Bulls in Manila

Over lunch today at Savory restaurant, I was curiously struck by a photo collage depicting old Manila. Being that Savory started in the 50's, the photos were scenes from Binondo where the first restaurant opened. Also posted were photos of  cable cars that lined Jones Bridge and Cadillacs along what lools like Escolta. Really cool! But I had to look closely at one print that showed Juego del Torro Manila circa 1952. What?  There used to be bullfights in Manila?! I had to look this up! 


And now I learned (via CITY SENSE By Paulo Alcazaren) that there was indeed bullfighting in Paco, Manila in 1898. Neither the Spanish matadors and bulls graced the stadium but local fighters and cows. Then it dissapeared and resurfaced again as a novelty event to celebrate the 1953 Manila International Fair where Spanish matadors and bulls came from Spain. It was held right smack in front of the National Museum. 


The photo I saw from Savory was from this event. That's why I thought the facade of the building was uncannily familiar. 

The 1953 Manila International Fair 

CITY SENSE By Paulo Alcazaren

Madrid 2010 

Plaza de Torros