Hundreds of years ago, Binondo was the country’s center of commerce and industry, bustling with businesses and commercial establishments. A business address on Escolta Street was a signature of social standing then. One notable landmark in the area is the Calvo Building, which houses the Calvo Museum.
The Calvo Building itself, built in 1938, is a significant historical landmark in Binondo. Designed by renowned architect Fernando Ocampo, the art deco building originally served as office space for various businesses. Its unique design and distinct facade have made it a beloved landmark in the area, witnessing Binondo’s transformation from a commercial district to a cultural hub.
On the mezzanine floor of the building, the Calvo Museum offers visitors a journey through time, providing a glimpse into Escolta’s storied past. The museum’s exhibits are meticulously curated to highlight the district’s commercial evolution, showcasing vintage photographs, old business directories and memorabilia from renowned establishments that once lined the street.
A gripping collection of black-and-white photographs captures Binondo’s transformation over the decades. The images showcase the district’s bustling streets, iconic landmarks and significant events that have shaped its identity.
Recognized as a hub of commerce and trade, Binondo’s history is showcased through exhibits of historic businesses and industries in the museum. Visitors can see vintage advertisements of stores in Escolta, and have an idea of their products that were once vital to the local economy.
Early tenants of the Calvo Building included the Philippine Bank of Commerce, Manuel Sabater Optical, Esso & Company Inc. and The Idol Shop.
During the Japanese Occupation, the building housed Toring Restaurant, Filipino Theatrical Enterprises and Peacock Garden.
The museum also features a captivating vintage bottle collection, showcasing a variety of shapes, brands and sizes, including Ginebra, 7Up, Pepsi-Cola, Magnolia, Selecta and Cosmos bottles.
It also features music sheets of classic songs from the 1930s to the 1960s, including “Bayan Ko,” “Panambitan,” “Sa Dakong Silangan,” and “Ang Maya.”
Visitors can also view first-day issue and commemorative stamps from the 1940s to the 1960s, along with a variety of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes (PCSO) tickets.
One of the unique aspects of the Calvo Museum is its focus on the history of media and publishing in Binondo. Some prominent tenants from the post-war year was the radio station RBS/DZBB of Uncle Bob Stewart Channel 7 (now GMA 7), LR VILLAR Music Store (Manila’s biggest vinyl record bar), and the Mareco Recording Studio which produced albums for Kundiman stars like Ruben Tagalog, Slyvia La Torre and Pilita Corrales.
Sorriente-Santos, a retail department store chain known for initiating “Buy One Take One” for its Banlaon shirts sale in the 1960s, occupied the ground floor.
The Calvo Museum is indeed a vital institution that preserves and celebrates the rich commercial history of Manila. It serves as a reminder of the district’s past glory and its enduring legacy in Philippine commerce and allows visitors to connect with the past and appreciate Binondo’s important role in the country’s cultural and economic history.
