Manila, Phillippines YMCA Building, c. 1915

This photograph depicts the YMCA building in Manila, Philippines, c. 1915. The initial civilian YMCA in the Philippines was established to serve the ever increasing number of American young men who came to the Philippines to serve the government or to engage in business. Later, a plan was conceived for the development in Manila of an Association to serve also youths coming from many European countries. In 1908, this plan demonstrated the true value of the YMCA to the citizens of the Philippines and this paved the way for the establishment of a permanent Philippine YMCA Movement. The years that followed saw the establishment of principal centers and the provisions of adequate building facilities—in Manila, Fort McKinley, Cavite and OlongapoA caption written on the verso of the photograph reads: "Manila 'Y'. Wing on right is gym.