Evolving Industrial Geographies of the Manila Chinatown: Origination, Viabilities, and Spatial Repertoires of Tsinoy Businesses in Postwar San Nicolas

Abstract

San Nicolas, formerly a constituent of the Manila Chinatown until its separation in 1865, has since endured peripheralization within ethnic Chinese scholarship. This study rectifies this imbalance by foregrounding the Manila Chinese demographic domiciled in San Nicolas by using their enterprises as its main benchmark. It attempts to understand the characteristics, histories, and viabilities of Tsinoy-operated enterprises in the area. Through this, recurring patterns are established and narratives are formed to construct both the image of San Nicolas and the ethnic Chinese inhabiting the district. The study also attempts to situate the Tsinoys of San Nicolas within the broader context of urban change by covering their strategies in contending with spatial transformations detrimental to the overall dynamic of the district. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis was employed to process the data. The research reveals stark differences between the Tsinoy enterprises of San Nicolas and that of Binondo, indicating an evolution of industrial geography of the Manila Chinatown. San Nicolas functions as a Tsinoy wholesaling hub that hosts heterogenous industries co-opting with distributors in the production process. It is rife with tiam lais that either maintain residential units or warehouses called “bodegas” on the upper levels of each establishment. Instead of catering to end users like Binondo, it caters to fellow businesses in provincial areas all over the country. Although lacking formal networks, enterprises here are multimillionaire microfirms that maintain informal labor hierarchies. More than government policies or economic phenomena, familial motivations are the pull factors into doing business in San Nicolas. They are beset with many industry-specific problems, including penetration of the virtual web, inevitable credit term extensions, shortage of stocks, and government rigidity. On the other hand, location-specific problems include the prevalence of local crimes such as salisi and akyat-truck. Delpan was also cited as a critical locus of criminal activities. Apart from this, the mainland Chinese are identified as having disruptive power in the locality and the wholesaling industry of San Nicolas. The disparity in capabilities between the mainland Chinese and Tsinoys can potentially result in the tilting of the playing field in favor of the former as market forces continue capitulate to their interests. The problem of commercial spaces is addressed through the proliferation of warehouses, which has resulted in the destruction of cultural properties in many instances. However, local entrepreneurs do not seem to be abreast of this critical issue. Key recommendations include enriching district studies, placing Tsinoys at the forefront of Manila Chinese scholarship, regulating the entry of but not necessarily excluding mainland Chinese businesses, exploring nondisruptive food tourism as a way of popularizing local heritage causes, involving Tsinoy entrepreneurs and powerful taipans in heritage conservation, and promoting architectural strategies such as adaptive reuse, rehabilitation, and conservation zoning to save the cultural treasures of San Nicolas.