Binondo -- The Necessary Necessity
Even the candles that burned for long hours in the Binondo church in the 17th Century was of course, of Chinese alchemy. Also, artisans from Amoy (Xiamen), newly arrived in Manila would find it difficult to imitate the European face, their "Santos" like that of the Madonna would have that distinct Chinese features. The Spaniards equally lacking, most were homesick of whatever would remind them of Spain. The Chinese way of curing meat was to mimic some of the preserved stuff they long for, jamon, etc. When the first bullfight in Manila was held, it was said to be a lousy copy not even worthy of comparison with that of the Americas. Yet, it won't be long until they found Chinese entrepreneurs to supply them with bulls -- a crossbreed between a Chinese and a Mexican bulls, which Retana described as timid. From bookbinders to haberdashers they came, then suddenly the silver economy was in a boom, that preference to Potosi metal -- the first truly global currency. It dou