San Andres, Manila

San Andres Bukid is a district of the City of Manila in the Philippines, located at the southeastern portion of the city. San Andres Bukid includes what used to be the pre-World War II district of Singalong, portions of Malate and Paco districts.

San Andres Bukid shares its northern eastern border with Sta. Ana and Paco, while the southern portion is bordered with Pasay City, and Makati City. San Andres Bukid is under the 5th congressional district of Manila.

Profile

San Andres Bukid is the smallest district of Manila in terms of land area, but it is the second most densely populated district after Tondo. The district is generally a residential area with a majority of the residents living a little above the poverty line. "Batang Bukid" that was they called the residents in San Andres Bukid, Most of the neighbouring districts, thinking that this place are very dangerous to others, most probably in Radium St. to ORO B St. along Estrada St.A number of the district's older residents migrated into the area just after the war when it was still mostly agricultural land.

The much older residents of the district were mostly migrant families who belong to the lower middle class who originally settled in Tondo and found the the rough plebeian lifestyle in Tondo less suitable in raising their children.

After the devastation of the south side of Manila after World War II, migrants from nearby provinces and from, the Visayas region migrated into Manila and settled in San Andres Bukid when much of it was still open space. The flow of settlers into the district was not planned nor expected to grow rapidly, resulting in a lack of urban planning as evidenced with irregular blocking, narrow roadways, and large blocks of houses accessible only through one meter alleys.

The only section of the district that has an assemblance of planning are the areas of what used to be Singalong district. It might have been absorbed into San Andres, but there is still a street called Singalong that runs parallel to Quirino Highway.

San Andres could be divided into two sections, divided by the Sergio Osmeña Highway. The eastern section and the western section. Singalong is what used to be the western section of San Andres Bukid while the eastern parts used to be territories part of Paco and Sta. Ana.

Local belief in Singalong among the old residents believe that the name was derived from an Tagalog word for cup shaped and made from a bamboo.

When the Spaniards came to award the area to Catholic missionaries, members of the Capuchin order were tasked to Christianize the local residents.

San Andres Bukid is largely a residential area with some sections classified as commercial. The district is home to two private schools, the St. Scholastica's College that was established by Benedictine Sisters in 1914, College of St. Benilde (DLSU) and St. Anthony School, a parochial school beside the Parish of St. Anthony de Padua.

San Andres Volunteer Fire Brigade

San Andres Manila is also the home and area of responsibility of the San Andres Manila Volunteer Fire Brigade Inc.

History

In March 16, 1998, Five friends who have had a long history of community service ranging from Being a Red Cross Volunteer, Radio Rescue and Assistance Hobbyist from different Radio Assistance Groups namely,

Group of Radio Assistance Youth Communicators Inc. (GRAYCOM)Radio Amateur Assistance Team (DX1-RAAT)Philippine Assistance Communication Emergency Response (PACER)

Decided that being in a radio group was no longer sufficient in each long term goal to continue our service to the community.

Hence, The San Andres Manila Volunteer Fire Brigade Inc., was formed with its primary mission to prevent the loss of lives and properties within our chosen area of responsibility.

Being an all volunteer fire brigade, non of its members and officers receive any monetary benefit/s from our vocation.

Funding comes from generous individuals, corporation, associations and from the members themselves. These donations are not constant and continue to source funds through fund raisings and constant solicitations for the fire trucks upkeep and equipment for its members.

The Brigade is governed by the Board of Directors and headed by President and Brigade Fire Marshall Charles Victor Luz Chua (San Andres 01).

The headquarters of the fire brigade is located at 2350 Espiritu St., Barangay 751, Zone 81, San Andres, Metro Manila. The San Andres Manila Volunteer Fire Brigade is manned by an all volunteer Filipino-Chinese manpower and has two firefighting units for use in the suppression of fire alarms that may occur.

The brigade is a member of the Association of Volunteer Fire Chiefs and Firefighters of the Philippines Inc., HOTLINE 16-0-16. This umbrella associations boasts the largest fire fighting units under one group in Metro Manila alone.

The position of fire chief is currently held by John Michael Reyes (Ram 05), and the current deputy fire chief is Rodel Bejerano (San Andres 05).

Officers of the Association

Officers and Board of Directors of this association are;

President and Brigade Fire Marshall Charles Victor Luz Chua San Andres 01

Board Director Gene Jimmy Nicole Flores San Andres 03

Board Director Rodel Bejerano San Andres 5

Board Director Danilo Tan San Andres 06

Board Director Ramil Tan San Andres 16 Board Director and Brigade Doctor Heustein Sy, PTRP, RPT, MD, DPCP San Andres 10

Board Director Manuel Ferrer San Andres 04

Board Director Councilor Raymond Yupangco Ram 01

Fire Fighting units

Fire Fighting units of the brigade are as follows. Upper left was the first fire engine used by the brigade from 1999 up to 2004. Its a Japanese Made Toyota Fire Engine with a Morita m7 Fire Pump circa 1950's, Engine included.

To your right is the current firefighting flag ship, The San Andres Tanker. Procured through the efforts and generosity of the Following associations and personalities; The Philippine Gue Kaw Sy Association, Friends of Robert Ong, Sinko Maynila Foundtation, Tropa Ko, Mon Yupangco Movement, Hon. Councilor Raymond "Mon" Yupangco and the Fire Fighters and Officers.

Finally the small unit found at the bottom left would be our secondary firefighting unit, San Andres Mini-Tanker. Procured through the efforts of Rodel Bejerano, Ramil Tan, Multi-lite Gasul, Multi Aqua water station and San Andres Bukid Hardware.

The Volunteer Fire Fighters

References

*"By Sword and Fire: The Destruction of Manila in World War II, 3 February-3 March 1945" by Alphonso J. Aluit (1994) Bookmark, Inc. © 1994 National Commission for Culture and the Arts ISBN 971-569-162-5

* San Andres Manila Volunteer Fire Brigade Inc., History by Charles Chua, Callsign San Andres 1, Presently President and Brigade Fire Marshall

External links

* [http://www.manila.gov.ph Official Website of Manila]
* [http://www.maniladailyphoto.com Manila Photos]
* [http://www.wiki-maps.com/manila Manila Map and Directory]