theurbanhistorian:

The Chinese started migrating here in the Philippines to settle concurrently at the start of the Spanish Rule. But the Spanish Colonial masters distrust them, they are a constant source of trouble for them because some of them are unruly. That is why the Spanish located them in a cannon distance from the San Gabriel Bastion in Intramuros. There are two Chinese settlements during the first two centuries of the Spanish Rule: Parian and Binondo.

Parian was once located in the sites now located by the Post Office, Metropolitan Theater, Arroceros, and up to SM Manila. Some might wonder the lack of a market inside Intramuros, it is because Parian acts as the market (or mall) for the walled city. In modern terms, Parian got it all for Intramuros. By the opening of the drawbridge at 4AM, Intramuros residents will flock in Parian to shop. Parian is the first mall in the Philippines, everything is in there: traders, merchants, craftsmen and laborers.

Because of the advance the British made through the suburbs nearest the walls of Intramuros in their invasion, the Spanish decided to demolish these villages, Parian was not spared. By 1780, Parian was no more and some former residents relocated to Binondo. Only a gate in Intramuros exiting at Parian became the sole mark of the existence of the Parian.

Binondo is originally the parish for the Chinese Converts by the Dominicans, no wonder that their patroness is also the Lady of the Rosary. But when the Parian was dissolved, Binondo became the sole enclave of Manila’s Chinese Mestizos and Chinese Immigrants who love to engage in trade and business. This is the one of the reasons why Binondo is the first Business District and the Chinatown of Manila. Even today, at any Chinese Festival the meeting point of these celebrations will always be at Binondo, as always the best known Chinese festival is the Chinese New Year, which we will celebrate few hours from now.

(via pinoytumblr)