The Stories Behind 7 American-Named Roads in the Philippines

Ever passed by Taft Avenue, driven along MacArthur Highway, or visited the busy shopping district of Gilmore? These familiar roads have something in common: they’re all American-named streets in the Philippines!

1. Gilmore Avenue: Eugene Allen Gilmore

Best known today for its computer shop and tech stores, Gilmore Avenue in Quezon City is named after Eugene Allen Gilmore, who served as vice governor-general of the Philippines and twice as acting governor-general.

2. MacArthur Highway: General Douglas MacArthur

One of the country’s major highways honors American General Douglas MacArthur, who played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II.

He is particularly remembered for his famous promise, “I shall return,” which he fulfilled when Allied forces returned to the Philippines in 1944 to begin the liberation from Japanese occupation.

3. Taft Avenue: William Howard Taft

One of the busiest American-named roads is named after William Howard Taft, the first American civil governor of the Philippines.

Taft later became the 27th president of the United States. Today, his namesake is especially familiar to students because of the universities, colleges, and other educational institutions along the avenue.

4. Lawton Avenue: General Henry Ware Lawton

Lawton Avenue, which runs through parts of Taguig and Pasay, is named after General Henry Ware Lawton. He served during the Philippine-American War and was killed in action in the Philippines in 1899. 

READ: Discovering the World’s Pinoy-Inspired Places

5. F.B. Harrison Avenue: Francis Burton Harrison

F.B. is short for Francis Burton Harrison, who served as the governor-general of the Philippines from 1913 to 1921.

His administration is associated with Filipinization, a policy that expanded Filipino participation in government positions and public administration during the American colonial period.

6. McKinley Road: William McKinley

Here’s another president-turned-American-named road. The McKinley administration saw the US take control of the Philippines following the Spanish-American War. The name is also connected to Fort William McKinley, the former name of what is now Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

7. Shaw Boulevard: William James Shaw

Shaw was a businessman and philanthropist who helped establish the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong in 1930.

The next time you pass by these American-named roads, take a moment to think about who’s behind them. Because no matter what their purpose was, their stories offer a glimpse into the Philippines’ complicated relationship with the US.