Semilla, Hazel Erica B.

ABFS 201

Political and Economic Geography

Mr. Jumel G. Estrañero

The Dawn of Chinatown: Amplification in the Philippines

I. Introduction

Chinatown is the term given to a neighborhood in a city which contains all kinds of
Chinese stores and restaurants, it also serves as a central space for the city’s Chinese
population. (“Chinatown,”, 2021). From the American to European countries, as well as in
African, Australian, and Asian, Chinatown can be found anywhere around the world. Historically
speaking, tribal communities of migrant Chinese, Macanese, Taiwanese, and Hong Kongese
were recognized in these locations. Furthermore, it is an area of every non-Chinese community,
particularly a metropolis or harbor, in which the majority of the people is of Chinese descent.
Despite of certain challenges in the past, China were able to be resilient and establish a
dynamic, prosperous as to what is currently termed to be as “Chinatown.” (“Chinatowns Of The
World,” 2020).

According to United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] (n.d.), one of the

world’s largest island countries is the Philippines. This country is located at the Western part of
the Pacific, in Southeast Asia. It comprises three primary geographical areas namely, Luzon,
Visayas, and Mindanao in which the country’s archipelago are divided. The Philippines is known
to be a country with a wide range of cultural influences. It is rich with natural resources mainly
due to its topographical aspects, which includes hilly environments, lush forests, lowlands, and
offshore lines. With such a large proportion of natural wildlife and species, therefore it is
regarded to be one of the leading biodiversity countries around the world.

When it comes to diplomatic relations, the Philippines and China started their alliance
on June 9, 1975. From then on, these countries particularly its bilateral relations has achieved
unparalleled heights when it comes to their international integration and security/political sector,
commerce, finance, agricultural, tourism, cultural and social interactions, which all of it became
beneficial for them and also to its people. (Embassy of the Philippines in Beijing China, n.d.).
While according to Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of the Philippines
(2009), a joint agreement signed during the year 2000 called “Joint Statement Between China
and the Philippines on the Framework of Bilateral Cooperation in the Twenty-First Century”,
declares that these above-mentioned countries builds a long-term and secured partnership
leading to improved humanitarianism, collaboration, shared values, and prosperity. These
parties released another agreement upon Premier Wen Jiabao’s state visit to the Philippines
last January 2007, in which they are confirming their desire into making significant measures to
expand the comprehensive and friendly correlation between each other for peaceful progress.

II. Body (facts and figures)

In the Philippines, there is a very well-known Chinatown that can be found in Manila, it
serves as a persistent legacy of Chinese existence in the Philippines, which can be easily
recognized due to its tantalizing scent of Filipino-Chinese cuisines drifting thru the alleys and
where an accent called Hokkien are often used in conversations. The Chinatown that resided in
the Philippines is known to be called as Binondo which was established during 16th century by
the Captain-General/Governor of the Philippines named Luis Pérez Dasmariñas. It is
recognized as the permanent base for foreign Chinese, especially to those who have embraced
the Catholic religion and got married to native Filipinos. Furthermore, Binondo had also become
imperial Manila’s principal economic and financial center during the late nineteenth century.
(Khor, 2020).

According to Yap (2018), primarily, Binondo was once a mountainous area whereby its
previous residents slope their farmland before it became known to be as “Manila’s Chinatown”,
a term derived from the mainstream public. Moreover, it was previously known as Binondoc that
had been kept undisturbed for generations mainly due to the Chinese and Filipino merchants
who used the downtown area of Baybay, currently called as of now as San Nicolas for trading.
Before, it was not actually included as a part of the Binondo, but due to circumstances, it was
later absorbed into portion of the area.

Considering the facts that they are influences of Spanish culture, Binondo remained
constant to be the reminder of Chinese civilization in the Southeastern part of Asia. Aside from
that, one of its streets known as Escolta, acquired the title of being the “Queen of Streets in
Manila”, for an era, and also became more popular due to it being the city’s most bustling sector
because of its shopping mall centers. (Adem & Kapan, 2020). While according to Boquet
(2017), This so-called Binondo has become the Manila’s principal hub for banking and
commerce. Up to this present day, some of its labeled roads and landmarks which derived from
various Chinese honorifics has been preserved and remained to what it was.

According to Garcia (2021), Binondo had just adapted to urbanization, some of its
evidences can be seen like the opening of Lucky Chinatown, shopping malls, and numerous
residential and commercial structures produced and operated by the company Megaworld
Corporation. Despite of its continuous emergence, there are some structures that considers to
be historical is still intact in some of its areas particularly in Juan Luna St. which is also known to
be the majestic structure that contained the world’s first Hong Kong and Shanghai financial
headquarters beyond the borders of Hong Kong. Additionally, in just its recent period, the
famous Jones Bridge linking Binondo and Escolta had been restored making it one of the
modern highlight of this district.

Considering its overcrowded and seemingly lack of adherence to building regulations,

its property prices has constantly increased. Binondo has seen as influx of stores, high rise
establishments, and residences, raising the capitalization rate of this vital part of Manila.
Moreover, it offers positive revenue due to its abundance when it comes to its business and
industrial companies, global economic organizations, also healthcare and academic facilities. A
lot of individuals specifically millennials nowadays prefers living in crowded places like Binondo
for the reason of wanting to be engage to public customs and for them this kind of living fits
them the most. (Soriano, 2017).

On the other hand, Umali (2019) stated that, Binondo has entitled as the oldest
Chinatown around the world. He further concluded that Binondo's appearance was molded by
Economics. It expanded through small businesses started by traders and entrepreneurs to big
private enterprises. Prior to extending across national regions, large financial firms established
operations within Binondo. Binondo's tale is the narrative concept of both the Chinese-Filipino
community in the Philippines. Binondo transitioned beyond being simply other Chinese colony
throughout Manila to being an integral part of the Philippine mentality culture, capturing
possibility at the time of political instability. In this present day, foreign nationalities like mestizos
are nowhere to be found. Now, Binondo is a Filipino-only neighborhood.
 III. Analysis

Based on the premises provided, it is primarily obvious that ever since the Spanish era,
Chinese had been one of the prominent traders of the country Philippines. Binondo as one of
the largest and practically the oldest Chinatown in the world have been interconnected to the
Philippine history. Just like other lowlands, it also started as plain area with the primary living of
farming before it was developed as to what is now today. There are a lot of notable events
happened in this district, a lot of inevitable and chaotic scenarios had been witnessed in this
area. But still, there are still significant places that had been preserved for us to be able to
commemorate and serves as a reminder of the historical events like battles and independence
we had experienced ever since the beginning of the country’s civilization.

Moreover, it is also evident that Binondo contributes a lot from the Philippine Economy
since it provides high investments especially to those people who started businesses in the said
district. Aside from some of its cultural heritages, it is also known for its famous shopping malls,
high rise buildings and residential areas mainly because it continues to emerge as time passes
by. There are a lot of shopping malls that inhibits this district, some of them are 168 Shopping
Mall, 999 Shopping Mall, and Lucky Chinatown Mall. There are also restaurants that sell
Chinese cuisines. With these following places, it may presume the reason why Binondo
considers being the “Queen of Manila Streets”. With the busy ambiance it possesses just by
observing the transactions happening in this place, it truly has a vital role in the economic sector
of the Philippines.

IV. Recommendation

This study entitled The Dawn of Chinatown: Amplification in the Philippines has
reached the end of this phase. Here are some recommendations for future researchers who
wish to enhance the study:

Manila’s Chinatown or better known as Binondo continues to emerge and modernized as

years go by. For those who want to commemorate with the Philippine’s history, Binondo must
be include in one of those places to visit. Furthermore, the place also comprises some of the
delicacies of Chinese even its famous lucky charms.
 This study aims to know the historical aspects of this so-called Chinatown in the
Philippines and how it contributes in the Philippines’ development specifically its economic
sector. Furthermore, it also aims to know how the Philippines and China manage to nurture their
diplomatic relationship despite of their conflict about territory.

For the future researchers, the researcher suggests that he/she must further have the
insights about the development of the Manila’s Chinatown throughout the years. Moreover,
further study about its historical background and the reasons why certain businesses that has
been established continues to be successful as time pass by.

When it comes to advancing this study enhancing it by providing more ideas about its
historical context and maybe interconnecting its continuous success to other Chinatown’s
around the world. Furthermore, providing some evidences on how it contributes to the Philippine
economy and if its continuous emergence are still benefitting the country for the justification if its
presence affects or not the Philippines’ development making the study even stronger.

V. Conclusion

Based on the premises provided, the researcher therefore conclude that, Manila’s
Chinatown or better known as “Binondo, Manila” has been evident ever since the Spanish Era.
It also has been use to conduct the system of trading. When it comes to its establishment it is
surprising that an official resided from the Philippines is the one who come up with the idea of
turning a farmland into the so-called Binondo, Manila. The scenery that is evident in this area
can be easily reminded of the Chinese existence in the country. Furthermore, it was unexpected
to find out that this district is not just for a place where trading took place but it is basically a
permanent base specialize to Chinese who had been converted into Catholic and those who got
married to the natives of this country.

For its emergence, it is truly appreciating that despite of its modernization, the places
that had been marked in the history context are still well preserved and still standing. Making it a
proof that Chinatown is not just for the Chinese nationals but also it is for the Filipino people.
There are many attractions and shopping centers in this particular district which is why some of
the tourists taking a vacation in the Philippines are also visiting this place. Moreover, despite of
it having a large number of people touring and shopping in this district, the Filipinos still manage
to go to this place, not even cared of being jammed since it is also a source for a lot of
affordable goods.

Due to circumstances, Manila’s Chinatown which is Binondo considers to be the oldest

Chinatown around the world which is why it is really popular to the global community. It also
contributes to the economy due to the transactions happening in this district which is also gain
for the economic sector of the Philippines. As it continues to emerge throughout the years, it is
also the same for its contribution to the development of the Philippines. A lot of businesses had
been able to be successful upon establishing it in Binondo which explains why it is also called
as the “Lucky Chinatown”.

VI. Way Ahead

Despite of the conflicts happening between China and the Philippines, their relationship
as trading partners are not effected which can be seen as how Chinatown continues its
operations until the present time. It is truly for both Filipino and Chinese community.
Furthermore, the trading that keeps on happening in this district is the proof that Philippines
continues to develop just like other countries around the world. When it comes to the goods they
are selling almost majority of the goods came from the Chinese region and is much more
affordable compare to native items that can be seen in some part of this district. But despite of
that, it still contributes to the country’s economic sector. As it continues to modernized
throughout the years, the original scenery it possessed ever since the past should still be
evident and must also continue to preserve as it is part of the history of the Philippines.
Message for Mr. Jumel G. Estrañero

First of all, I would like to say thank you for this memorable and wonderful semester with
you sir Jumel. Despite of your busy schedule, I am very happy that you still manage to give us a
priority and give us a lot of knowledge that we can be able to nurture and probably use for our
future career paths. Thank you for guiding us and understanding especially through the times
that we are having difficulties due to this situation. Also, thank you for keeping your patience to
us and lighting up our virtual classes by sharing some of the words of wisdom and some
experiences you encounter throughout the years. We hope to meet you in person very soon sir.
It is an honor for me to be able to be mentored by you sir. You are an inspiration to us. I am
very amazed on how you were able to do multiple works every day. Always keep safe sir and I
hope we can be able to meet you again by the time we have been able to accomplish this
college years or perhaps being able to work with you. Thank you very much once again sir
Jumel, I hope you won’t forget us. God bless always sir.
VII. Reference

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https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/chinatown

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Boquet, Y. (2017). The Diversity of the Philippine Population. The Philippine Archipelago, 159–
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Chinatowns Of The World. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.pilotguides.com/study-

guides/chinatowns-of-the-world/

Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of the Philippines. (2009). Overview
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Embassy of the Philippines in Beijing China. (n.d.). Phl-China Relations 菲中关系. Retrieved
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Garcia, L. (2021). World's oldest Chinatown: Binondo remains alive and well despite pandemic.
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binondo-remains-alive-and-well-despite-pandemic/

Khor, S. (2020, May 8). The history behind the world's Oldest Chinatown in Manila. Retrieved
from https://www.airasia.com/explore/assets/blt556103da8164afae/the-history-behind-the-
worlds-oldest-chinatown-in-manila

Soriano, E. (2017). Binondo: The oldest Chinatown. Retrieved from

https://business.inquirer.net/224378/binondo-oldest-chinatown

Umali, J. (2019). How Binondo became the world's Oldest Chinatown. Retrieved from
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/binondo-history-oldest-chinatown-a2212-
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United Nations Development Programme [UNDP]. (n.d.). About the Philippines. Retrieved from
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Yap, J. P. (2018). The Troubled Dual Construction of Ethnicity of Recent Chinese Migrants and
Third Generation Chinese-Filipinos in Binondo, Manila. Mabini Review, 3, 166-198.