Avenida - Know About It’s History

July 31, 2008

Hindi kalayuan sa lugar namin matatagpuan ang Rizal Avenue o “Avenida”. Masasabing ang Avenida ang pangunahing pasyalan ng mga Pilipino noon sa dami ng mga naglalakihang cinemas, theaters, opera houses, music studios, movie production outfits, entertainment centers, restaurants and department stores.

(Newly Painted Buildings of Avenida - Sept. 2008)

There are still few business establishments that can be found in Avenida. Most of the old theaters here were converted into malls that sell appliances, cellphones, and other gadgets that were imported from China and Taiwan.

(Old Buildings in Avenida - Sept. 2008)

Avenida was also named “Calle Dalumbayan” during the Spanish era, which meant “edge of the town” or end of civilized territory. Sa lugar na ito nagtatapos ang civilization ng mga Kastila mula sa loob ng Intramuros.

(A parade in Avenida corner Carriedo street during the American Period)

The above pre-WW2 photos show the evolution of the intersection of Rizal Avenue and Carriedo street in Manila. Avenida’s entertainment strip flourished up to the 1970s, when the country’s central business district shifted to Makati and other suburbs.

(Intersection of Avenida and Carriedo street during the American Period)

The construction of the Light Rail Transit system in the 1980s put a stop to development in the area. Unti-unting dumilim ang lugar at naging pugad ito ng mga pulubing walang matirhan, prostitures at mga mandurukot.

(Intersection of Avenida and Carriedo street - 1970s)

Ang mga pictures na ito ang ilan sa mga ala ala ng masiglang Avenida noong 60’s at 70’s bago itayo dito ang LRT. Sinara ang Avenida sa trapiko noong umupo si Atienza bilang Mayor ng Maynila para pasiglahin muli ang lugar, pero ibinalik ito sa trapiko ng nakabalik si Lim sa pagiging Mayor ng Manila.