The district of San Nicolas has great historical value. The interaction of Spanish andChinese influences that largely contributed to the Filipino identity took place inChinatown, which San Nicolas is part of. Here you can find buildings from the 19thcentury, some dating about 150 years ago. These are the last vestiges of a previousera, of which not many people know about. Unfortunately though, not much valuehas been placed on this area which resulted in the loss of its heritage value.

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As a first step towards raising awareness about the historical and heritage value ofSan Nicolas, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, is organizing a round table discussionfor historians, architects, urban planners, businessmen, residents of the area andthe general public to reflect on the value of the San Nicolas district, explore itspotential as an historical site, and brainstorm for ideas on how to conserve it.

See this historic gem of a neighborhood through the years in the gallery below:

Plan of Manila and Surrounding AreasStephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

The 'Ang Kalayaan' MarkerStephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

The KKK Foundation SiteStephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

Panciteria Macanista de Buen Gusto - Formerly the Don Severino Alberto HouseStephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

Binondo Church, Image from 1899Stephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

San Fernando Bridge - In the past, this bridge was also called General Bridge, Baybay Bridge and Lorenzo Ruiz Bridge.Stephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

San Fernando BridgeStephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

Stamps Commemorating Historical Philippine Bridges, Including the Puente de Blanco in Binondo, ManilaStephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

Still from Wong Kar Wei's Days of Being Wild, Shot In The San Nicolas Environs, 1980Stephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

Clan Shrines and Rooftop TemplesStephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

Old Photo Showing The Youth of San Nicolas, ManilaStephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

Cham Samco And Sons Building - One of the early pioneers of construction and building business in Manila, founded in 1947.Stephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

Ides O' Racca Building, Plaza Mercado, DivisoriaStephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

Street View of the Ides O' Racca BuildingStephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

Fusion Image of Ides O' Racca Building Showing Current Condition (Left) and Old Condition (Right)Stephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

Casa BizantinaStephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

Hilario Sunico FoundryStephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

Ong-Chan HouseStephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

Kalaw BuildingStephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

Eng An Chinese Drug StoreStephen Pamorada/The Heritage Collective, Courtesy of Instituto Cervantes

Thisencounter, titled San Nicolas (Manila): The Forgotten Treasure will be held onMay 26, Thursday at 5PM in Instituto Cervantes’ Intramuros branch (CalleReal, Plaza San Luis, Intramuros, Manila). The event will follow a hybrid format inwhich people can view the discussion and participate online, via Zoom. The link ishttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/86201518785.

Admission is FREE but if you will be attending in Intramuros, prior registration isrequired by sending an email to cenmni@cervantes.es. For more information,please visit our website at http://manila.cervantes.es or our Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila. You may also contact us at 8526-1482.