Insular Ice Plant and Cold Storage

After the Spanish-American War, there was an increasing demand for ice in the Philippines. This was mainly due to Americans who decided to settle here with their families. As a result, The Insular Ice Plant and Cold Storage was born in 1902.

Designed by an American architect named Edgar Bourne, Insular Ice Plant offered distilled water, ice, and cold storage services to the US military as well as the general public.

Unfortunately, it was demolished in the 1980s to make way for additional structures that were part of LRT1.

Interesting fact: According to Nick Joaquin’s Almanac for Manileños, the popular saying  “mabilis pa sa a las cuatro!” originated from the ice plant’s whistles which regulated people’s lives at that time.

The whistle usually sounded three times a day: At 7:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 4:00 PM which signaled that it was time for people to go to work, take the lunch, and rush back home, respectively.

(Source: http://www.filipiknow.net/)

Heacock’s Department Store

During the prewar years, Heacock’s was considered one of the modern stores in Manila and the largest of its kind in the country. It was air-conditioned and was even equipped with an electric door which automatically opened via a photoelectric cell.

The history of Heacock’s  started when Mr. H.E. Heacock opened a retail store next to the Hotel Metropole by the Sta. Cruz bridge. Due to popularity, the store was moved to Echague Street, Quiapo in 1908. The following year, partners H.E. Heacock and Freer decided to sell the business to Samuel Gaches and other partners.

By 1918, the store was already in a four-story building at Escolta and soon became a one-stop shop offering office equipment, firearms, and sporting goods among others. A new building was eventually opened on the south west corner of Escolta and David streets.

Although it was heavily destroyed during WWII, the Heacock’s Department Store was reconstructed and emerged as one of the popular stores in the 50’s.


(Source: http://www.filipiknow.net/)

The Love Bus

The Love bus, one of the first air-conditioned buses in the country, was another brainchild of former First Lady Imelda Marcos who was a Metro Manila governor back then.

It was revolutionary vehicle when it was launched: It was painted blue, fully air-conditioned, and with “no standing on the aisle” policy.

The first terminal of Love bus was in Escolta. From there, the bus goes to Philcoa, then makes a U-turn towards East Avenue and to Ali Mall terminal. There was also a route from Cubao to Rustan Makati and then back to Escolta.

(Source: http://www.filipiknow.net/)

Jai Alai games

In old Manila, Jai Alai was considered the sport of the city’s elite, just like golf. It was launched in 1940 at a four-story building along Taft Avenue.

Dubbed as one of the most stunning Jai Alai frontons in the world, the Jai Alai Club was designed by Welton Becket, the same architect behind the original Los Angeles airport.

A sport of Basque origin, the Jai Alai (which literally means “happy feast”), is usually played in a three-sided court and with slings that are similar to wicket baskets. The players use these baskets to throw the hard ball at breakneck speed.

After the war, the Jai Alai building was converted into one of the world’s largest Red Cross service centers. The game, on the other hand, met a slow and painful death.

No thanks to issues of gambling and fixing that had plagued the Jai Alai palace for years, the game was officially banned by the government in 1986. Soon, then Manila Mayor Lito Atienza ordered the demolition of the Jai Alai building to supposedly give way to the construction of a new Hall of Justice.

(Source: http://www.filipiknow.net/)

Giant 3-D Billboards

Long before EDSA became the paradise of sexy advertisements, there were 3-D billboards that were, in fact, entertaining. Take these two memorable landmarks for example. They’re both gone now, but we all wish they’re still here to fascinate the child in us.

Billboard advertisement for Tru-Orange Drink, north bank of the Pasig River west of the Jones Bridge, Manila, Philippines, 1940. Photo credit: John Tewell.

(Source: http://www.filipiknow.net/)

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Matorco Double-deck Bus

The Manila Motor Coach (Matorco) bus was the brainchild of Don Carlos Palanca who was also the founder of La Tondeña Distillery. It used to ply Roxas Boulevard  from the 13th and Chicago Streets in the Port Area all the way to the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran and back again.

According to Lou Gopal of Manila Nostalgia, rates per passenger were set at 20 centavos in 1975. Children who were less than 1 meter in height were admitted free. Matorco started to disappear in the early 1980s. It officially stopped operation in 1994 due to high maintenance, overcrowded streets, and increased pollution.

(Source: http://www.filipiknow.net/)