"SIGLO DE ORO" in Manila's Streets and Plazas




 Lope de Vega (1562-1635)
In Rizal Avenue (Avenida area in Manila)  there is a street called LOPE DE VEGA named after the famous Spanish playwright of the Baroque period, Félix Lope de Vega y Carpio (1562-1635). Because we are separated now from the Spanish language, we hardly read or even know him. Some of us get only that chance to see or hear something about Lope de Vega, say if Instituto Cervantes, Manila would feature something about the Spanish playwright. 

 Looking at the street names and plazas of Manila you will also find Zurbaran, Cervantes, and Calderon de la Barca, they do not only tell of Spanish heritage in the country  but also Spanish history itself. Those names were representative of a period when Spanish arts and literature flourished. The period is known as "SIGLO DE ORO" -- the golden age.

Francisco de Zurbarán  (1598-1664) Self portrait as Saint Luke. Known mainly for his works with religious themes, Zurbarán represents a high point in Spanish Baroque art. If the name Zurbarán sounds familiar to Filipinos particularly in Metro Manila, it is because a street in Santa Cruz, Manila was named after him (now changed to Valeriano Fugoso Street), that's also the place many of us knows as Zurbaran, where a central market is located. 

"Agnus Dei" by celebrated Spanish painter Francisco de Zurbarán 



Pedro Calderón de la Barca (1600-1681)  Spanish playwright, another leading figure of the "Siglo de Oro" in Spanish literature. If Lope De Vega defined Spanish Baroque theater at that time, De la Barca developed it. A plaza in Binondo used to be called "Plaza Calderon de la Barca", but now it carries the name  San Lorenzo Ruiz.


Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616). The greatest Spanish playwright. His work "Don  Quixote" is a classic in world literature. Cervantes was a soldier in the "Battle of Lepanto", where he was wounded and lost the use of his left arm. Thus he was also knowns as "el Manco de Lepanto". A  plaza also in Binondo, Manila is named after him.


Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 13, 2014 at 11:36 AM

    Sadly, so many of our street name are remove without historical consideration. Our Spanish past has been treated rather poorly by our historians. It is not surprising that with this, our Spanish literature, are neglected and forgotten.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez: Rizal's Batman

Image
   Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez (1849-1928) Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez, a Spanish Jesuit, held a special place in Rizal's heart as his favorite teacher at Ateneo, where the priest taught Literature. It was under Fr. Sanchez's guidance that the young Rizal delved into the treasures of Greek and Latin Classics. The priest's encouragement led Rizal to hone his literary talents, engaging in the crafting of essays and poetry. The relationship between mentor and student was characterized by mutual respect and admiration. Father Sanchez even staunchly defended Rizal's work, 'Noli Me Tangere.' However, in a letter to Blumentritt dated May 1890, Rizal shared a nuanced description of the priest: "Father Sanchez is a keen observer, albeit somewhat pessimistic, often inclined to view the darker aspects of life. During our school days, he was often playfully referred to as a 'dark spirit,' and students affectionately nicknamed him 'Paniki,' a...
Read more

Jose Rizal's Bomb Plot

Image
Victorian lamp The Plot Even before international terrorists adopted the horrific tactics of suicide bombers and bomb couriers in their campaigns of vengeance, Philippine national hero José Rizal conceived a plot in his novel El Filibusterismo that involved a catastrophic explosion to ignite a revolution. In Chapters 34 and 35, Simoun arrives at the wedding reception of Juanito Pelaez and Paulita Gomez bearing a seemingly innocuous gift – a lamp. However, concealed within it is a potent explosive: nitroglycerin. The reception takes place at the former residence of the deceased Captain Tiago, which Simoun has meticulously rigged with explosives beforehand. According to his plan, the lamp will remain lit for only twenty minutes before flickering. If anyone attempts to adjust the wick, a catastrophic explosion will ensue, claiming the lives of all those gathered – a significant portion of Manila's elite, including prominent figures from both civil society and the church hierarch...
Read more

Pinagbuhatan Fiesta -- San Sebastián

Image
Every year on January 20, the typically monotonous streets of Barangay Pinagbuhatan in the City of Pasig transform themselves into a vibrant place of merrymaking and festivities. The focal point of the Mardi Gras-like atmosphere in the barangay is always the parish church, as January 20 marks the feast day of its revered patron saint—San Sebastian. "Viva San Sebastian!" At the break of dawn on the said day, brass bands parade the streets, as if calling the people to start the festivities—the traditional early morning rounds called "djana" (or diana to some bands). Now and then, that heroic sound of martial music would be broken by the distant sounds of exploding fireworks. The formal celebration starts with the morning mass officiated by the parish priest. In truth, the building excitement would not be found inside the church where mass is being held but instead outside. In the church grounds, the brewing festivities heat up. People gather outside, young and old ali...
Read more