Beautiful Philippines: A Handbook of General Information — John Shaqi
Beautiful Philippines: A Handbook of General InformationPhilippine Islands. Commission of Independence
History
Beautiful Philippines: A Handbook of General Information
Philippine Islands. Commission of Independence
Philippines -- Description and travel; Philippines -- Economic conditions
Capping the ensemble of all these attractions around the Luneta is a
beautiful boulevard, comparable with the best anywhere, which leads
from where the buildings of the Elks and the Army and Navy Clubs are
situated and extends until the city limits, near Pasay, a suburb on
the Manila South Road. This boulevard is a favorite driveway in the
evening. The chain of lights that illuminate its entire length makes
it attractive beyond comparison. To the right will be heard the splash
of the waters of Manila Bay dashing against the rocks that fringe the
Boulevard. To the left are some of the most imposing residences of
the City. The steamers anchored in the bay present a lovely sight,
especially in the stillness of the night. It is from this boulevard
that the Philippine sunset, so entrancingly beautiful, can be seen
without obstruction, while in the distance, to the left, is the City of
Cavite, to which the Boulevard will in time lead, and hence has been
originally named "Cavite Boulevard." It was only recently that its
name was changed to "Dewey Boulevard" in memory of Admiral Dewey who,
a short distance out into the bay, by defeating the Spanish Squadron,
sealed the fate of colonial Spain in this part of the globe.
[Clubs and Societies]
All of the great fraternal orders have their branches in Manila--The
Masonic Order, The Knights of Columbus, The I. O. O. F., The Elks,
and The Knights Templars. Religious, charitable, social, musical,
literary, athletic, and other associations, also abound. There is a
National Federation of Women's Clubs, having about 400 branches in all
parts of the Archipelago and also a Catholic Federation of Women. All
the foreigners also have their respective clubs and societies.
[Cemeteries]
The Cementerio del Norte is the municipal cemetery. It is the only
modern garden cemetery in Manila. It covers a very large area (133
acres), only a small part of which has been developed. There are
sections for Americans, Filipinos, and Chinese, each showing the
distinctive emblems with which the several races mark the resting
places of their dead. There are beautiful monuments and well-kept
lawns.
Adjoining the municipal cemetery is the Catholic cemetery and the
chapel of La Loma. The Chinese also have an exclusive cemetery
nearby. All the ground in this vicinity is historical, for much of
the fighting of the early days of the insurrection centered about
the district; there was a block-house which formerly stood back of
the La Loma Chapel. Paco cemetery on San Marcelino is closed now,
but once a year, on All Saints Day, it is opened and in the evening,
brilliantly illuminated.
[Monuments]
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