Iconic Manila Hotel real photo postcards

Manila Hotel is one of the most photographed hotels in the country since her establishment in 1912.

With the advent of photography. First known photo studios were introduced in Manila in the later part of the 19th century. Taking photos of people, fiesta, landmarks, recuerdo de patay (memories of the dead) became more popular. Manila hotel postcard with the use of photos became an instant hot commodity among collectors of Filipiniana, memorabilia, postcard, photo collectors not only in the country but also from all over the world.

Manila Hotel photo postcard circa 1925

Manila Hotel real photo postcards

The Manila bay harbor was dredged with millions of tons of mud, gravel and sand were used to reclaim and extend the Luneta, making room for the Elks Club, the Army Navy Club and the crown jewel of the project was a premiere hotel with modern amenities that soon to be called the Manila Hotel.

The Malecon drive which was popular as seaside passageway and promenade area during the Spanish regime was widen and reclaimed. Eventually the drive became Dewey boulevard or Roxas boulevard.

The moat which connects parts of intramuros or walled city to the Manila bay was filled and turned into a municipal golf course and garden.

The site of the hotel was next to Pier 7, where it was now possible to berth four large passenger ships.

Pier 13 is also near the hotel which added more traffic and guests to the hotel.

Visitors can book a room at the hotel and short calesa ride into the historic city centers like Intramuros, Ermita, Malate and Luneta park. During those times, the social event would center in escolta. Eventually the grand social hall of the hotel serves as a nerve center to even the political meetings and gatherings.

It was the in-thing for the wealthy and socialite during American colonial regime to be spotted within Manila Hotel, much of today’s Bonifacio Global City or BGC.

Mr. Daniel Burnham commissioned American architect William Parsons to design the Manila Hotel as well as many buildings with the California style mission which was in vogue in many parts of the United States and Europe.

Manila Hotel circa 1947 photo postcard

Manila Hotel circa 1957 with post war cars and trees growing

Manila Hotel with large acacia and narra trees circa 1959

Please try to visit the other previous article links for Manila Hotel :

American Regime Manila thru postcards part 3: https://renz15.wordpress.com/2019/09/13/american-regime-manila-thru-postcards-part-3/

Manila Hotel postcard by Cardinell Vincent :https://renz15.wordpress.com/2020/10/27/manila-hotel-postcard-cardinell-vincent-company/

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10 Thrift Shopping Tips in Kamuning Street, Quezon City

Kamuning street and the district was named after Murraya paniculata. This is a sweet smelling flowering shrub which used to be commonly found within the vicinity.

Kamuning street

The district was developed mainly for housing project in the 1930’s for government employees. Other business eventually opened and it is synonymous for custom made tailoring shops and supplies.

Kamuning Bakery which is the oldest existing bakery in the city is located nearby.

Barangay Kamuning street map ( serves as guide for tourists and newbies)

The district also had several bus stations and a jump off point to several provinces in the north and southern areas like Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Bicol and Visayas.

Thrift Shopping Tips

mid- century building along Kamuning street, some of the former residential houses were transformed into tailoring shops.

According to old time residents, Some houses would conduct garage sale once in a while but it was to dispose of their pre-loved items in the 1960’s and even 1970’s. The district is also known for its tailoring stores and customized outfit.

cloth for sale ( per yard)

Sometime about 30 years ago, thrift stores began to open one after the other. Some of the stores would held a monthly swap meet, eyeball or discount sale intended to attract customers, loyal clients and friends. Rent is relatively cheaper compared to Malate, Cubao Expo, Quezon City and Evangelista Street in Makati until few years ago.

Iyaman Fashion House Ukay-Ukay

Location : 17, Kamuning Road, Edsa Avenue Corner, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila

10.) Thrift Stores are mostly located near Kamuning corner EDSA- There were at least a dozen or so thrift stores which are conveniently located near the EDSA intersection. Some specializes on fashion, bags, fixture, bicycles, furniture, office supplies, house items and Japan Surplus. One can have a leisurely walk within Kamuning street from 50 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes visiting each store. The far end of the thrift stores are located near Tomas Morato Avenue.

Japan Surplus Kamuning-YAMEINA Enterprises

Location: 122 GFO bldg., Kamuning road, Barangay Kamuning , Quezon City

9.) Opening Time – Each store operational hours would vary. The earliest would open around 9:00- 9:30 am and closes around past 7:00pm or 8:00 pm on ordinary days. Some are closed on sundays.

Swap Meet Antique Store

Location : 124 Kamuning Street, Quezon City

Santa Clause and Christmas village houses for sale

8.) Have a Strategy – Be sure that one must already know a ballpark figure on what items do you need, have a price estimate and try to scout other thrift stores within the vicinity.

Laughing Buddha for sale

7.) Have a Pleasant Disposition–  Start the conversation with warm hello or hi, This will brightens everyone’s mood.

6.) Photography – Some thrift stores, especially those carrying home appliances have a large signage which do not allow photography and taking videos inside.

5.) Give Everything a Second or even a Third Look– Do not get afraid to ask assistance from the sales person. Take your time to look at the items for sale.

Northwest Estate and Collectibles

170 K-1st Street, Barangay Kamuning, Quezon City

Contact: 0905-315-9388 

4.) Not All Items are Cheap – I have a chance to visit a Japanese Surplus store which specializes on items from Japan. They were selling their small kokeshi doll for Php 100 each, which is a bit steep compared to those in Fairview, Novaliches or Valenzuela. Maybe there are a lot of kokeshi doll collectors within the district which may have jack-up the demand for these kind of dolls.

Japan Selections

Location: 6 Kamuning Road, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila

3.) Know their Discount Sales and in-House Promos – Surplus or Thrift stores within Kamuning street also have their discount sale on certain time period.  I do not have an idea on the policy of DTI with regards to returning items. Remember that almost all the electrical appliances on sale does not have a warranty. Pre-love items have the mark of age and patina.  Tagging a friend or acquaintance is also recommended. As some say, ” You do not know everything “.

2.) Regular Visit–  Thrift shoppers would visit the thrift stores as often as weekly basis or depending on the arrival of the items. Find out the days and times your thrift store restocks its shelves, in order to get first deals on all the latest items. Since i do not have a luxury of time, I would only visit these stores on bi-monthly basis.

1.) Do not forget to Haggle – Haggling is an art and do not be afraid to ask for discount.

How to Commute :

Jeepneys have would have route to Kamuning from Project 2 and 3. There’s Project 2 and 3 via Kamuning, E. Rodriguez to Recto; Project 2 and 3 via E. Rodriguez to Welcome Rotonda; Project 2 and 3 to Vito Cruz Mabini, and Arroceros via España and E. Rodriguez to Project 2 and 3.

Another option is by bus which ply the EDSA route. Southbound buses from Malanday, Monumento, Novaliches would pass Kamuning street. Before going to Cubao.

Note: This is just a guide for those planning to visit the thrift stores. This is personal experience and interview with some residents of Kamuning street.

 

Kawaling Pinoy 5th Anniversary Eyeball

Kawaling Pinoy held the 5th anniversary celebration and eyeball at the historic Aristocrat Restaurant  beside Malate church.

members started to arrived at around past 11:30 am until past 12:30pm 

Photo opportunities, and chit chat between members and camaraderie is evident.

This was made possible thru Chef Ariel Rios who was one of the administrator of the FB group Kawaling Pinoy . With over 16,000 active members not only in the Philippines, but on a worldwide scale.

Aristocrat Restaurant

There were about 25 members who came and enjoyed the sumptuous lunch .  The lunch ended at around past 2:00pm. ( more of the dishes -featured in my next post)

Congratulations to all the members who went to the 5th anniversary eyeball and celebration .

Ermita Malate Business Owners Association Gift Giving with 500 indigent street children

Remedios Circle, Malate, Manila-Philippines

Manila local tourism head , Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada , Ms. Michelle Pe

Ermita Malate Business Owners Association ( EMBOA) members gave Christmas presents and cheers to at least 500 indigent children  aged between 7 years-old to 12 years-old and their families at the newly landscaped Remedios Circle.

Special guests of honor includes Manila’s Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada , officials from tourism office, barangay officials , EMBOA members and schools.

Partner schools include Ermita Parish School choir, Emilio Aguinaldo College choir, Universidad de Manila choir and Philippine Women’s University choir.

students

Aside from the traditional gift giving , participants were treated to Christmas carols, cultural dancers and folk dances.

 Universidad de Manila students

The students of Universidad de Manila performed folk dances like Pastores Talisay – A Christmas folk dance which originated from the town of Talisay -Bicol region.  This folk dance with voluminous dress similar to Poblana China which dates back during the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade.

cultural dance

This year’s activities and theme ” Maligayang Pasko: Handog Pasasalamat ng Ermita , Malate Business Owners Association ( EMBOA) , sa Remedios Circle , Malate .

Mr. Tetsuhiro ” Show”  Suzuki and Ms. Angel Jores host of the program

  The said occasion is one way to give ” Thank” to the 16 barangays which are partners of the organization . They are the ones who give their time ,  people and resources to improve the community .

” This Christmas Season, we wanted to share joy,love ,happiness and peace to the people most especially to the less fortunate kids. We want them to know that we care for them same as we care a lot for the development of Ermita , Malate” according to Ms. Michelle Pe ( President of EMBOA).

crowd which includes officials , media and bloggers

There were at least between 1,000 to 1,200 people attending the event.

After the program we were treated by the organization to a hotel tour , I will post the stories of our exciting tour .

I would like to ” Thank” the organizers and the PR’s for the invitation to the event.

Website: http://www.emboa.com.ph/

 

 

 

 

Amelie Hotel : Botique Hotel located at Manila’s Bohemian District

1667 Jorge Bocobo Street, Malate , Manila-Philippines 

Galleon Bar

Amelie Hotel is a 70- room boutique hotel which is located at  Jorge Bocobo street near Pedro Gil ( formerly Herran street ) near University of the Philippines– Manila ,  Robinson’s Place- Midtown Plaza, Philippine Women’s University , Philippine Christian University, Adamson University , United Nations, World Health Organization ,  Rizal Park , Intramuros and within one ride away from the historic Paco and Chinatown district of Manila. All these historical places are within 3 to 4 kilometers away from the hotel.

 photo courtesy of : University of the Philippines archives

Historic Street

Dr. Jorge Bocobo  (1886-1965) was a renowned Philippine scholar, lawyer, journalist, leader, and educator. He was the fifth president of the University of the Philippines  from 1934-1939. Known to be moralist and disciplinarian, he was influential in the development of education in the Philippines. He was the one  who translated Dr. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo into English, was born in Gerona, Tarlac.

roof deck floor can accommodate between 70 to 150 people an an ideal place to host parties, debuts, valentine’s day , new year  parties and cocktails

According to one of the manager, The site of the present hotel used to be site of an old residential home , This is the first project of Ruygroup Hotel Corporation which is being built on land formerly occupied by the Uy ancestral home with art deco architecture . The hotel’s name was from the owner ‘s  grand-daughter named ” Amelie ” .

reception area with Mr. Dandi A. Galvez ( marketing and communication manager)

Amenities

Galleon Restaurant– named after the famed (Manila Galleon) trade that fostered goods and cultural exchanges between Manila and Acapulco, Mexico  by Mario’s Kitchen offers international cuisine sure to satisfy a wide range of palates .

linear art deco map

Galleon’s restaurant and bar serves , unique , familiar and fusion dishes . The restaurant provides all day , dining , room service and catering for functions and special occasions.

center piece leaf arrangement

In addition to spacious rooms, computer kiosks are available in the lobby as well as printing and facsimile services. There is a roof deck gym is also open to  guests.

Amelie Hotel Manila’s location in Malate makes it the perfect base for exploring the vibrant city of Manila and its neighboring cities. We are located just 13km from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and 7km from the Domestic Airport (NAIA Terminal 4).  The business districts of Makati and Bonifacio Global City are 12km away.

Deluxe 1

There are 37 Deluxe rooms  with a total area of 26 square meters . The room can accommodate  between 1 to 2 person.

Deluxe 2

DELUXE-2 rooms are suitable for families, friends or colleagues traveling together. The room accommodate between 2 to 4 persons with 33 square meters . There are 24 rooms available  . While Executive rooms can accommodate between 2 to 3 people with 9 rooms with 31 square meters .

group photo

We are quite fortunate to get invited by the resident PR and got a chance to meet the owners and staffs of the hotel.

Note: The author would like to ” Thank” Mr. Mark Abellon – brand manager , Ms. Mars Callo and the PR team for the invitation extended.

Main +63 (2) 875 7888 | Fax +63 (2) 995 3972

Address: 1667 J. Bocobo St. Malate, Manila 1004 PH

Website: http://www.ameliehotelmanila.com/

inquiry@ameliehotelmanila.com