The Marikina City local government, together with the Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) led the launching of the Chinese Pagoda that was built to symbolize the strong friendship between Filipinos and Chinese and to bring good luck to the city and its residents.
The launch was held at the Marikina River Park in Barangay Sta. Elena and was attended by Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, and officials of PCCI.
The renovated pagoda measures 1,200 square meters and features eight pillars which symbolizes good fortune. The pagoda's design was made in accordance to the belief of the Chinese that it will bring good luck.
According to the city government, the pagoda's history dates back to the mid-1700s where the greater part of Marikina’s population was Chinese Mestizo or Mestizo de Sangley. They came to Marikina upon the invitation of the Jesuits to help in establishing a hacienda which was named after the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro de Labrador.
Among the Chinese Mestizos was the patriarch of the most illustrious clan in town, Don Antonio Tuazon, a wealthy Chinese from Binondo, Manila.
Don Antonio was believed to be Son-Tua (presumably the Sino-version of the Tuazon name meaning “eldest son”), whose wealth helped provide a battalion for the Spaniards during their war with the British forces that tried to wrest control of the Philippines from Spain.
He bought properties in Marikina from the Jesuits and these became known as Hacienda de Mariquina. This Chinese heritage inspired the Marikina Chinese Chamber of Commerce to build the Chinese Pagoda along the Marikina Riverbank in honor of the Chinese roots of Marikeños.
Aside from the pagoda, the city government also urged the public to visit its river park which has been opened once again for the public amid the Covid-19 pandemic.