Idyllic life in Old Manila through a looking glass

Friday, February 6, 2015

Idyllic life in Old Manila through a looking glass

Compiled and edited (Adobe photoshop) by Dr Abe V Rotor.
Courtesy of Prof Alice Villadolid, University of Santo Tomas

Living with Nature - School on Blog
Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid with Ms Melly C Tenorio
738 DZRB AM, 8 to 9 evening class Mon to Fri

Manila then is like Vigan
though in size small
yet shines the pride of history
and the link of all -
the east and west for centuries
their art and culture
the Europe that was, ingrained
in blood and nurture.

when change sets tradition free,
and the spirit with buoy,

take a new view, not with tears,
if at all, with pride and joy;
forgiving is time and memory
they leave only the good,
neither master nor slave conflict,
the weak and the bold.

Vigan keyhole of our distant past -
Renaissance Europe
on this other half of the globe -
where cross, sword, hope
ruled, 'til a neo-colonial power
took our independence;
and to win peace, we keep loyalty
through reminiscence. ~

Heritage City of Vigan: Calle Crisologo today, the hub of tourist is likened

to Manila's Escolta then; so with Vigan Cathedral with Manila cathedral

NOTE: In the heart of Metro Vigan there is an area of contiguous streets and blocks reminiscent of old Manila during the Spanish colonial rule. The ambiance of the original Spanish settlement is a major tourist attraction. Vigan has been declared a UNESCO Heritage City, and recently one of the Seven City Wonders of the World - the only kind in the world, These photographs serve as basis of comparison of the Manila then and Vigan today.
Cozy Sunday in Quiapo 1904 painting by FV Adriano