Kulay Colorization

ED FINLAN and HILDA KORONEL

Photo Restoration by Adlai Jan Garcia Jawid

GUARDIA CEBUANO - Early 20th century

Photo Restoration by Adlai Jan Garcia Jawid

Early 20th century Cebuano Guardias or Cebuano Police Officers.

In the early 20th century, the streets of Cebu were watched over by the *Guardia Civil* and later by locally organized police forces often referred to as “guardias.” These Cebuano police officers stood at the crossroads of colonial authority, local governance, and public order during one of the most transformative periods in Philippine history. From the final years of Spanish rule to the arrival of the Americans, Cebuano guardias became familiar figures in plazas, ports, markets, and municipal halls across the island province.

During the late Spanish colonial era, law enforcement in Cebu was largely handled by the *Guardia Civil*, a paramilitary police force established throughout the Philippines in the 19th century. In Cebu, many of these officers were native Cebuanos recruited from local towns. Their duties included maintaining peace, suppressing banditry, guarding government buildings, collecting taxes, and enforcing colonial regulations. They often patrolled the narrow streets of Cebu City, then still known for its stone churches, bustling port, and crowded marketplaces.

The appearance of Cebuano guardias reflected the strong Spanish military influence of the period. They commonly wore dark-colored uniforms with brass buttons, leather belts, and distinctive hats or helmets. Armed with rifles, revolvers, or batons, they projected authority and discipline. Many townspeople viewed them with mixed emotions. While they were respected as protectors of order, they were also sometimes feared because they represented colonial power and strict enforcement of Spanish laws.

After the Spanish-American War in 1898 and the eventual establishment of American rule, the policing system in Cebu underwent major changes. The Americans reorganized local law enforcement and introduced municipal police departments. Many former Cebuano guardias either adapted to the new system or were replaced by newly trained policemen under American supervision. English commands, American-style uniforms, and modern policing techniques gradually replaced Spanish traditions.

Despite these changes, the Cebuano police officers of the early American period continued to perform familiar duties. They directed traffic involving horse-drawn carriages and early automobiles, guarded public events, patrolled coastal districts, and responded to crimes ranging from theft to smuggling. In rural Cebu, policemen also dealt with tulisanes or bandits who occasionally threatened isolated communities.

The early 20th century was also a period of rapid urban growth in Cebu. As commerce expanded and more people migrated into towns, Cebuano police officers became increasingly important in maintaining civic stability. Public fiestas, c**kfights, religious processions, and market days required strong police presence to prevent disorder. Officers were expected to know the local dialect, customs, and influential families, making them deeply connected to the communities they served.

Many Cebuano guardias came from humble backgrounds. Some were farmers’ sons seeking stable employment, while others were veterans of local militias. Though their salaries were modest, the profession carried social prestige because policemen were seen as representatives of government authority. Their work demanded discipline, courage, and loyalty during a time of political uncertainty and social change.

THE WAR IS OVER - 1945

Photo Restoration by Adlai Jan Garcia Jawid

The War is Over... This Filipino girl with a banana on her lap waving a Philippine flag in war-torn Manila, Intramuros behind during the liberation in 1945 looks very happy after the 'Battle of Manila' finally came to an end.

The Battle of Manila ended in March 1945, leaving the Philippine capital in ruins and forever changing the lives of its people. What was once known as the “Pearl of the Orient” became one of the most devastated cities of the Second World War. The end of the war in Manila marked not only the liberation of the city from Japanese occupation, but also the beginning of a long and painful recovery for the Filipino nation.

In February 1945, American forces under General Douglas MacArthur, together with Filipino guerrillas and soldiers, launched the final assault to retake Manila from Japanese control. Fierce fighting erupted across the city streets, churches, schools, government buildings, and residential districts. Japanese naval troops refused to surrender and turned Manila into a battlefield. Heavy artillery, bombings, and close combat reduced much of the historic city to ashes.

The civilians suffered the most. Thousands of innocent men, women, and children were trapped between the fighting forces. During the final weeks of the battle, terrible massacres were committed against the people of Manila. Entire families were killed inside homes, hospitals, convents, and schools. Historians estimate that more than 100,000 civilians perished during the liberation of the city.

Among the hardest-hit areas was the ancient walled city of Intramuros, once the cultural and political heart of Spanish-era Manila. Centuries-old churches, ancestral homes, universities, and government structures were destroyed. The devastation transformed Manila into one of the most ruined Allied cities of the war, second only to Warsaw in terms of destruction.

On March 3, 1945, General MacArthur officially declared Manila liberated. Yet victory came at a tremendous cost. Smoke still rose from shattered buildings, and survivors wandered through streets filled with rubble and sorrow. Families searched for missing loved ones, while refugees struggled to rebuild their lives from almost nothing.

Despite the destruction, the end of the war in Manila became a symbol of Filipino resilience and hope. The city slowly rose again through the determination of its people. Schools reopened, businesses returned, and communities rebuilt neighborhoods brick by brick. Though many historical treasures were lost forever, the spirit of Manila endured.

Today, memorials and historical markers throughout Manila remind future generations of the sacrifices made during 1945. The liberation of Manila stands as both a story of triumph over occupation and a solemn reminder of the horrors of war.

BRIDGE OF SPAIN - 1898

Photo Restoration by Adlai Jan Garcia Jawid

Bridge of Spain, over Pasig River, Manila, Philippines, about 1898

The historic **Bridge of Spain** — known in Spanish as *Puente de España* — stood as one of the most important landmarks in colonial Manila during 1898. Stretching across the mighty Pasig River, the bridge connected the walled city of Intramuros to the bustling commercial districts of Binondo and Santa Cruz. At the close of the Spanish colonial era, it symbolized both the grandeur and the fading power of Spain in the Philippines.

Originally constructed of wooden materials during the early Spanish period, the bridge underwent several reconstructions due to floods, earthquakes, and heavy traffic. By the late 19th century, the structure had been rebuilt using stone and iron, making it one of the strongest and most elegant bridges in Manila. In 1898, horse-drawn carriages called *calesas*, Spanish officials, Filipino merchants, soldiers, and ordinary pedestrians crossed the bridge daily, making it one of the busiest routes in the capital.

The year 1898 was a turning point in Philippine history. The Spanish-American War reached Manila, and the old Spanish colonial government faced collapse. Around the Bridge of Spain, tension filled the air as news of revolution and war spread through the city. Spanish troops guarded strategic areas near the bridge, while Filipinos from nearby districts watched the dramatic changes unfolding around them. The bridge became more than a crossing over the Pasig River — it became a silent witness to the end of more than three centuries of Spanish rule.

From the bridge, one could see the beauty and activity of old Manila. Steam launches and small native boats traveled along the Pasig River carrying goods, passengers, and produce between Manila and surrounding provinces. Along the riverbanks stood grand colonial buildings, warehouses, churches, and trading houses that reflected Manila’s importance as a center of commerce in Asia.

Architecturally, the Bridge of Spain represented the engineering ambitions of the Spanish Empire. Massive stone foundations supported elegant arches, while ornate lamp posts illuminated the roadway at night. For travelers entering Manila from the north, the bridge offered a magnificent first view of Intramuros and its ancient walls.

Though the original Bridge of Spain no longer exists today, its legacy remains deeply connected to the history of Manila. The modern Jones Bridge now stands near its historic location, continuing the centuries-old role of linking the districts divided by the Pasig River. The Bridge of Spain remains remembered as one of the great colonial landmarks of old Manila — a structure that witnessed revolution, commerce, daily life, and the birth of a new era in Philippine history.

BASKETS WITH CHILDREN - 1932

Photo Restoration by Adlai Jan Garcia Jawid

Rizal province man carrying children in baskets, Philippines, 1932

Photographer: Robert Larimore Pendleton

Photographer's Note: Morong, Cainta, Rizal province, Campus, Los Banos, Calabarzon, It is situated southeast of Metro Manila, and is bordered by Manila Bay and South China Sea to the west, Lamon Bay and the Bicol Region to the east, Tayabas Bay

American Geographical Society Library, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

ESCOLTA, MANILA - 1899

Photo Restoration by Adlai Jan Garcia Jawid

Escolta Street, Binondo, Manila, Philippines, about 1899

Street in Manila lined with buildings with tile roofs, awnings shade lower stories, second stories overhang first floors with balconies and sliding window-gratings. Street filled with barouches. Album listing has caption: The Escolta - main business street.

In 1899, Escolta Street stood as one of the most important commercial avenues in Manila. Stretching along the northern bank of the Pasig River near the bustling district of Binondo, the street reflected both the elegance of the late Spanish colonial era and the uncertainty brought by war and political change at the turn of the century.

By this time, Manila had already experienced dramatic upheaval. The Spanish colonial government had collapsed following the Spanish-American War in 1898, and American forces had begun occupying the city. Escolta, once a calm promenade for merchants and wealthy residents, became a witness to the transition from Spanish rule to American administration. Horse-drawn carriages rolled past stone buildings while soldiers, traders, Chinese merchants, Filipino ilustrados, and foreign businessmen crowded its sidewalks.

The architecture of Escolta in 1899 was a striking mixture of Spanish colonial design and emerging European commercial influence. Elegant masonry buildings lined the narrow roadway, many featuring capiz shell windows, wrought-iron balconies, and arcaded walkways that protected pedestrians from the tropical heat. Shops selling imported fabrics, jewelry, perfumes, ci**rs, and luxury goods catered to Manila’s affluent classes. Chinese-Filipino traders dominated much of the commerce, making the district a center of trade and finance.

Despite its sophistication, the atmosphere in 1899 was tense. The outbreak of the Philippine-American War in February of that year cast uncertainty over the city. Escolta’s businesses continued operating, but conversations inside cafés and storefronts often revolved around politics, military movements, and the future of the Philippines. American troops could be seen patrolling nearby districts, while Filipino revolutionaries fought outside the city’s walls.

Transportation along Escolta remained lively. Tranvías, or horse-drawn streetcars, rattled through Manila’s busy streets, connecting commercial centers and residential districts. Vendors shouted in Spanish, Tagalog, Hokkien, and other languages, reflecting Manila’s cosmopolitan identity. At night, gas lamps illuminated portions of the avenue, giving Escolta an almost European character unusual in Southeast Asia at the time.

Even amid conflict, Escolta retained its reputation as the “Queen of Streets” in Manila. It symbolized prosperity, modern commerce, and urban sophistication during an era when the Philippines stood between colonial worlds. The year 1899 marked a pivotal moment in its history — a time when old Spanish Manila faded while a new American-influenced city slowly emerged around it.

SABONG - 1911

Photo Restoration by Adlai Jan Garcia Jawid

C**k fight, Manila, Philippines, 1911-1913

In the bustling city of Manila during the years 1911 to 1913, c**kfighting remained one of the most popular forms of entertainment among Filipinos. Known locally as sabong, the sport had already existed in the Philippines for centuries before the arrival of the Americans. During the early American colonial period, c**kfighting continued to thrive despite attempts by authorities to regulate gambling and public gatherings.

On Sundays and feast days, crowds gathered at c**kpits scattered around Manila and nearby districts. Men from different social classes—laborers, merchants, coachmen, government clerks, and even wealthy landowners—would assemble to watch specially bred fighting c***s battle inside circular arenas. The excitement of wagering money, combined with pride in raising strong roosters, made sabong deeply rooted in everyday life.

The c**kpits of Manila during this period were lively and noisy places. Vendors sold ci******es, native delicacies, and drinks while spectators shouted bets across the arena. The sharp clang of metal gaffs attached to the birds’ legs signaled the beginning of each match. Skilled handlers carefully prepared their roosters, feeding and training them for months before entering competition. A successful fighting c**k brought prestige and financial reward to its owner.

American officials often viewed c**kfighting with mixed opinions. Some colonial administrators considered it a distraction from productive labor and attempted to limit gambling activities. Nevertheless, the government also recognized that c**kpit licensing generated tax revenues. Because of this, c**kfighting was regulated rather than banned outright. Municipal authorities issued permits, collected fees, and supervised operations within the city.

Newspapers published in Manila between 1911 and 1913 occasionally reported disputes, large wagers, and crowded c**kpit events. The sport became especially active during fiestas and holidays when visitors from neighboring provinces traveled into Manila. C**kfights were not merely gambling spectacles; they were also social gatherings where friendships were formed, business deals were discussed, and local news was exchanged.

Despite modernization under American rule, Manila during the early 1910s still retained many traditions inherited from the Spanish colonial era, and sabong was among the strongest surviving customs. The sight of men carrying prized roosters through the streets, tucked carefully beneath their arms, became a familiar image of the city’s daily life.

By 1913, c**kfighting remained firmly embedded in Filipino culture. Although criticized by some reformers and foreign observers, the tradition endured because it reflected community identity, competition, and social interaction. More than a sport, c**kfighting in Manila represented a continuation of Filipino customs during a period of rapid political and cultural change under American occupation.

PACIFIC MOTORS - 1928

Photo Restoration by Adlai Jan Garcia Jawid

Pacific Motors salesroom, north side of the Pasig River, Manila, Philippines, 1928

Philippine Islands Pacific Motors salesroom for Pontiacs, La Salles, Cadillacs

During the vibrant commercial years of the 1920s, Manila stood as one of the busiest trading centers in Southeast Asia. Along the historic waterfront district near the Pasig River, the elegant showroom of Philippine Islands Pacific Motors became a symbol of modern transportation and American automotive prestige. Located at Muelle del Banco Nacional in Manila, the establishment introduced some of the most luxurious and technologically advanced automobiles of its era to Filipino society.

The salesroom represented several prestigious General Motors marques, including the famous Pontiac, LaSalle, Oakland, and Cadillac. These vehicles catered to wealthy businessmen, government officials, American expatriates, and affluent Filipino families who desired both luxury and reliability during the American colonial period.

Muelle del Banco Nacional was strategically situated near the bustling port and financial district of Manila. The area was lined with warehouses, banks, shipping offices, and commercial establishments that reflected the city’s rapid modernization. The presence of Pacific Motors in this important district demonstrated the growing popularity of automobiles in the Philippines during the 1920s. At a time when horse-drawn carriages still traveled beside electric streetcars, the arrival of sleek American automobiles represented progress, sophistication, and the future of urban transportation.

Inside the showroom, polished automobiles gleamed beneath large display windows and electric lighting. Sales agents dressed in formal attire welcomed prospective buyers and showcased the latest engineering innovations from the United States. Cadillac models were admired for their luxury and powerful engines, while LaSalle automobiles appealed to customers seeking stylish elegance at a slightly lower price point. Meanwhile, Pontiac and Oakland offered dependable touring cars suitable for Manila’s developing roads and provincial travel.

The growth of automotive dealerships such as Philippine Islands Pacific Motors mirrored Manila’s transformation into a cosmopolitan colonial capital. Wealthy residents increasingly embraced motoring culture, and automobiles became status symbols that reflected social standing and economic success. Roads around Luneta, Escolta, and the suburbs of San Juan and Pasay gradually filled with imported American vehicles, forever changing the rhythm of city life.

MALACAÑANG PALACE - 1876

Photo Restoration by Adlai Jan Garcia Jawid

Malacañang during Spanish rule, Manila, Philippines, 1876-1879

In 1876, Malacañang Palace stood as one of the most important symbols of Spanish colonial authority in the Philippines. Originally built in the mid-18th century as a country house along the Pasig River, the palace had already evolved into the official residence of the Spanish Governor-General by this time. Its location in Manila made it both a strategic and ceremonial center of governance.

During this period, Malacañang was not yet the grand structure seen today. Instead, it retained a more modest but elegant colonial design—constructed primarily of wood and stone, with wide capiz-shell windows, high ceilings, and spacious verandas suited to the tropical climate. The palace grounds extended toward the river, where boats would arrive carrying officials, visitors, and goods, making the Pasig River an essential artery of political and social life.

In 1876, the Philippines was under the rule of King Alfonso XII, and Malacañang served as the seat of Spanish administration. Within its halls, colonial policies were discussed and enforced, shaping the daily lives of Filipinos under Spanish rule. It was also a venue for formal receptions, where Spanish elites and local principalia gathered, reflecting the rigid social hierarchy of the time.

Though quieter in appearance compared to its modern form, Malacañang Palace in 1876 was a place of authority and influence. It stood not only as a residence but also as a symbol of colonial power—overlooking the river, connected to the city, and central to the unfolding history of the Filipino nation.

UST - 1932

Photo Restoration by Adlai Jan Garcia Jawid

University of Santo Tomas looking west, Manila, Philippines, Dec. 28, 1932
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In 1932, the University of Santo Tomas stood as one of the most enduring symbols of education and faith in Manila. Located in the district of Sampaloc, the university had already carried nearly three centuries of academic tradition, having been founded in 1611 under Spanish rule.

During this period, UST was still housed on its historic Intramuros campus, as the move to its present Sampaloc location would not be completed until 1927. By 1932, however, the new campus was already taking shape—its grand Main Building, with its earthquake-resistant design, stood as a testament to modern engineering following the devastating lessons of earlier tremors in Manila.

Life at UST in 1932 reflected the broader transition of Philippine society under American colonial influence. English had become the primary medium of instruction, replacing Spanish in many courses, and new disciplines such as medicine, pharmacy, engineering, and law were expanding. Despite these changes, the university remained deeply rooted in its Catholic identity, guided by the Dominican Order, which continued to oversee its operations and spiritual direction.

Students of the era walked tree-lined pathways, attended lectures in high-ceilinged classrooms, and participated in religious and academic traditions that blended old-world heritage with modern aspirations. The campus was a vibrant center of intellectual life, producing graduates who would go on to shape the nation in various fields.

FORT SANTIAGO - 1898

Photo Restoration by Adlai Jan Garcia Jawid

Fort Santiago, with tall ships, Pasig River, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines, 1898-1900