| Casino Español de Manila | |
|---|---|
 The façade of the Casino Español de Manila official clubhouse | |
 Interactive map of Casino Español de Manila | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Neo-renaissance |
| Location | No. 855Teodoro M. Kalaw Extension,14°35′04″N120°59′05″E / 14.5844°N 120.9848°E /14.5844; 120.9848,Manila,Philippines |
| Groundbreaking | 1913 |
| Inaugurated | 1917 |
| Renovated | 1951 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Juan Arellano |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect | José María Zaragoza |
Casino Español de Manila is a club established in 1888 by Spaniards living in thePhilippines as their exclusive venue for recreational and social activities. It later opened its doors to Filipino members to foster Spanish-Filipino ties in the country.[1] It is located at No. 855Teodoro M. Kalaw Extension,Ermita, Manila.
It is one of the three Casino Español clubhouses in the country, the others being inCebu (built in 1920 and still operating) andIloilo (built in 1926 and left in ruins afterWorld War II destruction).[2][3]
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Earlier records show that Governor GeneralNarciso Clavería y Zaldúa formalized the foundation of the casino inManila on October 31, 1844,[4] the date which is celebrated by the casino as the year of its founding.
The first building of the Casino Español de Manila was built in 1913 but formally opened in 1917. It was designed by the architectJuan Arellano,[5] incorporating influences of neo-renaissance style.[6]
The structure used to occupy the whole block fromTaft Avenue to San Marcelino Street and housed the offices of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and the Consulate General of Spain.[7] As the official clubhouse and social venue of the Spanish community, the building's reception and banquet halls hosted parties, celebrations and balls. Among the noted events in this venue in the 1930s was the extravagant party held to celebrate the birthday of theKing of Spain. Apart from attending parties in its halls, guests could also view the garden from the terrace while members could playtennis andpelota games in its courts.[1]
In 1945, the structure was destroyed inWorld War II during theLiberation of Manila. The club was temporarily moved to a two-story house along Apacible Street (formerly Oregon) and Perez Street inPaco, Manila.[1][5]
In 1951, Casino Español de Manila was rebuilt on its original site through the help of Ignacio Planas.[5] Parts of the property were sold and the new structure was built facing San Luis Street (nowKalaw Avenue).[1] The new clubhouse was designed by the architectJosé María Zaragoza using the prevalent post-World War II “Filipino-California-Spanish style”. The structure has arched verandas surrounding an inner courtyard.[8]
The new clubhouse was inaugurated on November 3, 1951, with PresidentElpidio Quirino and Vice-presidentFernando López in attendance. In 1962, it played host to theInfanteJuan Carlos of Spain (laterKing Juan Carlos I) and Princess Sofía ofGreece andDenmark (laterQueen Sofía). Queen Sofía visited the club once again in 2000 during an official visit to the Philippines.[1]
While theCasino Español traditionally services its members, guests and visitors have been welcomed to its compound. The 50-seatComedor Cervantes serves a traditional range of Spanish, Filipino and international cuisine. Huge antique plates decorate the high walls, individually crafted and hand-painted bearing the coat-of-arms of each of the provincial districts of Spain. The adjoiningBar el Quixote is a well-stocked chamber of select Spanish wines and other spirits. At the back, it has afronton that is used forjai alai andpelota games. Beside the Casino is the space formerly occupied by theInstituto Cervantes de Manila where Spanish classes were held, that promoted the Spanish heritage of the Philippines.
The club holds its open-air festivities in its quadrangle, thePatio de Orquídeas, where annual events are celebrated, such as the"El Día de Los Tres Reyes Magos",[9][10][11] commemorating thefeast of the Magi; and the"Día de Santiago"[12][13][14] that commemorates the feast ofSaint James the Apostle, the patron saint of Spain. A central architectural feature of the edifice[15] is acloister, lined with the club's ballroom, theSalón deRizal; andfunction rooms such as theSalónEl Cid for large group events, theSalón deAlegre[16] for the"caballeros", and the elaborateSalón de Señoras lounge for ladies. Towards the club'sFronton where games ofJai alai andpelota are held, is theBiblioteca Academia de la Lengua Española, a library housing a collection of artefacts and journals about Spain. In 1993, theNational Historical Commission of the Philippines erected a marker at the entrance of the Casino, declaring its premises as a Level-IIheritage structure.[17]
14°35′03″N120°59′06″E / 14.584108°N 120.984942°E /14.584108; 120.984942
