World Architecture Day and World Post Day 2017 with the United Architects of the Philippines - Makati

My wish for a clear day didn't happen. It was rainy and I have lots of stuff on my bag. The rain came and went from time to time. But at least it was not raining really hard.

I went on my way to the Manila Central Post office and waited for the rest of the group. We have some bloggers and also the members of the United Architects of the Philippines - Makati Chapter (UAP - Makati Chapter).

The World Architecture Day 2017 fell on October 2nd with the theme "Climate Change Action." While, the World Post Day 2017 is celebrated with no theme falls on October 9th.

The program starts at with the people of the PhilPost meeting with the guests from the UAP - Makati and bloggers.

We are introduced to the long history of the PhilPost and its legacy as well as the wonderful building it is housed in. Ms. Arlene Labao-Project Officer for the Philately Collection & Museum Division started the program with some videos about the PhilPost and even how to write postcards.

Here we have the Architect Michael Conrad S. Carandang (President), presenting a certificate to Ms. Arlene Labao.

Present during the event is a good resource person about stamps is Mr. Reynaldo Ong de Jesus -Philippine Philatelic Federation (president). He showed some of his priced collection of stamps and gave a bird's eye view about stamps. He also answered some questions about stamps.

Also present is Mr. Max Sta. Maria III, PhilPost Business Lines Department (manager).

We toured a little on the premises of the building and some of its offices. We were guided by Mr. Rey from the Engineering Department.

The dome is here despite leaks is still original.

We saw some post boxes still there despite not so many using them. Look at those seals of the Philippines!

Then we went to where operations are done. Not so many people are present since its a Saturday but they are operational. The small number of posts shows how mailing has declined over the years. So much space and yet so little mail.

Then we have the occasional snub cats.

Participants of the event were also encouraged to send postcards to friends and themselves. I am glad many postcards were sent that day. I came prepared and just gave my postcards to the employee there.

Here are the members of the United Architects of the Philippines lead by their president - Mr. Miko Carandang.

After the Manila Post Office we went walking our way to Escolta. Passing the janitor fish and water hyacinth infested Pasig River. You can still see the glory that was Manila in its crumbling buildings.

First stop is the First United Building, also nearby is the Regina Building. It has been a catalyst for the revival of this once posh area of Manila.

Inside the First United Building are artsy-fartsy shops and a museum. No longer is Escolta a mere shadow of its glorious past. I am glad the people who own buildings here are doing something.

Localted within the building is the First United Building Community Museum with some of its interesting collections of materials that was used at the time when business was busy at Escolta. Must be some of the things that survived the fires and guns of World War II.

The shops at the building offer people a chance to do their favorite past time -taking selfies.

Down the street is Calvo building with its small museum. It has an interesting collection of bottles and newspapers. It was also the first home of Channel 7 also known as GMA.

A few blocks away is already Binondo or Chinatown. We headed for our first meal of the day. I am sure the others are quite hungry for something delicios and historical.

This was known as Panceteria Antigua established in 1888. Thus is the oldest restaurant in the Philippines. It is now known as New Toho Food Center. It is located at Tomas Pinpin Street.

We ate some delicious and historical foods. They were the same foods that were enjoyed by people a long time ago. Even by presidents and heros. But that doesn't matter to me. The most important thing is that the food is cheap and still delicious.

Having regained some energy and rest we push through the rain again. Walking around some areas that were lost to history, negligence and too much commercialization and to my horror the need for more ugly malls and condominiums.

The old HSBC building has been restored and is going to be a cafe. I hope people will come despite the harsh reality of nearby places and structures.

We went up an old international bank. Now called the Juan Luna Building to see a wonderful view of old and new Manila. Ugly stacked boxes called condos fill the skyline of the city. The sky is dark and is full of things good and bad.

After waiting for the rain to stop for a little. We went to Intramuros. Making a stop at the Manila Press Club to see it's mosaic tile about news.

We passed by one of the oldest surviving intact Spanish statues in Manila. Despite being in many places it has at least stayed in this place for a longer time. This is what the young queen Isabella II looked like.

Then another drop off at the Maestranza walls. It was part of the royal storehouse and is now being used. I have no idea but I am glad they are using it. The structure looks really weak and may soon collapse soon. That happens when you try to work with no quality.

The rain comes again but at least we are now at Fort Santiago. They have remade the park again for reasons beyond me. Whatever.

Here we are gates of the fort. With a mural of Santiago Matamoros (St. James the Great), patron of Spain.

We went in the Rizal Shrine but I was too lazy to take pictures. I just went there to see a relic of Rizal. A bone from his backbone where a bullet hit him. And that weird picture of his mother embracing his bones.

The place is packed with people because Intramuros was having an open house for most of the places.

Next stop is Casa Manila. This is my first time to go in and usually any pictures are not allowed in this Museum. Casa Manila is a sample of what rich person's house looks like. What some people call as bahay na bato (stone house). I was not able to take decent pictures but here are some ugly pictures of the house and its furniture.

We used the free e-ride offered on that day to go to Baluarte de San Diego. It is one of the many bastions and protective structures in Intramuros. It is in ruins still despite some people say its been restored.

I find this cannon interesting. It's here and the details are interesting.

We are now almost done and we are heading back to Chinatown for another meal. The sun has been shy most of the day and now the sun is going down. The lights of Chinatown hits us.

We enjoyed some more delicious food. Lots of talk. It was a good end to a tiring, wet and fun filled day. This is my firs time to eat at Ying-Ying Tea House.

Here are some musings for this event. I really enjoy spending time with awesome people. I joined a tour with professionals and they are one of the kindest groups I have met. They never looked down at people. Unlike heritage people who kept on complaining and pretending to know architecture. They did the tour with grace. I wish heritage people are like this. No pretentious bullshit or endless rants about the death of heritage.

Happy World Architecture Day!
Happy World Post Day!

Here are details on some of the places we visited:

First United Building (inside is the First United Bulding Community Museum and The Hub)
413 Escolta St, Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila

New Toho Food Centre
422 Tomas Pinpin Street, Binondo, Manila
Phone Numbers: 02-241-4208 / 02-242-0294

Calvo Museum
266 Escolta Street, Manila, Muelle Del Banco Nacional, Binondo, Manila

Ying Ying Tea House
233-235 Dasmarinas Corner Yuchengco Street, Binondo, Manila