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Chinatown - Philippines Manila Chinatown - BinondoChinese in the Philippines
There are close to 1 million ethnic Chinese in the Philippines or approximately 1.5% of the population. Most of the Chinese are concentrated in the urban cities such as Manila and Cebu. The majority (85-90%) of the Chinese population are Hokkiens, hailing from Quanzhou, Nan’an county, the Tongan-Xiamen area and the Zhangzhou region. The Chinese relationship with the Philippine society has alternated between alienation and acceptance since pre-Spanish times. Today, with intermarriages and the learning of Tagalog as the national language, many Philippine-born Chinese (or Tsinoys as they are known) are actively involved not only in the economic but also the civic and political life of the country
Binondo - History and Development Binondo was established in 1594 when the Spaniards gave the land to the Catholic Chinese tax-free with limited self-governing privileges. This was to encourage them to be loyal to the colonial powers while keeping them culturally at a distance. Within Binondo, the Chinese operated their stores and other commercial establishments. The Spaniards thus encouraged the coming of Chinese artisans and practitioners of various occupations. Goldsmith works, cabinet-making, masonry, foundry and shoe-making were among the jobs started by Chinese artisans who in turn passed the skills to Filipinos.
Trading and Financial Centre Since pre-Spanish times, Chinatown was the center of business for Chinese-Filipino businessmen. It is estimated that more than 70% of the goods sold in the provinces are directly sourced from wholesalers along a dozen narrow streets in Chinatown. Each street has its specialization. Ongpin is better known for its jewelry stores. Evangelista Street carries extensive industrial equipment supplies while Nueva Street services the shoe industry, supplying materials like leather uppers, rubber soles. Evolving from its image as a wet and dry goods bargain haven, Binondo is now also a one-stop-shop for bargain computers and printers. Many of the successful Chinese businesses had their origins here. For example, mall magnate Henry Sy opened his first shoe store in Escolta. However, like other Chinese-Filipino businesses, his SM Megamalls are now located all over Metro Manila and Luzon.
Chinatown probably has the largest concentration of bank
branches - more than 150 in all -- including foreign banks like Citibank,
Chinatrust, Hongkong Shanghai Bank, Dao Heng Bank, and Lippo Bank among
others. The
country's largest bank Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. has close to 30
branches in the area.
References
2. 3. Websites/articles on Binondo
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