Train of thought

One of the things I truly enjoyed whenever I was in Divisoria Market with my Nanay Curing was watching the trains arrive at and depart from the old Tutuban Station.

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After selling our "paninda" of fish and shrimps, I would walk toward the station to catch a glimpse of these mechanical beasts. To my young mind, the trains were like ancient dragons embodying raw strength, especially with their thunderous engines and the rhythmic clatter of their wheels as they rolled on iron rails. It was a sight to behold.

The old Tutuban Station of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) was located at the corner of Azcarraga and Dagupan Streets, right in the middle of Divisoria. It was a bustling district of old Manila where PNR's train journeys used to start or stop. The northern journey ended at Damortis, La Union, while the southern line stopped at Legazpi City. In a sense, it was the center of the world for many people.