Thoughts about downtown

There was nothing unusual about my column last week. What's unusual are the readers' comments that busied my inbox lately. While some are just simply nostalgic, others air the safety concerns of the area. A few also hate Colon for its traffic and lack of parking space.       

From Crescente Bao-as, Jr. of Dublin, Ireland:

Your article about Colon is very true in every sense of it. I was leaving in Pari-an during my adolescence and now presently residing and working here in Europe, which I consider my second home. I had been in many cities of the world already and I don't know if this is also what they feel about visiting back Colon to some people like me who also have traveled to some places too.

Everytime I go for my vacation in Cebu City I could not help myself to always include Colon as part of my itinerary. When I'm there on that particular place (colon) although I'm not buying, but the streets, sidewalks, underpasses in Oriente (which used to be Mever and Rizal theater before) and Ultra Vistarama, the noise of the vehicles and people, those old and new buildings are of great pleasure and comfort to me. Or maybe because I was born in Cebu City that's why part of me wants to reach out of that place. I admire reading your column. 

From Ronnie Go, Subangdaku Mandaue City:

You missed to mention in your column that Colon was just a spill-off of the business activities in Manalili. Colon might have been busy in the sixties, but the area in Carbon, Plaridel, F. Gonzales and Manalili were the busiest as far as I can remember. There were probably more millionaires produced in the area than in Colon. But they all belong to downtown anyway. More power to your column!

From Lanie Cabije, Makati City:

We used to live in Labangon until I got married here in Manila. Your history is correct but it is a different place now. You can't find snatchers in the area like thirty years ago. Today, prostitutes are a common sight during the night and the streets are as narrow as its sidewalks. I am not happy with the place anymore as I used to. I hope something is to be done there by our local officials to make the downtown a safer place to buy things. Thank you and more power.  

From Anita Regalado, New York City:

Your column turned back the time for me. My parents used to bring us there after hearing mass in Sto Niño or Cathedral. The Diamond Tower (Ludo and Lu Ym building) was the tallest and most modern building back then for anyone who'd like to see Cebu in all directions. Colonade Mall was formerly Gaw and United Merchants before. They were the department stores of the "social" or the elite. Manila Restaurant, Ding How and Majestic were the ideal places to dine with the whole family. I just miss them all. My last visit there was two years ago and it seems the place has changed a lot. The only reminder I have is the old Oriente building and Vision theater which are not as lovely as they were. More power, regards!      

Cebu's downtown may not be the best place to be or go around today, but I can't trade every good memory of it just to suit my fancy for the "posh feeling" most malls offer. Of course, I don't deny the far-reaching advantage of going to malls than downtown but there can be no simpler way to honor Cebu's downtown if we just drop by and patronize the businesses there if only to preserve the memories that have made Cebu to become what she is now.

Send emails to [email protected]