Carriedo: Then and Now

This photo dates back to the 1950s and was photographed by then Manila Times photographer Teodulio Protomartir. Protomartir was one of the Philippines greatest photographers.


This is my recent September 13, 2008 photo of Carriedo.

These two pictures of Carriedo in downtown Manila looks like a game out of the page in a newspaper entertainment section called "Spot the Differences". The Carriedo then looks clean and less populated. The Carriedo now looks so much crowded, what with all the figures of humanity going to and fro in different directions.

Yet, Carriedo today still has the the old edifices of the post-war era. Amazingly, some of the old bazaars and shoe stores still exist, a constant reminder that remnants of old Manila still survives to this day.

Actually, the two photos above are just previews of a forthcoming book I am preparing entitled "Manila: Then and Now", which will show Manila both in the past and as it is now.

Carriedo is the most crowded part of downtown Manila, being the street that bridges Quiapo and Sta. Cruz. In any normal day you will see a lot of interesting things: Old ladies coming from Quiapo Church, young men in tight jeans on the way to buy personal accessories, vendors trying to sell their wares, people looking for bargain clothing, or cheap Chinese-made products, pirated cds and dvds, or just plain folks trying to stroll around for an afternoon walk.
One must always be careful though, as any crowded place is a favorite hang-out of thieves and pickpockets.

Carriedo may not be a beautiful place to someone looking for a beautiful scenery like a well-manicured garden or sunset on the beach. Yet, it can also be beautiful, especially if one is more at home with the rowdy crowd of Manila downtown.