M.H. Del Pilar Street
Calle Real
The street marks the original shoreline of Manila Bay as it existed during the Spanish colonial period. It was then known as Calle Real (Spanish for "royal street") which served as the national road that linked Manila with the southern provinces. The old coastal highway ran from Ermita to Muntinlupa passing through Pasay (where it is now known as Harrison Avenue), Parañaque (now known as Elpidio Quirino Avenue), and Las Piñas (now known as Diego Cera Avenue and Alabang–Zapote Road).
The current shoreline is about 180 meters (590 ft) west of Roxas Boulevard (formerly Dewey Boulevard), which was reclaimed in the early 1900s during the American colonial period. As with most other streets in Manila, it was renamed in 1921 after a Filipino writer and patriot, Marcelo Hilario del Pilar. It was also one of the right-of-way alignments of tranvía that existed until 1945.
Landmarks
Notable sites that are presently located on Del Pilar Street include the Ermita Church, LandBank Plaza, the Malate Church, Gaiety Theater as well as several hotel buildings such as the New World Manila Bay Hotel (formerly Hyatt Hotel & Casino) located at the intersection of Pedro Gil Street and Diamond Hotel.
References
- ^ "South Manila". Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ "Road and Bridge Inventory". Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ "In Search of Old Manila during Holy Week". Philippine Star. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
- ^ "Manila Polo Club: Early Years". Lou Gopal / Manila Nostalgia. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
- ^ "Malate – Ermita District: Part 1". Lou Gopal / Manila Nostalgia. June 27, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2021.