"Again, that grand old Escolta tries to bring new colours"

"Again, that grand old Escolta tries to bring new colours"

(Or: "Celebrating heritage and culture month-long
thru Escolta Block Festival")

As any other event happened to be in the old road of Escolta, it seems that business and art has again showeth its synergy, this time through a month long event known as "Escolta Block Festival."

"A place where the Haves and Have-nots altogether enjoy"

Initiated by the owners of the Perez-Samanillo Building who first opened its doors for more artist-run spaces in pursuit of reviving Escolta, this kind of change has been promoted outright as a form of transforming a former finance and trade district into a new center for local art (through its parties and lecture series about Filipino contemporary culture), local enterprise (like the "Block Market", "DEN Coffee and Culture Cafe", and the "Block Bakery", with a view that according to its organisers as "future forward."

Quite impressive especially that Perez-Samanillo first provided monthly saturday markets, followed by the creation of local artist-run enterprises, and hosted "Escolta Block Party" as a celebration of the district's revival as a cultural district.

Fonts featured at "Tipong Pilipino"
 at Escolta Exchange in Panpisco

For sure some people would think it is quite uncommon as other countries did really remarkable when it comes to revisiting and reviving their once-cherished districts in their respective cities; but as for Metro Manilans, this kind of venture seemed "still new" in their eyes for as most districts, regardless of its significance tend to give up and shed altogether its old appearance (perhaps because of that goddamn "move on" attitude), this grand old strip in Santa Cruz-Binondo area chose to retain its past grandeur and instead enrich with new talent and view not just to keep with the times but to show that Manila, being a Capital City, shouldn't be left behind as other cities in the metro, that somehow created a showcase of contemporary yet rooted kind of life.

But as of this november, this once-one day event becomes a month-long celebration. And expected, that street known for its neoclassical and Art Deco structures as again getting all the attention, and with the best part? Most events are for free!

Stalls selling wares, trinkets,
and various sorts of stuff
at Escolta 

And since most of these are for free, then what to expect more in that month-long block festival? An outflow of local creativity that fills the streets through its block market in collaboration of establishments like HUB, 98B Collaboratory, and others, with small-scale and independent businesses able to present their products and services to a bigger market be it a myriad of streetfoods, handmade-jewelry, to those of organic coffee and muscovado sugar. The block festival also includes lecture forums, which also showcases the creativity and urban development proposals coming from various speakers, although some needs to make a reserve and pay prior to attend those important and infomative events.

Furthermore, to think that the much-featured Luna de San Pedro-designed Perez-Samanillo building is filled with artistic spaces, another building follows- for a portion of the old Modern Panpisco building has been repurposed as "Escolta Exchange", which is sponsored by San Miguel Brewery as a startup zone and an artist space. And  it is where the artisanal "Block Bakery" of its home-style bread and pastries sold, and an exhibit entitled "Tipong Pilipino" been featured, showcasing new kinds of Filipino-made fonts been displayed and promoted within the month-long block festival. 

"Turning a strip into a partyzone"-
People from all walks of life celebrate
Escolta's revival.

But at nightfall, as most awaited, lies the much-awaited transformation of the street into a party zone all complete with bands, disco tunes coming from visiting DJs, and a crowd dancing if not accompanying their drinks to its timeless beat. It is from there where people from all walks of life, rich or poor really enjoyed this fun-filled activity that somehow gives the old thoroughfare a vibrant new perspective- that sometimes makes one drunkard unravel its dancing moves as the rest enjoy its past and present tunes.

From these events no wonder why from its organisers truly adhere to its goal of making "future forward" not just for Escolta, but also for Manila, and to the entire country.