The first bridge to cross the Pasig River was the Puente Grande ( Large Bridge ) opened in 1630 ; the wooden superstructure was replaced with stone arches in 1814, as Puente de Piedra ( Stone Bridge ), severely damaged by an earthquake in 1863. It was reconstructed as Puente de Espana ( Bridge of Spain ), opened in 1875, widened in 1901, with tracks laid for " tranvias " ( trams / streetcars ) in 1905.


This view is from the early 1900s :-







Severe flooding damaged the bridge in 1914, and a replacement was opened in 1921. This was the Jones Bridge ( I ) - named after the principal author of the Philippine Autonomy Act assuring future independence. It was destroyed in WW II, then replaced by the present Jones Bridge ( II ).


The Jones Bridge, with the Post Office ( rebuilt 1946 ) in the background, is seen here from over 50 years ago :-