Shaw Boulevard is a major thoroughfare at the heart of Metro Manila. It runs across EDSA, and is just as old as EDSA itself. It spans from Kalentong Street in Mandaluyong City to Barangay Bagong Ilog in Pasig City.
But prior to becoming known as Shaw Boulevard, the road was named Jose Rizal Boulevard by the Americans. Sometime in the ’40s, the name was changed to Shaw Boulevard in honor of William ‘Bill’ James Shaw, an American philanthropist and avid golfer.
Who is William ‘Bill’ James Shaw?
You can find the answer when you go to the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, which was founded by Shaw in 1930. There, a golden bust erected in his honor stands to this day.
Below the bust, a historical marker is placed. It reads: “In memory of William ‘Bill’ James Shaw, born in Barnet, Vermont, USA., September 20, 1877, died in Caloocan, Rizal, March 1, 1939. Founder, organizer, and first president of Wack Wack Golf and Country Club—‘A trysting place of the nations temporarily residing in these islands.’ Self-made philanthropist, fosterer of the spirit of democracy, a true friend, and a believer of goodwill amongst all people.”
Shaw came to the Philippines in 1901 by working as a busboy on a US Army transport ship en route to Manila. He fell in love with the Philippines and never left since.
He established himself as one of the prominent Americans in the city: He became part-owner of Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific, which is now known as AG&P. He was also the president of the Rotary Club of Manila from 1925 to 1926.
Shaw and the controversial golf tournament
One of the reasons Shaw founded the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club was that he was disgusted by the gatekeepers at the iconic Manila Golf Club, which was then located in Caloocan. According to historian Lewis Edward Gleeck Jr., it all started when former caddie Larry Montes won the 1929 Philippine Open Tournament at the club, of which Shaw was a member.
Montes’ victory did not sit well with some of the members, so they decided to shut him out at the traditional post-tournament celebration attended by the participants. They asked Montes to leave the celebrations because there was an alleged rule that bars caddies from entering the Manila Golf Club. Shaw saw it for what it was: discrimination.
Shaw was also ostracized at the Manila Golf Club for being married to a Filipina. During the American period in the Philippines, it was common for exclusive clubs such as the Baguio Country Club, the Manila Golf Club, and the Manila Polo Club to bar entry to anyone but Americans. Shaw’s marriage was not acceptable to the members of these exclusive clubs.
Disgusted, Shaw quit the club and put up his own, which he named Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.
Today, Shaw is remembered for his great love of sport and how it should transcend race, culture, and boundaries. Shaw Boulevard was named in his honor, as well as the William J. Shaw Theater in Greenbelt 1, which is the base of Repertory Philippines.
NOTE: This article first appeared on Esquiremag.ph. Minor edits have been made.
