind is the Lourdes Church.

Tranvia turning the corner onto Gral.Luna – behind is the Lourdes Church.

Tranvia ticket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Few people may remember the tranvias were orange in color.

A lovely scene by the Post Office taken in 1941 (courtesy J.Tewell)

A lovely scene by the Post Office taken in 1941 (courtesy J.Tewell)

In the remaining days of the Japanese occupation, the Tranvias eventually broke down for need of repair and lack of spare parts. Taxis and private cars were confiscated by the Japanese and any remaining autos could not be powered as gasoline was scarce and only available for the military effort. It was at this time that Filipino ingenuity sparked a new form of vehicle called a dokar. It was a cannibalization of an automobile chassis and tires pulled by a horse.

My parents  Carlota and Gopal hired this dokar on their wedding day, Nov.1943

My parents Carlota and Gopal hired this dokar on their wedding day, Nov.1943

Another inventive idea was the charcoal-powered bus. Larry Henares writes, “It [autobus] did not survive during the Japanese occupation because alcohol and gasoline were commandeered by the Japs, and the jitney could not accommodate the Gas Generator installed at the back of the car for use in generating power with the use of coconut charcoal.  This was an invention of my father which he called IPOPI Charcomobile.  It consisted of a furnace which burns charcoal in a limited supply of air to generate, not carbon dioxide, but carbon monoxide which is inflammable, and is filtered and directed to the carburetor and used to provide fuel to the car.  It saved Manila from starvation.  IPOPI stood for Industrial Products of the Philippines Incorporated — but people joked
that IPOPI really stood for Itulak Para Omandar Pag ‘Into. “[source:https://jimayson.wordpress.com/2008/09/28/charcoal-powered-cars-they-were-smokin/]

With the scarcity of gasoline, tranvias and calesas were the only viable means of transportation. Below, passengers climb on – pushing and shoving to get on. This reminds me of the Japanese railroad cars of today where the conductors actually shove passengers inside.

Rizal Avenue during the Japanese occupation.

Rizal Avenue during the Japanese occupation.

Signaling the end of an era, the tranvia would fall extinct after the Battle of Manila, never to travel Manila’s streets again. Tranvia graveyard - 1945.Buses

How I remember the large bright colored buses winding their way down main streets:  Taft and Rizal Avenues, Mabini, and Quiapo Boulevard. Some were open sided but most had one side entrance where the conductor would precariously hang on, collecting fares and handing out paper tickets.

Passenger Bus-1928

Passenger Bus-1928

Autobus of the 1930s

Autobus of the 1930s

Meralco not only ran the tranvias, they also operated autobuses as well as providing the city with electricity and light.

 

 

 

Meralco Bus Fleet-1930

Meralco Bus on Herran-1929

Meralco Bus on Herran-1929

After the war, public transportation had to rely on the thousands of  6×6 trucks and Jeeps that were abandoned by the U.S. military. The famous Filipino creativity to make do immediately came about establishing a new era of public conveyances. Below, probably one of the first to be converted was the “Libertad Express”.

Jitneys-1945This photo shows a 6×6 truck on the left operated as Meralco bus #37 running next to an old prewar autocalesa.

Established in the 1940’s by Vicente A. Heras, JD Transit buses once ruled Manila roads. In fact, Filipinos who lived in Manila from the 50’s and well into the 70’s practically grew up riding these iconic red Ford buses that were “reputed for their safety, dependability, and economy.” Passengers who were lucky enough to ride in one of these early buses remember JD Transit for the cleanliness and no-smoking policy, the drivers and conductresses were also very courteous, and both were also required to wear their uniforms which included a cap and a badge. [source: http://www.filipiknow.net/]

Joe Klar-1960 (courtesy of Butch Gaberman)

Pride of Pantranco article-1962

(courtesy Gorio72 on Flickr.com)

PANTRANCO – The idea of a transport company started with the vision of an American named Albert Louise Ammen with his friend Max Blouse decided to start in Dagupan, Pangasinan. Later on, PANTRANCO was sold to an American entrepreneur Frank Klar, a retired provincial treasurer of Pangasinan. With the help of his son-in-law Don Rafael Gonzales, he expanded the operation by way of consolidating other transport companies that were losing money. After the war, PANTRANCO now managed by Frank’s son, Joe, resumed its operations using several converted 6×6 trucks and some Ford trucks in its fleet. In July 11,1968, PANTRANCO inaugurated its Manila terminal at the corner of Roosevelt Avenue and Quezon Boulevard, Quezon City. It then became the central hub for the transport of people and goods from Manila to the whole Central Luzon up to the Southern part of the Philippines. (photo courtesy of S. Klar)

Pantranco Bus (courtesy Sandy Klar)

Pantranco Bus (courtesy Sandy Klar)

 

In what may have been a foreboding sign of Manila’s current traffic problems, the photo below shows 1949 Manila already clogged with buses and jeepneys on a very narrow street.

(courtesy J. Tewell)

(courtesy J. Tewell)

Of course, for sheer enjoyment of riding a double-decker bus along Dewey Boulevard, nothing was better than enjoying the cool Manila Bay breezes at dusk on top of the Matorco.

Matorco in the 1970s

Matorco in the 1970s

Matorco (click to enlarge)

Matorco (click to enlarge)

(courtesy Mon Ancheta)

(courtesy Mon Ancheta)

 

Manileños complain about today’s traffic. But the traffic of yesteryear may have been just as chaotic although not quite as choked as today.

 

 

 

 

 

Laguna open one-sided bus-1960s

(courtesy Carmelo Mosqueda)

De Dios Transit-Quezon Blvd-1960s

De Dios Transit-Quezon Blvd-1960s

Jeepneys

The ubiquitous Jeepney started its life after the war. The JEEP (G-P for General Purpose) although Austin Bantams jitneys produced by the Austin Motor Company were used in prewar days. Bachrach Motor Company (BMC) distributed American Austin and American Bantam cars from the 1930s until 1941. It operated a public conveyance fleet that was named autocalesa (AC). The ACs were later named public utility jeeps (PUJs). The jeeps then were”dalawahan” or two (2) passengers per side. Passenger arrangement became “tatlohan” or three (3) passengers per side after the war. Today, you can see nine passengers per side arrangements in most PUJs. Enclosed picture was published in a local magazine in 1939. The AC body was mounted on an Austin car cowl and chassis. [source: Richard Ragodon-Manila Nostalgia]

(courtesy Andrew Ma.Guerrero)

(courtesy Andrew Ma.Guerrero)

pre-war jeepney(bantam Austin)

(courtesy Emerson Manawis – San Juan Rizal Days)

Even after the war, the little Austin Bantam autocalesa was seen. This appears to be a hybrid of the old with the new garishly-decorated jeepney, probably taken around 1949.

(courtesy J.Tewell)

(courtesy J.Tewell)

Thousands of the military jeeps remained after the Americans left. Reliable, cheap and with ample spare parts, the jeep made it into mainstream Filipino transportation. They were being sold for about $50 each. Of course Filipino creativity came to play as these hand-made customized vehicles displaying unique adornments that reflected the driver’s passion and style flooded the streets. One of the most celebrated and favorite jeepney makers was Sarao Jeep.

(courtesy Ed Sarao)

First Sarao shop in Las Piñas (courtesy Ed Sarao)

Sarao Jeepney shop-Las Piñas

(courtesy Ed Sarao)

Today, the sons of Leandro Sarao still run the company in the Sarao jeepney factory, where they still produce jeepneys in the same way that their father and his brothers did—by hand and with meticulous attention to detail—albeit in smaller quantities.

The Sarao jeepney factory in Pulang Lupa, Las Piñas continues to draw the curiosity of visitors from various corners of the globe and has become a regular tourist stop over for those who have heard of the famous jeepneys and want to see them up close. (Cris Pin-Manila Nostalgia)

Taxis – Taxis were to be found everywhere or you could call for service. They were cheap. In the Fifties, rates were usually 15 centavos flag down and 5 centavos per 1/2 kilometer. Why so cheap ? Remember, gas hovered around 25-30 centavos a liter.

(courtesy Paquito dela Cruz)

(courtesy Paquito dela Cruz)

One of the largest companies in the city was Manila Yellow Taxi. The parent company was founded by Atty. Enrique Monserrat y Calvo, Sr. in February, 1930. It was the first taxi company in the Philippines to import second-hand cars — its first cab was a French Citroen. In the 1950s, the taxis were mostly American cars: Chevrolet, Ford, Plymouth, and Studebaker. By the 1960s, there were Mercedes Benz 180D, Peugot 403, Austin Cambridge, and Toyota Toyopet Tiara taxis in their fleet. In addition, Monserrat Enterprises sold tires and auto parts. Their store was on San Luis, Ermita. [source: Paquito dela Cruz]

A display of Yellow Taxis parked on Cortabitarte-1930s

A display of Yellow Taxis parked on Cortabitarte-1930s

Yellow Taxi Junior-Plaza Goiti-1940

Yellow Taxi Junior-Plaza Goiti-1940

Taxi drives by the Jai Alai, c.1930s.

As war drew closer, many Filipinos evacuated Manila using whatever means of transportation was at hand,

Jai Alai-Taft Ave. Mar1941

Jai Alai-Taft Ave. Mar 1941

Rizal Ave-1956

The Calleja family used to own a taxicab company called “Call Taxi” based in Parañaque. Dan Calleja was a good friend and classmate of mine from the American school. Back in the day, I had no idea what their family business was but recently, Dan’s brother, Roi, graciously shared this photos and this interesting memory: My Mom preferred diesel engine taxis because they could withstand the frequent floods in Manila.  I remember, every time Manila was unexpectedly hit with a flash flood, only the diesel engine taxis would make it back home.  So I would have to ride around town (using one of the diesel engine taxis) to look for stalled taxis and pull them home.”

(courtesy R. Igarashi)

(courtesy R. Igarashi)

You may have noticed that I’ve avoided discussing Manila’s LRT system. Mainly because that is fairly new and brings no nostalgic memories to mind but also because in my opinion the elevated rails have formed a blight on our once beautiful avenues. So please forgive.

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

35 Responses to Manila’s Public Transportation – a pictorial essay.

  1. Noelle Ayres Banser says:

    Another wonderful walk down memory lane. Thank you so much! Does anyone remember “Rabbitt Transport” in the 50’s? The story I heard growing up was that the American owner of the bus company named it “Rapid Transport” but when the first bus was painted it was misspelled and became “Rabbitt Transit”. Apparently the owner had a sense of humor and left it that way and even included a picture of a rabbitt on the side of subsequent busses!

  2. Thank you Lou for another great read. It was educational and entertaining. I always learn from your blogs!

  3. Ruth VonGiese says:

    Lou, thank you so very much for your blog. Even though I only lived in Manila for just about five years, I find your blogs intriguing. They are always well written and very informative. I found it very interesting the American (European) dress and the American names on the buildings, not at all what I would have expected. Thank you again Lou for your look back to the “Old Manila”.

  4. philip suzara says:

    a very good read, lou! very informative and nostalgic … literally, a drive down memory lane.
    thank you for this effort!

  5. Bobby Fabros says:

    Thanks for the memories

  6. Winnie says:

    Lou thanks for the trip in history. I enjoyed it very much.

  7. Armando S Quemuel says:

    Thanks Lou.
    It was 10 centavo fare on a jeep to Sta. Cruz in 1962. I walk from San Marcelino/Harrison Blvd and get the ride at Taft in front of Nicfur or Aguila Glass and get off at Lope de Vega to walk to my elementary school on T Alonzo. I was in fifth grade then.
    Coming home was same jeepney ride and get off at Remedios then get a Dilly at Dairy Queen or a popsicle at the grocery store on Pennsylvania.
    There were times, I walk on Rizal Avenue while window shopping then take the ride by bus on Echague to Ayala Bridge, right on Concepcion and left on San Marcelino but it turns left on Herran and right on Singalong. The fare was 5 or 10 centavos more.
    Those were the days.

  8. Larry Ng says:

    The Pasay line of the Meralco tranvias ran from Plaza Goiti to Luneta to M. H. del Pilar to Pasay. Our stop was the corner of Remedios, right before the Malate Church. Seats in first class faced forward, in second class the seats were wooden slats along the sides. Fares were 10 centavos for first class in the front end, five centavos second class in the back. All staff wore white uniforms and yes, the cars were bright orange in color.

  9. Nadia Rindler Dennis says:

    Another great article. I lived at the South Syquia Apts on M.H. del Pilar and took the jeepney to school at St. Scholastica near Taft Ave. then to America School for my high school years. I also did a lot of walking as jeepneys did not have a direct route. I was always safe and traveled alone. When AS moved to new area, I worked at the school from 63-64 and then took a taxi which I shared with younger brother who was in grade school.

  10. Norman says:

    Iloved it very much more sharing and photos please. I monitored your blog every day fornew post.

  11. IstarTariray says:

    Is this the Philippine Rabbit that I used to know?

  12. Noelle Banser says:

    Istar Tarriray. I’m sure that Philippine Rabbitt is the same company that I’m remembering. To my knowledge there was only one company known as Rabbitt Transit! I’m glad that someone else remembers it, and that I didn’t just dream it up, however I don’t know if the story I heard about rabbitt being a mispronunciation of rapid is true. I’m hoping that Lou Gopal will be able to dig up the story behind the name.

  13. Whitegray Memories says:

    Could it have later become the Playboy Taxi? Maybe they were different, but I remember that taxi using the Playboy bunny logo ill the 70s

  14. Bong says:

    Hi Lou!…..Very Nostalgic….Dedios (yellow) and JD (Red) are well known Buses during 60’s, we have a house in Cubao and there was a route of these Buses going To Project 2 & 3, Aurora Blvd to Luneta. We used to ride with JD going to Luneta and some kids with their parents will drop by in Arcegas Store in Q.C.

  15. Allan Hernandez says:

    Good day Mr. Lou Gopal,

    I am a magazine editor/writer doing a story on the tranvia. I would like to know what your primary sources of information were in writing your blog entry. I would appreciate an email. Thank you!

    Allan Hernandez
    Summitmedia

  16. Krisha Cielo says:

    Wow sir! Where did you get all these photos? I’m amazed!

  17. rod pujante says:

    JD had a sister company called MM Lines plying the West Avenue/Pag-asa route in Q.C. All of their buses are flat nosed Mercedes Benz’s. There is a local reference among PhilAm and West Triangle residents when asked in what manner they arrived or come. If the response was ‘Pulang Chedeng’ meaning a ‘red Mercedes Benz’ that means they came by bus.

  18. Bernardo Bernardo says:

    Lovely read! C”,) And what beautiful photographs. Maraming salamat for keeping Manila’s past alive. I love taking nostalgic trips through your postings. I was born 1945 so I did not get to see the tranvias, but I sure saw some of those calesas, taxis, jeepneys and buses!

  19. Mike Davis says:

    Can anyone, please, help me find a photograph of one of the eight trolleybuses (electric buses with twin overhead wires) that arrived in Manila in 1928? They were built in Ohio, USA, by Twin Coach Co.
    Also, can anyone please tell me the route on which they ran?

  20. Steve Fellerman says:

    Once you knew what the typical fare was between two places, it was very easy to “negotiate” a “no meter” rate for about 65% of the metered rate. I used to do this when going to the US Embassy from Makati. The drivers usually asked me when I was returning because they wanted the same deal. So I’d have a taxi waiting for me when I was ready to come back.

  21. Roque Lozano Carballo says:

    This article is an absolute delight. Than you very much Lou. I hope you can one day write a new series on Filipino painters as you once mentioned to me in an email you sent me. And I would be so interested to know what you can discover about Fabian de la Rosa. You are doing a great job with Manila Nostalgia. I sure hope God keeps you healthy for a long long time.

  22. Manly Garcia says:

    I was looking for pictures of the old IH Saulog or San Rafael buses that plied the Cavite City-Lawton route. I can’t imagine those wide-bodied buses passing through the cramped Las Pinas and Paranaque highways. Most often, they raced against each other.

  23. Gisela Kistner says:

    Another job well done Lou. Thanks.

  24. I have these facts: January 1924 – January 1928: 10 cars; February 1929 – 1941: Livery: ?; Routes: Short town route, 2401?-2801?; Route San Juan – Santa Mesa, 2902?-41? (destroyed ine the war) Fleet (2) Atlas-GE-Atlas 1924-28: 701-08: Twin Coach 40TT-GE-Twin Coach 1929-41. The first vehicles had solid tyres. I am sorry I haven’t found any photo at all.
    Nils

  25. Richard Yudin says:

    Lopez Museum has a collection of old Meralco photos. I explored their archives in 1978-79. They had a picture of a trolleybus.

  26. Mike Davis says:

    Thank you, I shall e-mail Lopez Museum.

  27. Jaypee says:

    Thank you Sir Lou! I feel so blessed to have stumbled upon your great blog!

  28. ItsMehBruh says:

    Wow! Back when Manila was the “Pearl of The Orient”, every roads weren’t so full of traffic due to discipline. But now, when you say “EDSA”, you think of traffic.

  29. jim slack, jr. says:

    What a fantastic site to find. As a child in Balayan City I never tired of my regular Calesa rides to the market and back. When we moved to North Cotabato I had to get accustomed to the more casual pace of a carabao “sled”.
    My mother still has nightmares of our rides to Baguio on the Pantranco “sidelesss” bus. Those nice tight turns taken far to fast, while we sat on the early polished wood seats! She would practically suffocate me and my brothers for fear of our sliding out! Of course who could forget the highlight of any bus trip…”balot! Pinoy! Itlog! Orange!” (or the two goat, four chicken, and one pig behind or next to me.) I used to think “only in the Philippines” until I was sitting on an airplane in Zaire as a guy drove his benz up behind us, tied it down with some rope and a single wheel chock, closed the cargo door and sat down. My friends wanted off the plane. I just shrugged. Cars don’t chew your shirt and fart.
    Oh yes! Rabbit Transport line, different than the Playboy ones. On Mindanao we had Mintranco as the main reliable line. Never after dark though.
    The worst traffic period was when they built the new Pasig bridge on the “back” way to Antipolo and there was only one way in and out past Tropical Hut. My Asor Bus Lines school bus ride used to take almost four hours each way to Makati. Incidentally, I rented a B movie called War Bus about an escape from Vietnam and laughed so hard when I realized it was my old bus! They didn’t even paint over the Asor Bus Lines!
    I am sorting through the thousands of pictures my father took during our life there and I will send one of the basket gypsies and their “ox-carts” covered in baskets of every size imaginable.
    By the way, things did change so rapidly during the ‘6os, that I arrived aboard the SS President Wilson in ’64 and flew back to the States for a vacation 5 years later on a 707, and 4 years later a 747!
    Sorry this comment is so long, but your site is so wonderful and it brought me back to my youth. A simpler time. Salamat Po.

  30. sonny says:

    The image of the rabbit clearly melded with the sign “Philippine Rabbit” one on either side of the maroon-colored bus transport (Ford-made I venture) is forever in my memory. These buses connected Manila to the Ilocos region (Laoag) and were indispensable complements to the PNR-BAL (Philippine National Railways-Benguet Auto Line) combo to San Fernando, La Union and Baguio termini in the ’50s.

    sonny-in-chicago

  31. It’s so nice to see the good old days pictures. Dean Martin once said in his 🎶 song “Memories Are Made of This”.
    -Edgardo Valentino D. Olaes (19 July 2019)

  32. Heidi Cruz says:

    I really appreciate reading this. Im wondrring if you have in yoUR archives DANMAR BUS or TRANSIT. It’s route is going north,Manila to Zambales,Panfasinan,Baguio etc.

  33. ogie says:

    I just did a 100 + years back “time Travel” in 5 minutes !! Thank you so much for your effort doing this Philippine history.

  34. christine says:

    Thankyou Lou

    Your work is incredible. Thank you.

    I lived in Manila for two years from August 1976. Many international hotels were built for the IMF conference. It was an exciting, busy time. We lived firstly at Tropicana Apartments and then Copacabana Apartments.

    Recently, January 2020, we had a family trip to the Phils which brought back wonderful memories to me. The traffic was horrendous in Manila and Cebu preventing me from visiting my old haunts. We relaxed at Boracay.

    The highlight for us in Manila was the tour with Andrei of “Don’t Skip Manila” tour guides. Andrei (Julien, I think) is a graduate with excellent English, a love of his country, a sense of humour and encyclopaedic knowledge of history, local and global.

    Christine P

Leave a Reply