The TRANSPORTATION of CAVITE CITY From 1800 - 1960

 People of the city travel through sailboats, ferry, caratela, trains, jeeps and buses. And this is how the transportation in the city looks like before. 

Sailboat from Cavite to Manila in 1800.

 Caratela were also used in 1800.

The earliest type of train in 1900s.

 Cavite was connected to the railway service in 1908 but discontinued in 1936.

The train passengers in 1909.

The abandoned railway system called TRAMO or Daang Bakal now invaded by the informal settlers.

Calesa were commonly used as transport in Cavite.

The proto type of rail wagon.

The carromata.

This type of bus was used in 1930s by TOLEDO AUTO BUS in Manila - Cavite route.

 The earliest bus model in 1900.

Manila ferry service between Cavite and Manila in 1900s
operated by the Yangco.

   

The most commonly used for land travel, calesa, the king of the road.

The rail wagon.

The bus and truck service between Manila and Cavite in 1940s.

Jeepney on Manila Boulevard, Santa Cruz, Cavite City, 1960s.

Jeepneys in Cavite City, 1960s.

Saulog Transit and Saint Raphael Transit served the city for many years.

Traffic approaching check point of Cavite City.

Photos c/o: Romy Boy Camarce

Parroquia de San Roque Ciudad de Cavite

San Roque lies at the southern part of what was once known as the walled city of Cavite. When the Spaniards came in 1571, they found the place forested and swampy. Its location was very strategic for trade since it was surrounded by water. This must be the reason why many Chinese used to visit the place. In 1573, when the Chinese pirate Limahong was being chased by the Spaniards, he retreated to the northern most portion of San Roque. This is presently known as Sangley point. In 1614, when the province of Cavite was given a politico-military government, San Roque was created as an independent “pueblo”. 

 A legend tells us that sometime in 1700, a badly damaged ship stopped at a certain place in Cavite called Sapa-sapaan for repair. Aboard the ship was the image of San Roque which the crewmen venerated as their patron. It was customary then to have saints as protectors of the ship while it was on a voyage. Before the work began, the captain of the ship ordered that the image of San Roque be deposited in the nipa chapel of the town. At the time, the patroness of the town was Sta. Margarita. After the ship had been repaired, the captain asked the workers to bring back the image to the ship. To their surprise, the crewmen found out that they could not move the image even an inch from its place. They informed the captain of their strange experience. Thus, they left the image in the chapel. The news spread around the town and from that time on, San Roque was venerated as the patron of the place. The town was renamed after him. 

According to Don Gervacio Pangilinan, a local historian, an old legend tells us that a grand temple was built in 1725. Together with San Roque, the miraculous image of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno was also venerated. The honorable Baron of Melvill financed the construction of the Church. Today, the thick walls of the nave of San Roque reminds us of the one built during the early years of the century. 

SOURCE : La Historica de Cavite 1926 by Don Gervacio Pangilinan translated by Lourdes Arespacochaga

CAVITE CITY : Ocho Iglesias de Antes

Puerto Cavite was host to eight churches. These churches acted as “satellite headquarters” of the religious orders at the port city.

• San Pedro Apostol, the parish church

• San Diego de Alcala Convent and Hospital of the Franciscans, demolished by the 18th century

• San Pedro Telmo Church of the Dominicans, abandoned after the revolution, ruins survived until after WWII

• Nuestra Señora del Remedios Church of the Augustinians, demolished in the 17th century

• Nuestra Señora de Loreto Church of the Jesuits, converted to Colegio de San Ildefonso upon their expulsion in 1767, ruined and subsequently demolished by the 19th century

• Sta. Monica Church of the Agustinos Recoletos

• San Jose de Granada Church and Hospital of the Hospitaleros de San Juan de Dios

• Hermita de la Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga

On May 16, 1571 the Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi declared the region a royal encomienda, or royal land grant. Spanish colonizers settled in the most populated area of the place (present day Kawit), they called it Cavite. The old Tangway at the tip of the Cavite Peninsula, across Bacoor Bay was referred to as Cavite la Punta meaning "Point of Cavite" or Cavite Point. Upon discovering that because of its deep waters, Cavite la Punta was a suitable place for the repair and construction of Spanish ships and galleon, the Spanish moved their settlement there and called it Cavite Nuevo (New Cavite) or plainly Cavite, while the first settlement was renamed "Cavite Viejo" (and in the early 20th century, regained its former name, Kawit).

In 1590, the Spaniards fortified Cavite Nuevo with a muralla (high thick curtain walls) on its western, northern and eastern side while the side fronting Baccor Bay remained open. Fort Guadalupe on the easternmost tip was also built at the same time, and the town became the Puerto de Cavite (Port of Cavite) or Cavite Puerto. The Fort of San Felipe Neri and Porta Vaga gate were constructed in 1595 and completed in 1602. Puerta Vaga (corrupted to Porta Vaga) was the port city's barbican western and only principal entrance from San Roque. It was flanked by the western wall protected by two bastions at its north and southern end. The wall and gate were also separated from the mainland by a moat, which also made the town like an island..

Cavite was officially founded as a town in 1614 with Tomás Salazar as the earliest known gobernadorcillo recorded. At the same time, the town became the capital of the new politico-military province of Cavite, established also in 1614. Like some other provinces during the Spanish era, the province adapted the name of its capital town [e.g., Bulacan, Bulacan; Tayabas, Tayabas (now Quezon province); Tarlac, Tarlac; Manila, Manila province ; Balayan, Balayan Province (now Batangas); Taal, Taal (now Batangas); and the present Batangas, Batangas].

San Roque was founded as a separate town also in 1614. At 1663, during the Spanish evacuation of Ternate, Indonesia, the 200 families of mixed Mexican-Filipino-Spanish and Papuan-Indonesian-Portuguese descent who had ruled over the Christianized Sultanate of Ternate and included their Sultan who converted,[9] were relocated to Ternate, Cavite plus Ermita, Manila and San Roque, Cavite. It was placed under the civil administration of Cavite Puerto until it was granted a right to be a separate and an independent municipality in 1720. La Caridad, formerly known as La Estanzuela of San Roque, separated and was founded as town in 1868. The Spanish Governor General Jose de la Gardana granted the petition of the people led by Don Justo Miranda to make barrio La Estanzuela an independent town.

The Governor's Palace in the Navy Yard at the old Port City of Cavite (1899)

It was also during those times when it was called "Tierra de Maria Santisima" (Land of Most Holy Mary) because of the popularity of the Marian devotion in this place. Plazas and parks were evidence of importance, Plaza de Armas across from San Felipe Fort, Plaza de San Pedro across from the church and Plaza Soledad across from Porta Vaga, Plaza del Reparo was at the bayside.

#OchoIglesiasDelCavitePuerto

Watch this 2023 blog video from our youtube channel for a more detailed narration ... 

Moog ng PORTA VAGA

In 1602, the Spaniards built the historical fortress of PORTA VAGA, a 20-foot high fort that guarded the entrance to the Spanish city. The name could have been suggested by the Tagalog puertang bago (“new door”). The massive walls of San Felipe were erected in 1614 to protect the navy yard against incursions by Moro pirates, Dutch invaders and other groups opposing their rule. During the American era, it was used as a station of the US Marines. It was eventually destroyed during the Second World War. The city was officially baptized Cavite that year when it was established as a politico-military district and capital of Cavite province. The Isthmus del Rosario linked Cavite with the mainland.

People standing and on balconies along San Pedro St in the old Port City of Cavite in 1899, with the large church (name unknown) at the end of it. The present name of the street is unknown as the streets of Old Cavite have been renamed since.

Filipino Army of Liberation soldiers, walls and gateway and leading to San Roque, 1899.

Photo courtesy of Matthew Westfall.

The ruins of what was once a 20 foot wall of Porta Vaga

During the American era, it was used as a station of the US Marines. It was eventually destroyed during the Second World War.

Source : Ms. Esquierdo Bhel Asinas of AHP
Cartoon Illustration by : Mr. Marco Gonzales of AHP
Posted with PERMISSION 

Old Cavite City Photos

c/o William Fabianic

For more photos click source link : http://www.pbase.com/wfabianic/cavite&page=all

City Entrance 60's

 Election Signage's 60's 

 Campaign 60's

 Marching Band 60's

 Parade Float 60's

Street Scene

Fiesta Time 

Old Postcards of Lido Beach

Lido Beach and Villamar Beach are famous beaches in located in Noveleta, Cavite near Cavite City in the 1970s. These beaches were favorite movie shooting location during that time as it is relatively near Manila. Below are postcards showcasing a glimpse how beautiful Lido Beach was before.

Credit to : http://www.cardcow.com/

Porta Vaga Church

The Porta Vaga Church or Sta. Monica Church in Cavite City in 1899 next to the old wall of the city. Only the belfry remains of the old church that got destroyed during world War 2.

Photo: c/o wikipedia

Cavite City - Photo Montage

If you want to feel sentimental and reminisce Cavite City this is a beautiful mtv to view our beloved town and city.

Remember this?

Old Cavite City Check Point

Tony's Bakery and old San Roque Parish Church

The San Roque Parish Church is under renovation for more than a decade now. I can't understand up to now why it has to be renovated into this tall and huge structure when all that is needed to be fixed in the old structure is the flooring and altar which badly needs elevation. Also noticed instead of finishing the altar first which is the most sacred part of the church what they are finishing and kept on renovating for so many times is the dormitory like structure at the back of the church which house the we all know who.


Cine Perla
One of the most popular movie theater in Cavite City. I remember movie stars visiting this theater to promote their films. It is also known for its architectural design but sadly this landmark was burned last 1994. What is left now is a vacant lot whose fence are occassionally hanged with promotional streamers.