Binondo makeover under way

By: Erika Sauler - 11 years ago

YEAR OF THE WOODEN HORSE Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown, pulsates with sound and color as Philam Life holds its annual dragon parade on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Manila. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines—The plan to rehabilitate Manila’s Binondo district—the biggest and oldest Chinatown outside of China—could be as basic as getting rid of the spaghetti wirings, scrubbing the grime off the facades of buildings and introducing Chinese decorative elements.

But the plan also includes proposals to build a “vendors’ paradise” and parking structures over the esteros, according to Manila Councilor Bernie Ang.

Ang is the vice chair of the Manila Chinatown Development Council formed by Mayor Joseph Estrada to oversee the renewal of Binondo and develop it into a tourist destination.

“We want the old buildings to change their facades so that the aesthetics will be Chinese,” Ang told the Inquirer. “Architect Simeon Tan will suggest how to do it using the cheapest materials available in China and Hong Kong.”

Tan said building owners could use Chinese characters on signs, introduce Chinese décor and architectural elements like red paper lanterns and roof tiles, and use the colors red, emperor yellow and green.

The proposal also includes construction of a new Chinese-Filipino friendship arch, tourist information centers at Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz and Plaza Sta. Cruz, parking structures and vending stalls over the Tetuan and San Fernando esteros, and expansion of the Gandara police station.

Vehicular traffic could also be rerouted to make Ongpin Street pedestrian-friendly and attract more visitors to do walking tours of the town.

Quick fix

In a separate proposal, Kelsey Ngo, president of Pinwheel Media Group Inc., suggested a quick fix: Give Binondo a face-lift by putting on outdoor stickers bearing Chinese motifs. These stickers last at least five years, according to Ngo. His project portfolio includes Filinvest City and Greenhills Promenade.

Ang said the city government would ask the Chinese government to support the Chinatown project.

“By next year, we will see physical changes in Binondo,” he said.

The four umbrella organizations of the Chinese community—Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Philippine Charitable Association, Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Philippine Chinese Business Club—have agreed to support the city government’s development plan.

Unified celebration

The groups used to hold separate celebrations of the Lunar New Year but this year, with Jan. 31 being declared a special nonworking holiday and the city government spearheading the festivities for the first time, Estrada asked them to hold a unified celebration.

A solidarity dinner was held at the Lido de Paris Hotel on Ongpin Street on Thursday night, followed by a countdown at 11:15 p.m. In Chinese tradition, a day is divided into 12 cycles, with the first cycle, the start of the day, running from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., according to Ang.

The countdown and the musical fireworks display were held at Plaza Sta. Cruz in front of the North Gate on Ongpin Street.

On Friday afternoon, a solidarity parade featuring at least 20 dragon and 100 lion figures will pass through the five gates of Chinatown. The dragon dance parade ushers in prosperity, according to Ang.

With at least 5,000 people expected to participate, the parade could stretch to 3 kilometers, he said.

Parade route

The Chinese umbrella groups donated 6,000 boxes of tikoy to be distributed at the start of the parade at 1 p.m. at Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz.

From there, the parade will proceed to Juan Luna Street, turn left to Plaza Cervantes, right to Quintin Paredes, left to Escolta, left to Plaza Sta. Cruz, right to Ronquillo, left to Ongpin, left to Sabino Padilla, right to Quintin Paredes, right to Ongpin, left to Sabino Padilla, left to Soler, left to Reina Regente and end at Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Traffic will be stopped on major streets on the route of the parade. Congestion may be expected at the southern and northern approaches to MacArthur Bridge and Jones Bridge and on the south and north sides of Rizal Avenue and Quintin Paredes.