August 20, 2008

Carla Di Santos: Pre-LRT Avenida, Philcite Robot, Ignacio Santos, Melecia Santos Photos '40s-'80s Photos

Time is frozen in a single frame of film. Every bit of detail is perfectly captured by the camera lens. These photos take us back to those wonderful days when everything seemed so fresh and new, those days we wished would last forever. Relive those special moments in your life, and share your memories with Photo Nostalgia!

Good day! My family has been an avid follower of your great website for years and my dad finally decided to share some of his old photos for everyone to see. We sincerely hope you can find the time to post these. Nostalgia Manila has made a huge impact on me ever since I stumbled upon it. I can't seem to get enough of old Manila photos. I'm now a certified Nostalgia Manila addict!

My family has been into the arts & photography business, starting from my grandpa Ignacio Santos who once worked as a society photographer for the Philippine's Herald newspaper back in the 50s-60s, and one of his in-laws Pete Coniconde who was the art director of the Philippine's Herald also. Since then the Santos clan has branched out and produced generations of photo-journalists and artists. I'm currently trying to live up to the family's name by joining our family business, shooting weddings & stuff.

I've attached here some photos that my dad took during the 70's-80's, when he was still starting with photography.


Avenida before LRT Construction (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW)

My dad thinks this was taken around late 70's or early 80's, when LRT was still to be constructed. Note structures eg Good Earth emporium, State Cinema, Shoe World, Madison Shoe Store, Fairmart, Weston, Joy Mart Budget Store, Avenue, et al. Sign says "Rizal Ave-Carriedo St. to J. Abad Santos closed closed to traffic due to LRT construction."

Me & my family in front of a giant robot at Philcite back in the mid-80s. (Why don't they have build stuff like this anymore?) My bro & I were originally so thrilled to see it but the summer heat was so frustrating we couldn't even bear to pose in front of it for too long. I was 5 or 6 i think.

My grandmother Melecia Santos, taken on top of Philippine's Herald building, overlooking the main Post Office, circa 1948-49.

My grandfather Ignacio Santos, with his view camera, 1940's.

Many thanks to our good friend Carla Di Santos, who was kind enough to share with us these wonderful photos.

Send your old photos and memories to: nostalgiamanilamail[at]yahoo[dot]com, write "Photo Nostalgia" on the subject line, and we'll feature it here on Photo Nostalgia.

More Photo Nostalgia: Grace Varona Photo '70s


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5 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow. I remember Philcite as a kid. Me and my bro almost dragged our parents then to go with us. I really wanted those remote controlled cars zigzagging amongst the shoppers, pero masyado mahal for my parents. I wish they will revive those toy bazaars along with the giant robot. Now I can afford to buy that remote controlled car for myself. :-)

Kate said...

ang ganda nung robot! i would have loved seeing that! thanks for sharing your pics :) Manila is the best :)

BURAOT said...

wow, philcite. i almost forgot that one.

Brian said...

Hi. I remember that there was a contest to name the robot... I named it "Exhibitron" and won the contest! I won 2,000 Php :)

Anonymous said...

hello, the picture is great. my father used to bring us to avenida or more specifically to Good Earth. my siblings and i would eat spaghetti and then get candies in what seems to be a carousel of sorts.



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