First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 22, no. 8 (September 22-October 05, 2009): 5-6. Winding through Bangkok’s Samphanthawong district is the city’s Chinatown. The area pulsates with energy late into the night, teeming with people who come here to shop and dine. It is one of the oldest parts of the city, though it […]
Founded in 794 A.D. and modeled after the ancient Chinese city of Chang’an (today’s Xi’an), Kyoto was Japan’s imperial capital for more than 1,000 years until it was replaced by Tokyo in 1869. The name Kyoto translates into “capital city,” fashioned after the Chinese for capital city (京都 pronounced kian to Hokkien, the ancient Tang […]
The Sto Cristo de Longos shrine on Tomas Pinpin corner Ongpin streets was not as widely adorned in the past as it is today. According to Norma Martin, who has been selling sampaguita garlands on the same corner ever since she was 12 (more than three decades ago), the Cross was dirty and neglected. Nobody […]
For Earl Samuel Ty Chua the land of opportunity is not the United States where he was born, but rather the Philippines from which his parents migrated. Through his fledgling fast food restaurant FaBurrito, he hopes to leave his mark in the world of business. Born in San Francisco in August 1983, Chua is the […]
Jose Rizal is alive and well in Hong Kong! If you know where to look, you can find our national hero in this bustling metropolis. All you need is a good pair of shoes and a city map. Then seek out the historical markers. There are three historical markers scattered across Hong Kong island. These […]
History can sometimes be found in the most curious of places, even in the back alleys of Binondo. Take for example this obscure historical marker in a driveway along Masangkay Street in Binondo. Since it is not visible from the street, only a few are aware of its existence. The marker honors a Don Higino […]
In its heyday, Escolta was known as the “Queen of Manila’s Streets.” It was a fashionable place where new concepts were launched, such as the country’s first cinema, the Salon de Pertierra, in 1896. During the 1930s, businesses and organizations, such as the Manila Stock Exchange, competed to have their address here. Today, it is […]
Saving an old house or a building is not easy. Nevertheless, it is a worthwhile endeavor as many of them are reminders of our country’s history and culture. Many are in dire need of repairs or face demolition if this is not done. The sad reality is that the individuals or families who own these […]
Quezon City’s reputation as an artistic and creative hub was strengthened when the Areté, a futuristic building complex, opened at the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Loyola Heights in 2017. It is also home to the university’s art exhibition space and talent incubation center. Why is Ateneo interested in raising a new generation of […]