“Macau Panciteria of Good Taste” a name echoing through Binondo’s past. Panciteria Macanista de Buen Gusto stands here a silent witness. This crumbling wooden building once thrived. It was a glitzy Spanish-era restaurant. Jose Rizal immortalized it in “El Filibusterismo.”
Do you know what happened here? Chapter 25 “Smiles and Tears” unfolds within these walls. Fourteen students gathered. They ate “pancit lang-lang.” Mocking Spanish friars fueled their conversation. Rizal meticulously described the scene. Red lanterns illuminated four round tables. Little wooden stools served as seats. Each table held colored plates with pies and cups of tea. Red porcelain adorned every setting. Bottles and wine glasses sparkled.
Imagine this place in the 1880s. Don Severino Alberto owned the Panciteria Macanista de Buen Gusto. Binondo bustled as a commercial district. This panciteria was at the heart of it all. It was located near the San Fernando Bridge. It faced Binondo Church.
Sadly the Panciteria Macanista de Buen Gusto’s glory faded. It became a crumbling structure. Drug dependents sought refuge within its walls. Security guard Roldan Roque witnessed the decline. He secured a nearby building. He reported drug paraphernalia. He even saw arrests. A fire almost broke out in 2017. A lighted candle was carelessly left behind.
Today the National Historical Commission of the Philippines researches its past. They want to confirm if this is Rizal’s panciteria. The building is now owned by Ever New Realty. But its age grants it protection. It is considered a “Presumed Important Cultural Property.” This prevents demolition.
Tito Encarnacion hopes for government intervention. He fears collapse. A beautiful Spanish-era building was recently demolished nearby. The Panciteria Macanista de Buen Gusto’s deterioration worries him. He urges preservation.
In prewar times the Panciteria Macanista de Buen Gusto was still open. Archival photos show its sign. It marked the San Fernando Bridge near Binondo church. It stood as a testament to Macau’s culinary influence. It offered tastes of good taste.
Let us remember the Panciteria Macanista de Buen Gusto. It is more than just a building. It is a symbol of Binondo’s rich history. It is a reminder of Rizal’s writings. It is a call for preservation. It is a testament to culinary heritage. It echoes with stories of smiles tears and pancit lang-lang.