THE Queen of streets of Manila or simply the no-less than Calle Escolta, has been fired up once again.

The Heritage Conservation Society Youth along with the Escolta Commercial Association Inc. raised Philippine heritage awareness as they unveiled #SelfiEscolta: The Manila Heritage Festival last July 5.

Aiming to promote conservation and appreciation of heritage buildings of old Manila, the whole-day event was far spanking among other fairs as it embraced guided tours, photo exhibit, bazaar and concert.

Steered interested participants about the resemblance of European facades on the evolving architectural styles of structures found in Escolta, Clara Buenconsejo, Secretary General of Heritage Conservation Society Youth (HCS Youth), drew attention on the realization of people that there’s more to Manila than what meets the eye.

    “A lot of people don’t know about Escolta. A lot of people nowadays either think that Escolta is dead or tipong hindi talaga nila alam kung anong makikita sa Escolta,” Buenconsejo said.

The organizers dared to change the perception of the people regarding the once-renowned center of luxury and urbanization Escolta by gathering the public through an informative and fun-filled pioneering affair.

The Selfie Campaign

Volunteers from HCS Youth including architecture students from HCS-UST Youth Chapter lead over the free guided tours for students, travelers, people from the media and entertainment industry, independent artists and heritage and cultural conservation enthusiasts.

Starting from the Pasig River Station, the ferry, walking and tranvia ride tours transported goers around the prominent spots of Calle Escolta and its surrounding neighborhood. Participants were given photo opportunity to take a “selfie”, or self-taken photographs of themselves, with the heritage buildings fostered in the world of social media through the hashtag #selfiEscolta.

    “Through the tours, they’ve heard the stories. We told the people some facts about the buildings, but more than that, we gave them stories within their walls. And through the people’s selfies, we hope that the rest of the Philippines would like to know the buildings’ stories as well,” Stephanie Yap, one of the tour guides and Public Relations Officer of HCS-UST Youth Chapter, explained.

The itinerary includes stops at some of Manila’s most historical: First United Building, Regina Building, Juan Luna eServices Building, Insular Life Building, Uy Chaco Building (the first skyscraper of Manila),  Syvel Dep’t Store and Capitol Theater (Juan Nakpil’s masterpieces), the BPI Escolta of iconic architecture designed by the newly recognized National Artist Maria Jose Zaragoza, and the renowned 100 year-old El Hogar Building, which is currently at risk of demolition.

     “The building is old, but it doesn’t mean that if it’s old, wala na, hindi na interesting,” Buenconsejo said on the increasing consciousness of the people concerning the conservation of admired facades of Manila that bare the identity of Philippine architecture.

The Art and Vintage Publicity

Aside from the guided tours, the street fair was one of the major attractions as well. Calle Escolta was filled with food bazaar, shops that sold arts and crafts items, personal pieces and paintings by independent artists, paintings, posters and old photographs of Manila and photo printing booths.

The photo exhibit added the cultural cognizance of the sightseers located at the ground floor of the First United Building where the usual Saturday Market is held. Reprints of photographs from the J. Tewell collection were displayed to provoke viewers to reminisce the prime of Escolta. Printed “selfie” photos were also posted in the exhibit.

An Exhibition of Unique Talents

The entire event was enthused by a wide-range of performances from independent artists and performers that prove the matchless flair of Filipinos. Ethnic music by Sanghabi, Dance performance by hoola hoop dancer Star Ore, showcase from Ukulele Philippines Ensemble and more acts from One Hit Combo, Axie Cano and Slow Sink stirred up the street festival.

“Tara Na Sa Escolta” Street Concert was held as the whole-day culminating activity was wrapped in a loud rainy evening. Heard around the event site were performances from artists Gary Granada, Tres Marias (Cooky Chua, Bayang Barrios, Lolita Carbon), Plagpul, Kuya Kurt, Persephone, Estribo, Fiona, Geo Ong and Pio Balbuena.

The Heritage Conservation Society Youth aspires to uphold the significance of old Manila’s legacy by imparting treasured history to the community.

     “Heritage Conservation isn’t just about restoring and salvaging beautiful structures; it’s also about saving the stories of these buildings. We cannot let them destroy the structures that made Manila to what it is today,” Yap said.

Photo by Patrick Jason O. Palencia