S8E2: Riding a Tram in 1911 Manila
From The Colonial Department by Lio Mangubat
April 10, 2026 · 18 min · Season 8 · Episode 4
About this episode
The episode explores the experiences of Dutch scholar Gerret Pieter Rouffaer in Manila during the American colonial period, focusing on the tram system.
What kind of city was waiting for Dutch scholar Gerret Pieter Rouffaer when he got to Manila? After more than a decade of occupation, the Americans had given the colonial capital some thorough nips and tucks. Aside from the glimmering roads and shady plazas, the Americans also laid down more tramways. Trams were already up and running during the latter part of the Spanish occupation, but in 1905, the US rehabilitated the old system. Unlike the old Spanish versions, these new streetcars barrelled along on double-wheeled trucks and could fit fifty people. They also ran on electricity. When Rouffaer arrived in the Philippines, he took the tranvia everywhere, and wrote down his snarky observations in a diary. Let’s see what he had to say. Support the podcast: patreon.com/thecolonialdept Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept Email us: thecolonialdept@gmail.com References: Muijzenberg, Otto Van Den (ed., trans.) (2016). Colonial Manila 1909-1912: Three Dutch Travel Accounts. Ateneo de Manila University Press. Rodell, Paul A. (1974). “Philippine ‘Seditious Plays.’” Asian Studies, 12 (1), pp. 88-118. Pante, Michael D. (2016). “Urban Mobility and a…
People in this episode
Host: Lio Mangubat
Topics covered
- colonial Manila
- trams
- American occupation
- urban mobility
- historical observations
Keywords
- Manila
- trams
- Gerret Pieter Rouffaer
- American occupation
- colonial history
- urban transport
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Ateneo de Manila University Press, Asian Studies, Philippine Studies: Historical & Ethnographic Viewpoints, thecolonialdept@gmail.com
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- INTERVIEW: Restoring historical markers with Project Panandito · May 23, 2026 · 51 min
- S8E4: Edison’s Cameras, Manila’s Trenches · May 9, 2026 · 16 min
- S8E3: Nobody Expects the Philippine Inquisition! · April 25, 2026 · 18 min
- INTERVIEW: Exploring the food history of the Philippines · April 4, 2026 · 38 min
- S8E1: The Philippine Sour-chipelago · March 21, 2026 · 17 min
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