Chinatown in Manila, Chinatown Manila

Chinatown in Manila

Binondo is an enclave in Manila primarily populated by ethnic Chinese living in the Philippines. It is the oldest Chinatown in the world, established in 1594.[2] Historically, this was where the Spanish permitted converted sangleys, their indigenous Filipino wives, and their mixed-race descendants, the mestizos de sangley or Chinese mestizos, to reside. Similarly, Parían, an area near Intramuros, was where the Spanish first restricted unconverted Chinese immigrants. They allowed sangley settlement at Parían because it was within the range of Intramuros' cannons, and they felt they could control any uprising from the labourers.

Located across the Pasig River from Intramuros, Binondo has typified a small Chinese town, and is referred to as the local "China Town". The district is the centre of commerce and trade for all types of businesses run by Filipino-Chinese merchants. Given the historic reach of Chinese trading in the Pacific, Binondo was already a hub of Chinese commerce before the first Spanish colonisers arrived in 1521.

Binondo is also considered a historic centre of the mestizo de sangley community; famous residents include St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the Filipino protomartyr, and Venerable Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, founder of the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary.

- Visit the Temple of the God of War, Kuang Kong: Kuang Kong, AKA the God of War, AKA Patron of Martial Arts, AKA Patron of Scholars (when seated/reading). Kuang Kung who was a powerful and loyal general is also protector of Quan Yin, Goddess of Mercy. As C. Celdran puts it, in the spirit of assimilation, the Chinese believers calls Kuang Kong, Santiago. Go figure.

This Buddhist temple is open to the public. You can light incense sticks and put them in the urn at the entrance of the temple and utter your prayers. There is also these red wooden half moons you can use to have your fortunes told. Couch your questions in such a way that they're answerable by YES or NO! Swirl a pair of these wooden half disks over your incense sticks so they catch the smoke and then throw them to the floor. Identical faces means NO. Opposing figures means YES!

BTW, my friend S. L. tells me that, to quote him, "Guang Kong falls under Taoism though in Chinese religion, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism are often portrayed together in the same temple." Thanks for the info S. L.

They appreciate donations of any amount.

- 16th Century Binondo Church: Located in the Chinatown area of Manila, Binondo Church is one of the oldest church in the Philippines (built in 1596).

The original structure suffered a lot from typhoons and earthquakes over the past years since its erection. The only thing that remains as original is the octagonal bell tower.

Patron is Saint Lorenzo Ruiz (1st Filipino Saint) who served in the church as altar boy during his younger years.

By the way, the church is the Heritage Conservation Society.

- Come Visit Chinatown: There are lots of things to do at Chinatown: Buy appliances that cost lesser, find suppliers for your restaurant or whatever business, buy jewelry, customize jewelry, buy Chinese medicine, buy authentic Chinese food, etcetera, etcetera. It's within Manila, but it seems like you're in another country (just like any other China town, I guess).

BTW, the First Filipino saint, St. Lorenzo Ruiz, was born in Binondo, Manila (the location of China Town)


Chinatown in Manila, Chinatown Manila, Chinatown in Manila, Chinatown Manila