' C H i ' from the cooooool clouds

Slice/s of life

Tiongsan Business Empire Before and After the Fire

Apr 3, '08 10:52 AM
for everyone

Caught a glimpse of the news with lots of statics while on board a bus back to Baguio April 2 yesterday. Didn't get from TV that it was Tiongsan that caught the blaze. It was still heavily on smoke at 12 pm when I passed by the area, the fire trucks were still on guard.

The last time this business empire caught a disaster -- another fire at its Gen Luna branch -- was around 1998.There are 5 branches of Tiongsan Bazaars now in Baguio-Benguet.

View from Burnham Park

Apo Lakay @ Burnham

Jack w/ Tiongsan Bldg

Snacking on View after a Press Work

Framing a Baguio Business Empire

Tiongsan Bazaar from Veniz Grill

View w/ Overpass

Tiongsan-Harrison After the Fire

View with Overpass Pedestrians

Light-Weight Walls

Immediately Being Repaired
2 Comments

Quite High for Water Canons

Tags: baguio, buildings, skyscrapers, disasters, fire

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12 CommentsChronological Reverse Threaded

bbfloresca wrote on Apr 3

TFS, Chi, didn't realize how beautiful Tiong San was, didn't get to see it on my last trip. :(

grevy525 wrote on Apr 3

I miss tiongsan, they gave 20% discount to seminarians when I was studying at the San Pablo Seminary in Crystal Cave.

baguiowriter wrote on Apr 3

grevy525 said

I miss tiongsan, they gave 20% discount to seminarians when I was studying at the San Pablo Seminary in Crystal Cave.

Oh, while I was taking photos this afternoon, the melee or kibitzers didn't quite sympathize with the owners. Nice to know that this Chinese oldtimer family has charities of their own -- like the seminarians, Fr. Grevy.

baguiowriter wrote on Apr 3

bbfloresca said

TFS, Chi, didn't realize how beautiful Tiong San was, didn't get to see it on my last trip. :(

It is usually difficult to appreciate architectural designs right from the street where a tall building is located. Panorama and spaces have become luxuries in our mountain city.

shane100281 wrote on Apr 3

i only knew of the main branch, this branch and la trinidad branch and i think this branch at harrison was the chique one and have many stocks...so sayang...tsk!tsk!...

mangkaryas wrote on Apr 3

but still your images conveys with deep sadness as another of baguio's famous landmarks went up to ashes ( well for almost 8hrs that is). nice docu!

baguiowriter wrote on Apr 3

Repairs started the very next day after the blaze. I'm sure, the building will be back on its feet sooner, except when the city building permit division disallows it.

Moreover, I heard that this department store has been properly insured.

amaranna wrote on Apr 3

baguiowriter said

It is usually difficult to appreciate architectural designs right from the street where a tall building is located. Panorama and spaces have become luxuries in our mountain city.

Unfortunately, even if it does look good on the photo and "standing alone"(perhaps while it was on paper?) it does not really blend with the surroundings. Baguio needs a design sense that allows breathing space BETWEEN buildings, and a height limit that allows you all to enjoy the sky. The reason why you can't enjoy it from the street is because the street and the pedestrian have not been considered as design criteria. :(

I think I've been inside this building. Did it have a coffee shop on the top floor?

stepipai wrote on Apr 4

so it is true. (pasensya na po, i'm in manila right now) what caused the fire?

jaysoriano wrote on Apr 4

hyy... dibale may trinidad pa naman! T_T
sM naman!

baguiowriter wrote on Apr 4

stepipai said

so it is true. (pasensya na po, i'm in manila right now) what caused the fire?

According to chisms, mainit daw sa bodega -- blame it on summer wheather???

baguiowriter wrote on Apr 4, edited on Apr 4

amaranna said

Baguio needs a design sense that allows breathing space BETWEEN buildings, and a height limit that allows you all to enjoy the sky. The reason why you can't enjoy it from the street is because the street and the pedestrian have not been considered as design criteria.

Taking the comment from an architect herself, a pretty and stylish lady architect at that...well, that's really refreshing and enlightening.

How I wish you could hold a campaign on Green Architecture or Alternative Urban Development up here in Baguio and the rest of the country, Anna. Don't you have an NGO or aesthetic advocacy of that sort?

On the other hand, I don't remember Tiongsan having any coffee shops. They are known for stacking up their stores with so mush goods for sale.

Thanks for your valuable insights.

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' C H i ' from the cooooool clouds

Slice/s of life