The Grandeur That It Was

November 22nd, 2006 · by Sonnie · Gig Zone, Pilipinas

With the euphoria of the recent victory of Manny Pacquiao, and Filipinos still feeling proud of his heritage, allow me to share some old pictures of Metro that will add value to your perception of old Manila. It will make you hope you were around those days:

Baywalk, then
Old Bay Walk

Old Luneta

Old Luneta

Old Cars

Old Cars

Old Jeepneys
Old Jeeps

Old Makati

Old Makati

Old Theaters
Old Movie Houses

Old Cubao

Old Cubao

Old Manila

Old Manila

Old Shots of Manila Bay
Manila Bay

Fishing at Manila Bay

Bay by CCP

click pictures to enlarge, go here for more pictures. Pictures courtesy of June

20 Responses to “The Grandeur That It Was”

  1. Yeah, I was sorting through my dad’s old photos when I saw a stash of pictures of his dates with my mom. In Manila. The city looks great back then.

  2. very nice. thanks for sharing.

    “old cars.jpg” –> ORTIGAS from EDSA! That’s the Meralco Bldg, and the Philcomsen. :-)

    From that vantage point, I guess the empty space behind the wall would be the eventual lot for Megamall….or ADB?

  3. @ Ade– indeed. I remember on the early 70′s, when I was only 4 or 5, my Nanay and Tatay will bring us to Baclaran church. After the mass, tatay will dip us at Manila Bay. The water is SO CLEAN. Afterwards, we will ride the Motorco (roofless double deck bus) going to Luneta. Great City… Great Music that time. The economy is likewise in better shape back then. Coke only costs 10 cents.

    @ Eric– you have a graphic memory.. fantastic!

  4. Nostalgia Manila November 23, 2006 at 2:51 AM

    Mukhang magugustuhan mo ito:

    http://nostalgiamanila.blogspot.com

    –NM

  5. Hi,

    I enjoyed seeing the pictures…those were the days na mas simple ang buhay, mas peaceful din ang paligid. In the name of “modernization”, “computer age” we can’t go back to those days, but we can look back and smile.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Zeny

  6. YES, INDEED, THOSE WERE THE DAYS! … But you know what’s even better? … The 60s was an even better time for Manila and the rest of the Philippines. Talk about clean air and water. I remember a time when we could sleep outdoors without fear of getting mugged or stung by disease-carrying mosquitoes. We could drink water from a garden hose after playing Patin-tero, Tumbang-preso, Dodge ball, Volleyball, Soccer, etc… none of that fat-inducing, lazy-ass electronic games crap! We had drive-in movies, The Brown Derby and A&W drive-in soda fountains, wide open, clean spaces in the suburbs, the beaches and even up in the mountains. Young and old alike could hike, explore and pitch tents for overnight camping trips — story-telling and romance around a warm bonfire underneath clear skies of moon and star-lit nights. Yes, indeed, those were the days … sighs. I am just glad to have been a part of the cool 60s and to have experienced such an incredible time in the Philippines. By some stroke of miracle, may the good old days of the Philippines return to its simple but glorious past !!!

  7. In the scouts area where I grew up (and still live in), I remember seeing swarms of dragonflies during the summer. I also remember seeing the occasional fireflies among our bougainvillea shrubs. We were surrounded by vacant lots (well…unfortunately, some of those vacant lots were settled in by ‘informal settlers’.)
    I also remember seeing lots of butterflies and that huuuuge and scary beige colored moth…

    Sayang talaga….

  8. This is great stuff, Sonnie. If you have other pictures to share, please post them.

    Cesar

  9. @ Benjy– wow! hope we can still enjoy it now

    @ Eric– I still see dragonflies and butter flies. But fireflies? Not anymore.

    @ Zeny and Cesar– thanks for the appreciation

  10. Your pictures are are beautiful. Classic. It give me a feeling of the good ol day when life was simple.

  11. Am in my 30′s, yeah, I miss the 70 era where we have the good Pinoy songs, life is simpler, economy is good and prices are low. Manila bay is clean then.

  12. Ariel M. catindig June 12, 2007 at 8:29 PM

    Thanks for the old photos. I enjoyed watching them. Na-remind tuloy ako of my past.. It’s really peaceful seeing those pictures.. Malinis. Thanks again. More power!

  13. You’re welcome. Though am still on my 30′s, I find the 70′s the best decade so far in my life. Simple life, good music, clean air and clean Manila Bay.

  14. marcelino custodio July 11, 2007 at 4:46 AM

    do have old pictures of the BROWN DERBY restaurant which was locate on taft avenue in manila near PGH? iwas still a small boy when my dads’ family used to run the place.and i don’t have pictures to show my children that their grandfather was the owner of that place.
    thank you very much.i hope that you can help me.
    respectfully,
    marc

  15. Hi Marc,

    I’m Sorry I can’t help, though am from Manila, I can not recall that restaurant either.

    Best Regards

  16. Hi Marcelino Custodio, you must be my tito then? :)

    whose side of the Custodio clan are you from please? I’m a granddaughter of Jose “Peping” Custodio. :)

  17. marcelino custodio March 4, 2009 at 8:35 AM

    yes my father was eligio who is brother to jose”peping”,nicasio”nick” tita nena,tita corazon,tita baby.
    who might be your mama? josie?maribel?carmita?celia?or are
    you the daughter of jijngjing?if ever you might see this
    blog again could you say hello to your auties.tell them
    that tito boy is here in scotland
    thank you…
    to sonnie thank you very much for your kind help.
    every time i visit this page it reminds me of my childhood
    seeing all those old pictures makes me teary eyed.

  18. Hi Marc,

    Sorry – I’d like to help but don’t have any pictures. Wasn’t there a Brown Derby (many, many years ago!!!) on Dewey Blvd. about two blocks away from the Malate Church?

    Jess

  19. Great pix! Do you have pictures of old avenida during night? with those sparkling neon lights, we use to shop during night ‘coz its much fun then.

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