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Tutuban Terminal - History

September 12, 2008

Tutuban in Claro M. Recto Avenue was once became a significant part of our history. Date back to the days of Andres Bonifacio, the area of Tutuban was still purely rice fields where people make “tuba”, a native alcoholic drink made from coconuts.s

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(Tutuban Terminal - Old Photos)

It was the birthplace of our hero and founder of Katipunan, Andres Bonifacio. In 1875, the first railroad in the Philippines was established by virtue of royal decree of King Alfonso XII of Spain. The railway extends from Manila to Dagupan in Pangasinan. The main terminal was placed in this area of Tutuban.

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(Tutuban Terminal - Old Photos)

Before this terminal was constructed, several nipa hut houses were demolished to give way to the project, including the house of Andres Bonifacio.

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This railway was used as the main form of transportation during those days. American forces also used this to deploy armies in and out of their military bases in the North. Filipino rebel leaders also used railroad shown in this photo below, from left Gregorio del Pilar, Wenceslao Viniegra, Emilio Aguinaldo, Vito Belarmino and Pedro Paterno.

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(Photo of Emilio Aguinaldo and others inside a train)

Construction of lines continued in 1940, the railway had been extended up to Legaspi, Albay in the South and to San Fernando, La Union in he North.

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(Tutuban Teminal made from bricks - Sept 2008 Photo)

During the Second World War, the railway got heavy damages and a huge part it became unusable. Some of its ruins can still be seen along the way when you travel going to Northern Luzon. You will also notice that most of the structures including bridges were even made from bricks, just like the main terminal in Tutuban.

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(A small park outside Tutuban Center Mall - Sept. 2008 Photo)

During the 1990’s, Tutuban terminal was renovated and was converted into a middle-class shopping mall where bargain-haunting shoppers visit every day.

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(Tutuban Center Mall - Sept. 2008 Photo)

Tutuban Center Mall has variety of shops to offer. It has restaurants, cinemas, department stores and even outdoor tiangges during special occasions.

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(Bonifacio Monument in Tutuban - Sept. 2008 Photo)

A momument is now standing in a small park in front of the Tutuban Center Mall, dedicated to Andres Bonifacio.

Posted by manilahub at 4:50 pm | permalink

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