Malate nights: The changing pulse of the red-light district

THOUGH YEARS have passed and changes have unfolded, for outsiders, the mere mention of Malate still evokes thoughts of a place steeped in pleasure and the allure of escape. 

The perception of Malate as a place that sleeps during the day and awakens at night comes from outsiders, primarily due to its bustling nightlife of bars and restaurants lined up on the streets.  

“Usually kasi before, ‘di ba, pag sinabing nilang Malate, tambayan ng mga, alam mo na [prostitutes]. Eh ngayon kasi wala na eh, kaya nag-iba siya,” Malate resident Terry Degala said. 

However, even though long-time residents of Malate have seen the changes that have taken place in the district, the same perception still lingers, particularly among non-locals, who continue to hold an image of the area that differs from the realities experienced by the residents. 

The noise from bars, alongside the challenges of crime and prostitution, has reinforced the negative image of the district. 

But for long-time residents of Malate, those days are a thing of the past. The district has undergone a significant transformation, particularly in its business landscape. 

“It's no longer serving us from the past,” Malate resident Boy Escalona said, highlighting that the restaurants and bars around Malate have declined, much less like the stereotypes people commonly perceive about the area.  

Open 24/7 

Contrary to the common belief that Malate is only active at night, for its current residents, the district is much like New York—it never truly sleeps. 

While the streets may seem quieter during the day, Malate still pulses with energy even with the shut doors and “closed” signs of bars and night resto-bars. For the locals, the morning hours are just as busy as the district shifts gears from its nighttime vibrancy to a more mundane pace. 

As long-time resident Rowena Paclibar explains, the mornings are filled with people heading to work, especially those working corporate jobs. This part of the day is dedicated to the workforce, keeping the district alive through its own kind of activity. 

Public transportation like tricycles and tok-toks or e-bikes that were converted for public transport navigate the streets in search of passengers.  

Meanwhile, the traffic along major roads like Pedro Gil Street and Quirino remains steady with vehicles coming and going, further underscoring the district’s busy yet often unnoticed daytime rhythm. 

As the sun sets in Manila, the “real” Malate unveils itself. 

“Sa gabi naman, iba ang makikita mo, kasi ibang tao [naman] ang busy. Pumapasok sa mga club, ganyan. Gising sila dahil yun ang trabaho nila,” Rowena Paclibar, a sari-sari store owner, said. 

At nightfall, the area is kept alive by the vibrant music, the colorful lights coming from the establishments, and the tourists that visit Malate for entertainment. 

Places that open their doors at night like clubs, karaoke bars, and even hotels are found in the area, revealing a district that never sleeps. 

Noise of the past 

Historically, red-light districts are areas known for adult entertainment, often characterized by bars, clubs, and a range of businesses that cater to the vices of the people. 

One perception about Malate’s bars is that some of them are associated with prostitution. However, residents clarified that prostitution in bars has long been gone from the district. 

Escalona said that former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim implemented a “clean-up” campaign to remove prostitution bars in Malate, as he disliked the idea of these types of bars being found in the area.  

In 2005, an ordinance prohibited specific kinds of business in the Ermita-Malate area from operating. Businesses like sauna parlors, super clubs, and motels that give people entertainment using women may disturb and diminish the moral and social welfare of the community. 

The removal of these bars had a ripple effect on the other bars in the area. 

“Ang laki ng impact na yun eh. Pinaalis niya lahat ng mga bars. Nawala ang gigs dito, naglipatan sa ibang area,” Escalona said. 

“Nung nagpasara ng mga club, wala nang pumupunta or dumadayo,” Degala added.  

Paclibar noticed that the number of foreigners who own these businesses is also increasing, sometimes overshadowing the local competitors. 

While the establishments gather the attention of the tourists, they have also attracted more people with ill intentions who have increased tendencies to take advantage of visitors.  

According to Villarin, there are issues like children using substances that lead them to commit petty crimes such as pick-pocketing. With this, he stressed the need for tighter security in the area so that tourists would feel safe. 

“Seguridad para sa mga turista, para mas lalong dumami yung turistang pupunta dito, at saka hindi sila mangangambang pumunta dito at mamasyal.” 

Another long-standing issue Malate has been known for is the noise coming from bars, which is a common complaint among residents and neighboring barangays that once defined the area’s nightlife reputation. 

According to Barangay 669 Secretary Rolly Ligtas, residents commonly complain about the loud music from these establishments that causes disturbance at night as residents find it hard to sleep due to the noise.

"Palagi yung nirereklamo na isa lang doon na abot yung music sa tuktok ng building na yan,” Ligtas said.

However, locals do not hear the issue as badly as before since it has long been addressed.  

“Na-lessen na ang bar business, kaya hindi na, it's not disturbing now,” Escalona said.

Ligtas added that many establishments have taken steps to reduce their noise impact by installing soundproofing in their bars.

“Hindi na na maingay yung ano [bars]. Parang mayroon na silang sound absorber. Nag-soundproof na sila sa bar…’di na ako nakakarinig ng reklamo,” Ligtas said. 

“[Dati] maririnig mo ang sounds, right from there. Maraming happening, but this time, hindi na nag-eexist ‘yun. Nako-control na ng chairman,” Escalona added.  

Business-driven spot 

While the area’s past as a red-light district still shapes its reputation, long-time residents emphasize that the reality has changed.  

Despite the decline in bar revenues, Malate has not stopped generating income. Other businesses and jobs continue to thrive in the area, even if its “main” source of livelihood has shifted. 

According to Ligtas, condominiums are now one of the major sources of revenue for Malate. Additionally, the large Robinsons Mall on Pedro Gil has become another significant contributor to employment in both Malate and Ermita. 

Ligtas shared those businesses, especially condominiums, benefit the barangay by generating real property taxes, which are then allocated for the barangay’s share in local projects. 

“Pinaghahati-hati siya. Pambili ng gamit, marami po talagang napupunta para sa projects ng barangay,” Ligtas said. 

The real property tax generated by businesses in the area supports various projects such as gender and development programs, senior citizen and child protection services, disaster risk reduction management, along with peace and order equipment for the barangay tanods. 

Whether it’s morning or night, residents emphasized that the district’s businesses play a crucial role in their livelihoods, regardless of the negative image associated with the place. 

“May magandang nadudulot naman yung mga bar, yung mga restaurant, may mga pwedeng mapaglibangan ng mga tao at may naitutulong sa aming mga naghahanap-buhay,” said Roberto Villarin, a resident and tricycle driver, who also shared that public transportation jobs are sustained by the influx of outsiders visiting the area. 

“Dahil sa kanila rin, nagkakaroon kami ng hanapbuhay. At tulad niya, pag nawala yung mga yan, saan kami maghanap? Paano kami maghanapbuhay? Nakakatulong din sila sa amin,” Domino Creer, another tricycle driver, said.

Degala added that many residents appreciate the convenience of living close to their workplaces, noting that many people choose to stay in Malate because of its proximity to their jobs. 

Aside from locals getting opportunities to work at night clubs or local tricycle drivers acquiring more passengers, small stores selling random items like cigarettes are also able to generate more customers as these stores usually carry the items visitors instantly look for once they step out of the bard.  

Malate, becoming the center of these businesses that cater to tourists, has brought positive and negative impacts, especially for the residents who now must live alongside these establishments. 

Today, it stands as a district that has successfully diversified its economy, and despite lingering stereotypes, it continues to be an important hub for both locals and visitors. 

People, who work with what they have to make ends meet, despite the ever-changing nightlife image, will always call the place theirs. Marie Nicole Gonzales and Angeline Mae Villanueva