Some of his books now appear in the local library shelves of the National Library of the Philippines, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Sto.

A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Museums (New Day Publishers, 2012).

A Tourist to Notable Philippine Historical Landmarks, Monuments and Shrines (New Day Publishers, 2010).

A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Churches (New Day Publishers, 2007).

Pathfinder’s Travel Guide: Boracay (Great Books Trading, 2006).

A Philippine Odyssey (New Day Publishers, 2005).

He is also the author of the following travel books: Architecture degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1982), is an avid reader, traveler and free-lance travel writer in his spare time, contributing articles to Travel Update, Philippine Daily Inquirer, COLORS, TODAY, 7107 Islands Magazine, Business Day, Bluprint and the Business Mirror. It shoots steam at the top of every hour and announces quarter hours, sounding the chimes on 5 brass steam whistlers, with the Westminster Quarters a common clock chime melody that’s also used by London’s “Big Ben.” In October 2014, the clock was temporarily removed for major repairs by its original builder, and was reinstalled January 2015.īENJAMIN “BENJIE” LAYUG, an architect by profession (he finished his B. The steam also powers the clock’s sound production, with whistles being used instead of bells to produce the Westminster “chime” and to signal the time. The gravity driven “falling ball” drive was ‘engineered’ by Douglas L. Barnes, McNab Management Ltd., Ralph Johnstone, Otto Friedl Ltd., German-Canadian Businessman Association, John Podlesnik, Cathay & May Chan, The Harco Building, Hudson House, Ashiteru Rae, The Bakersville Inn, MacDonald & Lumsden Ltd., The Water Street Café The Gastown Historic Society, Woodward’s Stores Ltd., Marathon Project 200 Properties, John & Patricia Parker, Charterhouse Properties Ltd., Central Heat Distribution Ltd., Milton & Marion Saunders, Air Canada, Simpson Sears Ltd., Georgina M. Weighing over two tons, the component parts the clock cost $42,000. The Gastown clock is not completely powered by steam as the steam engine that drives the clock mechanism is assisted by an electric motor.

As it had become a major tourist attraction, the steam mechanism was completely restored with the financial support ($58,000) of local businesses and private donors and, although it is of modern invention, is promoted as a heritage feature. Originally, its design was faulty and, after a breakdown, had to be powered by electricity. Parker served as chairman of the committee between Jan. The townsite committee, composed of the property owners of Gastown, were responsible for the beautification of the streets. The success of its rehabilitation was due to property owners, retailers, and all the people of Gastown working together with city council and civic departments.

In the early 1970’s, it was rehabilitated to its former stature. By the 1960’s, it had become the centre of Vancouver’s ‘skid road’. Through the early 1900’s, Gastown was the commercial centre of Vancouver. In 1870, the shore of Burrard Inlet was only a few yards north of this point. This clock is located at the western boundary of the old Granville townsite, known as Gastown.

Raymond saunders clockmaker