Special Sub-Topic: Origin of Manila Street Names Click Here To Play: Origin of Manila Street Names

The street became famous because it used to house the Fleur-de-lis Theater (once regarded as “The Broadway of Herran”). This street was named after a representative for the south district of Manila in 1927 who also served as Minority Floor Leader in the House of Representatives.

Pedro Gil. Pedro Gil St. used to be called Herran. It is one of the busiest intersection along Taft Avenue. A Light Rail Transit (LRT) is located on this area.

This former Manila street was named after a former Alcalde Mayor of Pasay in 1871. Later on he was one of the founder of Iglesia Filipinas Independiente (Aglipayan Church) in Pasay.

Vito Cruz. The Rizal Memorial Coliseum is one of the famous landmarks in Vito Cruz. Recently it was renamed Pablo Ocampo Sr. Street, the patriarch of the powerful Ocampo political clan in Manila.

This street was named in honor of this Jesuit priest who founded a meteorological observatory located in Ermita, Manila during the Spanish era in the Philippines. The street is still a well-known landmark along Taft Avenue in Manila.

Federico Faura. The Philippine Supreme Court and Philippine General Hospital (PGH) are famous landmarks along Padre Faura Street.

Formerly known as Calle Sacristia, this road was renamed in 1915 in honor of a Filipino-Chinese businessman who secretly supported the Filipinos struggle for independence against the Spaniards and the Americans. He and his sons owned an art supply store in the Binondo district.

Roman Ongpin. Ongpin Street is easily the most recognized road in Binondo.

Formerly called Calle Rosario, this street was renamed after a past President of the Philippine Senate in the 1950s. This senator came from the northern province of Abra.

Quintin Paredes. Quintin Paredes was born in Bangued, Abra.

Up to this day, this street is commonly being referred to as Trabajo, its former name. It was renamed after the chief of police and later Mayor of Manila.

Manuel Dela Fuente. "Trabajo" is a Spanish word meaning hard work.

Formerly known as Calle Azcarraga and a well known thoroughfare at the heart of Manila's "University Belt", this street was renamed after this famous Filipino lawyer, poet and senator from Batangas.

Claro M. Recto. The Rectos remain a powerful political clan in Batangas province.

Its former name was Melba Street. In 1914, it was renamed in honor of a Filipino patriot who lead a group of Filipinos in petitioning the expulsion of a certain corrupt Archibishop Payo.

Doroteo Jose. One of the busiest Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations is located in Doroteo Jose Street, as this connect the LRT Line 1 to LRT Line 3.

He was the first registered architect in the Philippines, graduating with a degree in BS Architecture from Cornell University. A famous university in Intramuros as well as a busy street in Sta. Cruz district in Manila was named after him. The former name of the street was Misericordia.

Tomas Mapua. The old Mapua Institute High School is still located in this street.

Its former name was San Luis. This street located in Ermita was renamed after a former director of the Philippines’ National Library which still stands along this street.

Teodoro M. Kalaw, Sr.. Don Teodoro M. Kalaw was a staunch critic of the abusive American authorities during the American regime in the Philippines. He was a reporter and later the youngest editor of El Renacimiento Filipino newspaper.