Driving Down Michigan Ave – A Nostalgic Ride Past Chicago’s Historic Landmarks | Chesca in Chicago

Ronaldo 7/11/2025 08:17:00 AM

By: By J.F.R. Perseveranda

🚘 Driving Down Michigan Ave – A Nostalgic Ride Past Chicago’s Historic Landmarks | Chesca in Chicago (2022)

A 30-second drive down The Magnificent Mile with my daughter in July 2022 — passing by Water Tower Place and the Chicago Water Tower, both powerful symbols of the city’s strength and my own Filipino-American memories.

🏙️ This short video carries deep nostalgia:
In the 1970s, my family drove down this same street when we lived in Chicago — bundled up in winter coats to shop for Christmas at Marshall Field’s and Water Tower Place.
In the 1980s, I drove these same blocks again with my girlfriend — now part of my past, but forever part of the city in my memory.
And now in 2022, I bring my youngest daughter here after her high school graduation — linking generations on this iconic stretch of Chicago.

📍Chicago Water Tower (built 1869) survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, one of the few public buildings left standing, and became a symbol of the city’s resilience.
🛍️Water Tower Place (opened 1975) was one of the first vertical malls in the U.S., anchored by Marshall Field's — Chicago’s legendary department store known for its holiday windows and giant Christmas tree in the Walnut Room.

🌨️ I remember the snow, the crowds, the warm Filipino family energy amid the downtown chill — and now, I share that experience with my daughter, who sees it with new eyes.

📸 More coming soon from our “Chesca in Chicago” series.

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20220707 223238 CHICAGO WATER TOWER PLACE MAGNIFICENT MILE

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Posted by: Ronaldo

Founder, Social Media Manager & Content Creator at Pinoybuilt.com. Photographer. Former IT Product Manager at Pacific Gas & Electric. I'm a 1.5 generation immigrant—Filipino-born, U.S.-raised—sharing stories that bridge cultures. Share yours at PINOYBUILT.com. I’m still learning about our roots, and I invite you to learn with me. I was born in Makati City and raised in Marikina, known for world-class shoes and strong community ties. I went to Marist School; my sister went to St. Scholastica’s. We spent weekends in Malate—those memories of old Manila still shape who I am. At 9, we moved to Chicago, where I saw snow for the first time. At 12, we relocated to Vallejo, CA. Since then, I’ve lived in Davis,Glendale (SoCal), back to Chicago in my 20s, San Francisco & Fremont. I visit SoCal often for family. Chicago will always be special—but go Golden State Warriors! At UC Davis, I was a member of Mga Kapatid, where I had the chance to participate in Pilipino Culture Night and perform traditional dances like Bangko. Now, as a father of three, I’m doing my best to pass on our Filipino heritage. Let’s build something Filipino together. Mabuhay. Salam