A
Monday read featuring excerpts from articles on Culture, Art, Music,
Film, Books, Architecture and various pop and avant-garde creations as published by online literary
periodicals.
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What to do with Manila?
by Ivan Anthony Henares
Rappler
Architect Daniel Burnham, in preparing
the general plan for Manila in 1905, made this observation: "Possessing
the bay of Naples, the winding river of Paris, and the canals of Venice, Manila
has before it an opportunity unique in the history of modern times, the
opportunity to create a unified city equal to the greatest of the Western World
with the unparalleled and priceless addition of a tropical setting."
Truly, Manila must have been such a
beautiful city. Historical accounts before its devastation during the Second
World War talk about grand avenues, magnificent architecture, an efficient
public transport system, clean waterways (oh yes, the esteros of Binondo were
bustling with commercial activity), elegant parks, gardens and open spaces, all
of which that have become nothing but memory, if people even remember that the
city had those before.
Are we not all tired of hearing how
depressing Manila has become? How a succession of mayors has effectively
contributed to the ugliness and urban blight of Manila continues to remain a
mystery to many. One mayor demolished not a few of its architectural landmarks,
massacred its civic center, open spaces and forest parks to build a park and
ride facility, school buildings that could have been located elsewhere, and
allowing the construction of shopping malls that stick out of the grand
architecture.
Another mayor proudly claims that he
is the reason why buildings taller than 19 floors are now sprouting like
mushrooms all over the city, forever marring Manila’s classic skyline. As if
the historic centers of Naples, Paris and Venice ever needed skyscrapers to
become progressive. And then there is the infamous proposed reclamation of
Manila Bay. Does Metro Manila even need to consume more of Manila Bay with all
that reclaimed land remaining idle in the name of speculation?
And don’t those kitsch street lamps
add insult to injury, rub salt on the wound, contribute to the continued demise
of whatever is left of the city’s beauty, making one ask why mayors allow just
anyone, possibly the city’s garbage collector, to pick tacky lamp designs from
second-rate catalogues instead of delegating style responsibilities to the many
talented Filipinos who truly have taste.
Glorious past
We can go on ranting about
Manila-in-the-doldrums or down-in-the-dumps. But now is not the time to do
that. If apathy allows this well-meaning but unfortunate misconception of
progress among property developers and the local government to continue, we
might be too late to save the city.
All over the world, historic districts
are prime property, not only because of their central location, but more for
the elegant architecture that defines their character. Manila is no stranger to
character, with remnants of its glorious past still evident in the pre-war and
early post-war buildings of Escolta, Ermita, and Malate.
The Heritage Conservation Society
(HCS) and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Philippines
advocate the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings as a means to preserve the
character of our cities, instill pride of place, and serve as a catalyst for progress
through the revitalization of historic districts.
According to the HCS, “Adaptive re-use
is a creative mode of conservation that gives heritage structures new and
alternative functions other than the original ones that may no longer be
required. Most often than not, built heritage resources are found on premium
real estate property so developers are in a hurry to demolish rather than
restore and recycle. Today, there is a growing awareness that adaptive re-use
can enhance property value.”
And slowly, heritage advocates are
sending the message across that our future is in our past. One prime example is
BPO@Escolta. For close to a year now, stakeholders in Escolta have been meeting
quite regularly to plan the comeback of our country’s former center of
commerce, giving it a new lease on life by hosting business process outsourcing
(BPO) firms in the district’s storied architectural gems. Escolta hosts some of
the finest examples of Philippine architecture of the early and mid-20th
century. And with this effort, its future seems bright.
Manila's old and new intertwined |
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Thank you!
I was born in Manila and lived there until I was 32. I loved the city because I did not know any better place. Now that I do, I still love Manila and will always do...I mean the memory not the reality.
ReplyDeleteHow do you solve a problem like Manila????
ReplyDeleteWhen you figure out the answer give me a buzz. j/k
Born and raise in Manila so sad to see this place turns into BAD CITY. Population is growing as well as crime :( Anyhow, thanks Tito Eric for sharing this to us. No matter i love my birthplace as the song goes "Hinahanap-hanao kita Manila, ang ingay mong kay sarap sa tenga...."
ReplyDelete