LIFESMITH

Including a brief history of Manila’s beloved “Queen of the Streets” Back in its glory days, Escolta was infiltrated with immigrant merchants to sell and trade imported luxury goods from overseas. Before Makati, it flourished as a commercial district and was prominently referred to as the “Rodeo Drive of Manila.” Historic institutions like the First United Building, Regina Building and Natividad Building have withstood years of change. With continuous efforts by the Heritage Conservation Youth sector to revive Escolta, it is now a beloved hub for young artists and businesses alike. The first-ever Escolta Block Festival is happening the whole month of November. Support independent makers at the Block Market and find unique gift ideas for the holiday season. Have a taste of authentic street food with the wealth of available dishes. Be part of the conversation and learn from a number of workshops on Filipino collective experiences.  To learn more about all the events, click here . View this post on Instagram A post shared by Escolta Block Festival 2019 (@escoltablock) on Nov 4, 2019 at 12:30am PST It started last Saturday (9) with the Love Parade, a life celebration for cultural activist and performance artist Carlos Celdran. At night, Escolta Sessions included special performances by Up Dharma Down and Giniling Festival, AOUI and Lenses.   Lifesmith Sessions are happening for the next three Saturdays: Escolta Crawl with Ivan Man Dy (16), Hydroponics Workshop with Urban Greens (23) and Live By Design (30). To register, sign up here .  We’ll see you at the month-long celebration! Explore and (re)discover Manila with enriching experiences from Lifesmith .