Reviving The Glory of Queen of Streets: Escolta Block Party
- Clare Batac
- May 21, 2017
- 2 min read
Escolta was once called "Philippines' Fifth Avenue" or "Manila's Queen of the Streets" of the 1800s to 1900s.
It is the home of magnificent Art Deco, Neoclassical and Beaux-Arts buildings, built by world-renowned Filipino and foreign architects at that time.
But it began to lose its glory when Cubao, Makati, and Ortigas emerged as Manila's main business districts.
Thanks to Escolta Block Party and MNL Urban Design's events that enliven the forgotten edge of Escolta Street.
I arrived at Escolta Block Party around 6 in evening and the whole street was already packed with people. I couldn't wait to capture photos as I was losing my natural lighting. Art prints, stickers, hand-made jewelry and stationery products were invading the place.
It was my first time to go to an event alone so what I did was to observe first. It was overwhelming to witness people from different walks of life altogether with one purpose; to relive Downtown Manila.
The HUB is one of the inhabitants of First United Building. It is the home of independent clothing labels, crafts, artworks, vintage goods and refurbished antiques. I wish I brought more money to splurge. It's no secret that I'm a cheap-ass but I never haggle when it comes to hand-made products. It's my act of respect for independent artists who are either still starting their business or manufacturing their own stuff.
Street children were all over the place and people were getting hyped as the sun went down. This kid in the photo captured me as he was using this particular merch for his amusement while his folks were either asking for food money or dancing along the crowd.
I let go of my anxiety and danced with the hosts and the crowd when the DJ played disco OPM hits from the late 70s to 80s, or also known as "Manila Sound" such as Rock Baby Rock and Tayo'y Magsayawan by VST. & Co, and Katawan by Hagibis. Well, a few bottles of beer prior to that really helped.
It's a different crowd from my usual hangout places and I really had a great time from this fresh experience in the Metro so yes, I'm looking forward to attending this kind of event again in the future.
Originally posted in Niume, May 21, 2017
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