Heart of Old Manila
At the turn of the century, when Hidalgo Street was called Calle San Sebastian and known as the most beautiful street in all of Manila, Quiapo – named after a native water plant – was a cosmopolitan neighbourhood with grand homes, even grander churches home to the business elite and high society intellectuals. WWII proved to be a game changer for the area and the wealthy slowly moved out to be replaced by renters and small shops. These days Quiapo is more known as a place to get something cheap; perhaps with less grandeur than in the past, but still with lots of character. A testimony to the many different cultures that have made Quiapo their home over the years.