Kalye Escolta: Pedestrian Sunday restyled Manila’s thoroughfare into a pedestrian paradise to reclaim streets beyond the usual traffic and commerce on Oct. 26.
Presented by HUB Make Lab in partnership with First United Building 1928, the City of Manila, and Department of Tourism, Culture, and Arts of Manila (DTCAM), the initiative brings community-driven arts, culture, and creativity into the very heart of the city’s heritage district.
A kotse-free Sunday like no other, Kalye Escolta invited everyone to rediscover Manila’s historic downtown through a day buzzing with art, music, vintage finds, local markets, and good vibes—all powered by a diverse community of volunteers, artists, and more who believe in the power of shared spaces.
Old road, new rhythm
From sunrise to sunset street jams, the day unfolds with vibrant energy across Escolta’s storied stretch. Early risers joined the Neighborhood Market and EscolTambay Circuit: The Epic Bike Tour by Rebirth Manila, while music filled the avenue with a live performance by the Manila City Band.
Throughout the afternoon, creativity took center stage with the Ballroom Bazaar, featuring various pieces of looks from members of the Philippine Ballroom Community, by Insider and We Are Shapeshifters Studio, alongside a Filipiniana Fashion Show by House of Mode Elle.
Meanwhile, inside Studio 1372, the Zine Hangout invited visitors to explore indie print culture, followed by a screening of The Ball, a film directed by Malgorzata Saniewska about the underground ballroom scene of marginalized LGBTQIA+ people of color in New York City during the 1970s ad an evening Ballroom Community Street Jam, which brings the festivities to its lively conclusion.
Workshops, performances, and creative pop-ups spilled out from the First United Building, featuring everything from pottery demos, embroidery sessions, to film photography primers, biking clinics, and even shadowsmithing activities. The event redefined what a public space can be—as an open stretch where art and humanity converge.
In the heart of old Manila, the city finally remembers what it feels like to move together again.
Community talk
For first-time goers of the event, Giselle Ramolona and Geroy Vardome attended Kalye Escolta because “A specific artist made me [visit] since yung favorite artist ko si Laki Mata (a visual artist). [...] Matagal ko na kasi siyang hindi na pupuntahan ‘yung mga art gigs niya [...] since wala din ako masyadong time before,” Ramolona replied. Vardome added that this artist was a common interest of theirs, sparking their willingness to visit the event. “Follower kasi kami niya [...] ever since before 2022 pa, kaya we tried visiting her this time.”
They added that events like this help in harboring a tight-knit community, especially people who are drastically different from each other, making Escolta essentially a melting pot for art and culture.
In an interview with The Benildean, booth holder and Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (BS-HRIM) alumnus Mr. Erik Vincent “Irv” Saguiped, the artist behind Vintage Junkie Manila as well as Karma Collective, has been a business owner in the creative industry for eight years. To him, Kalye Escolta has always been his go-to events. “It's one of my favorites. As in, no excuses, I'll always attend. Why? Because of the creative spirit that it has.”
Mr. Saguiped added, “The community here is more genuine. It's not your usual type of flea market where everyone is just buying stuff and then leaving. People are not obliged, but it's more organic. It's very organic for them to talk to their co-creatives. Maybe not artists, but the audience who enjoys it.”
For long-time artist and another booth holder at the event, Ms. Francine Lima, who began her creative journey in 2013, described Escolta as a “vibrant livelihood” shaped by its history, architecture, and culture.
For Ms. Lima, spaces like Escolta are vital for creatives because they serve as a foundation for individual businesses and help nurture a solid, supportive community. “Before I started, my first pop-up was here, and the crowd was different [...] you know they support you,” she added.
She shared that events in Escolta help bring people together while exposing more audiences to handmade and local creations. “Because of events like this, more generations are getting exposed and supporting local makers.” She also emphasized the importance of independent spaces, where artists can express themselves freely. “You see the 100% creativity of an artist there, without restrictions,” she said.
For her, Escolta stands out for its affordability, inclusivity, and ability to foster meaningful conversations about art, culture, and even politics.
Kalye Escolta isn’t merely just another Sunday market, but a living space for creative expression and connection. It unites a community bound by passion, with every artistic endeavor adding a new story to Escolta’s ever-growing rich history.
