Seven interesting facts about Manila

Escolta was known as Manila’s Wall Street before the war broke out. It was one of the country’s first commercial districts.

“Even before the arrival of the Spaniards, Manila was a thriving settlement. Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived and founded the city on June 24, 1571.”

Today, we celebrate Araw ng Manila, the 447th anniversary of the foundation of the country’s capital by the Spaniards. Even before the arrival of the Spaniards, the area now known as Manila was a thriving settlement. Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi arrived and founded the city on June 24, 1571.

King Philip II of Spain called Manila the “Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad” or Distinguished and Ever Loyal City through his Royal Decree of June 1, 1574. Manila became the first chartered city with the signing of the Philippine Commission Act 183 on July 31, 1901 and gained autonomy with the passage of Republic Act No. 409 on June 18, 1949.

Manila has a long and interesting history. Let’s celebrate its anniversary by knowing the capital more, beginning with these seven fascinating trivia.

1. Tondo mentioned in the Laguna Copperplate Inscription. The Laguna Copperplate Inscription is considered the earliest known written document found in the Philippines, dating to around 900 AD. Made of beaten copper, it was discovered in Lumban, Laguna, and is a legal document inscribed in an old script now known as baybayin. The inscription contains several place names, including Tundu or Tondo, a polity at the delta of the Pasig River. It is believed that there were cultural, trade and even political activities and links among several settlements and polities in the area during pre-Hispanic times.

2. Manila is named after a flowering mangrove. The name Manila is believed to come from Maynilad, meaning “a place with nila.” Nilà or nilad is a flowering mangrove tree or shrub, Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea, found in Madagascar, tropical Asia and the western Pacific. Nila was said to be found in abundance at the delta of the Pasig River and along the shores of Manila Bay. Nowadays, one can find it in few small patches, particularly in the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Eco-Tourism Area.

3. Manila was a British colony for two years. During the Seven Years War from 1756 to 1763, Britain was at war with France and its allies, including Spain. Mainly fought in Europe, it reached the colonies of the involved countries. The British army, from the East India Company, invaded the Philippines on Sept. 23, 1762 with 15 ships led by Brigadier General William Draper and Rear-Admiral Samuel Cornish. They arrived in Manila Bay, planning to attack Manila. They attacked and destroyed Intramuros and continued until October 6 when the Spaniards surrendered the city. The British occupation lasted for two years, from 1762 to 1764, but their power was within Manila and Cavite. The British officially left the Philippines after the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1764.

4. The Philippines’ first bank was in Manila. Established on Aug. 1, 1851, El Banco Español Filipino de Isabel 2 was the first bank in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia. Its first office was in Intendencia in Intramuros. The bank was officially renamed Bank of the Philippine Islands on Jan. 1, 1912.

5. Escolta was the choicest place in the country. Before the Makati business hub and Ayala Avenue, the most fashionable and sophisticated urban hub was Escolta Street in Binondo. It was established in 1594, its name derived from the Spanish word escoltar, meaning “to escort.” The area was known as a shopping strip, studded with jewelry stores, department stores and business offices. The latest fashion can be bought in Escolta. The first ice cream store, Clarke’s Ice Cream Parlor, in the country was established here. Salon de Pertierra, which opened in 1896, became the first moviehouse in the country which initially showed French silent films accompanied by an orchestra. In Escolta came the country’s first electric cable car, Tranvia; the first American-style department store called Beck’s, and first elevator at the Burke Building.

6. It is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Being the capital and the financial hub of the Philippines, Manila continues to attract many people from around the country, and many have resided in the city, making it one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The country’s population continues to grow, Manila along with it. The city presently has a population of 1.7 million in a land area of 9.64 square miles, thus having 171,301 people per square mile.

7. Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada was born in Tondo. Although many people remember him as being the mayor of San Juan, Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada, who also served as senator, Vice President and President of country, was actually born in Tondo, Manila. He was born on April 19, 1937 and his parents moved to San Juan where he grew up. His primary education was at the Ateneo de Manila University, and he later took up an engineering course at the Mapua Institute of Technology. He then became a popular movie star. Estrada recently moved to Manila where he continues to reside to this day. In 2013, he was elected as mayor of Manila, a position he continues to serve today. During his term, he continues to pursue a strong social reform agenda beginning with the full and strict implementation of the city’s policies.