Have you been to Escolta? Here’s what you can do in the 'Queen of Manila's Streets'

Have you been to Escolta lately?

If you don’t have any weekend plans, why not stay in the metro, and take a trip down memory lane to what was once dubbed “Queen of Manila’s Streets?" 

According to Atom Araullo's "State of the Nation" report, Escolta was once a central business district in the Philippines, but only a few remnants of its former glory remain, including the historic Burke Building and First United Building

Today, Escolta is being kept alive by a community of varied artists and cultural workers.

Here are things you can do and explore when in Escolta. 

Escolta Coffee Company in Burke Building

Burke Building was the first building in the Philippines to have an elevator.

Now, it is home to the coffee shop Escolta Coffee Company, known for its distinctly Filipino drinks. .

“We want them to feel na magaling ang Pinoy when it comes to coffee. We can be at par with the international coffee,” owner Maricar Ricardos said. 

Maricar added that they are rooted in coffee, community, culture, and creativity.

“And somehow, Escolta brings all of those together,” she said.

Hub Make Lab and more in First United Building

Right next to Burke Building is the First United Building, built in 1928 and designed by architect Andres Luna de San Pedro, son of Juan Luna. Today, it is a creative hub for local artists. 

First United Building houses Hub Make Lab, a space where artists can sell their works. 
“Kasi kapag tumutulong ka sa maliit na creative, nabubuhay ‘yung community 'di ba,”  Mycah Santos, First United Building tenant and creative said.

“So ‘di lang siya tumitigil dito sa store. Mas maraming taong pumupunta dito sa Escolta, nagkakaroon ng mas maraming trabaho,” she added.

Pottery workshops are also held on the top floor.

Meanwhile, an old empty space in the building was turned into a café that also holds art, called The Den.

“Nung 2012, in-invite kami mag-organize ng art projects. And then ‘yung Saturday market, naging successful siya sa pag-attract ng attention muli sa Escolta,” café owner Gabriel Villegas said. “Hanggang sa 2016, nag-decide ‘yung building owners na gawing permanent.”

Another special part of the building is the photo studio, Ligaya Studios, which brings analog photo activity to the digital age.

“’Yung lumang panahon ganun, we want to revive it—na ‘yung old concept na ganun, pwede siyang i-mix or pwede siyang mag-co-exist sa mga new concept,” owner Glyza Go said.

According to First United Building owners Roberto Sylianteng and Lorraine Sylianteng, they did not have branding or image consultants in reviving Escolta, noting the process was organic. 

"Wala kaming kinuhang ibang consultant, wala kaming kinonsultang image or branding firm..." said Roberto. "How to do it, parang organic." 

"If we were to revive Escolta, we have to do something different. My daughter, who lives in Brooklyn, told me, 'mommy alam mo sa Brookyln talagang na-revive because of the artists,'" added Lorraine. 

—Nika Roque/CDC, GMA News