Lunar New Year Sketchwalk in the World's Oldest Chinatown

On the afternoon of February 21, the Philippine Urban Sketchers made their way to Binondo in Manila, considered to be the oldest Chinatown in the world. It was already a hub of Chinese commerce before it was established in 1594 by the Spanish colonizers as a settlement for the immigrant Chinese who converted to Catholicism.

The Lunar New Year celebrations kicked off on Thursday February 19, a national holiday. The celebration would last for two weeks, so it was a great idea to have the scheduled monthly sketchwalk right in the heart of Binondo.

The sketchers gathered at Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, named after the first Filipino saint, who was a Chinese-Filipino. The plaza was previously called Plaza Calderon (after the Spanish playwright). Some sketchers ventured to the other parts of Binondo, drawing the shop fronts, streets, and daily life.

A wealth of sketches of Manila's Chinatown.

Janne Soriano (foreground) and Patts Cadayona

Carlo Martinez sketched the plaza fountain and the Binondo Church

Randy Valiente surrounded by curious kids. Some sketchers shared their materials with the streetchildren and encouraged them to draw what they see.

Nigel Feliciano is just 7 years old! See the look of concentration on his face :)

Nadja Ginete and Cynthia Feliciano, Nigel's aunt.

NiceNice Rodriguez sketching the fountain

Jesus Cesar Navarra and Rachel Anne See found comfy spots

 

Ige Trinidad and I sketched this interesting construction site along Quintin Paredes Street.

Charm Gesmundo and El Eda Balingit

Cesar Ramirez Jr

Nadja's drawing of a sketching Nigel. 

Here are more sketches!

 

The Philippine sketchers at the plaza in front of the Minor Basilica of San Lorezo Ruiz, which was completed in 1854. Kung Hei Fat Choi!

See the full album at our Facebook group!