This video looks interesting. I’ve posted an English translation below. I grew up near Banawe but never thought of it as a Chinatown.
English Subtitles for Native English Speakers in Taiwan
(00:00) [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music]
Welcome to Chinatown! A historic day to you all! I’m Xiao Chua, a public historian. Citizens, join me here in Banawe as we explore and learn together. Banawe is well-known as a hub for car spare parts, but there’s a rich culture here, little known to many Filipinos and especially to QCitizens. Did you know this Chinatown is even larger than Binondo?
(01:07) But how did Quezon City get its own Chinatown? During the Spanish era, there were already records of Filipino-Chinese families in this area, which would later become Quezon City. However, the Filipino-Chinese population increased significantly during World War II. When Manila was heavily bombed by the Japanese in 1941 and during the Battle of Manila in 1945, many Chinese-Filipinos fled Binondo and resettled in Quezon City. It was nearby, and largely spared from the bombing.
(01:45) The Filipino-Chinese community in Banawe grew further due to beliefs in feng shui that deemed the area lucky for both living and doing business. Recognising their contributions, Quezon City officially declared the establishment of Chinatown in 2005. By 2013, the boundaries of the Chinatown were formally defined, spanning three barangays and covering nearly 6 square kilometres. At its heart, Banawe Street stretches over 3 kilometres.
(02:30) Alongside these developments, welcome arches—known in Chinese as pifang or pailou—were erected at Banawe Street corners. These arches are adorned with jade bars, a precious mineral symbolic of purity, heaven, earth, and royalty. Jade is found only in places like China and Taiwan. These arches celebrate the friendship between China and the Philippines, wishing prosperity, good harvests, and favourable times for all.
(03:19) Here in Sheng Lian Temple, the oldest Taoist temple in Banawe, we see how cultural heritage is deeply rooted in the community. Taoism, feng shui, and other traditions have a strong presence here. This temple, established in the 1960s, has been a significant spiritual centre for decades. Let’s explore and learn more about Taoist culture.
(04:17) [Music]
Father Wong, could you briefly explain the core principle of Taoism?
Father Wong: Taoism is not a religion; it’s a philosophy. It’s about the way—a guide to living with kindness and good deeds, welcoming everyone.
(05:03) Here, Taoist saints are also revered, and people seek guidance from the temple.
(07:14) Another key feature of Quezon City Chinatown is the Tzu Chi Foundation’s Jing Si Hall. Founded in Taiwan in 1966 by Dharma Master Cheng Yen, Tzu Chi is an international Buddhist humanitarian organisation providing relief, medical aid, and educational assistance. Master Cheng Yen was honoured with the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1991. She donated part of her $30,000 prize to victims of the Mount Pinatubo eruption, marking the beginning of Tzu Chi’s work in the Philippines. Today, Jing Si Hall in QC Chinatown operates as a preschool but also offers books and products made from recycled materials during open houses.
(08:41) [Music]
Banawe isn’t just about temples; it’s also home to the Wow Toy Museum, a place of nostalgia for the young and young at heart.
Sir Jimmy: I started collecting toys after watching King Kong and Godzilla at age 8. My first conscious purchase as a collector was a 1962 Ford Fairlane. Relatives even sent me broken toys, which I repaired in my workshop.
(10:56) This museum has great educational value. For instance, some toys depict ancient Egyptian mummies, various civilizations, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Titanic—all made of paper!
(12:17) Of course, no Chinatown tour is complete without food! Banawe offers everything from small eateries to iconic restaurants. At Mandarin Sky, communal dining is celebrated through their panto set menu, featuring round tables for shared meals.
(13:38) Another must-try spot is Causeway, known for its dim sum and Cantonese dishes like polonchay tofu and salt-and-pepper squid. Established in 1995, it’s been a favourite for 25 years.
(14:22) Smaller eateries like Tasty Dumplings also draw crowds. Known for their pork chop and dumplings, the food here is tender and flavourful.
(15:23) At Ilaya Restaurant, you’ll find heritage dishes dating back to 1960, like their fresh lumpia made with a mix of local vegetables. Their kapaw (a steamed bun with pork, peanuts, vermicelli, and seaweed) is a must-try.
(17:21) For authentic Taiwanese cuisine, head to Fong Wei Wu, serving favourites like soy-braised pork and fried rice for almost 20 years. Don’t miss their shaved ice dessert!
(18:08) Mu Hong Restaurant has been around for 30 years and is known for its fresh lumpia, birthday noodles, and oyster cake. Gin Hoey, another gem, offers beef noodles, pork chops, and fried dumplings, with ingredients sourced directly from Taiwan to ensure authenticity.
(19:53) [Music]
Our journey through Banawe’s Chinatown comes to an end, but every ending is also a new beginning—a chance to better understand one another. Whether Chinoy or Pinoy, we all share the desire for peace, comfort, and progress.
I’m Xiao Chua, a public historian. From Quezon City’s Chinatown, let’s celebrate what makes our community special. [Music] [Applause] [Music]
繁體中文字幕：給可能對此感興趣的台灣觀眾
(00:00) [音樂] [掌聲] [音樂] [音樂]
歡迎來到華埠！祝大家有個歷史性的一天！我是蕭裘亞，一名公共歷史學家。市民朋友們，請和我一起探索這裡的巴拿威區，並一起學習。巴拿威區以汽車零件交易市場聞名，但這裡還蘊藏著許多鮮為人知的文化，尤其是對於大多數菲律賓人和QC市民來說。你知道嗎？這裡的華埠比馬尼拉的碧瑶更大！
(01:07) 但奎松市是如何有了自己的華埠呢？在西班牙殖民時期，這一帶已有一些菲律賓華人家庭記錄，但直到二戰期間，華裔人口才迅速增長。1941年，日本對馬尼拉進行猛烈轟炸，以及1945年的馬尼拉戰役，迫使許多原本居住在碧瑶的華裔居民搬遷至奎松市。這裡地理位置鄰近馬尼拉，且受轟炸影響較小，因此成為理想的遷居地。
(01:45) 由於風水的影響，認為這一地區適合居住和做生意，巴拿威的菲律賓華人社區逐漸壯大。為表彰華裔社區的貢獻，奎松市政府於2005年正式宣佈成立奎松市華埠。到2013年，華埠的範圍被正式定義，涵蓋三個行政區，總面積約6平方公里。巴拿威街是華埠的中心，長達3公里以上。
(02:30) 同時，華埠還建造了歡迎牌樓，中文稱為「牌坊」或「牌樓」，位於巴拿威街的幾個角落。這些牌樓上裝飾著翡翠條，翡翠是一種珍貴的礦物，象徵著純潔、天地和皇室氣派。翡翠主要來自中國和台灣。這些牌樓不僅慶祝中菲友誼，還祝福繁榮豐收和國泰民安。
(03:19) 這裡是聖蓮寺，巴拿威區最古老的道教寺廟，也是華人文化的重要一部分。道教、風水等傳統在這裡擁有深厚的影響力。這座寺廟自1960年代建立以來，一直是當地重要的精神中心。讓我們進一步探索道教文化的奧妙吧！
(04:17) [音樂]
黃神父，您可以簡單介紹一下道教的核心理念嗎？
黃神父：道教並不是宗教，而是一種哲學。它講的是「道」，指引人如何以善行和美德生活，歡迎所有人。
(05:03) 在這裡，道教的聖人也受到崇敬，人們常來此求問指導。
(07:14) 奎松市華埠的另一特色是慈濟基金會的靜思堂。慈濟由台灣證嚴法師於1966年創立，是一個國際佛教人道主義組織，提供救援、醫療和教育援助。證嚴法師曾於1991年榮獲拉蒙·麥格塞塞獎，並將部分獎金捐給了受皮納圖博火山爆發影響的災民，這也成為慈濟在菲律賓展開工作的起點。如今，奎松市華埠的靜思堂成為一所幼兒園，並在開放日期間提供書籍及回收材料製作的產品。
(08:41) [音樂]
巴拿威區不僅有寺廟，還有讓人充滿懷舊感的玩具博物館——Wow Toy Museum。
館長吉米先生：我從8歲看《金剛》和《哥斯拉》開始對玩具著迷，並於1962年購買了第一件收藏玩具，一台Ford Fairlane模型。親戚還寄給我一些壞掉的玩具，我自己在工作坊中修復它們。
(10:56) 這家博物館不僅充滿趣味，還具有教育價值。例如，有些玩具展示了古埃及木乃伊、各種文明、巴黎聖母院和紙製的泰坦尼克號！
(12:17) 當然，來到華埠，怎麼能少了美食呢？巴拿威街到處都是餐館，從小吃店到地標餐廳應有盡有。比如，Mandarin Sky餐廳提供圓桌合菜的拼桌文化，強調共享的用餐體驗。
(13:38) 另一人氣餐廳是Causeway，這家成立於1995年的餐廳以點心和廣東菜著稱，菜品包括蒜香牛柳、椒鹽魷魚和烤鴨。
(14:22) 也別錯過較小但人氣滿滿的Tasty Dumplings。他們的炸豬排和蒸餃口感嫩滑，風味十足。
(15:23) Ilaya餐廳則以傳承自1960年的招牌菜如新鮮潤餅而聞名，使用各種本地蔬菜。其咖包（蒸包內夾帶豬肉、花生、米粉和海藻）也是一大亮點。
(17:21) 想吃正宗台灣料理，可以試試Fong Wei Wu。他們已在巴拿威經營近20年，菜品如滷肉飯和剉冰令人食指大動。
(18:08) Mu Hong餐廳則以清爽的潤餅、壽麵和蚵仔煎聞名，已服務當地30餘年。Gin Hoey餐廳則提供高品質台灣料理，許多食材直接從台灣進口，保證地道風味。
(19:53) [音樂]
我們的巴拿威華埠之旅結束了，但每次結束都是新的開始——是我們更理解彼此的機會。不論是華裔還是菲裔，我們都希望追求和平、舒適和發展。
我是蕭裘亞，一名公共歷史學家。在奎松市華埠，讓我們一起慶祝這片社區的珍貴之處。[音樂] [掌聲] [音樂]