Heritage Watch - Compiled Threads

[Pacific_leopard]

just look at this...
why did they put that hideous shed attached to the church portal... that's is so distracting.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1316/542601251_256d7461e3.jpg?v=0

photo from: cb_agulto (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cb_agulto/)

[Animo]

By Allison Lopez
Inquirer
Last updated 06:52pm (Mla time) 09/28/2007


MANILA, Philippines -- The Manila Building Office called on owners of dilapidated buildings to either rehabilitate or demolish them to reduce the risk of causing danger to residents.

Engineer Melvin Balagot, building chief, said owners have been notified since it’s their prime responsibility to check if their properties remain structurally sound.

The façade of an abandoned building owned by Philtrust bank on Cervantes Streets in Binondo crumbled on Thursday and damaged eight vehicles. No one was injured when the debris fell.

Balagot said a composite team was sent to assess the condition of the nine-story building, which he said had likely suffered from "wear and tear" after being unoccupied for some time.

Aside from asking its owner to secure the building with a wire mesh and canopy, the area was also cordoned off for safety reasons.

"Marami talagang (There really are a lot of) old buildings. We have a lot of pre-Spanish and pre-war structures in Intramuros, Sampaloc, Tondo, Pandacan ... most of the districts have their share," he said, adding that a partial list he obtained showed that there were 89 "dilapidated" buildings in the city.

He stressed, however, that not all old buildings were deemed "condemned" because it has to go through a process before it can be declared as such.

"Hindi lang basta-basta pinapa-condemn yung building, lalo na kapag occupied pa. Mahirap ang ejectment (One just doesn’t condemn a building especially if it’s still occupied. Ejectment is difficult), we usually go to court for that," said Balagot.

The engineer gave assurances that the city's district inspectors had begun conducting checks in their respective areas for potentially destructive structures.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=91360

[LordCarnal]

^^

@pacificleopard


Oh yes, that shed should go or perhaps should be replaced with another shed that is gothic in design.. Hehe, but what I meant was on the general aspect of renovating a church, say, altering its interiors to make it look grand. Or perhaps putting some artistic bas-relieves/motifs on churches with very simple facades like the Boljoon Church here in Cebu, hehe..

If you come to think of it, 50 years from now, that shed in San Sebastian will be part of heritage and perhaps people during that time would be fighting for its conservation. I guess there are even churches where the Spaniards added something that is really out of place to the existing structure, hehe.

Anyway, I was just trying to express both sides of my mind, pretty much like how Jose Rizal in the movie "Rizal" had a hard time thinking if he was going to end the story of the El Fili with a murder or not..



@Animo


So there's still a pre-Spanish structure in Manila? Amazing, what could it be?

[Animo]

^^ I think it maybe incorrect. Maybe Spanish era buildings but pre-Spanish structure would be postes or woods?

[overtureph]

San Miguel Church, San Miguel, Manila


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7851.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7849.jpg


Some of the lapida/tombstone inside the church. I think and from what I remember in the 90's, I think the church floor tiles was changed so I think some of the lapida or markers where lost. I believe there was a lapida with the family name of Roxas on it and if I remember it correctly it was somewhere near the altar.


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7858.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7857.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7856.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7855.jpg


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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7848.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7847.jpg


Interior and altar of the church


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7844.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7843.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7842.jpg


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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7846.jpg


Photos by overtureph.

[LordCarnal]

^^

Do you have photos of the house where the Archbishop of Manila lives? it's Villa San Miguel right?

[overtureph]

^^

Do you have photos of the house where the Archbishop of Manila lives? it's Villa San Miguel right?

I believe so it is, but I don't have a photo of it and I haven't been there either yet as of this time.

[ivanhenares]

Indeed but sometimes I'm confused if such renovations or wreckovations are really worth it or not.

I was thinking, if there was strong heritage consciousness during the Spanish times then we might not have today some grand churches like San Agustin in Intramuros. Or perhaps Malacanang Palace would have just been a crumbling wooden structure today not worthy of the title "palace" (I've seen an old photo of it and it looks like a wooden house on stilts?)

True. But they all happened during the Spanish colonial period. Let's leave the legacies of that part of our history intact. And if they want to build monuments to perpetuate their names, government officials should focus on building modern structures in new areas and make sure they are done with taste.

Plus it's case to case. How about a McDonald's in front of the building? Depende sa dinagdag. Added porticos are more often than not, a no-no. In Pampanga, after Fr. Galende talked to some priests and Apo Ceto, the porticos are being removed one by one in order to bring out the beauty of the church facades.

[overtureph]

those are such nice pictures, good work! i liked the san miguel parts, i love the architecture. i remember there was an old spanish hacienda style home there that rented out to parties and events, it was really nice, i saw it on the web

Thanks.

[overtureph]

One of the old bridge to have survived from being demolished or renovated by the DPWH. The bridge looks like it was from the Spanish colonial era. The location of this bridge is in San Miguel near CEU.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7876.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7878.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7873.jpg


This bridge comes from a time when even functional/infrastracture (architecture) are built with regards to aesthetic or design. Compare this bridge with modern day designed DPWH bridges. Still in San Miguel near CEU and Samson.


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7875.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7874.jpg


Photos by overtureph.

[overtureph]

Free for All in Metro Manila


Inquirer
Last updated 01:31pm (Mla time) 09/27/2007

1. Old Manila Walks’ Art Deco Tour

Time travel to the roaring ’20s and explore Manila’s rich Art Deco heritage. From the hallowed halls of the fabulous Far Eastern University campus to Malate’s secret moderne interiors, it’s all about the age of speed, jazz, boogie-woogie and the American colonial experiment in the Philippines as you join urban explorer extraordinaire Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks.

Monthly - Log on to www.oldmanilawalks.com for schedules, or e-mail: oldmanilawalks@gmail.com for details.

2. Gantimpala Theater/ Concert at the Park’s award-winning plays

Celebrate Gantimpala’s 30th anniversary Pearl Theater Festival, featuring previous winners of the annual CCP Playwriting Contest. At the Rizal Park Open-Air Auditorium, 7 p.m.

“Bombita”, written by Tony Perez, was scheduled on September 23. A black comedy on blind obedience among young rookies in the military. Directed by Soxie Topacio.

On September 30, watch Leoncio Deriada’s “Taluktok," a coming-of-age tale about five graduating high school students and their climb to the peak of Mt. Apo. This is especially dedicated to Caloy Abrera, who performed in the original production as the retreat master. Directed by Gantimpala Theater Foundation’s artistic director Tony Espejo.

For more information, log on to www.nationalparks.ph for schedules of similar free shows at Paco Park and Concert at the (Rizal) Park.

3. National Book Month at the Ortigas Foundation Library

Beef up your Filipiniana, history and current affairs titles through a Mini Book Fair on October 18, 19 and 20. On October 18, 6 pm, enrich your knowledge of Philippine Fiction in English with a lecture by Dr. Gemino H. Abad.

On October 19, 6 p.m. join the UMPIL writers in "An Evening of Poems," a poetry reading session featuring Unyon ng mga Manunulat Sa Pilipinas poets Krip Yuson, Marne Kilates, Jose Wendell Capili, Rebecca Añonuevo, Fidel Rillo, Roberto Añonuevo, Michael Coroza, V.E. Carmelo Nadera, Jr. and Abdon Balde, Jr.

It’s the kids’ turn on October 19 and 20 at 2 p.m. with Ikwento Mo! an Adarna House storytelling session for kids aged 6 to 12.

The Ortigas Foundation Library is located at the 2/F Ortigas Building, Ortigas Avenue corner Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Complex, Pasig City.

For details, please call 631-1231 loc 222, e-mail maticat@ortigas.com.ph or visit www.ortigasfoundationlibrary.com.ph

4. Retail therapy at the ANP’s 22nd Trade Fair

Some 22 years after the price of Negros sugar hit rock bottom at the world market, the señoras and hacienderas are still at it— teaching the womenfolk of suddenly destitute haciendas how to make handicraft, pastries, baskets, pottery and assorted products to sweeten life again.

From the handful of workers, there are now 80,000 subcontractors and community workers turning up the beautiful concepts of the 94 entrepreneurs who make up the Association of Negros Producers. Let their undaunted spirit inspire you as you browse through their offerings: food, fashion accessories, furniture and housewares, at the Rockwell Tent, Power Plant Mall in Makati, from October 3 to 8. The shopping’s not free, but the surfeit of good feeling is.


Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


http://globalnation.inquirer.net/philippineexplorer/philippineexplorer/view_article.php?article_id=91065

[overtureph]

Tatayak- making keeps Ivatan seafarers alive

By EV Espiritu
Inquirer
Last updated 01:31pm (Mla time) 09/27/2007

ITBAYAT, Batanes – No more Ivatan warriors exist today to chant the ancient rawod, the stories about their seafarers that are passed down to generations.

The rawod chants are tales of high adventure woven out of the mythical journey that the Ivatan forefathers undertook to escape a disaster.

An excerpt, translated by the University of Georgia and attributed to Simina Vohang, illustrates how a “giant flood” battered their ancestors’ boats:

“We were on a big boat all kinsmen/In a big boat, sailing on the open sea/We almost reached our island/But the ocean prevented us from sailing home …”

In a comparative study, University of Georgia scholars said no living person had an accurate recollection of how each syllable of the rawod must be pronounced.

But every time Julian Ponce Jr. builds a tatayak, a type of native boat, this mythic journey is always revisited.

To ordinary eyes, a tatayak looks like an ordinary sailboat but it uses wooden pegs instead of nails.

The Ivatan people are skilled seamen because they live off the sea.

But Ponce, a boat maker in the village of Mayan in Itbayat, Batanes, admits to visitors that he does not even know how to swim.

Ivatan heritage

Yet he and a few community artisans maintain what is perhaps the only Ivatan heritage left in this island province.

Ponce said his poor skills as a seafarer did not prevent him from understanding why the tatayak remains vital to sustaining Batanes’ economy.

Faustina Cano, a retired teacher of the Itbayat National Agricultural High School, said: “The current population of Itbayat is composed of those who could not go to school, our children, a few professionals who found jobs running our municipal government and our elderly.”

Ponce said these were people who would not be able to buy their own boats that were vital to fishing so their daily meals would be assured.

First tatayak

Ponce said it took him three months to put together his first tatayak, described by legend as a vehicle that slices through the largest ocean waves with ease.

He said he was able build a respectable trade within five years, but only because he remained loyal to the way his ancestors built their vessels.

Each tatayak must be made of the expensive vayuy or the cheaper alternatives called bataraw, alimbasaw and aryus, the so-called century tree.

Each panel is carved out of the tree, and he sold a four-meter-long and a meter-wide tatayak for P20,000. He can also build a seven-meter long boat for P120,000.

Ponce said he could produce six tatayak each year.

In 2006, another villager learned the trade and has been producing the boat out of fiberglass.

But they do not compete. As long as Batanes thrives in marine life, the tatayak will continue to sail its waters, Ponce said.


Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.



http://globalnation.inquirer.net/philippineexplorer/philippineexplorer/view_article.php?article_id=91066

[ivanhenares]

The Archidocesan Chancery of San Fernando, Pampanga is currently being restored thanks to Auxiliary Bishop Pablo "Ambo" David. This is great news for church heritage. Bishop Ambo got a copy of the old photo of the chancery and is trying to bring it back to its original form. To date, the ugly windows that covered the balconies and the small portico added to the facade have been removed. The structure also received a fresh layer of paint.

1956
http://images.ivanabouttown.multiply.com/image/3/photos/2/500x500/2/before.jpg?et=llsH0XsIiFwjYsIOIFrfqw

2005
http://images.ivanabouttown.multiply.com/image/2/photos/2/500x500/1/143_4309.jpg?et=%2BChijmYJS35LD2sZI%2CBNQg

2007
http://images.ivanabouttown.multiply.com/image/2/photos/2/500x500/3/DSC05898.jpg?et=syfgdNChLhc%2CqA86RnXVEQ

[overtureph]

La Cocina de Tita Moning, #315 San Rafael Street, San Miguel District, Manila

http://www.lacocinadetitamoning.com/


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7841-1.jpg


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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7835.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7831-1.jpg


Photos by overtureph.

[ivanhenares]

PRIDE OF PLACE
A calendar of heritage updates

By Augusto Villalon
Inquirer
Last updated 01:05am (Mla time) 10/01/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- The latest in the series of desk calendars and postcards published by the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) where proceeds go to fund the Society’s projects, “Heritage Recycled,” the 2008 edition of the calendar is ready.

It features fine examples of heritage structures transformed into commercially viable business projects that revitalize dying city centers, enhance values of development projects and attract tourism arrivals.

The calendar shows elegant family residences recycled into boutique hotels and banks, a century-old train terminal (Tutuban) now a shopping mall, and the 1930s Art Deco Manila international airport (Nielson Tower) in Makati is today a research library and bookstore specializing in books by Filipino authors.

Applicable to most heritage structures, adaptive reuse is a creative mode of conservation that gives them new, alternative functions replacing original, outdated functions.

Adaptive reuse can be grand, like the vintage Department of Finance building now the National Museum. On the other hand, the HCS examples show that modest structures, ancestral homes, obscure town halls, colonial watchtowers and bridges, warehouses and train stations have successfully been recycled into sustainable projects.

Most often than not, heritage structures are now on premium real-estate property. Without strong protective legislation in place, the immediate developer impulse is to demolish rather than restore and recycle.

Today, there is a growing awareness that adaptive reuse can enhance property value in many countries.

In Australia, demolition of heritage structures is considered wasteful. Heritage resources are reused because it is good for urban image and the environment. Recycling a valued heritage place, Australians believe, makes adaptive reuse of historic buildings an essential component of sustainable development.

The United States of America abounds with examples of creative (and remunerative) reuse of heritage. Old warehouses in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District have been transformed into fashionable and expensive lofts. Elegant mansions in Southern “Gone with the Wind” country are now boutique hotels and restaurant destinations.

In London, a decommissioned power plant along the River Thames has taken a new life as the popular, elegant Tate Gallery of Modern Art.

In Mexico City, the Cemento Azteca plant is now an environment-friendly children’s museum—El Papalote.

Singapore has salvaged a cluster of decrepit shop houses, turning Boat Quay and Clarke Quay into an eclectic mix of high-end restaurants, al fresco dining, dazzling bars and pubs.

In the Philippine scene, recycling heritage and adaptive reuse are still polemical issues. Should heritage conservation be done strictly “in situ”? Should heritage structures be transferred to different sites and settings, when that is the only way to save them? Is adaptive reuse intrusive? Or, should heritage conservation be a priority at all?

HCS participates in the debate with academics, policy makers and planning officials on national and local government levels resulting in the adapting of heritage policy in many instances.

HCS has established good working relations with the Department of Education, Manila Historical and Heritage Commission, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners and local government units.

HCS is involved in actual conservation projects as well. Since 2003, DepEd and HCS have jointly implemented the Heritage Schoolhouse Program where HCS undertook planning and construction supervision for three restored schoolhouses: Rizal Elementary in Bacolod (1904), Pampanga High School in San Fernando (1935) and Baguio Central in Baguio (1908).

Aside from having completed the Teachers Camp Master Conservation Plan (1908), HCS supervises conservation of key historic Teachers Camp buildings. Conservation of Roxas Hall is in progress. Conservation of other historic buildings within the camp are scheduled to start within the next few months.

Seminar program

“Philippine Towns & Cities: Reflections of the Past, Lessons for the Future” is the HCS seminar program that enhances civic engagement with local governments units so that the HCS can inform and guide them on the proper care and utilization of a valuable asset - built heritage resources. The first seminar was held in November 2006 in Manila.

In our towns and cities, wanton real-estate speculation and over-construction are often mistaken for modernization when, in fact, these exert devastating pressure on the historic and cultural core of many of our human settlements. As a result, a valuable economic resource—built heritage— is left to deteriorate or is thoughtlessly demolished in the name of progress.

Concerted effort is imperative to protect heritage resources because these are revenue- and job-generating assets that can spark economic revitalization, as the case of Vigan clearly shows.

However, there is a general lack of awareness in the local government level, which is precisely where policies should be formulated and ordinances passed to declare heritage districts and protect these as the town’s or city’s prime assets.

Built heritage resources should be the core of any masterplan for urban development and inner town/city revitalization. Livelihood opportunities are generated by adaptive reuse, the revival of traditional crafts for restoration work and an increase in tourism receipts.

Significantly, communities begin to feel a “pride of place.”

The Philippine Towns & Cities seminar series is a communications campaign to influence policy-akers at the local government level. Through the Mayors’ Forum, best practices are shared. Other stakeholders in the Executive branch, the private sector and academe are invited to participate because heritage conservation is a multi-disciplinary concern.

In a second seminar, to be held on Nov. 9 in Iloilo City, with the cooperation of Mayor Jerry Treñas, will take this awareness and education campaign to the local governments of the Visayas, where built heritage resources abound in the cities of Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Dumaguete, Tagbilaran.

HCS is a nonstock, nonprofit, NGO established in 1994, duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and certified by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC). HCS donors receive a tax rebate certificate.

HCS has chapters in the cities of Dagupan, Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo, San Fernando, (Pampanga); Dapitan, Zamboanga and Silay, in Negros Occidental. Other cities like Baguio and Makati have formed their own heritage commissions.

To guarantee continuity, HCS has set up student chapters at University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle University and Adamson University. In the provinces, HCS has chapters at the Holy Angel University (Pampanga), St. Paul’s University (Cagayan) and La Salle College (Bacolod).

“Heritage Recycled” is available at the HCS Secretariat at P200 a copy. A 10-percent discount is offered to bona-fide HCS members. Bulk orders (minimum 100 copies) also enjoy a 10-percent discount plus printing of personal or business logos.

HCS is at Museo Pambata, Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila. Call 5212239, fax 5222497; e-mail info@heritage.org.ph, visit www.heritage.org.ph or heritageconservation.wordpress.com

[overtureph]

Manila

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7869.jpg


Photo by overtureph

[overtureph]

Still in San Miguel, Manila


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7840-1.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7839-1.jpg


Photos by overtureph.

[ivanhenares]

Hey Bernie and Arnold, tuloy ang Cebu and Iloilo trip ko first week of November. I fly to Cebu on November 4 in the morning. Then I fly to Iloilo November 6. I'll stay until after the seminar, November 11.

Let's plan! :banana:

[habagatcentral1]

^^ Ok. I'll better be ready. :D

[Pinoy_ako]

just look at this...
why did they put that hideous shed attached to the church portal... that's is so distracting.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1316/542601251_256d7461e3.jpg?v=0

photo from: cb_agulto (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cb_agulto/)

This portico is not a permanent structure and it can be dismantled overnight. Since the church is a landmark, I think this "temporary" portico was a compromise between the demands of heritage and the necessities of churchgoers, while plans together with budget for a more enduring structure can be drawn. Or may we also add, until the fashion, where the bride waits outside the closed door of this church before her grand entry, fades.

[ivanhenares]

Lim reopens historic Manila museum
By Allison Lopez
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines -- City Mayor Alfredo Lim revived on Thursday the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission (MHHC) and the Museo ng Maynila that were in "hibernation" for several years.

Wanting to train the spotlight on Manila's rich culture once again, Lim signed Executive Order No. 10, "Constituting the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission," upon his return to office on July 7.

Writer Carmen Guerrero Nakpil was reinstalled as MHHC chair.

The commission that organized art exhibits and historical lectures at the former Army-Navy Club building on South Boulevard, Ermita, became inactive during the previous administration. The club building served as Museo ng Maynila and the office of the commission established by Lim in 1997.

Said the mayor, who said he wanted to raise interest in preserving the city's lost heritage: "What we are now, what we are seeing, we owe to our ancestors. Unfortunately these values are now distorted. What seems to be precious before is no longer considered as such."

At Thursday's launch of the commission and the museum, the mayor directed the MHHC, which was in charge of Museo ng Maynila, to document the heritage resources of Manila. He also asked city district councils to identify and protect heritage areas.

The mayor revealed that during his term from 1992 1998 he declined an offer from persons he did not identify to build a high-rise condominium in place of the classic edifice, a city landmark.

The four-story building designed by the team of American architect Daniel Burnham deteriorated when it was turned into a "warehouse for lanterns and lampposts."

Lim vowed on Thursday to restore the building to its former glory like the Metropolitan Theater, which is undergoing a major overhaul.

But MHHC Secretariat member Gemma Cruz Araneta said they were still sourcing funds for the numerous repairs needed.

At the moment, only the ground floor of the club is open to visitors.

[overtureph]

Although this article from the Philippine Star is about Warsaw, Poland, I am posting it here so we can see the difference on the treatment and reverence of the Poles to their city which was reputedly the most devastated city during WWII, Manila being the second most devastated city. We can see the different approach taken during the post war reconstruction. Emphasis are mine.

Why did Chopin leave his heart in Warsaw?
By Scott R. Garceau
Sunday, September 30, 2007

Warsaw has a sad story to tell.

Invaded by German troops during the Nazi occupation, it was literally razed to the ground in 1944. Much of today’s downtown historical Warsaw has been rebuilt from photos and recovered rubble. During the war, its Jewish citizens were shipped off to concentration camps, most never heard from again. A century or so before that, Poland was practically wiped from the world’s map, annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia (1795) and then Russia (1815). And for half a century after World War II, it lived under grim Communist rule.

Yet Warsaw, the capital of Poland, also has a mighty heart buried deep inside its cobbled streets and reconstructed pre-War buildings.

And that heart belongs to Frederic Chopin.

It wasn’t supposed to be a week-long vacation in Warsaw, but a travel booking snafu meant that our family had quite a bit of time to discover this city during last Holy Week (and decidedly less time in the “hipper” tourist destination of Prague). But the baliktad booking actually allowed us to soak up the heart and soul of Poland — proud home to Pope John Paul II, Chopin, Lech Walesa, novelist Joseph Conrad and atomic scientist Marie Curie, to name a few.

One of the more interesting facts we discovered while touring Old Town is that Chopin’s actual heart — yes, the organ itself *— is buried inside the Church of the Holy Cross. It’s sealed up inside one of the church pillars, according to an attached plaque. Chopin was born in Zelazowa Wola, about a two-hour ride from downtown Warsaw; he moved to Paris to study classical music when he was 20, and succumbed to tuberculosis at age 39. He never learned to speak French well, and while the rest of Chopin is buried in Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris, the great composer bequeathed his most vital organ to the country of his birth.

Since we were in Chopin country, we tried visiting the composer’s birthplace in Zelazowa Wola, but were turned away at the gate of his humble estate, after being told the “museum” was closed on that day.

No matter. We had an even more special surprise on our trip: my mother-in-law, a huge fan of Chopin, had asked if it were possible to attend a live concert of Chopin music while in Warsaw. One sunny day, we toured the Lazienki Palace, a 17th-century baroque palace used by Polish King Stanislaw August Poniatowski as a summer residence, and were treated to a “private” piano recital by one of their great national artists, Maciej Poliszewski. We entered a baroque music room filled with chairs situated before a Steinway grand piano. As it turns out, we were the entire audience — me, my wife, mother-in-law, brother-in-law and sisters-in-law — and sat rapt as Poliszewski played — sans written music, and totally for us — a blazing repertoire of Chopin ballades, mazurkas, scherzos and waltzes.

It was amazing. Imagine, say, if you visited Dublin and Bono sat down in a pub and played you a private, unplugged set of U2 songs; or if you went to Italy, and Andrea Boccelli gave you a live recital. It was that cool. Afterward, during a champagne intermission, we were moved enough to buy multiple copies of his CD. And as we enjoyed the rest of the waning afternoon sunlight, strolling around the “Palace on the water,” we knew it was going to be our most cherished memory of Warsaw.

There was much more to see, of course, and our towering tour guide, Agnieska, brought us around Old Town, where we imagined what it was like before the Nazis arrived in 1939 — and what it looked like after the German soldiers decided to burn the city to the ground while retreating. In case we couldn’t fully grasp the historical reality, we watched a 20-minute documentary film showing the people of Warsaw — happy, strolling with baby carriages, or walking along the Vistula river — completely unaware of Hitler’s plans to occupy the city in September 1939. Once Hitler’s tanks rolled in, the government was replaced by Nazi rule and, within months, Warsaw’s Jews — some 30 percent of the city’s population — were herded into an area surrounded by 10-foot walls known as the Warsaw Ghetto. It’s eerie to visit this part of the city near the highway today: it’s noticeably more elevated than the foreground. That’s because, as Agnieska told us, the ghetto was literally rebuilt over rubble and bodies. We visit the former ghetto, now mostly built up with Communist-era tenement homes and several Jewish memorial sites. We stand next to the last remaining portion of “the wall,” indicating where Polish citizens and Jews resisted the Nazi occupation before the final razing of the city. (A fairly accurate portrait of this chapter in history is also contained in Roman Polanski’s Oscar-winning film, The Pianist, which depicts the Warsaw ghetto. It was filmed entirely on location).

Sad music seems to float on the air in Warsaw. The Poles today are a combination of contrasting ages: older survivors, with vividly lived-in faces reflecting the War, the Communist era and the whole rebuilding experience; and younger Poles, absurdly fresh-faced, plentiful (reflecting an uptick in optimism after Communism fell in 1989), healthy, and seemingly untroubled by history. They snog in public a lot. Kids on skateboards meanwhile zoom around Old Town Plaza — now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meanwhile, the old, the lived-in, sit on park benches, looking out, perhaps, on a square from an earlier era. We saw a gathering of WWII vets line up at a nearby church for an Easter parade: their faces were either fleshy and full, with tufts of white hair and red blotches showing years of boozing; or sunken and hollowed, carved and cavernous, reflecting a harder type of living.

The Warsaw Uprising is a big topic here, with museums dedicated to documenting what Germany did, and how Poles fought back. There’s also some thinly veiled bitterness toward the Russian soldiers, who arrived on the banks of the Vistula in 1944, yet cooled their heels for over a month as the city burned before coming to the “rescue.” All in all, 85 percent of Warsaw was destroyed. All that is left has been carefully reconstructed. They somehow managed to capture the look, if not the historical fact, of Old Warsaw. In a way, those old lived-in faces supply the true feel.

As we stood in the Plaza, Agnieska told us a little about the dark days right after Communism’s fall. There was jubilation, of course; as an example of “the Polish sense of humor,” she said the old Communist Party headquarters was immediately turned into a stock exchange. But in reality, long lines for basic items were what followed. Not just food, but things like Barbie dolls and other “Western” luxuries were hard to come by. Not much investment poured in. But by the mid-‘90s, foreign brands finally arrived here: McDonald’s, KFC, and fabled Levi’s jeans made their first appearance behind the Iron Curtain.

Warsaw is unlike many European cities in that it’s no longer authentically preserved. Not much was left to work with after the War. Rather, it’s a restored city — the colors and materials of the buildings just a little too bright, a little too recent-looking. But rather than some Disney simulation, it’s a careful, heartfelt remembrance of what the city once was. It escapes kitsch largely by virtue of its aging inhabitants, who clearly loved the place enough to start from scratch.

The other big hero in Poland is Pope John Paul II, or native son Karol Jozef Wojtyla. Although born in Wadowice to the south and educated in Krakow, Warsaw residents claim him, too, especially during Holy Week, when thousands of colorful candles and prayers are laid out on the streets by the faithful. Large banners of the Polish Pope drape churches and public buildings. Colorful hand-painted Easter eggs are a big hit with tourists. Clearly, Warsaw is a place where faith was never abandoned. The spirit of the people is reflected in its love of the arts, its dedication to history and remembrance. And its heart — along with Chopin’s heart — still survives to this day.

Still on a music kick, we attended a Beethoven program at the Polish National Opera House, Teatr Wielki, downtown. The “Symphony No. 8 in F Major” was pleasing enough (followed by Act 1 of Wagner’s “The Valkyrie”), and it was cool to have our own private opera box to enjoy the show, but somehow it felt like another invasion — the German music taking over downtown Warsaw — and in our minds, perhaps, we were still hearing the searching, powerful lines of Poliszewski, giving us a direct line to Warsaw’s heart and soul.

Not surprisingly, too, there was a Filipino duo ensconced in the bar of the Hotel Bristol when we returned after the concert. Great peoples — and great music — seem to travel alike.


http://philstar.com/index.php?Travel&p=49&type=2&sec=48&aid=2007092955

[icarusrising]

This portico is not a temporary structure and it can be dismantled overnight.

Sorry, just confused. Did you mean "not permanent"? It does look out of place though it serves a functional purpose as an additional protection against the elements for church-goers.

[ivanhenares]

^^ As Fr. Galende mentioned, porticos give a reason for some church-goers to stay outside. In the first place, you hear Mass inside the church, not outside.

[icarusrising]

^^ I see. Porticoes and cantilevered canopies were meant to serve as a transition point between outside and inside... A protected area where people may fix their rain-drenched umbrellas, for example, before going inside the main sanctuary.

I've read some architecture articles say that they symbolize outstretched hands beckoning the faithful to come inside.

It's too bad some people miss the point and linger there. :ohno:

For this particular case, that portico, just looks so inappropriate for the majesty of San Sebastian.

[overtureph]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/pic-10070249100620.jpg

DALI WAS ONLY No. 2 to Vicente Alvarez Dizon who won first prize for his painting, "After the Day's Toil" at the International Competition of Contemporary Art of 79 nations at the Golden Gate Exposition in 1939. French entry by Utrillo didn't even make it. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Missing Filipino masterpiece found at last

By Josie Dizon Henson
Inquirer
Last updated 01:56am (Mla time) 10/07/2007


MANILA, Philippines -- After a decades-long search, the family of Vicente Alvarez Dizon has located his painting that won first place at an international competition in 1939 which included the works of Salvador Dali and Maurice Utrillo.

The late Dizon's masterpiece, "After the Day's Toil," which was last seen by the family in 1952 when it was transported to the country for the Philippine International Fair, is in the possession of Dr. Rogelio Pine, a Filipino cardiologist based in New Jersey.

Pine bought it in 1980 from Daniel Grossman of the Grossman Gallery, who in turn bought it from IBM New York when the company unloaded a number of paintings in the late 1970s.

Dizon, of the University of the Philippines' then School of Fine Arts, painted "After the Day's Toil" in 1936 as a graduation thesis during postgraduate scholarship studies at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.

When he returned home, he settled in Malate, Manila, and continued to lecture at UP, the National Teachers' College, and other schools.

From 79 countries
In 1939, Thomas J. Watson, founder of International Business Machines (IBM), conceived the idea of holding an international art competition at the Golden Gate Exposition in San Francisco, California.

He sent his representative, Kevin Mallen, to 79 countries all over the world to scout for entries.

In Manila, Mallen visited Dizon at his residence on 1111 A. Mabini Street, to take a look at "After the Day's Toil."

Mallen purchased the painting for IBM immediately after seeing it, and had it framed and shipped to the United States.

It was included in the International Competition on Contemporary Art of 79 Nations at the Golden Gate Exposition.

In that historic competition, "After the Day's Toil" won first place by popular vote. The entry of Spain by Dali won second place, and that of the United States won third.

Utrillo's entry did not win.

Pacific unity
The inscription on the winner's medal reads: "Unity of the Pacific nations is America's concern and responsibility. San Francisco stands at the doorway to the sea that roars upon the shores of all these nations; and so to the Golden Gate International Exposition I gladly entrust a solemn duty. May this, America's world's fair on the Pacific in 1939, truly serve all nations.--President Franklin D. Roosevelt"

The Golden Gate Exposition was held in celebration of San Francisco's two new bridges.

San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge were dedicated on Nov. 12, 1936, and May 27, 1937, respectively.

The exposition ran from Feb. 18 to Oct. 29 in 1939, and from May 25 to Sept. 29 in 1940.

Malate-born
Vicente Alvarez Dizon, son of Jose Sampedro Dizon of Bacolor, Pampanga, and Rosa Carlos Alvarez of Concepcion, Tarlac, was born in Malate on April 5, 1905.

The elder Dizon, an 1897 graduate of the University of Santo Tomas, was a landscape artist and botanist-agronomist at the Bureau of Agriculture.

In the course of his work, he was assigned to such places as Capas in Tarlac, Magalang in Pampanga, and Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija.

The young Vicente had his early schooling at the Malate Primary School, and continued his intermediate studies in the towns where his father was assigned.

The father wanted his son to study medicine. The latter obeyed, and attended the National University College of Medicine in 1921-23.

Dizon later transferred to the UP School of Fine Arts, where he took a five-year course and graduated with an art diploma in 1928. After graduation, he became the first artist-lecturer of the Philippines.

He is among the first Filipinos to win important scholarships abroad, such as that awarded him by the Federal Schools of Art in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

On his own, he applied for, and was granted, a scholarship at Yale.

Honors
In 1936, during his stay at Yale, Dizon became the first Filipino to be elected one of the 12 members of the "Yale Phi Alpha." (Only 12 members were elected each year from more than 300 students.)

It was also at Yale that he painted "After the Day's Toil" as his thesis.

Because of his studiousness, Dizon was given assignments during summer. Thus, after only one-and-a-half (instead of three) years of study, he graduated on June 7, 1936, with a bachelor's degree in fine arts (with distinction).

He specialized in painting, mural decoration, general art education, composition, and museum administration.

Art education pioneer
On his return to his motherland, Dizon continued to teach, and came to be considered the pioneer of art education in the Philippines.

He introduced the art of finger painting, and was invited to lecture on and demonstrate the new medium and technique in Manila and Central Luzon.

He conducted the famous "Chalk Talk" lectures, where someone from the audience would be asked to draw a form or line on the blackboard, which he would then transform into a recognizable object or figure.

Dizon was a faculty member of the UP School of Fine Arts where he lectured on history of art (1940-47), and of the UP College of Education, where he also lectured on art and interior decoration (1946-47).

Likewise, he was an associate professor in painting and theory of arts.

In 1938, he was appointed member of the UP School of Fine Arts' alumni committee for reorganization. He was also an artist and historical consultant in the US Army, 5th Air Force Command at Clark Field (February to August 1945).

He was as well a full professor of art at the Mapua Institute of Technology (1937-41).

War paintings
During the war years, Dizon secretly started recording life in those difficult times.

He completed 30 colorful and dramatic war paintings, which he titled "From Japanese Invasion to American Liberation, As My Brush Saw It."

He also wrote two books--"Art Education and Appreciation," which saw publication, and "Living As An Art."

Dizon was married to Ma. Ines Lutgarda S. Henson of Angeles, Pampanga.

The union was blessed with four children--the twins Victor and Daniel, Luminoso and Josefina.

Daniel and Josefina (Josie) became professional artists.

Early in 1947, while in the process of reorganizing the UP School of Fine Arts, Dizon fell seriously ill.

He died on Oct. 19 of the same year at the young age of 42.

The author is the daughter of the artist Vicente Alvarez Dizon.


Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=93030

[ivanhenares]

Save Burnham Park from more development!
http://www.ivanhenares.com/2007/10/save-burnham-park-from-more-development.html

http://bp3.blogger.com/_-fGx2wDrdVc/RwoUQ9poo-I/AAAAAAAABjY/KvllwiItZG0/s400/IMG_6143.jpg

Just received some horrible news from Baguio City! They are planning to build a bus terminal and multi-level vending station in Burnham Park. Some Baguio City officials really do not know how to preserve the city's heritage and the little charm it has left. The proponent is Councilor Perlita Rondez, chair of the tourism committee of the Baguio City Council. I hope this project is stopped. Let's keep what's left of Burnham Park an open space!

At least Councilor Elaine Sembrano, chair of market, trade and commerce committee, said that “vending in parks must not be encouraged.” For more details, read Burnham Park market, parking area mulled (http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=1633).

Related article
Here are some excerpts from Remember Teachers Camp? (http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=93106):
"The distinct Baguio identity of mountainous terrain with green-and-white architecture nestled under pine trees is fast vanishing. The single largest remaining ensemble of that identity survives in Teachers Camp. Although no other city in Asia or in the Philippines has an identity like Baguio's, the identity today is vanishing rapidly.

"Unregulated development has caused Baguio to lose its luster as the Philippines' most popular mountain retreat. Nondescript concrete buildings and residences have replaced the traditional green-and-white architecture. Informal settlers' shanties now cover urban mountain vistas, once open green spaces, in sheets of rusted tin roofing.

"Pine trees, once a familiar sight of Baguio landscape, have practically disappeared. Heritage, whether urban, architectural, or landscape, neither protected by legislation or by zoning, does not appear to be within the sphere of interest of most city authorities and residents, therefore urban and architectural heritage is going fast, and vanishing rapidly also is its landmark umbrella of pines and multicolored flowers.

"Present-day Baguio is homogenizing into the generic, typical look of 21st-century Philippine cities. Only its mountainous terrain now reminds us that once this was the glorious Summer Capital of our Land and the only American Hill Station in Asia.

"Since Baguio mystique and tradition are practically gone today, it is necessary to maintain whatever is left of its urban, architectural, and environmental traditions for the future."

[ivanhenares]

PRIDE OF PLACE
Remember Teachers Camp?
By Augusto Villalon
Inquirer
Last updated 00:41am (Mla time) 10/08/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Who does not remember Teachers Camp? For the past five or six generations, almost every Filipino teacher or student has had a Teachers Camp experience, spending a few education-enriching days or even a fortnight, for the fortunate few, in green-and-white pre-war cottages under the pines in cool Baguio air to attend a live-in conference or training event.

Teachers Camp, founded in 1908 by the US colonial government as a mountain retreat for the first group of American teachers, the Thomasites, needing a respite from lowland tropical heat, has a unique heritage. Since its early Thomasite days, generations of Filipino teachers and students have gone to Teachers Camp for educational training, conferences and seminars.

It is a place intrinsic to the history of the Department of Education and has become part of the educational ethos of many Filipinos. It is a nationally recognized teaching facility, also one of the nationally recognized Baguio City icons along with Session Road, Burnham Park, Mansion House, Wright Park and Camp John Hay. It is the last of the large, open, undeveloped parcels of government-owned land remaining in Baguio. The other large parcel, Camp John Hay, is now privatized as a mixed-use real-estate development.

Founded as a rest and recreation facility for teachers and also as a venue for summer training programs for teachers, education is the primary legacy of Teachers Camp. Its secondary legacy is that it is one of the few surviving Baguio environments today, a wide-open area still relatively forested with pine trees and landscaped in the typical but vanishing flowered Baguio garden style, where original green-and-white wooden architecture, once a Baguio City hallmark, still survives.

Hills station

The American colonial government built Baguio in the early years of the 20th century. However, Baguio has never taken its deserved place in the Asian chain of colonial Hill Stations (Simla and Darjeeling in British India, Bandung in Dutch Indonesia, Cameron Highlands in British Malaysia, Dalat in French Indochina).

Making Baguio stand out in this chain of upland vacation retreats is the fact that it is the only American-designed Hill Station in Asia. The green-and-white American-style wooden architecture once so prevalent in the Baguio mountain terrain is the only one of its kind in Asia.

Baguio is of pedigreed origin and Teachers Camp is part of that pedigree. Designed by Daniel Burnham, the leading American urban planner of the day, vast urban parks (Burnham and Wright Parks) opened up broad city and mountain vistas and served as visual and circulation anchors for the city.

A network of winding roads connected main points of the city—the City Hall overlooking a large park with a lagoon (now known as Burnham Park), Mansion House (the summer residence of the Philippine president), Camp John Hay (former American military rest and recreation facility), and Teachers Camp.

Session Road, the city commercial center that leads uphill in a straight line from the Baguio Market now connects to a new mall at its top end. It is likewise well-known throughout the Philippines as part of the Baguio image. Today a gigantic new mall at the top of Session Road now seriously threatens the future of its small commercial establishments that have been there for generations.

The distinct Baguio identity of mountainous terrain with green-and-white architecture nestled under pine trees is fast vanishing. The single largest remaining ensemble of that identity survives in Teachers Camp. Although no other city in Asia or in the Philippines has an identity like Baguio’s, the identity today is vanishing rapidly.

Baguio in decay

Unregulated development has caused Baguio to lose its luster as the Philippines’ most popular mountain retreat. Nondescript concrete buildings and residences have replaced the traditional green-and-white architecture. Informal settlers’ shanties now cover urban mountain vistas, once open green spaces, in sheets of rusted tin roofing.

Pine trees, once a familiar sight of Baguio landscape, have practically disappeared. Heritage, whether urban, architectural, or landscape, neither protected by legislation or by zoning, does not appear to be within the sphere of interest of most city authorities and residents, therefore urban and architectural heritage is going fast, and vanishing rapidly also is its landmark umbrella of pines and multicolored flowers.

Present-day Baguio is homogenizing into the generic, typical look of 21st-century Philippine cities. Only its mountainous terrain now reminds us that once this was the glorious Summer Capital of our Land and the only American Hill Station in Asia.

Since Baguio mystique and tradition are practically gone today, it is necessary to maintain whatever is left of its urban, architectural, and environmental traditions for the future.

On the eve of its 2008 centenary, Teachers Camp acknowledges its unique place as one of the principal government educational facilities in the Philippines that has consistently provided teacher training since 1908 in the traditional “Old Baguio” setting so intrinsic to the Teachers Camp image and ambiance.

Since both traditions, education and setting, are so intertwined, it is impossible to look at conserving one without the other.

Teachers Camp authorities are now looking at conserving the physical aspect of Teachers Camp heritage—its architecture, landscaping and infrastructure—while updating the entire facility and its physical plant to achieve 21st-century demands to continue its educational focus and improve its amenities as a rest and recreation facility for educators and students.

Heritage, the basis for the new Teachers Camp improvement efforts, is recognized as the primary resource for future income generation to be conserved and enhanced with new infrastructure, architecture and landscaping, to ensure the economic sustainability that will keep Teachers Camp in the lives of the next five generations of educators and students.

Please send feedback to pride.place@gmail.com

[Pinoy_ako]

Sorry, just confused. Did you mean "not permanent"? It does look out of place though it serves a functional purpose as an additional protection against the elements for church-goers.

Yes, it's supposed to be "permanent". Sorry for that.

[LordCarnal]

^^

Guys have you been to Camp Philips in Bukidnon? The place looks like a very small version of Baguio (houses, trees, buildings, etc..)

Anyway, I hope they can do something to save what is left of Baguio..

I remember when I was still small, we used to stay in this cottage that was alloted to my uncle who was a member of the SC.

[Alitaptap]

By Juliet Labog-Javellana
Inquirer
Last updated 01:13am (Mla time) 10/11/2007

MANILA, Philippines--MALACAÑANG can have her Arlegui property, but Tarcila Laperal-Mendoza wants just compensation for it.

For well over three decades, Mendoza could not forget the day presidential security guards of the Ferdinand Marcos regime stormed her "Blair Mansion" and kicked her and her family out in 1975, with nothing but the clothes on their backs and memories of their house to take with them.

The 93-year-old matriarch thought she had gotten justice when the Supreme Court ordered last week that Malacañang return the 4,924.2-square-meter property on Arlegui built in the 1930s, near the Palace compound, to her and compensate her.

The mansion owned by the Laperal family was restored by National Artist Leandro Locsin in 1971. After it was seized by the Marcos regime, the Arlegui property served as an adjunct of the Office of the President and later as Residence of Presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos. It is now occupied by the Office of the Press Secretary.

But Mendoza, now living in the United States, was dismayed by the outcome of her 32-year quest for justice, according to her lawyer Alberto Borbon Reyes II. Reyes said Mendoza recalled that when the presidential guards kicked them out of their house, they were not allowed to bring anything with them.He said all the antique furniture, including Mendoza's favorite rocking chair, the priceless paintings and other possessions were left in the house with centralized air-conditioning.

"Everything inside the house, besides the memories. How can you recover that?" Reyes said.

For all the aggravation, the matriarch would receive P20,000 "rent" per month since July 1975, inclusive of a 6-percent interest rate and attorney's fees.
In its ruling, the high tribunal nullified the decision of Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Vicente Hidalgo to award Mendoza P1.48 billion in rent and P143.6 million in just compensation, saying the amount was "mind-boggling" and excessive.

The Supreme Court pointed out that the assessed value of the Arlegui property was P2.38 million.Reyes said Mendoza was informed by phone about the high court ruling after reading about it in the papers on Tuesday and getting a copy of the decision.

"She was dejected," Reyes told the Inquirer Wednesday.

"For us, P7 million is probably a lot of money. But what about all the things that she went through for 32 years? That is simply not enough," he said.
"It is not reasonable. It may even be unconscionable for all the sufferings she went through," the lawyer said.

A US general lived there. The house was called the "Blair Mansion" after an American general occupied it. The matriarch belongs to a landed family which had properties in Mendiola, Manila, and in Baguio City.

Mendoza, then a 60-year-old doctor who also taught at the University of Sto. Tomas, borrowed money from relatives after her family was forced out and purchased a unit at the Ritz Tower in Makati City to live in.

She pursued her fight to reclaim her property through the four administrations after the Marcos regime was overthrown in 1986. Reyes said Mendoza moved to the United States in 2000. Her husband Perfecto, also a doctor, later died. She has a daughter, Fortunata, several grandchildren and nephews and nieces helping in her fight.

Reyes said Mendoza could not believe that her house was only worth P20,000 a month. He said Mendoza never had any doubt that she could recover her property.

"She expected to win but not to have this unreasonable amount," Reyes said.
Mendoza, whom Reyes described as still "very lucid" despite her age, would seek a reconsideration of the high court ruling.

"She hopes we can enlighten the Supreme Court, that we can get a reasonable amount," Reyes said.He said the high tribunal might have overlooked the fact that the property was almost 5,000 square meters, and the mansion itself about 2,000 square meters.

"She was wondering which justice [of the Supreme Court] will rent his own house for P20,000," Reyes quipped.

While the high tribunal put the property's value at P2.38 million, the two parties have already discussed a possible P600 million settlement before the high court handed down its ruling, providing for the P7-million compensation for Mendoza. The property's assessed value now is P1.7 billion, according to the Asian Appraisal Company Inc.--a company agreed upon by the family and the solicitor general to look into its current worth.

Reyes said Mendoza was no longer interested in returning to her house, particularly with its state of disrepair and neglect. Reyes said he saw how the old glory of the mansion had been lost, with the once stately rooms now turned into a warehouse and the swimming pool filled with filth.

"The mansion is now dilapidated. It may not be right for the Office of the Press Secretary to return it to her in this state. Even an apartment owner expects that his property be restored to its original form," he said.

Reyes said Mendoza felt that the P7 million would not be enough to repair the mansion. Besides, he said the high court ruling did not put a deadline for Malacañang to vacate the property.

"She thinks that she might be dead when they will return it to her," he said.

Reyes said the neighborhood is also not an ideal place for Mendoza to live in.
"It may be impractical for her to return to her house. She's 93 years old and it may not be healthy for her to live in a neighborhood where you will be faced with tanks and soldiers. It may be a secured environment but when they bomb Malacañang, you will be bombed too," he said.

Besides, he said Mendoza was aware that her property had acquired a historical value with two Presidents calling it home. "Her position is that the government can have her property because of its historical value," Reyes said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=93775

[overtureph]

Bacolor, Pampanga.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/pampanga%20bacolor1/edit8354.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/pampanga%20bacolor1/edit8355.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/pampanga%20bacolor1/edit8353.jpg


Photos by overtureph.

[Rence]

:ohno: Putting cement? Are they restoring the old House or destroying it?

[ivanhenares]

Rence, wala silang sinisira diyan. Nalubog sa lahar yan. Stilts lang yan dati. Buti nga inakyat pa nila yan eh. Kung wala sila pakialam sa house, dapat nasa ilalim na ng lupa yan tulad ng kapit-bahay nila. But the wall could have been better. Wala siguro budget.

[Rence]

:) Its okey if they are raising the house !

[LordCarnal]

@Arlegui Mansion


The assessed value of Arlegui Mansion is only P2.38 million?

How did the government compute the value of the property?

[Rence]

@Arlegui Mansion


The assessed value of Arlegui Mansion is only P2.38 million?

How did the government compute the value of the property?

:nuts: Ganun mag-appraise ang gobyerno mababa , wala sa Fair market value para kung gusto nilang bilhin pupuwede or este kunin

[ivanhenares]

Halina lusungin natin ang Malabon
http://ivanhenares.multiply.com/photos/album/203

Today, I joined a tour of Malabon called "Halina lusungin natin ang Malabon" organized by Archt. Richard Bautista of the NCCA and some of the old families of the city.

Our tour began with a briefing and a sumptuous lunch at the Pescadores restaurant at Letre Road corner Dagat-Dagatan Avenue. We then proceeded to our first stop, the San Bartolome Church. I had high expectations for this church knowing that it was one of the untouched churches in Metro Manila. But to our shock, it's in the process of being uglified by the current parish priest who is not even a native of Malabon.

The current hard-headed parish priest, Fr. Ric Torrefiel, has all but listened to the objections of the local community about his kitsch and tasteless renovations. Sadly, he was the same priest who bastardized the old Concepcion Church, also in Malabon.

I hope the townsfolk of Malabon stops this priest from wreaking more havoc to this historic church by halting all their donations to this utter waste of church funds. Why don't priests simply focus on their spiritual role rather than push their parishoners to cough out money to satisfy their whims and caprices? That money is best spent fulfilling the pastoral needs and responsibilities of the church.

Members of the group were aghast! From a simple but elegant centuries-old church, Fr. Torrefiel has managed to turn it into a cheap, gaudy, tasteless, kitsch, cabaret-like interior enumerating some of the adjectives blurted out by those in the tour. And when we asked the tour organizers about it, they said that the more the local people stop him, the more he pushes for what he wants. Now where is the CBCP when you need it?

Anyway, after that depressing first stop, we walked to Betsy's Cake House to have a taste of their broas and view the works of the silent artist, Serafin Serna, a contemporary of Fernando Amorsolo.

We went from one house to another. The group first entered the Dionisio House. Then we moved to Concepcion to visit three Luna houses, the Borja House, and Paez House, as well as the Concepcion Church which Fr. Torrefiel had already bastardized. We also dropped by Dolor's Kakanin to check out their sapin-sapin.

We also visited the home and gallery of Angel Cacnio, an artist whose works have been used by the Central Bank on our bills and coins. From Concepcion, we moved to the Rufina Patis Factory, passing by other old houses along the way. Indeed, Malabon is a treasure trove of heritage, which is sadly deteriorating due to the annual flood and subsidence (sinking of the ground).

From Rufina Patis, we were served a sumptuous Malabon merienda at the Martinez House. Of course, there was pancit malabon, puto bumbong, puto sulot, bibingka, pichi-pichi, sumpia (in Malabon, lumpia is fresh, sumpia is fried, what we know as turon is called valencia and when you say turon, it means it's filled with mongo beans), kikiam and camachile biscuits (which we thought were tamarinds), among many others.

Then we moved to the oldest known house of Malabon dated 1861, the Raymundo House. Behind the house, we got to see the Malabon-Navotas shipyards. The two towns are technically separated by a strait (and not a river) since we always forget that Malabon and Navotas are islands.

From the Raymundo House, we attended the soft opening of the Bahay Parokiyano Gallery, a place for local artists to showcase their works. Indeed, this trip to Malabon was most worth it! Thanks to the organizers for inviting us, and filling both our stomachs and our minds. Photos in http://ivanhenares.multiply.com/photos/album/203

[Pinoy_ako]

^^

They formerly said they were restoring the church as it looked like before. When I went back months later, the tombstones with an ornate crest, a product of its time, was no longer in its place at the transept. I also heard that they removed some other tombstones at the sacristy. They have also altered the history of the church by desecrating these burials. They should have conducted researches first before removing these tombstones. These could have been the families who helped make this church one of the biggest in Metro Manila.

I'm just hoping they didn't alter the main altar.

[ivanhenares]

I'm just hoping they didn't alter the main altar.

He might put his signature kitsch decor on the retablo. That's why people should stop donating.

[Rence]

:ohno::nuts: Same story !

They are also restoring este destroying a portion of the historic Manila Central Post Office! Did those guys have consulted NHI, NCCA, HCS etc...?

They are pouring cement in room 203 within the lobby of the main Post Office in Manila . Yung original plan ni Juan Arellano Sa Post Office na-alter na

I guest the wholesale destruction still continues until today! Akala ko ba pag-nakaupo na itong si Dirty Harry matatapos na ang mga wholesale destruction na iyan sa Destruction in the City !

If i remember it right , may nag-post sa HCS na hindi na raw magkakaroon ng mga demolition ? Pero I keep warning everyone on the issue.

Hindi talaga sila matatapos gibain hanggang may natitirang old buildings sa Maynila.....

Next on the destruction list : Postal Museum and Philatelic Library :nuts:

Hindi nga pinupuntahan tapos i-rennovate na daw ito? Wala nga ito sa Map ng mga Museums at hindi nga alam ng mga taga- Cityhal ng Maynila !

[ivanhenares]

:ohno::nuts: Same story !
They are also restoring este destroying a portion of the historic Manila Central Post Office! Did those guys have consulted NHI, NCCA, HCS etc...?

They are pouring cement in room 203 within the lobby of the main Post Office in Manila . Yung original plan ni Juan Arellano Sa Post Office na-alter na

I guest the wholesale destruction still continues until today! Akala ko ba pag-nakaupo na itong si Dirty Harry matatapos na ang mga wholesale destruction na iyan sa Destruction in the City !

If i remember it right , may nag-post sa HCS na hindi na raw magkakaroon ng mga demolition ? Pero I keep warning everyone on the issue.

Hindi talaga sila matatapos gibain hanggang may natitirang old buildings sa Maynila.....

Next on the destruction list : Postal Museum and Philatelic Library :nuts:

Hindi nga pinupuntahan tapos i-rennovate na daw ito? Wala nga ito sa Map ng mga Museums at hindi nga alam ng mga taga- Cityhal ng Maynila !

Rence, please stop ranting about Mayor Lim because you never brought up that particular issue with Gemma or the HCS. You simply informed her of the existence of the museum. E-mail Gemma and tell her the particular problem. Gemma is so close to Mayor Lim, she can bring any heritage issue to his attention immediately.

To refresh your memory, this is what you said:
Hi, Another forgotten and virtually unknown museum in the heart of Manila is the Postal Museum and Philatelic Museum located on the third floor Security Building or Money Order Building .

Our Stamp Club ( Filipinas Stamp Collectors' Club) had sen letter to Mayor Alfredo Lim informing about the exsistence of such a museum near the Cityhall.

Sadly, even the people of the Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau does not even know that such a museum occur.

The museum opened to the public in 1992 ! The club had started its postal history walking tour in 1998 !

and Gemma replied to you:
Dear Lawrence,
I shall ask Mrs. Ofie Co , director of the Mla Tourism
and Cultural Affaiars office for a copy of that
letter.
Cheers!
Gemma Cruz Araneta

So where is your warning about the room 203 issue? You didn't even mention that the museum was up for demolition. Please give Gemma the details so she could act accordingly. We're one in heritage. We shouldn't shed bad light on heritage allies like Mayor Lim when such is not deserved.

[Animo]

http://images.inquirer.net/media/showbizandstyle/lifestyle/lifestyle/images/pic-10141145110079.jpg

By Augusto Villalon
Inquirer
Last updated 11:42pm (Mla time) 10/14/2007


MANILA, Philippines – The Army and Navy Club is having a tough time slipping graciously into old age. The landmark American colonial structure dating from the early 20th century has fallen into hard times.

During the previous term of Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, the elegant club building was used as Museo ng Maynila, a project abandoned by the mayor who succeeded him. For a while the city architect’s office was in the building, but as the deterioration of the building went unchecked, it had to move out.

The empty building was then used as a manufacturing facility for the city’s Christmas lanterns that were stored in the premises after each season to wait for the next year. The Army-Navy was such a pitiful sight.

Meanwhile the Army and Navy’s companion structure and neighbor, the former Elks Club on the corner of Roxas Boulevard that dates from the same period, renewed itself as the Museo Pambata, a popular educational destination where schoolchildren have fun with interactive exhibits that teach Philippine culture, science and history.

While busloads of children filled Museo Pambata with wonder and laughter, the former Army-Navy Club next door decayed away into near ruin.

During his first three months as comebacking mayor, Alfredo S. Lim organized the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission to pursue his vision of restoring Manila’s former grandeur, focusing on the city’s rich and colorful cultural legacy.

The mayor noted Manila was the only city that showed all the periods of our history―pre-Hispanic, Spanish and American colonial, and modern Filipino.

“Legacies from the past like archaeological sites in Arroceros, Spanish colonial edifices in Intramuros, and American-period buildings have to be conserved,” Lim said. “Heritage is now an equal concern of the commission.”

The mayor announced: “The Manila Historical and Heritage Commission will document built heritage resources of Manila, undertake efforts to increase and inculcate historical awareness with the goal of establishing pride of place in all city sectors, including barangays, public and private schools, and universities.”

The commission’s centerpiece projects are the restoration of the Army-Navy Club and its reopening as Museo ng Maynila and the restoration of the Metropolitan Theater as a much needed venue for cultural events.

E-mail the author at pride.place @gmail.com.
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=94410

[Rence]

Rence, please stop ranting about Mayor Lim because you never brought up that particular issue with Gemma or the HCS. You simply informed her of the existence of the museum. E-mail Gemma and tell her the particular problem. Gemma is so close to Mayor Lim, she can bring any heritage issue to his attention immediately.

To refresh your memory, this is what you said:


and Gemma replied to you:


So where is your warning about the room 203 issue? You didn't even mention that the museum was up for demolition. Please give Gemma the details so she could act accordingly. We're one in heritage. We shouldn't shed bad light on heritage allies like Mayor Lim when such is not deserved.

:ohno:Room or window 203 of the Main Post Office is a different story , I went there with a foreigner friend and we saw the sad state of the rennovation mahigit 3 months na ito .

:lol: Postal Musuem and Philatelic Library is a different story may plano din na i-rennovate The Building is a 3 story one just in the foot of the Mac Arthur or Sta. Cruz Bridge ( totally different ) The museum is located on the third floor !

:banana: This is not ranting Mr. Lim because this is an on-going issue , I am also a citizen of Manila ( I actually voted him) and this is just a constructive critism . You should not picture all the glossy tales of the conservation but also must picture what is the reality that is going on within Manila . Bakit hindi ba madaming mga old buildings na-demolished during the past few months? Atienza term expired last June 30 , 2007 .

Yung old historic narra tree sa harap ng Cityhall na tinanim pa ng Mac Arthur nasaan na? Hindi ba namatay noong time ni Lito Atienza because of fungus infection ?

Here are some of the Constructive Critism from a BLOG Site:
http://celdrantours.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_celdrantours_archive.html
THE PROBLEM WITH GOODBYE IS HELLO...
And so it seems the the Age of Atienza is coming to an end. The fat man in the floral shirt who occupied Manila City Hall for the last ten years must now step down, his three term limit set by the Philippine Constitution of 1987 completed. Not only that, it seems that the mayor's son, Ali, will not be continuing the current agenda, as he is currently losing the race for the top spot to former Mayor Alfredo Lim.

Not that I'm shedding any major tears here. Even though I did work for Manila City Hall as an arts and culture consultant for many years, I do realize that Mayor Atienza had many shortcomings. And even though I liked many of his urban renewal projects (Baywalk, Pasig Riverside, San Andres Market renovation), it cannot be denied that he has been consistently remiss in protecting downtown Manila's precious heritage architecture and that his views on birth control are just short of retarded.

And although I am ready for a new regime and a new vision for the city, unfortunately I don't see Mayor Lim as a better alternative either. Considering the vindictive nature of Philippine politics, my prediction is that Lim will most likely spend his first year in office reversing or shutting down every completed Atienza project, whether that project be good or bad. Once such project that I shall miss will be Rizal Avenue (above). Once a blighted seedy area choked with traffic and vagrants, it was converted to a paved pedestrian promenade and organized vendor alley by Atienza four years ago. Mayor Lim promises to take that all away, remove the pavement and return the vehicles and street vendors in order to pander to jeepney drivers and commuters who are inconvenienced by Rizal Avenue's rerouting scheme. One small step forward for the jeepneys and vendors and one large leap backwards for pedestrians and urban renewal. Not only that, let's not forget Mayor Lim is a member of the opposition. Perhaps we can look forward to more street rallies around the Presidential Palace and all the instability/anarchy that it brings.

Then again, let's see. Ever the optimist, I'd like to believe that Lim may not be THAT unenlightened.
http://celdrantours.blogspot.com/2007_07_01_celdrantours_archive.html
After all, it's rather obvious that I have very little support from "civil society" in saving this street. And since I believe in only choosing battles I know I can win, perhaps negotiating would be a better option than an all out word war against Manila City Hall. Really, I have to deal with this fricking man for the next six years and he has the power to make my life a living hell if I don't get along with him (Remember, I do this job with zero government support). Besides, I don't believe in wasting my time fighting either. Honey works way better than vinegar in getting flies that's for sure. So here goes.
Mayor Lim:
What is done is done. I can't change your plans to open up Rizal Avenue to cars. But allow me to beseech you to proceed with this decision with a bit more thought and planning than what is evident right now. The former walkway is being cleared at such a speedy pace that the needs of pedestrians are not being given credence at all. Please allow me to enumerate some issues that need to be addressed so that pedestrian and vehicular traffic may co-exist without incident. Here are a few of the issues which need to be addressed along with a few of my suggestions:
A) The corner of Plaza Goiti and Rizal Avenue has always been a bottleneck (above). Perhaps you could retain a large paved brick area/plaza for human traffic at the junction of Plaza Goiti and Rizal Avenue? I believe that the front of Isettan Department Store on the left would be ideal. After all, take a look at that photo of the vendors and shoppers above. They aren't going anywhere (and neither is the statue of Mayor Lacson by the way). Just imagine trying to squeeze jeepneys inbetween these folks. It isn't hard to see what a fresh hell it can be without giving room for pedestrians and vendors to congregate on either side of the road. I also recommend leaving a wide berth for pedestrians at the corner of Recto as well (below). But I believe that this won't difficult to do because the road widens at the that area.
B.) The area below the LRT is too small for two-way traffic (below). Perhaps the entrance way from Plaza Goiti into Rizal Avenue should be a one way street? Look at how narrow the space is below the LRT station (both pictures below). Perhaps all north bound vehicles should enter Rizal Avenue through Plaza Goiti and all south bound vehicles should exit Rizal Avenue via Plaza Santa Cruz. A proper crossroad area (with lights and zebra markings) is also recommended at the corner of Raon and Carriedo to access the east side of Avenida from the west side. An underpass would be an even better idea.

C.) Make the sidewalks just a little wider. By the looks of things at the construction site, it seems that the asphalt pavement will stop right at the edge of the the walkway columns (both pictures below). This is not advisable. The sidewalks of Avenida are already crowded enough as is (and this is already with full pedestrianization of the avenue). I recommend an easement of at least 1.2 meters onto the road so that there is space for pedestrians to navigate between Carriedo and Raon streets. This is also recommended for the area below the LRT stairs at the Carriedo Stop. It seems that the stairs right now will lead right onto the asphalt itself. Please read letter A once more.

My recommended easement size should be as wide as the sunlit area (above). I repeat, do not pave asphalt all the way to the edge of the columns...

Oh, and wrought iron barriers (pretty ones please) to prevent jaywalking and to assure that commuters load in the proper areas are also absolutely necessary.

D.) Reuse the former paving brick of Avenida (seen in piles on Plaza Lawton below) to improve the sidewalks of Ermita and Malate. Truth be told, I did find it rather ironic that the Atienza administration re-paved and fixed most sidewalks in Manila except for the two streets which are perhaps of the highest profile in the city, MH del Pilar and A. Mabini. These two streets are the main thoroughfares which people and vehicles use when going from Malate to Luneta and beyond and they have looked like hell for as long as I could remember. Take my advice, fix the sidewalks and traffic on these two streets (and Adriatico and UN too while you are at it) and just watch the investments, hotels, tourists, and families flock in...

E.) Oh, and please ditch the ideas of building a Jollibee and McDonald's at either side of Baywalk. The swimming pool idea on the baywalk is also a little crazy. Shelve that too please.

Thank you.
Carlos Celdran
A concerned Manila resident

I GIVE UP...


I didn't realize how much this would affect me. My heart is officially broken and I am a sniveling mess. I haven't slept well all week, I haven't left bed all day today, and this morning, I actually shed a tear in frustration (- and mind you, I never shed tears). All I kept thinking to myself was: Mayor Lim, why did you send The City of Manila back into the dark ages? The north side of the Pasig River is once again a crowded, traffic-choked mess since you started ripping out all the marble and pavement and returned asphalt and jeepneys to Rizal Avenue last Saturday. This is definitely not the best way to start your term. I am comletely unimpressed. As a matter of fact, I think I hate you.
To this (above)! And all for the motherfu*king jeepneys! I know you are on Erap (da jeepney drayber) Estrada's camp, but there must a better way to alleviate traffic than pandering to these undisciplined smoke belching death traps and wasting all the money we taxpayers spent on this urban renewal project. Please remember it was OUR money that was spent on the pedestrianization of Rizal Avenue - NOT ATIENZA'S! IF you had ever walked (or driven) in the area, you would have noticed that in the past year, the traffic flow had already settled into the new detour system. The newly widened Santa Cruz Plaza and accessway through F. Torres had really addressed the issue of congestion. There was no need to return Rizal Avenue to cars!! Your issues were outdated! That's how out of touch you are! How in heavens name could you possibly think opening up Rizal Avenue would be safer and more civilized for Manilenos!?? How will pedestrians cross the avenue to get from Santa Cruz Church to Quiapo Church now? How? HOW? In between the vehicles or through some overcrowded crossing?? Or should we all learn to fly? Gawd! I wonder how much worse things will be when you allow rallies to block traffic on Mendiola once again!

FYI, you all: My grief and anger for this regression has prompted me to cancel all my North Bank and ChinaTown tours until further notice. The dates you see posted on this blog will be the last that I ever do. I am just too pissed off and frustrated and it's just too painful to see the north side of the Pasig River go back to the medieval state that it was in back in the early nineties under your first term. For the last six years, I have been trying to convince people that Quiapo is a civilized spot for pedestrians/tourists/human beings only to have my efforts reversed by this one unenlightened act. I can't take it anymore.

Truth be told, I am this close to just throwing the towel in and fuc*king migrating to somewhere fricking else than here because of what Mayor Lim has done. See more heart wrenching pictures here on Senor Enrique's blog.

http://celdrantours.blogspot.com/2006/08/in-memoriam.html

http://celdrantours.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_celdrantours_archive.html



FAREWELL FOUNTAIN...
Okay, I was able to keep calm about the removal of every stall on Roxas Boulevard, the return of Carriedo Street and Avenida Rizal to the jeepneys, and the overall dull mood Manila's been having these days, but to hear that dear old Mayor Lim is now going to remove the fountain in front of Malate Church for "desecrating" the spirit of Rajah Sulayman, now that is just way way way too much and I gotta flip my wig.

Dude. What the hell? The fountain too "festive" for you, Mayor? Get realistic about Manila, Mayor Lim. The rich ain't coming back. Former high end establishments like Sala, Garlic Rose, Bravo, and their patrons have all packed their bags for malls elsewhere. And in the absence of a middle class, we need fountains, and lights, and commercial activity to add life to the area. Not only for safety but also to provide jobs for people, ok? And that comment about Sulayman only shows you how ignorant you are of Manila's history. The Plaza Sulayman is not a shrine. It's a park. Rajah Sulayman never lived or died there. That plaza was formerly a beach and then a school building before becoming Plaza Sulayman in the 1970's. Do you want to put the school building back? Do you want to bring the beach back? Is that how far you want to reverse things in Manila?

Just fix the fountain, Mayor. Make it simpler, more elegant, and more electricity and water efficient. DO NOT remove the fountain. It cools the concrete plaza down and adds delight to an otherwised hard-edged, vagrant-friendly area. C'mon - do we want the shab dealers back there? Because unless you add some life, those are the only people who are going to hang out there. Just like they did during your first term.

And HCS and Winners. Get with the program too. The mayor works fast so you guys have to work even faster. You are the only ones with the Mayor's ear right now. A lot rests upon you guys.

Hey, Mayor, if you want to make Malate more family and tourist friendly, why not the crack down on the unscrupulous money changers of Malate first? My friend Sidney just got swindled only LAST week! Get rid of them first. Get your priorities straight.

The hundred days are nearing an end, Mayor. Get with the program. So far, you have only proven that you can regress. Prove to me you can take us forward.

UPDATE: Things about the Lim Administration that scare me. This missing person and yet another reversed pedestrianized promenade by the Pasig River and Intramuros. Things that confuse me about the Mayor. Apprently, the only thing that he is in agreement with Mayor Atienza about is a lack of concern for family planning and birth control (read number ten on his platform). God help us all under Lim. God help us all.

I really want to like this Mayor. I really do. He isn't making it easy.

Then again, perhaps I should shut up soon before I go missing too.

Labels: kvetch kvetch kvetch
Friday, August 10, 2007
IN MEMORIAM...
BYE BYE BAYWALK...


When I first heard that Mayor Lim was going to ban alcohol and close down the performance stages on Roxas Boulevard because they were too loud, I was elated beyond belief. For three years I had to live with the shrilly strains of a karaoke machine until four am on a daily basis and the thought of a more "family-friendly", noise pollution-free Baywalk thrilled me to no end. But now I see that not only did he remove alcohol and bands, but the Cafe Adriatico, the Fruitas Fruit Shake Stand, The Ice Monster, and EVERY concessionare on the boulevard and Plaza Sulayman, I am once again in doubt of the wisdom of our new Mayor's decisions. Just last night, when I passed by the area, Roxas Boulevard was once again dark, deserted, scary, and littered only by the shadows of street children, stray dogs and vagrants. Sigh. Easy come. Easy go. Mayor Lim, I'm still not feeling you. Your first one hundred days are nearly up and you still haven't convinced me that you are a better choice for Manila. Time to get your groove on. So far, I just think you are a stuffy old goat who just killed the party. A cheezy, crowded party - yes. But it was still a party nevertheless...

I wonder how the businessmen who owned the concessions feel as well. I would definitely be p*ssed off if my contract was suddenly cancelled and my shop unceremoniously removed for reasons that were beyond my control and the "fault" of the previous administration.

C'mon Mayor, you could have just regulated the place better, you didn't have to kill it.

Labels: in memoriam

[overtureph]

Priest wants Barasoain Church depicted in RP money as before

By Carmela Reyes
Inquirer
Last updated 10:08pm (Mla time) 10/16/2007

CITY OF MALOLOS, Philippines -- In a bid to remind Filipinos of the role the Barasoain Church played in shaping the country's history, a local parish priest and some of his parishioners are urging the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to restore the church's image to in any Philippine peso bill.

Monsignor Angel Santiago, parish priest of Barasoain Church here, launched a signature campaign to drum up support for their appeal to bring back the image of the church to a Philippine bill.

"The people are starting to lose a sense of nationalism and history and a nation's currency system ought to help bring them back," Santiago said.

The church, where the revolutionary congress convened and where the first Philippine Constitution was drafted in 1898, was depicted in the old P10 bill. However, the bill has been replaced by a P10 coin and only a few old bills have remained in circulation.

Santiago said they would be happy even if the BSP would include the church's image in any of the paper bills in circulation.

"Kahit isama lang sa P100 bill o sa iba pang bills (They can include it in the P100 bill or in any other bill)," he said.

He said he has gathered at least 6,000 signatures from his parishioners, tourists and some residents since he launched the campaign last month.

He placed an open letter and a signature sheet at the church's entrance so churchgoers would be informed about the campaign.

Santiago, a native of Hagonoy town, said the events that transpired inside the Barasoain Church led to the birth of the Philippine Republic.

"It would be such a waste that Filipinos, especially the youth, would not get the chance to see the image of this historical church. We should join hands in this campaign to restore the image of Barasoain Church in our currency because it holds one of the most important events in our history," he said.

Santiago said he has asked the approval of Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros to bring the signature campaign to other parishes in the province.


Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.



http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view_article.php?article_id=94845

[Rence]

Maganda but this will need countless of signature.
One reason why the Central bank faced out the paper bill is the higher cost of maintaining paper bills than coins

[ivanhenares]

My point is you never brought it up so don't blame Lim for it. Ikaw mismo nagsabi sa YM na ayaw ninyo magsalita. If you and your fellow stamp collectors don't have the courage to talk to the postmaster-general about Room 203, don't blame Lim for your silence.

On Carlos Celdran, let him rant about Lim if he wants. The Atienza projects he was mourning about were done without public consultations anyway. So Lim has all the right to remove them. But his suggestions are welcome.

Basta we know Lim is doing the right thing. And the HCS is there to guide him all the way. The people of Manila will decide in 2010.

:ohno:Room or window 203 of the Main Post Office is a different story , I went there with a foreigner friend and we saw the sad state of the rennovation mahigit 3 months na ito .

[ivanhenares]

Finally, the Ayuntamiento will be reconstructed. I hope the Aduana and San Ignacio Church follow soon.

[overtureph]

Finally, the Ayuntamiento will be reconstructed. I hope the Aduana and San Ignacio Church follow soon.

Which version of the Ayuntamiento will be reconstructed is it the one with the clock tower or the late 19th century version? Funding? Is it official?

This is indeed good news. I hope they use authentic or period materials in it's reconstruction.

[overtureph]

These furnitures/artifacts are either being exhibited or was transferred by the Intramuros Administration to the lobby of the Palacio del Gobernador ((I'm assuming these are owned by the IA since they are located in this building.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/Intramuros2/Intramuros3/edit2157.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/Intramuros2/Intramuros3/edit2156.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/Intramuros2/Intramuros3/edit2155.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/Intramuros2/Intramuros3/edit2153.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/Intramuros2/Intramuros3/edit2154.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/Intramuros2/Intramuros3/edit2152.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/Intramuros2/Intramuros3/edit2151.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/Intramuros2/Intramuros3/edit2150.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/Intramuros2/Intramuros3/edit2149.jpg



http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/Intramuros2/Intramuros3/edit2148.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/Intramuros2/Intramuros3/edit2147.jpg

The 3 pictures that follows (below) shows a cabinet or a comode which seems to be damaged either by improper handling or someone viewing it and trying to open it since you can practicaly touch the exhibit. There are no signs that says "Please do not touch" , at least thats what I recall. There are no boundaries or demarcation or something like a velvet rope to separate the items from the viewers. You can actually just walk up to it. Nobody seems also to be guarding these items. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the items exhibited would be stolen or as we have in our country, mysteriously disappear.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/Intramuros2/Intramuros3/edit2146.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/Intramuros2/Intramuros3/edit2145.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/Intramuros2/Intramuros3/edit2144.jpg


A view of Palacio del Gobernador from across Plaza Roma.


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/Intramuros2/Intramuros3/edit2110.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/Intramuros2/Intramuros3/edit1050.jpg

Some of the items on display came from churches. As we can see, we would still have a lot of beautiful interior of old churches if such items/artifacts where not dispersed or was cared for properly by the parish priest or the clergy.

Photos by overtureph.

[ivanhenares]

Which version of the Ayuntamiento will be reconstructed is it the one with the clock tower or the late 19th century version? Funding? Is it official?

This is indeed good news. I hope they use authentic or period materials in it's reconstruction.

Photo is on the front page of today's PDI. Speaker de Venecia, Mayor Lim, et al unveiled the model.

---

REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS
KAGAWARAN NG PANANALAPI
KAWANIHAN NG INGATANG-YAMAN
(BUREAU OF THE TREASURY)
INTRAMUROS, MANILA 2001

Funding the Republic

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), through its Procurement, Bids and Awards Committee (PBAC), invites suppliers/contractors to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder project:

A. Name of Project: RESTORATION OF AYUNTAMIENTO
Location: Ayuntamiento Ruins, Cabildo St. Intramuros, Manila

B. Brief Description: This project includes the supply of labor, materials, heavy equipment and tools necessary to complete the proposed parking area and basketball court inside the Ayuntamiento ruins with approximate area of 3,000 square meters, and the restoration of walls, inside and outside face of front elevation at Cabildo St. and side elevation of A. Soriano St.

C. Approved Budget: Php 1.2M
Prospective bidders should have the experience in supplying and undertaking similar project within the last 5 years with an amount of at least 50% of the proposed project for bidding, and have key personnel and equipment available for the execution of the project. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post qualification of the lowest calculated bid shall be conducted.

D. Cost of documents/forms for Pre-Qualification/Eligibility and to Bid is P500.00 to be paid to the BTr Cashier at the Cash and Custodial Division, G/F Palacio del Gobernador Bldg., Intramuros, Manila.

E. Issuance Date: March 21, 2006

F. Deadline for submission of accomplished Pre-qualification/Eligibility Requirements shall be on March 30, 2006, 5:00 P.M., addressed to:

ATTY. GISELA F. LOOD
PBAC Chairperson
Bureau of the Treasury
4/F Palacio del Gobernador
Intramuros, Manila

G. Time and Date of Pre-bid Conference will be confirmed by the issuance of Notice to Eligible prospective bidders.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference, Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

The PBAC assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid.

ATTY. GISELA F. LOOD
Chairperson, PBAC

For inquiries, please call:
MYRNA C. DELA CRUZ
Tel. No. 5228122 loc. 410
5273082

http://www.treasury.gov.ph/news/bid/ayuntamientorestoration032106.pdf

[le Reine]

B. Brief Description: This project includes the supply of labor, materials, heavy equipment and tools necessary to complete the proposed parking area and basketball court inside the Ayuntamiento ruins with approximate area of 3,000 square meters, and the restoration of walls, inside and outside face of front elevation at Cabildo St. and side elevation of A. Soriano St.

could someone please explain this? is it just me or they are really planning to preserve just the walls of the ayuntamiento and build a parking lot and basketball court inside the ruins?

[Rence]

Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 361 My point is you never brought it up so don't blame Lim for it. Ikaw mismo nagsabi sa YM na ayaw ninyo magsalita. If you and your fellow stamp collectors don't have the courage to talk to the postmaster-general about Room 203, don't blame Lim for your silence.

On Carlos Celdran, let him rant about Lim if he wants. The Atienza projects he was mourning about were done without public consultations anyway. So Lim has all the right to remove them. But his suggestions are welcome.

Basta we know Lim is doing the right thing. And the HCS is there to guide him all the way. The people of Manila will decide in 2010.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Rence
Room or window 203 of the Main Post Office is a different story , I went there with a foreigner friend and we saw the sad state of the rennovation mahigit 3 months na ito .

:nuts:Akala ko ba confidential ang mga pinag-usapan natin?
You got all the answers mess up! We are in the process of talking to the Postmaster general about making the Manila Central Post office a Historical monument na kahit may historical plaque from whatever government agency na nakalagay sa main building, Hindi sa wala kaming kibo sa mga nangyayari sa Post Office , in fact we are very active in the promotion and preservation of the Post office not just the main building but also the Museum and Library na hindi naman pinapansain kahit ng mga taga-Cityhall. Kami nga ang nag-print ng mga leaftlets advertising the exsistence of a Museum and Library .

Hindi kami nag-walang kibo sa mga nagyayari sa mga heritage site sa Maynila kasi ever since naitatag ang iba't-ibang stamp club we are very active in the promotion of the Postal Museum and Library .

Kaya nga as a stamp club , nagsasalita kami with regards to the ongoing rennovations sa loob ng Post office kasi alam namin na in the future kung hindi ma-proclaim na historical site ang Manila Central Post Office ay madami pang alternations na magaganap ang sabi mo nga wala sa listahan ng mga sites ang Manila Central Post Office na classified as historical sites!

Shocking but true, na patuloy pa din ang mga pag-demolish sa mga old buildings at bahay sa Maynila. Madaming reasons at madaming alibi pero kahit sinong tanungin mo patuloy ang destruction in the city !

Yan ang realidad ng conservation do not paint a "Rosy Picture" na ala Betsy ng Rosy Life !

Bakit kami mag-post sa iba't-ibang forum sites kung wala kaming concern sa Post Office ni Ikaw nga hindi mo alam na may museum at library sa may malapit sa foot of Mac Arthur Bridge na within sa Manila Central Post Office compound ?

What I mean of hindi na ako magsasalita , Is that kung walang pakialam ang mga tao sa Post Office eh di hindi na kami magsasalita kasi hindi naman pala historical ang Old Manila Central Post Office .

Thanks ! Some point of Clarification

[habagatcentral1]

Guys from Manila, may I ask something?

Why is the Father Blanco's Garden under "construction"?

[Wonderboy]

^^ Fr. Gallende wanted to "restore" the ruins and turn it into a dormitory for Augustinian priests.

I'll try to take photos of the construction if my schedule permits.

[Rence]

Sana may proper restoration plan sila , baka pare-pareho na lang ang buildings diyan sa Intramuros mukhang dali-dali lang ang pag-gawa ng mga building para lang mag-mukhang Spanish or Colonial style!

[habagatcentral1]

Another question, is it only the Church of San Agustin that is the declared part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site or does it cover the entire church compound?

Thanks for clarification. :)

[Rence]

Another question, is it only the Church of San Agustin that is the declared part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site or does it cover the entire church compound?

Thanks for clarification. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Agustin_Church%2C_Manila

Just visit the link:

[ivanhenares]

Hindi sa wala kaming kibo sa mga nangyayari sa Post Office , in fact we are very active in the promotion and preservation of the Post office not just the main building but also the Museum and Library na hindi naman pinapansain kahit ng mga taga-Cityhall.

So why did you remain silent about the renovations for three months and only announce it here when a lot of damage had already been done? Tapos biglang rant na may nasira na sa Post Office sabay hirit kay Lim. You should have informed us earlier so we could have done something about it, not after when it's too late.

Bakit kami mag-post sa iba't-ibang forum sites kung wala kaming concern sa Post Office ni Ikaw nga hindi mo alam na may museum at library sa may malapit sa foot of Mac Arthur Bridge na within sa Manila Central Post Office compound

Rence, do you know the existence of every single museum all over the country? Ano tingin mo sa amin, superman? I'm not a fan of philatelic history so you can't fault me for not knowing the existence of the museum. On the HCS naman, I don't think stamps fall under architectural heritage. All NGOs have their thrusts. That of the HCS is the conservation of built heritage resources. But we'll gladly link you to the proper channels as Gemma already did.

Kanya-kanya tayo ng interests hindi ba? So let's be vigilant watching over what we personally feel is important. The HCS is not a bunch of super heroes with ESP to detect all uglification or demolitions happening to heritage structures all over the country. It's a network of individuals and we take care of our own areas. I for example, watch over San Fernando, Pampanga. But we help each other when there are hard-headed Goliaths. So watch over the Post Office dahil kayo ang laging nandiyan and do something about it rather than rant na walang nagyayari. Hindi mare-renovate ang Post Office kung umalma kayo in the first place.

[ivanhenares]

Another question, is it only the Church of San Agustin that is the declared part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site or does it cover the entire church compound?

Thanks for clarification. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Agustin_Church%2C_Manila

Just visit the link:

I checked the link. No details there. Anyway, it's the whole compound. Which is why Father Galende had to get the blessings of UNESCO before constructing the seminary.

[ivanhenares]

could someone please explain this? is it just me or they are really planning to preserve just the walls of the ayuntamiento and build a parking lot and basketball court inside the ruins?

Oooops, I think I quoted the wrong bidding. Last year pa ito and I think that was the repainting of the ruins. Kaya pala P1.2M lang and cost. Basing on the PDI photo, the real reconstruction would cost much more than that. I will ask around.

[Lili]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/pic-10070249100620.jpg

DALI WAS ONLY No. 2 to Vicente Alvarez Dizon who won first prize for his painting, "After the Day's Toil" at the International Competition of Contemporary Art of 79 nations at the Golden Gate Exposition in 1939. French entry by Utrillo didn't even make it. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Missing Filipino masterpiece found at last

By Josie Dizon Henson
Inquirer
Last updated 01:56am (Mla time) 10/07/2007


MANILA, Philippines -- After a decades-long search, the family of Vicente Alvarez Dizon has located his painting that won first place at an international competition in 1939 which included the works of Salvador Dali and Maurice Utrillo.

The late Dizon's masterpiece, "After the Day's Toil," which was last seen by the family in 1952 when it was transported to the country for the Philippine International Fair, is in the possession of Dr. Rogelio Pine, a Filipino cardiologist based in New Jersey.

Pine bought it in 1980 from Daniel Grossman of the Grossman Gallery, who in turn bought it from IBM New York when the company unloaded a number of paintings in the late 1970s.

Dizon, of the University of the Philippines' then School of Fine Arts, painted "After the Day's Toil" in 1936 as a graduation thesis during postgraduate scholarship studies at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.

When he returned home, he settled in Malate, Manila, and continued to lecture at UP, the National Teachers' College, and other schools.

From 79 countries
In 1939, Thomas J. Watson, founder of International Business Machines (IBM), conceived the idea of holding an international art competition at the Golden Gate Exposition in San Francisco, California.

He sent his representative, Kevin Mallen, to 79 countries all over the world to scout for entries.

In Manila, Mallen visited Dizon at his residence on 1111 A. Mabini Street, to take a look at "After the Day's Toil."

Mallen purchased the painting for IBM immediately after seeing it, and had it framed and shipped to the United States.

It was included in the International Competition on Contemporary Art of 79 Nations at the Golden Gate Exposition.

In that historic competition, "After the Day's Toil" won first place by popular vote. The entry of Spain by Dali won second place, and that of the United States won third.

Utrillo's entry did not win.

Pacific unity
The inscription on the winner's medal reads: "Unity of the Pacific nations is America's concern and responsibility. San Francisco stands at the doorway to the sea that roars upon the shores of all these nations; and so to the Golden Gate International Exposition I gladly entrust a solemn duty. May this, America's world's fair on the Pacific in 1939, truly serve all nations.--President Franklin D. Roosevelt"

The Golden Gate Exposition was held in celebration of San Francisco's two new bridges.

San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge were dedicated on Nov. 12, 1936, and May 27, 1937, respectively.

The exposition ran from Feb. 18 to Oct. 29 in 1939, and from May 25 to Sept. 29 in 1940.

Malate-born
Vicente Alvarez Dizon, son of Jose Sampedro Dizon of Bacolor, Pampanga, and Rosa Carlos Alvarez of Concepcion, Tarlac, was born in Malate on April 5, 1905.

The elder Dizon, an 1897 graduate of the University of Santo Tomas, was a landscape artist and botanist-agronomist at the Bureau of Agriculture.

In the course of his work, he was assigned to such places as Capas in Tarlac, Magalang in Pampanga, and Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija.

The young Vicente had his early schooling at the Malate Primary School, and continued his intermediate studies in the towns where his father was assigned.

The father wanted his son to study medicine. The latter obeyed, and attended the National University College of Medicine in 1921-23.

Dizon later transferred to the UP School of Fine Arts, where he took a five-year course and graduated with an art diploma in 1928. After graduation, he became the first artist-lecturer of the Philippines.

He is among the first Filipinos to win important scholarships abroad, such as that awarded him by the Federal Schools of Art in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

On his own, he applied for, and was granted, a scholarship at Yale.

Honors
In 1936, during his stay at Yale, Dizon became the first Filipino to be elected one of the 12 members of the "Yale Phi Alpha." (Only 12 members were elected each year from more than 300 students.)

It was also at Yale that he painted "After the Day's Toil" as his thesis.

Because of his studiousness, Dizon was given assignments during summer. Thus, after only one-and-a-half (instead of three) years of study, he graduated on June 7, 1936, with a bachelor's degree in fine arts (with distinction).

He specialized in painting, mural decoration, general art education, composition, and museum administration.

Art education pioneer
On his return to his motherland, Dizon continued to teach, and came to be considered the pioneer of art education in the Philippines.

He introduced the art of finger painting, and was invited to lecture on and demonstrate the new medium and technique in Manila and Central Luzon.

He conducted the famous "Chalk Talk" lectures, where someone from the audience would be asked to draw a form or line on the blackboard, which he would then transform into a recognizable object or figure.

Dizon was a faculty member of the UP School of Fine Arts where he lectured on history of art (1940-47), and of the UP College of Education, where he also lectured on art and interior decoration (1946-47).

Likewise, he was an associate professor in painting and theory of arts.

In 1938, he was appointed member of the UP School of Fine Arts' alumni committee for reorganization. He was also an artist and historical consultant in the US Army, 5th Air Force Command at Clark Field (February to August 1945).

He was as well a full professor of art at the Mapua Institute of Technology (1937-41).

War paintings
During the war years, Dizon secretly started recording life in those difficult times.

He completed 30 colorful and dramatic war paintings, which he titled "From Japanese Invasion to American Liberation, As My Brush Saw It."

He also wrote two books--"Art Education and Appreciation," which saw publication, and "Living As An Art."

Dizon was married to Ma. Ines Lutgarda S. Henson of Angeles, Pampanga.

The union was blessed with four children--the twins Victor and Daniel, Luminoso and Josefina.

Daniel and Josefina (Josie) became professional artists.

Early in 1947, while in the process of reorganizing the UP School of Fine Arts, Dizon fell seriously ill.

He died on Oct. 19 of the same year at the young age of 42.

The author is the daughter of the artist Vicente Alvarez Dizon.


Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=93030

Wow, what wonderful news and a compelling story on the discovery of a Philippine art treasure. Imagine... it won over Salvador Dali.

[Rence]

So why did you remain silent about the renovations for three months and only announce it here when a lot of damage had already been done? Tapos biglang rant na may nasira na sa Post Office sabay hirit kay Lim. You should have informed us earlier so we could have done something about it, not after when it's too late.



Rence, do you know the existence of every single museum all over the country? Ano tingin mo sa amin, superman? I'm not a fan of philatelic history so you can't fault me for not knowing the existence of the museum. On the HCS naman, I don't think stamps fall under architectural heritage. All NGOs have their thrusts. That of the HCS is the conservation of built heritage resources. But we'll gladly link you to the proper channels as Gemma already did.

Kanya-kanya tayo ng interests hindi ba? So let's be vigilant watching over what we personally feel is important. The HCS is not a bunch of super heroes with ESP to detect all uglification or demolitions happening to heritage structures all over the country. It's a network of individuals and we take care of our own areas. I for example, watch over San Fernando, Pampanga. But we help each other when there are hard-headed Goliaths. So watch over the Post Office dahil kayo ang laging nandiyan and do something about it rather than rant na walang nagyayari. Hindi mare-renovate ang Post Office kung umalma kayo in the first place.


Thanks for the concern.

Actually , Hindi talaga naka-lista ang Postal Museum and Philatelic Library sa lahat ng mga directories . Our group had been constantly talking with the people in the Marketing division of the Central Post Office. I guest we are stuck in Jurassic time! Kulang talaga ng promotion in every aspect . Kaya sadly even if the First country in Asia to issue stamps and had one of the most colorful history in architecture , postal history etc.... The Philippines had the least collectors o stamp in the Whole of Southeast Asia ! population wise .

[IndioBravo]

hthttp://img206.imageshack.us/img206/2159/cambridge130by4.jpgtp://

That's a most welcome news Ivan! I hope they make well in restoring it.It might have been half a century before the Ayuntamiento rose up again,but it's worth the wait!It made my day!Good work HCS!Good work Ivan!Sana they finish it before GMA gets impeached.Kasi,the new govt. might stop the restoration eh!

[ivanhenares]

[IMG]That's a most welcome news Ivan! I hope they make well in restoring it.It might have been half a century before the Ayuntamiento rose up again,but it's worth the wait!It made my day!Good work HCS!Good work Ivan!Sana they finish it before GMA gets impeached.Kasi,the new govt. might stop the restoration eh!

Don't thank us. We're just reporting it. :) But it is good news indeed!

[Rence]

I hope hindi titipidin ang mga materials diyan sa restorations!

[Animo]

City Mayor Jerry Treñas invited the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission (MHHC) to Iloilo City on November 9 to participate in the conference on "Philippine Towns & Cities: Reflections of the Past, Lessons for the Future."

The MHHC will be represented by Gemma Cruz Araneta, erstwhile Secretary of Tourism, now consultant for cultural affairs of Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim.

The Manila Historical Commission was reconstituted as the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission by Manila Mayor Lim by virtue of Executive Order 10, which he signed last July.

Iloilo is known as the heritage capital of the Visayas, and Mayor Treñas is a well-known heritage advocate and active member of the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS).

This is the second in the series of "Towns & Cities" conferences organized by the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) in cooperation with Urban Partnerships Foundation (UPF). The Instituto Cervantes (IC) and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) are among the sponsors.

"Towns & Cities" will be held on November 9 at the Kalantiao Hall of the prestigious Sarabia Manor Hotel in Iloilo City. Local government officials, heritage advocates from the private sector, university students and professors will attend the conference. Registration will begin at 8 in the morning; the conference is expected to adjourn at 5 pm.

The "Mayors' Forum" is a much-awaited feature of the conference. It is a stimulating exchange of "best practices" and conservation policies by Mayors who have heritage resources in their towns and cities. In the 2006 Forum, Mayors Ferdinand Medina (Vigan) and Oscar Rodriguez (San Fernando, Pampanga) explained how they approved city ordinances to balance modernization with heritage conservation. Mayor Rex Bernardez of Bucay, Abra , a heritage "convert" vowed to protect with proper legislation the ruins of a Spanish fort in Bucay.

Mayor Jerry Treñas will lead his colleagues in this year's forum. Mayor Treñas is a long-standing member of the HCS. Others who have confirmed attendance are Mayors Danilo Mindanao (San Juan, Batangas), Rosauro Masilang (Sariaya, Quezon), Jose Montelibano (Silay), Oscar Tetongco, Jr. (Apalit), Canuto Oreta (Malabon) and Celso Lobregat (Zamboanga)

Seven case studies will be presented by: Engr. Jose Peñalosa (Iloilo), Profs. Floro Quibuyen (Apalit), Icelle Estrada (Zamboanga), Victoria de Villa (Sariaya) and Jaime Veneracion (19th Century Estates), and Archs. Leon Mayo (San Juan), Nathaniel von Einsiedel (Silay) and Richard Bautista (Malabon and Navotas),

For more information about seminar fees, please call Dorie Soriano (HCS) 521 2239; telefax 522 24 97; EM info@heritage.org.ph or Ms Len Diòo (UPF) tel 895 1812/ 896 1902, EM annalynn.upf@gmail.com, Ms. Vivian Taparo (Iloilo Tourism Office) 033 3372172, EM benitojimena@yahoo.com.

http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/10/18/heritage.conservation.confab.set.nov.9.html

[Rence]

Historical lighthouse in Calatagan needs rehabilitation


By Marlon Alexander Luistro
Inquirer
Last updated 00:28am (Mla time) 10/25/2007


CALATAGAN, Batangas – In the early days of maritime travel, the lighthouse of Cape Santiago safely guided international shipping vessels crossing the Verde Island Passage, San Bernardino Strait and Manila Bay.

Also known as the Faro de Punta Santiago, the 51-foot tower on a cliff was established by the Spanish authorities in the 1890s, which modeled it after the medieval castles in Europe.

Old-timers believe that Cape Santiago was used by the Japanese during World War II. It had an underground tunnel that led straight to the sea.

Made of bricks and lime cement, the red structure has withstood earthquakes, typhoons and other natural calamities, including the ravages of the Filipino-Spanish, Filipino-American and Filipino-Japanese wars.

Today, however, the lighthouse is no longer open to the public. No roads lead to it since the adjacent lands are now privately owned. Its state of neglect and dilapidation has prompted the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) to restore it to its original design.

Guide

“The lighthouse is the oldest remaining structure in Calatagan today. Aside from promotion as tourism site, Cape Santiago will be a perfect gift to the town’s centennial celebration in 2011,” said Ltsg. Derrick Manas of the 501st PCGA Squadron, who heads the Task Force Lighthouse.

The PCGA wants to promote Cape Santiago as the “cultural center of Calatagan,” where people can hold concerts, beauty pageants, graduations, stage plays, photography and painting sessions, and other events.

Its squadron also plans to transfer its headquarters to the lighthouse.

Lighthouses are not only popular tourist attractions though. They also serve as compass for vessels in the high seas. Usually, they are found along shallow coastal areas.

“When the US captured the Philippines from Spain in 1898, the Americans inherited close to 60 lighthouses and minor lights built by the Spanish colonial authorities,” said American author Russ Rowlett in an article that appeared in the University of North Carolina website.

While many of the major Spanish lighthouses have survived and are still in service, others have been ruined, Rowlett said. The website listed 27 major lighthouses in the Philippines, including the Pulo Caballo in Corregidor, Siete Pecados in Panay, and Cape Bojeador in Ilocos Norte.

In Batangas, there are Cape Santiago in Calatagan and Cape Malabrigo in Lobo.

Manas said Cape Santiago has long been abandoned. Nobody maintained and preserved its natural beauty. Its original light source is missing; an automatic light bulb donated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency switches on at sunset and off at sunrise.

The light device on top of the tower, reached by a long, winding flight of stairs, is no longer being used because it is very costly to operate it, Manas said.

On April 18, 1995, the PCG, under then Commodore Arturo Capada, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with former Batangas Gov. Jose Antonio Leviste, president of the Resort Association of the Philippines Inc. (Rapi), to develop Cape Santiago as a tourism site.

But the group has failed to do its task for the past 12 years and even reclaimed sea portions “unauthorized by the MOU,” Manas said. An internal report issued by then PCG Capt. Alejandro Flora on June 23, 2003 said Rapi had reclaimed “more or less 9,000 square meters of sea area adjacent to the Cape Santiago Lighthouse.”

Flora said the MOU only authorized Rapi to “improve the existing building and develop the surrounding areas.”

Undeveloped

Jessie de los Reyes, chair of the Calatagan Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, claimed that the reclamation covered at least 1.8 hectares of sea grass beds and coral reefs, which reportedly drove away fish and other marine creatures.

The project not only affected the rich coastal resources in the area but also deprived some 300 families of their earnings from gathering sea shells and shrimps, he said.

“What really hurts is that the lighthouse was not restored but renovated. Too many alterations happened. Some of its antiques, particularly bronzes, are gone and the woods were replaced with cement,” he added.

The PCG plans to terminate the contract with Rapi, Commodore Darwin Torres, PCGA commander, said in a phone interview. “We’re on top of it,” he said.

On Aug. 5, the barangay council of Bagong Silang in Calatagan issued Resolution No. 14 regarding the request of the PCGA to adopt and restore the Cape Santiago Lighthouse.

As soon as the municipal government approves the resolution, Manas said he would establish a Calatagan Heritage Foundation, composed of PCGA members and town residents, to help raise funds for the lighthouse rehabilitation project.

He dreams of having Cape Santiago declared a national historical monument by the National Historical Institute and a national cultural treasure by the National Museum.

[overtureph]

'Santo' enthusiasts bond in cyberspace

By Tonette Orejas
Central Luzon Desk
Last updated 11:33pm (Mla time) 10/27/2007



CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines -- All Saints' Day or Todos los Santos, which Catholics observe every Nov. 1, is a daily event for more than 1,000 "santo" (icons or statues of saints) enthusiasts the world over.

Their virtual carrosa (carriage) for preserving religious arts and traditions is the online group Semana Santa Filipinas (SSF).

Their two-year "procession" on the web began through the online chats of two men, according to the group's chronicler, advertising executive and santo collector Alex Castro.

Victor Ancheta, 18, a Filipino art student in Houston, Texas, and Robby de la Vega, 20, a student in Meycauayan, Bulacan, then decided to put up SSF on Flickr, a free online photo sharing service, in 2006.

"The initial intent was to create a visual reference of our religious traditions from all parts of the country, with content contribution from members. Simple discussion threads are also appended to the photos, so that more information and opinions can be shared among members," said Castro.

Ancheta and De la Vega quickly drew a large following.

SSF's pool grew to more than 8,000 photographs of santos and 700 discussion topics.

Bursting with ideas and materials, SSF birthed a sister cyber group, the "Santos: Images of Faith," and more religious-themed Filipino Flickr groups.

"SSF today is the most informative, progressive and largest group on the web, using the members' collective passion and knowledge to perpetuate, propagate, and increase the devotion to Philippine [religious] traditions, thus ensuring that these remain a permanent and significant part of Filipino culture everywhere in the world," said Castro.

Some members have bonded beyond the Web by starting the "Sponsor-a-Santo" program.

In this, they pool their money to give a devotional santo to a member who cannot afford to own one or donate a piece to a poor parish.

It was through the same program that De la Vega managed to replace the family's image of the Virgin Mary that he lost to his mother's relatives.

In typical Filipino bayanihan (community cooperation) way, the group labored together.

The image De la Vega got was donated by an SSF member in Pampanga and restored through the cash donation of a paralegal from Nashville. The image got its gold crown from a lawyer in Makati City and obtained its scepter from another member in San Mateo, Rizal.

The image's carved base was funded by a member who works in the foreign service in Kuwait.

Ancheta created a Sto. Niño to accompany the statue named as the "Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary."

The image was displayed in its first procession in May this year.

Online, a favorite is a personal interview series with what Castro called "movers and shakers of the santero (makers of the images of saints) as well as names associated with culture and heritage."

They include cultural activist Basilidez Bautista of Bulacan; ecclesiastical artists Nick Lugue and Jeric Canlas of Pampanga, Francisco Vecin of Makati, wigmaker Bella Francisco and vestment maker Ramon Gutierrez.

The group has also done heritage tours for members who live in the Philippines.

Don Ado Escudero, for one, hosted a tour of his family's Villa Escudero in Quezon and a discussion there on the state of devotional practices.

A group called Semana Santa RealWorld (SS RealWorld), led by its president Rainier Sexon, also documents in photographs the local Lenten traditions, specifically religious imageries, processions, vanishing arts and crafts.

For the love of saints and as an expression of religious faith, SS RealWorld is undertaking the "Pilgrim Santo," outreach programs for poor parishes, heritage church tours in Pampanga and Pangasinan, santo exhibits and a convention, a book and video documentation projects.

Theirs is not a first-time journey.

Fernando Zobel, for instance, has written the book "Philippine Religious Imagery."

Zobel classified Philipine santos based on popular, classical and ornate styles.

Sinibaldo de Mas wrote accounts on the overly decorated images of
saints and Virgin Mary in Manila.

Much of the early santeros had gone unknown, according to Castro.

The few known ones were Juan de los Santos, a carver and silversmith in Laguna in the 18th century; Isabelo Tampingco of Binondo who was said to have started the use of native floral motifs in his carvings; and the Flores family of Betis, Pampanga.


Copyright 2007 Central Luzon Desk. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=97166

[Rence]

Try to join this group- Philippine Native Plant Conservation Society Incorporated at yahoo groups
http://tech.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/philippine_plant_conservation_soc/photos/view/a02e?b=1

[overtureph]

5-ton shipment of endangered RP coral, seashells seized in Argentina

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) – Argentine customs said Monday it had seized a valuable, five-ton shipment of endangered and protected coral and seashells from the Philippines that was destined for the black market in tourist haven Mar del Plata.

The illegal shipment of some 1,500 pieces of coral and seashells was listed as manufactured goods when it arrived at the Buenos Aires port, customs officials said.

Most of the protected species are included in the 1975 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which ensures that trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Argentine customs officials said they were considering donating the coral and shells to museums or environmental organizations for their preservation.

Mar del Plata, 400 kilometers southeast of Buenos Aires on the Atlantic coast, is one of Latin America’s top tourist destinations.


http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20071106112

[overtureph]

DENR seizes salvaged metal from WWII ship
By Katherine Adraneda
Wednesday, November 7, 2007

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has confiscated some 200 metric tons of scrap metal, valued at more than P1 million, believed to have been salvaged from a World War II shipwreck off Leyte.

Reports reaching the DENR main office in Quezon City revealed that the confiscation of the scrap metal occurred at the Ouano wharf in Cebu last Nov. 2.

According to the DENR, the seized cargo was consigned to Lilia Dapuran Marketing, which is also holder of a shipwreck/sunken vessel recovery permit issued by former secretary Angelo Reyes in June 2007.

But DENR-Region 7 executive director Leonardo Sibbaluca said the company transported the scrap metal from the sunken ship in Leyte to Cebu without the required transport documents and inventory of the scrap materials from DENR-Region 8.

DENR’s Mines and Geosciences bureau Region 7 director Roger de Dios insisted that even when the firm had a shipwreck and sunken vessel permit, it is still liable for violating the rules, particularly DENR Administrative Order 2002-04, which outlines the rules governing the issuance of permits for treasure hunting, shipwreck/sunken vessel recovery and disposition of recovered treasures/valuable cargoes, including hoarded and hidden treasures.

Last month, however, the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD) asked the DENR to immediately issue a cease-and-desist order to prevent the salvaging of the WWII era shipwreck off Leyte that would adversely affect the livelihood of at least a thousand fishermen families along the coast.

The salvaging operations, previously halted due to wide media coverage, have reportedly been “renewed and pursued with vigor”— much to the dismay of local residents.

In a letter to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza dated Oct. 16, PCSSD Commissioner Yvette Lee said that salvaging operations returned immediately after Reyes was transferred to the Department of Energy (DoE) two months ago.

“I am appealing to you, in behalf of all these marginal fishermen, to issue an immediate cease-and-desist order to the salvaging activities and the transport of the metal that they have already taken out and to order an investigation into this matter,” Lee stated in her letter to Atienza.

According to Lee, she was contacted three years ago by a group of bantay-dagat volunteers based off MacArthur, Leyte regarding the attempted salvaging of the WWII era shipwreck, which has been serving as underwater Historical Tourism Site and fisheries reserve for families along the 10 coastal barangays of San Pedro Bay.

Lee said these designations for the WWII era shipwreck were covered by two separate resolutions drafted and signed by MacArthur town mayor Leonardo Leria, who later revoked them.

Following wide media coverage, the salvaging operations were stopped. The salvaging firm then requested for a permit to salvage.

But volunteers insisted that the shipwreck is a Historical Tourism Site and more importantly, a fisheries reserve that was serving the needs of over a thousand families along the coast.

“The permit they were carrying is for treasure hunting. The terms and conditions are clear and simple. It is to look for hidden treasure. Nothing in it says anything about salvaging the metal of the wreck. There is actually a different permit for this. Simply put, they are using the permit for another activity than what was specified,” Lee said.

Lee has estimated that so far, metal scraps collected from the shipwreck that were already loaded on the barge have been valued at P7 million (P14.95 per kilo).

“There is a provision in the terms and conditions of the permit that allows the DENR secretary to cancel the permit if it is in the public’s interest,” Lee said.


http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20071106106

[allan_dude]

Commentary: What happened to the 'Speak Pangasinan' rule?

By Danny O. Sagun (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p071107.htm&no=14)

Lingayen (7 November) -- THAT first order by Gov. Amado T. Espino to have the Pangasinan language the primary tongue in transactions within the provincial Capitol appeared not seriously taken. Tagalog or a mix of English and Filipino are mainly used by the people there, even by officials themselves, who should lead their staff in using widely their native tongue.

We could not help but sort of remind the governor when we had the chance to shoot a question in a press conference some two weeks back. We asked him what happened to his directive as we noted that the question and answer in that conference itself was done in languages other than Pangasinan. In fact, before this writer tossed the last question (of course in Pangasinan), all questions but one were all done in other tongues.

"Anta manpapasagiligak lad sikara diad pansasalitak na Pangasinan ag ira met makalikas," he replied. Indeed, he spoke liberally in our native language mixing it with English and Tagalog while answering questions by the media.

He said he was really serious in his bid to propagate the native tongue, now considered one of the major languages in the country. In line with such objective is the undergoing research on the birth of the province. He noted that the celebration of Pangasinan Day is not actually the observance for the birth of the province but a memorial day for the late Speaker Eugenio Perez.

There were attempts to dig at history as to the birth of the province, which according to some people, had used to occupy parts of La Union, Zambales and Tarlac. It is no wonder that people in Sto. Tomas in La Union and Camiling in Tarlac are very fluent in the Pangasinan language.

Pangasinan, if we believe those stories, was not just a simple province as it is now. It was actually a kingdom or fiefdom with vast territory. The legendary Princess Urduja, a mighty warrior, amazon you may call her, bespeaks of the prestige and might of this part of the country had during those olden days.

The governor really had a point in his first order of the day he assumed office. The rich culture, tradition, mores, folkways and of course, language, of Pangasinan must be maintained, preserved, propagated and expanded to the hilt.

We hope he needs no reminders about that task. And we hope to see results before his first term ends. (PIA-Pangasinan)

[TheRick]

Remembering the Past... Enjoying the Present...

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v1434357r2GJpyjE
(Better Quality Video)



Remembering the Past... PART 1. :lol:

pqDW9OJtdwk
Be Proud of the Philippines !!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqDW9OJtdwk)

^^


Remembering the Past... PART 2. :lol:

xzuvP3yUpwc
Be Proud of the Philippines !!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzuvP3yUpwc)

^^

[Alitaptap]

Malabon’s old houses survive despite time and tide


By Nancy C. Carvajal
Inquirer
Last updated 08:48pm (Mla time) 11/10/2007


MANILA, Philippines--THE OLD MAJESTIC houses of Malabon City refuse to fade away into obscurity despite the threat of being erased from the map because of constant flooding.

These century-old homes scattered all over the city have endured time and tide, literally, having survived murky floods that have been the city’s perennial problem.Despite being continuously ravaged by salt water, these grand houses remain solid as a fortress.

“Most of the old houses were originally three-story structures, but because of the constant flooding, their ground floors have became useless as these are always submerged in water,” said Richard Bautista, one of the prime movers in the preservation of the city’s historical structures.Bautista, together with Monchet Lucas (whose family’s famed Rufina Patis factory is also one of the city’s attractions), and some owners of the old houses recently sponsored a tour of the city’s “treasures.”

The tour was dubbed as “Lusong Malabon,” an acknowledgement of the city’s predicament during high tide.“We want to create awareness that there’s more to Malabon City now and before,” Lucas said.Lucas, who also manages “Pescadores,” one of the city’s original restaurants located on Letre road (one of Malabon’s most flood-prone areas) emphasized, “There is so much to see if you know where to look.”

He explained that with the tour, they hope to give glimpses of the city as it was during a more illustrious era of huge houses, splendid churches and magnificent streets.By promoting the old houses as a tourist attraction, they are hopeful that the city government could be prompted to act drastically on the flooding problem.“Tourists travel all the way to the northern part of Luzon to see old houses when we have them here in Metro Manila,” Bautista said.

Malabon Mayor Canuto Oreta recently launched a project to declog the city’s waterways. He has also repeatedly called on the Department of Public Works and Highways to expedite the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) flood control project which is being touted as the solution to the flooding problem in the area.

From the outside, the houses, despite their magnificent interiors, look like any old big house in need of a paint job to the untrained eye.The facade of most of the houses, according to Bautista, have been left untouched, with most of them retaining their original features.Minor renovations, however, were carried out in some homes, mostly in the electrical and plumbing systems.If any changes were made in the old houses, these were carried out keeping in mind the house’s original design.

“Most of the style or architectural details were not altered and if renovations, particularly in the kitchen, were done, these were just to make it user-friendly,” Bautista recounted.

Almost all of the houses, he explained are in Barangay Concepcion, a venue chosen by their original owners because of its proximity to their businesses.

Most of the houses share common features: A narra grand staircase which leads to a landing on the second floor. Wooden floors that are either made from yakal, tindalo or narra. A huge dining room with a long table in the center surrounded by tall antique chairs.

In addition, the living rooms are as big as a medium-sized ballroom in a hotel.

Among the houses considered as one of the city’s treasures, owned by the Dionisio family, is located on Gen. Luna Street.The hardwood and stone house was built in the 1920s and underwent renovations in the 1990s but it has retained its original features, according to Pacita Dionisio-Bautista, the wife of former Ambassador to England Cesar Bautista. “We wanted it preserved as a reminder of our family’s roots,” she said.

Located in a place which is now a commercial area, the house’s added attraction is a small statue of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, standing at the entrance.The huge living room, with its shiny narra floor and century-old furniture, can easily be converted into a dance hall.

According to Pacita, few changes were made when the house was renovated. It still looks the way it did when it was built in the 1920s, she pointed out.The Martinez house, which looks out on a busy street, was another stop on the “Lusong Malabon” tour.“This house is well-preserved and it can remain strong and safe for the next 100 years,” said Terry Martinez, whose family is in the fishing business.She said that they tried to preserve all of their home’s original features, including the intricate drawings in the living room.“The original wall with paintings was covered by the previous owner who apparently disliked exquisite prints on the walls,” she said.The house has two grand staircases leading to an elegant living room which is about the size of a ballroom.

Staying in a huge house like theirs took some getting used to, she revealed. “It took a while before I got accustomed to sleeping in such huge surroundings. I even had to leave the television set on at one point, because it seemed so vast and quiet,” Martinez said.An air-conditioning unit and a television set are the only modern additions to the Martinez bedroom which has a huge antique four-poster bed and an old-fashioned porcelain sink in one corner.

The Rojas-Borja house, which is also one of the most well-preserved homes in the city, has also retained its original features, including the pharmacy established by the family, when it was built in 1923.“We have not changed any feature of the facade, including the pharmacy. We even retained its wooden signage,” Dr. Carmela Borja said. For the next generation
She pointed out that owning an old house has both its joys and trials. “It’s expensive to maintain an old house but we are preserving it for the next generation,” she added.

The Raymundo house, considered the oldest in the city, is also famous for a Hapsburg eagle by its gate that indicates the house was built in 1861.What sets it apart from the others are the narra tree trunks that serve as the posts of the over 100-year-old house.There are also old books displayed in antique glass shelves in the house. Among the books is a first edition of Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere.”

According to Richard Bautista, the owners of the old houses have agreed that even though the structures may be subdivided among family members, “nothing should be sold outside the family.”It’s the families’ way of preserving their heritage, he said, adding that their ultimate goal was to keep the city’s treasures safe and intact for future generations to enjoy.


http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=100145

[Hawayano]

^^^^@ Alitaptap: thanks for the article on the overlooked heritage homes of old Malabon. It's important that the townspeople work to protect the remaining structures. Does anyone have related pics to post in here?

[Pinoy_ako]

Old houses from Concepcion, Malabon.


http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/4982/miradorci0.jpg

An American-period house with a mirador.

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/3826/farmaciaxc0.jpg

Farmacia Borja

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/4524/p109jl3.jpg

Interior, San Bartolome Church, Malabon undergoing renovation during 2005.

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/8744/houseux5.jpg

Another early American-period house, in the traditional style. The ground storey was greatly affected by the raising of the street, ruining the proportion of the house.

[Hawayano]

^^@Pinoy ako: thanks so very much! These pics help me to better understand my grandfather's hometown--I have yet to visit Malabon!

[ivanhenares]

^^@Pinoy ako: thanks so very much! These pics help me to better understand my grandfather's hometown--I have yet to visit Malabon!

Check out the Malabon photos of Richard Bautista in his comprehensive album of Malabon heritage http://richardtsb.multiply.com/photos/album/19

My photos of the tour are in http://ivanhenares.multiply.com/photos/album/203

[Pinoy_ako]

^^@Pinoy ako: thanks so very much! These pics help me to better understand my grandfather's hometown--I have yet to visit Malabon!

You're welcome. I used to spend a lot of time in this town, since some relatives live here. When I was young, I used to swim and fish at the palaisdaan during out reunions. I was a great town back then, a little rustic, yet just at the backyard of the metropolis. sayang.

[ivanhenares]

Senate hearings start again on Monday :)

Jeff, please text me so I could send you the details.

[ivanhenares]

Just found out we have new National Cultural Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. Among the new NCTs are:
1. The eastern and western facades, belfry and baptistery of the Daraga Church
2. Bulakena, painting by Juan Luna
3. The Revenge, sculpture by Jose Rizal
4. Feeding the Chickens, painting by Simon Flores

ICPs are:
1. Maribojoc Church, Bohol
2. Cape Engano Lighthouse
3. Kiangan Historical Buildings

[overtureph]

A royal house in a state of neglect

By Yolanda Sotelo-Fuertes
Inquirer
Last updated 01:57am (Mla time) 11/21/2007

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Residents of Pangasinan’s capital town of Lingayen may not know it, but a “royal building” is right in their midst. Called Casa Real (Royal House), the building is, however, neglected and in a state of disrepair.

“I saw a photograph of it in the Philippine Picture Post Cards, a collection of 1900-20 post cards by Jonathan Best, and realized that we have a heritage landmark which we took for granted all this time,” said Arabela Arcinue, president of the Pangasinan Heritage Society Inc. (PHSI).

Arcinue’s research showed that the structure was the Casa Real built by the Spanish government in the 1840s. It served as the provincial seat of government, where the alcalde mayor held office as governor and judge of the defunct Court of First Instance (CFI). It was also his official residence.

Casa Real—one of the early public structures built of brick in the province—is a two-story structure with a floor area of 1,728 square meters. It is located between the town hall and the carcel (provincial jail), another historical landmark.

“The still intact thick brick walls, ornate ceilings, the staircase of piedra china (granite stone) and wooden balustrades that lead to hardwood planks are all mute witnesses to the province’s history from the Spanish regime to the present,” Arcinue said.

The building has survived the elements, earthquakes and bombings during World War II.

Immense

A French ethnographer, who visited Lingayen in 1880, described Casa Real as “immense” and “covered with cogon roof.” In 1891, it had zinc roofing, Arcinue said, showing photocopies of the cover page of the building’s restoration plan (1885-87).

In 1886, Casa Real was renamed Gobierno to conform with political changes when the alcalde mayor was made to retain his judicial function as CFI judge, while the executive function went to the gobernador civil.

The landmark also played a part during the revolution against Spain.

According to the account of Felipe Quintos, a Katipunero from Alaminos town, Spanish soldiers and some Filipino recruits fought the native revolutionaries holed up in Casa Real.

The Katipuneros tried to capture the building from the nearby Baraca Street after crossing the Agno River behind it. Their movement was detected, however, and they were arrested and killed.

The Americans used Casa Real as seat of the province and changed its name to Capitol.

Residents also watched for the first time an exposition mounted by the Americans in the building on Feb. 3, 1910.

“It was a very big occasion that attracted many guests from all over the country. They think it was a carnival because their parents regaled them with stories of seeing wild animals like lions, tigers and elephants for the first time in their lives,” said Arcinue, citing accounts of old-timers.

In 1918, the present capitol was built along the historic Lingayen Gulf during the administration of Gov. Daniel Maramba. The following year, Casa Real was vacated and the provincial seat of power was transferred to the new capitol.

‘Juzgado’

Casa Real was used as a public elementary school for three or four years before it became the Juzgado, which housed two regional trial court branches and other offices of the court.

The courts moved out in 1996, but some local government agencies are still holding offices on the ground floor.

According to Arcinue, 90 percent of the building’s original design is intact but parts of the ornate ceilings are destroyed. Pipes protrude through the floor, some balusters are missing, and the wooden floors of the abandoned rooms are decaying.

“If it were human, it is in the throes of death and needs to be taken to the intensive care unit quickly,” she said.

When she was serving as president of the Soroptimist International of Lingayen, Arcinue asked the National Historical Institute to declare Casa Real a national historical landmark.

In 2002, the NHI issued the proclamation, citing Casa Real as “an outstanding and unique example of civic architecture from the Spanish colonial period, [surviving] the Second World War and [remaining] to this day as a beautiful monument to the artistry, craftsmanship and ingenuity of the builders.”

Plans were initially made to repair Casa Real, but these did not push through because of lack of funds from the provincial government. Then Gov. Victor Agbayani directed the offices occupying the building not to renovate any part of it.

The PHSI, whose advocacy is to preserve Pangasinan’s rich culture and heritage, has brought the issue to the attention of current Gov. Amado Espino Jr.

“We are still waiting for an answer. We are very hopeful because the governor shares our advocacy,” Arcinue said.

She said she would seek the help of Lingayen natives abroad to pool funds for the restoration.

“Or maybe we could ask [help from] the Spanish government, which might be interested in restoring one of the stately buildings that the Spaniards built during their reign in the Philippines,” she said.


Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view_article.php?article_id=102178

[ivanhenares]

Manifesto for Heritage Conservation in Philippine Towns and Cities

The 1987 Constitution (Sections 14, 15, and 16, Article XIV) declares that the State shall foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression. It shaIl conserve, promote and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations. Further, all the country's artistic and historic wealth constitutes the cultural treasure of the nation and shall be under the protection of the State, which may regulate its disposition.

In the pursuit of heritage conservation as a strategy for maintaining Filipino identity, we, the participants of the 2nd Towns and Cities Seminar in Iloilo City assembled shall pursue the following objectives:

a) Protect, preserve, conserve and promote the nation's built heritage resources in our localities;
b) Establish and strengthen national and local cultural institutions;
c) Vigilantly implement national and local laws on the protection of heritage;
d) Integrate heritage conservation of built heritage and cultural sites and landscapes in all the master development plans and zoning ordinances;
e) Implement safeguards to protect local heritage by creating heritage zones and declaring heritage sites at the provincial, city, municipal and barangay levels through local ordinances and resolutions;
f) Increase heritage awareness among the youth by including preservation of heritage and local history and culture in the curriculum;
g) Maintain the appearance of streets, parks, monuments, buildings, natural bodies of water, canals, paths and barangays within heritage zones;
h) Promote the adaptive re-use of built heritage property to generate economic activity that will ensure sustainability;
i) Document and sustain all socio-cultural practices such as traditional celebrations, historical events, and the revival of customs that are unique to our localities; and
j) Expand the concept of heritage to include knowledge and collective memory, situating the study of heritage within a broad time frame connecting the distant past to the present, and a vision of the future.

2nd Seminar on Philippine Towns and Cities
Iloilo City, 9 November 2007

[death327]

^^ now we have to wait and see the visible implementation of this. This is very good credo for the officials of heritage cities.

[Rence]

^^ now we have to wait and see the visible implementation of this. This is very good credo for the officials of heritage cities.

:banana: Amen to that! There are still a whole lot more structure needed to be saved!

[ivanhenares]

Let's ask our provincial, city or municipal governments to adopt this resolution...


Resolution 2007-XXX
A Resolution Adopting Heritage Conservation as a Policy in Province/City/Municipality of XXX

WHEREAS, the 1987 Constitution (Sections 14, 15, and 16, Article XIV) declares that the State shall foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression;

WHEREAS, the State shaIl conserve, promote and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations;

WHEREAS, all the country's artistic and historic wealth constitutes the cultural treasure of the nation and shall be under the protection of the State, which may regulate its disposition;

WHEREAS, the Province/City/Municipality of XXX is rich in history and culture (insert more about the history and heritage of the LGU);

WHEREAS, many historical structures that have served as reminders of this rich history have already been lost or demolished;

WHEREAS, there still exists within the Province/City/Municipality of XXX, a number of heritage structures and sites;

WHEREAS, there is an inherent need to preserve and restore these remaining heritage structures and sites for future generations of Filipinos;

WHEREFORE, in the pursuit of heritage conservation as a strategy for maintaining Filipino identity, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan/Panlungsod/Bayan of XXX hereby resolves that it shall pursue the following objectives:

1) Protect, preserve, conserve and promote the nation’s built heritage resources within the Province/City/Municipality of XXX;
2) Establish and strengthen national and local cultural institutions;
3) Vigilantly implement national and local laws on the protection of heritage;
4) Integrate heritage conservation of built heritage and cultural sites and landscapes in all the master development plans and zoning ordinances;
5) Implement safeguards to protect local heritage by creating heritage zones and declaring heritage sites at the provincial, city, municipal and barangay levels through local ordinances and resolutions;
6) Increase heritage awareness among the youth by including preservation of heritage and local history and culture in the curriculum;
7) Maintain the appearance of streets, parks, monuments, buildings, natural bodies of water, canals, paths and barangays within heritage zones;
8) Promote the adaptive re-use of built heritage property to generate economic activity that will ensure sustainability;
9) Document and sustain all socio-cultural practices such as traditional celebrations, historical events, and the revival of customs that are unique to our localities; and
10) Expand the concept of heritage to include knowledge and collective memory, situating the study of heritage within a broad timeframe connecting the distant past to the present, and a vision of the future.

[Wonderboy]

Luneta Hotel

Got a word from Ms Bambi Harper that Luneta Hotel is being torn down. Will try my best to get more info regarding the issue. Can I ask a favor to those who would like to save this relic of our history to do their share as well? I mean, come on, this isn't just an architectural relic for chrissakes. Let's get our act together and do something.

http://www.blogtext.org/userFiles/LateBloomer/lunetahotel.jpg

[Lili]

^ What deplorable news.

^ So, what can we do @Wonderboy?

[bagel]

Like I said in the other thread... need info for potential action, targets of letter writing, civil disobedience, etc.

1) who owns currently
2) who will tear down
3) what is the future intended purpose

in addition I'd like to add, city hall, conservancy groups, history groups that we need to contact.

[Wonderboy]

^^ Okay, I just got another text message again from Ms Harper and she told me that Luneta Hotel will not be demolished. :)

But we still need to be vigilant. I'll try to post photos of the "remodelling" of Luneta Hotel.

[ivanhenares]

Saklolo! News from Bambi Harper: Someone bought the Luneta Hotel and gutted interior. Now the new owner is asking City Hall for demolition permit saying it is unsound. Please all go to hearing tomorrow, Wed, 9 a.m. at Room 334 of the Manila City Hall. Please pass!

[Wonderboy]

^^ Yup, I'll be there tomorrow. Will inform the others as well.

[Lili]

Saklolo! News from Bambi Harper: Someone bought the Luneta Hotel and gutted interior. Now the new owner is asking City Hall for demolition permit saying it is unsound. Please all go to hearing tomorrow, Wed, 9 a.m. at Room 334 of the Manila City Hall. Please pass!

Can't they fortify the structure, instead? It's not as if that is not possible to do.

People are in no business buying a historical heritage building if they are in no position to preserve it. That should have been the deal by the government when they sold that building.

In the past, I seem to know that GSIS or some government agency used to own that building or it was sequestered before.

[Wonderboy]

I attended the meeting at the Manila City Hall this morning and below is the update on Luneta Hotel courtesy of Architect Galicia:

Hello everyone,

Luneta Hotel will not be demolished.

Representatives of Beaumont Corporation, the new owner of Luneta Hotel, affirmed this at this morning's hearing at Manila City Hall, at the Office of the Building Official, Engineer Melvin Q. Balagot.

Engineer Ong, construction manager and representive of Beaumont Corporation, and Engineer Willy Gallardo, contractor, explained that Beaumont's intent is to restore the Luneta Hotel's facade while rehabilitating the structural system.

They submitted a report on their methodology to Engineer Balagot, who was kind enough to furnish us a copy, since it was now a public document.

From page 4, Section C, Proposed Structural Rehabilitation and Retrofit:
"Although the building is almost in its condemnable state, structural rehabilitation and retrofit is still possible with the advent of modern technology, equipment and high-tech construction tools"
"Basically, structural rehabilitation will involve structural steel frames as a major retrofit material It is as if 'constructing a new structural steel framed-building inside an existing r.c. building' with the following restrictions to follow:
a. The existing exterior building (architectural) facade will be maintained or retained. No major architectural refurbishing shall be done on the exterior frames.
b. Existing structural columns shall also be retained.
c. Location of elevator, stairwell shall also be the same.
d. As much as possible, no alterations on the existing major architectural treatment.
e. No additional floor levels shall be allowed."

End of quote. The rest of the methodology report is available at Manila City Hall or at the headquarters of Heritage Conservation Society in Museo Pambata.

I have not had the chance to read it completely, but it does seem to me that Beaumont's intent is to save this 1918 building. Today's hearing was for the structural rehabilitation and retrofit only. The architectural component - facade restoration and interior space plan - of the project will still be prepared by Beaumont.

It is incumbent upon us to be supportive as well as vigilant. Engineer Balagot himself asked us to help City Hall in its monitoring of the project.

Regards,
Dom

Dominic Galicia Architects
3/F Solid House, 2285 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City, Metro-Manila, Philippines
(632)729-3277; (632)729-3285
Webpage: DominicGaliciaArchitects.blogspot.com

[bagel]

Does that mean I don't have to do civil disobedience for this cause? I just feel like being disobedient today.

Good for the Luneta Hotel. I wonder what Beaumont's real plans for it are.

[Wonderboy]

^^ Hey, Mike. He's planning to turn it into a hotel again.:)

[overtureph]

Any recent pictures of the hotel?

[bagel]

^^ That's certainly good new. The Luneta Hotel would make a wonderful hotel. I can picture it as a boutique hotel

[ivanhenares]

From Ric Favis, UNESCO Bangkok:

Dear HCS Members,Kindly be informed that UNESCO has just published
'Asia Conserved' which showcases best conservation practices achieved by
winning projects in the first five years of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific
Heritage Awards Programme. You may wish to access/download the e-publication
at our website at: http://www.unescobkk.org/index.php?id=6541
(overall description)
http://www.unescobkk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/culture/cultureMain/publications/Asia%20Conserved%20%28For%20Web%29.pdf
(PDF copy) More power to HCS!Ric


--
IVAN ANTHONY S. HENARES
http://www.ivanhenares.com
http://ivanhenares.multiply.com

[Wonderboy]

Any recent pictures of the hotel?

Hey, Bogs. Below are some photos that I took yesterday:

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/3746/luneta1ir5.jpg

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/816/luneta2bk5.jpg

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/7684/luneta3yc9.jpg

[BoNduRanT]

They are repainting the National Museum. Check its Taft side. Theres a part where they painted the new color scheme ( tinetesting yata ). They are using peach and olive green.

[tigidig14]

pero sarado parin ba
accountant ung tito ko dun pero nde ko maxadong kinakausap,
nung pumasok kami, ni-re-retouch yung spolinarium at rini-restore din yung loob

[BoNduRanT]

May mga nakikita akong mga tour bus na nakapark sa tapat a few weeks ago. Itong National Museum na sinasabi ko eh yung dating Senate ha? Di yung nasa Rizal Park.

[tigidig14]

ye the old american senate house

[ivanhenares]

pero sarado parin ba
accountant ung tito ko dun pero nde ko maxadong kinakausap,
nung pumasok kami, ni-re-retouch yung spolinarium at rini-restore din yung loob

Here are current photos of the Spoliarium:
http://www.ivanhenares.com/2007/12/international-heritage-experts-at.html
http://ivanhenares.multiply.com/photos/album/226

[ivanhenares]

Restoration, not demolition, says Luneta Hotel's new owner
By Allison Lopez
Inquirer
Last updated 00:08:00 12/13/2007

MANILA, Philippines – Beaumont Holdings, the new owner of the Luneta Hotel in Manila, yesterday announced that the 89-year-old structure would be restored to its previous glory in three years' time.

"We will make it stronger. We will not touch the facade," Adelina Wong, an engineer of the company, said.

The hotel on T. M. Kalaw Street, one of the few remaining structures that survived World War II, has been undergoing "structural rehabilitation and retrofit" since it was bought by Beaumont last August.

Completed in 1918, the Luneta Hotel was designed by Spanish architect-engineer Salvador Farre, according to a study by Dean John Joseph Fernandez of the University Of Santo Tomas College Of Architecture.

It is being touted as the only structure reminiscent of French Renaissance architecture with Filipino stylized beaux arts in the country, Fernandez said.

The dilapidated building fronting Rizal Park was declared a historical landmark by the National Historical Institute and is protected by Presidential Decree 1505 which makes it unlawful to alter or destroy the original features of an edifice classified by the NHI "without prior written permission from its chair."

Members of the Heritage Conservation Society were initially alarmed over reports that Beaumont had applied for a demolition permit but company representatives and Manila building official Melvin Balagot assured them that the permit issued only allows structural rehabilitation.

Vigilant

"We are vigilant when it comes to that. Mayor (Alfredo) Lim's directive is always to abide by the law. The mayor wants to preserve historic buildings especially if there is a law that protects them," Balagot added.

In May 2006, then Manila Mayor Lito Atienza urged the Department of Public Works and the owners of abandoned private buildings to demolish old and "dangerous" structures, including the Luneta Hotel.

At that time, the hotel was in a state of deterioration due to lack of maintenance, having been uninhabited for a long time. There were also signs of decay, including weakened columns due to old age, falling concrete plaster and a nearly collapsing ground floor frame. The basement was also flooded. The threat to public safety especially during earthquakes, stressed Wong, was the immediate reason for the retrofit using modern technology.

Put simply, retrofit would mean "constructing a new structural steel-framed building inside an existing building" to make it safe and sound.

Architect Dominic Galicia, HCS board member, said he was satisfied with the restrictions for the structural renovation which specified that "the existing exterior building (architectural facade) would be retained, there would be no alterations in the existing major architectural treatment and no additional floor levels shall be allowed."

Whimsical

In a 1998 article, Inquirer columnist and HCS founding member Bambi Harper described the "whimsical gargoyles in the form of lions, crocodiles, griffins and other mythical creatures that serve as decorative supports of (the hotel's) balconies." She also talked about the "delicate filigreed railings (on the balconies) that add a touch of lightness to the solid concrete facade."

The structural renovation would be completed in a year's time, said Wong, after which work on the architectural appendages would begin.

[overtureph]

Thanks Jeff.

[LordCarnal]

An old Photo Engraving Shop building in Art-Deco style

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_travel/dec14/art_deco_building.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_travel/dec14/art_deco_buildin02.jpg



An old commercial building near City Hall

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_travel/dec14/old_building_juanluna04.jpg



A 1920s building adaptively reused as a commercial center

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_travel/dec14/old_building_juanluna.jpg



A 1948 building adaptively reused as a commercial building

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_travel/dec14/old_building_juanluna02.jpg



A 1950 Law Office Building (Urot Building/Urot Law Office)

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_travel/dec14/old_building_juanluna03.jpg



A 100 year old building adaptively reused as a commercial center

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_travel/dec14/prince_warehouse02.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_travel/dec14/prince_warehouse01.jpg



The former City Hall building renovated and reconfigured as the Legislative wing. Renovations are still going on.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_travel/dec14/new_cityhall02.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_travel/dec14/new_cityhall01.jpg



University of San Carlos (main building)

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_travel/dec14/usc_main.jpg

[BoNduRanT]

Two photos of the National Museum's new color scheme.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3/abercromb24/nationalmuseum.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3/abercromb24/nationalmuseum02.jpg

[Wonderboy]

^^ Did you take those photos, Bondurant?

I prefer the white paint job although others think that it looks like white washed tomb in a cemetery. Perhaps a cream white would work. They just have to clean it once in a while since Manila smog, smoke, and dust will make it look dark and dingy.

---

Nice photos, Arnold. That building of Yutivo Sons Hardware, Inc. has a similar building on Dasmariñas Streeti in Binondo.

---

You're very much welcome, Bogs.

[BoNduRanT]

Yup. I did last Wednesday while riding a bus going to Cavite :lol: I wish they could do something with the landscaping too.

[LordCarnal]

^^

Yeah.. I also prefer the white color.. Just look at the White House and the US Capitol.

Anyway, I would have preferred if the Philippine Senate didn't move out of this building.. At least ma preserve yung original use nya..


..

[overtureph]

^^

Yeah.. I also prefer the white color.. Just look at the White House and the US Capitol.

Anyway, I would have preferred if the Philippine Senate didn't move out of this building.. At least ma preserve yung original use nya..


..

The National Museum building (formerly used by the Senate) was actually built for and intended to be used as a museum. It was the senate who was squatting on that building. The senate initially rejected being evicted from the National Museum building (which took years). One would think that the senators would be more heritage and culturally attuned or concious having the museum and the senate in the same building.

It was also the senate being in the same building as to why some artifacts couldn't be properly displayed and a lot was in storage due to lack of space. There was even an article once as to why some artifacts where damaged due to some of the senators staff and security.

[le Reine]

^^Oh. But if you look at Burnham's map, the building was intended for a National Library. The Museum is supposedly built in what is now the City Hall.

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3209/1105/1600/detailburnham3.jpg
from Another Hundred Years Hence blog

[LordCarnal]

^^

And from Nick Joaquin's book, a Capitol would also have been built.. At least meron sana tayong sariling version ng The Mall sa Washington D.C.. Hehehe


..

[hot_banana]

hey i'm just new here so i don't exactly know where i should post this.

i'm doing a research paper and one of my friends suggested that i do one about preserving historic architectural pieces in the philippines...

the difficult thing in my research is that.. i can't really find a definition of PINOY architecture..and i have no idea what should be preserved and what can be destroyed to make room for urbanization's sake...

plus. i really like this thread. although i'm not an archi major.. i find the old builidings really fascinating.. they all have their own stories at some point :)

[Pinoy_ako]

^^

And from Nick Joaquin's book, a Capitol would also have been built.. At least meron sana tayong sariling version ng The Mall sa Washington D.C.. Hehehe


..

Basically, yung lay-out ng The Mall, puwede pa ring makita sa Luneta kaya lang "The Green Mall" ito. Instead of structures, we have trees.


I also like the white color of the buildings. The color of these neo-classic buildings were meant to imitate the color of marble.

The name of the buildings were etched on the facade in Roman letters. But in the case of City Hall, metal letters were drilled on the facade. Sana naka-etch na rin at medyo Graeco-Roman ang pagkakalagay ng date ng construction ng building, hindi yung:

MANILA CITY HALL
ERECTED 1939

[bagel]

So it seems that the City Hall and the National Museum traded colors eh?

[ivanhenares]

Pride of Place
We’re doing well in protecting our heritage

By Augusto Villalon
Inquirer
Last updated 23:43:00 12/16/2007

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines received a hearty thumbs-up from international heritage luminaries for its heritage-conservation efforts.

“The future of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordillera is in good hands,” declared Marc de Caraffe from the International Council for Monuments and Sites (Icomos) of Canada. De Caraffe is also the president of the international organization’s Committee on Vernacular (Traditional) Architecture.

Signifying support for heritage conservation in the country, United States Ambassador Kristie Kenney through the US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation supported the meeting but also personally traveled to Banaue to address the meeting and visit the terraces as well.

Icomos is a Paris-based NGO that regulates professional heritage-conservation activities worldwide and is the official adviser to the Unesco World Heritage Committee on cultural-heritage issues.

For the first time, international heritage luminaries joined members of Icomos Philippines in Banaue last week. The meeting coincided with the 12th anniversary of the inscription of five rice-terraces clusters in Ifugao in the prestigious Unesco World Heritage List as “The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordillera.”

Seven years later, the site was transferred to the World Heritage in Danger List, signifying that conservation measures should be intensified to prevent the site from further decay. This led to Unesco and Philippine experts agreeing on a set of measures to rehabilitate the site.

In danger

Respected international specialists arrived from Italy, Finland, France, Germany, Macedonia, United States, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Japan and Korea to join their Philippine counterparts to meet on “Protecting Endangered Traditional Landscapes,” focusing on the current status of the five terraces clusters in Ifugao inscribed on the World Heritage in Danger List.

The “In Danger” designation simply means conservation measures for a site on the World Heritage List must be stepped up to prevent its rapid deterioration.

The meeting agreed that the five small terraces clusters (Batad, Hungduan, Hapao, Nagacadan and Mayoyao) were endangered because of their physical deterioration but, more important, the resident population, having difficulty bridging preservation of their heritage with 21st-century lifestyle, was leaving the site in alarming number. Case studies showed a similar phenomenon happening in terraced, agricultural heritage sites in Italy, Ukraine, China and Mexico.

Observing the preservation efforts by the Ifugao provincial government and Save the Terraces Movement (Sitmo), foreign delegates praised the success of the conservation and community-development programs, that most of the Unesco-suggested rehabilitation programs were well underway, which led to the consensus of delegates that it would only be a matter of time before the site would be removed from the World Heritage in Danger List and given a clean bill of health.

The consensus was the long-awaited affirmation for us Filipinos. Despite years of negative reports from the media, our heritage-conservation efforts are back on track.

Lost cause

In countries like the Philippines, preserving heritage is really a lost cause unless preservation is made relevant to its host communities by tying it with development and income generation.

Therefore, presented during the meeting were methods that illustrated various ways to sustainably use heritage as a resource for income generation through community tourism programs, craft development, or harnessing natural resources for sustainable development such as mini-hydroelectric plants.

All participants agreed that the physical repair of the terraces was necessary. However, restoring the terraces and its walls must come together with establishment of cultural and economic opportunities that would make terrace life more viable for the 21st century. Among the positive measures suggested by Unesco is the establishment of additional income-generating opportunities such as community-based cultural and eco-tourism programs.

To further illustrate the benefits of tourism for host communities, field visits for the 70-person group to terrace sites were successfully organized by the provincial government and Sitmo in cooperation with the local communities that were profusely thanked by participants for their professionalism.

Conserving heritage has little relevance to most site residents who live from day to day in survival mode. Therefore Icomos aims to make them aware that among the values of heritage is its use (not exploitation) as a sustainable cultural and eco-tourism resource. Therefore, heritage must be preserved as a livelihood opportunity and also to provide community identity.

Successful community-based heritage projects in the Philippines were presented, such as the Cebu Freedom Trail uniting seaside towns in south Cebu province in a trail of conserved heritage and community-led tourism sponsored by Ramón Aboitiz Foundation; Bahandi tourism project by the Bohol community; and Save Ifugao Terraces Movement (Sitmo) community-development programs in Ifugao.

These success stories prove that Filipinos, contrary to popular opinion, have done well in conserving their heritage.

Institutions supporting the Icomos endeavor are the US Ambassadors’ Fund for Cultural Preservation, e8/Tepco (Tokyo Electric Power Company), Fundación Santiago, Ayala Foundation, Ramón Aboitiz Foundation, Department of Tourism, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Museum, Cibo di M, and Holcim Philippines.

Heritage watch

The construction happening in the landmark Luneta Hotel caused a furor among heritage circles, causing representatives of its new owner, Manila City officials, and heritage experts to meet, agree that the structure should be conserved and that all sectors would cooperate for its conservation.

Instead of angrily marching on the streets, people calmly discuss to come to an agreement on how to save the heritage. This meeting, almost seven years after the Jai Alai debacle, shows a new maturity, having evolved with those who handle heritage. Congratulations to all.

Feedback is welcome at pride.place@gmail.com

[TheRick]

Feeling nostalgic?

Click Here: Remembering the Past... Enjoying the Present... (http://www.veoh.com/videos/v1434357r2GJpyjE)
.
.
.
.
.

[Rence]

Nice article! Mabuti naman na i-preserve ang lugar!

[BoNduRanT]

I was able to pass by the National Museum today. I think they are sticking to an all white color scheme(di siya mukhang primer).

[Wonderboy]

^^ I'm all for white, cream white, off white so long as they clean the facade once in a while. Manila City Hall with it's all white paint job looks grimy already except at night when it's all lit up for the Christmas season.

[overtureph]

Some canons in Zamboanga City (the canons in my opinion looks well preserved)


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7467.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7466.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7468.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7546.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7544.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7542.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7538.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7536.jpg



http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7535.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7541.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7540.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7539.jpg

If I remember it correctly, the 3 last photographs are from the same canon. Although I am not an expert, this canon doesn't seem to be Spanish. Is it possibly Dutch? Anyone who can clarify this one.


Photos by overtureph.

[ivanhenares]

Just wanted to share this info. We say Manila was the second most devastated city after Warsaw (below).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Destroyed_Warsaw%2C_capital_of_Poland%2C_January_1945.jpg/728px-Destroyed_Warsaw%2C_capital_of_Poland%2C_January_1945.jpg

But in Warsaw, "many of the historic streets, buildings, and churches were restored to their original form. In 1980, Warsaw's historic Old Town was inscribed onto UNESCO's World Heritage list."

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Qt24_rotate.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/4_Warszawa_23.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/2007-06-27_Pa%C5%82ac_Branickich_w_Warszawie.jpg/800px-2007-06-27_Pa%C5%82ac_Branickich_w_Warszawie.jpg

We were given money to rebuild all the historic buildings of Manila (yes, all the old churches and historic buildings in Intramuros included). But then, just as it is today, our politicians pocketed the money giving the excuse that we would rather build new buildings elsewhere.

[overtureph]

^^Can't blame all the politicians. Part of the problem was also the clergy. They seem to be doing it up to the present.

[ivanhenares]

^^ In this case, the politicians held the cash from the war damages reconstruction fund. The clergy destroying our wonderful churches is another story.

[Mercato]

Some canons in Zamboanga City (the canons in my opinion looks well preserved)


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7467.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7466.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7468.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7546.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7544.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7542.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7538.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7536.jpg



http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7535.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7541.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7540.jpg


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/Zamboanga/canon/edit7539.jpg

If I remember it correctly, the 3 last photographs are from the same canon. Although I am not an expert, this canon doesn't seem to be Spanish. Is it possibly Dutch? Anyone who can clarify this one.


Photos by overtureph.


Hello,

The hotel reminds me of the Lantaka Hotel. Were the first three cannon pics taken from that site and is the hotel still standing? I remember the staff regaling me with stories about a "haunted room" on the 2nd floor owing to the hotel being a former colonial military hospital or something.

It has a beautiful beachfront view and I remember the isle of Sta. Cruz just across it. :)

[overtureph]

^^The first canon which shows Sevilla was taken at Lantaka hotel and yes the hotel is still standing. The last 2 canons where taken at the plaza the one facing city hall.

[Mercato]

^^I had seen both cannons before, the Lantaka and the City Hall cannons, both remarkably well preserved. Offhand, the best bet would be that both are of Spanish origin if both had Sevilla and other spanish engravings; otherwise we would have seen either one engraved in colonial dutch or flemish.

[overtureph]

Pila a historical landmark that withstood war, time

By Niña Catherine Calleja
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 04:31am (Mla time) 12/27/2007

PILA, Laguna, Philippines—It was just a stone placed at the heart of the town plaza with the words “a town declared a historical landmark” engraved on it.

But the historical marker has become a source of pride for the people here.

Thirty-six structures, including the 200-year-old St. Anthony of Padua Church, a school and a municipal hall, were declared preserved and protected by the National Historical Institute (NHI) on May 17, 2000.

On Dec. 4, former President Fidel Ramos and NHI Executive Director Ludovico Badoy unveiled the marker.

Houses also homes
According to anecdotes, Pila was spared during the World War II because American bombers failed to spot it as they were preparing for a bombing run to flush out Japanese soldiers. Towns near Pila, like Pagsanjan and Sta. Cruz, were reduced to rubble during the bombing run.

Badoy referred to the town as a “jewel of the country” because it is very rare to find a town whose Spanish architectural design was kept intact.

“It would be easy for the younger generation to picture how the houses during the Spanish period look like,” he said.

He said houses here are different because people still call them homes.

Pila is the fourth and the latest town declared as a national historical landmark.

The other towns are Vigan in Ilocos Sur, Silay City in Negros Occidental, and Taal in Batangas.

Mayor Wilfredo Quiat said the formal declaration would help attract tourists.

He said since 2001, students have been visiting Pila because it was a requirement in school.

Appointed as the caretaker of the town’s heritage and historical landmarks, the Pila Historical Society Foundation Inc., composed mostly of the Relova and Rivera clans, was formed in December 1993.

Don Felizardo Rivera, who donated his lands to the church and municipal government, is the recognized founder of Pila.

He is the ancestor of prominent families in Pila surnamed Rivera, Relova, Agra and Alava.

Good start

Cora Relova, 61, vice president of the foundation, said the group started as a beautification committee but realized that the town is rich in history with artifacts that should be preserved.

She said forming the historical society was initially met with skepticism and resistance from the town council even though the mayor was their relative.

But the historical society understood where the town council was coming from, Relova said.

“Our perspectives were different. The town council was thinking of meeting the town’s immediate needs while (we were) looking forward,” she said.

She said they were both right but the foundation believed it is possible to achieve the vision for the town and that this could be accomplished “inch by inch.”

Monina Rivera, the foundation’s president, said they opposed a yearly fair that fell right smack in the middle of the town’s landmarks.

“During and after the town fiesta, there was garbage left behind in the place,” she said.

The historical council lobbied for years against the fair until the town council relocated it.

“You know, it was difficult because many people enjoyed the fair,” added Rivera, 68.

Relova said protecting the town’s heritage was not an easy task. “Filipinos are not really into heritage and culture unlike the Europeans,” she said.

‘Ties that bind’

For Relova and Rivera who are cousins, Pila is the home that they come to every summer vacation, Flores de Mayo, All Soul’s Day, and Christmas.

“The town and the memories here bind our families,” Rivera said, adding that family reunions are common.

“A house could no longer accommodate us. Usually, we hold it in big places because we sometimes add up to 400 (people),” she said.

Relova said they are advocating for Pila’s preservation because of the good memories they had of the place when they were still young.

“We want the image of Pila to be the same as before. We want the children now to experience what we had,” she said.

First Tagalog dictionary
She said she is very happy seeing children sitting in the grass in the plaza and reading books.

“This is not just a landmark but a place that people could use,” she said.

Aside from the ancestral houses and artifacts found in the Pila museum, another considered treasure of the town is the first Tagalog-Spanish dictionary titled “Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala.”

It was published by renowned printer Tomas Pinpin and Domingo Laog in the second printing press in the Philippines which was built by the Franciscans in Pila, Laguna in 1611.

Relova said they could no longer locate the site of the printing press.

The dictionary, which was 25 years older than the first book published in the United States, was compiled to facilitate the evangelization of the Tagalog region.

According to Relova, it was proof of how rich the language and culture of the Tagalogs were.

For example, cortar, a Spanish word that means “to cut” has the equivalent of 47 Tagalog words for every act of cutting.

In the dictionary, Pila was also depicted as a noble town. “Perhaps, because of the nobility of the people’s tradition here,” she said.

The town council is now drafting a resolution to ensure that municipal government officials help the NHI and the Pila Historical Society Foundation protect and preserve the heritage site.


Copyright 2007 Southern Luzon Bureau. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=108952

[ivanhenares]

^^ They only unveiled the marker now after six years? I think the NHI should speed up declaring and preserving our remaining heritage towns. Isn't it a pity that they've just declared four? There's San Miguel de Mayumu, Bulacan; Sariaya, Quezon; San Juan, Batangas; Carcar, Cebu; Boac, Marinduque; Kiangan, Ifugao; Sta. Cruz, Zambales; etc.

[ivanhenares]

Catholic Church preserves Art Deco mansion in Pampanga

By Tonette Orejas
Central Luzon Desk
First Posted 08:05pm (Mla time) 01/01/2008

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines -- An art deco-style mansion, designed by [Architect Fernando H.] Ocampo for a relative here and bought by the Archdiocese of Manila as the official residence of Pampanga bishops, is being renovated in time for the 60th year of the Archdiocese of San Fernando.

The Arsobispado de Pampanga, formerly the Dison house on A. Consunji Street in the village of San Jose here, is now 85 percent restored. Hopefully restoration work would be completed in time the 60th anniversary of the Archdiocese of San Fernando as a diocese in 2008, according to Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, who supervised the heritage conservation project.

The house was built in 1935 for the couple Luis Dison and Felisa Hizon, Ocampo’s aunt on the side of his mother Leoncia who married Basilio Ocampo, gobernadorcillo (colonial governor) of San Fernando.

Monsignor Prudencio David, the vicar general of the Archdiocese of Manila, mediated for its purchase in 1948, which was approved by Archbishop Michael Doherty and Auxiliary Bishop Rufino Santos, a Kapampangan who later became the first Filipino cardinal.
Bishop Pablo David called the Pampanga diocese a “daughter” of the Manila archdiocese.

The cost of the two-story structure and the one-hectare lot on which it sits is not known to older priests. Some surmise it went for P300,000.

Ocampo first worked on the Dison house and later became involved in the restoration of the war-damaged Manila Cathedral.

David said Santos not only hired a Kapampangan architect to design the house, he also employed builders and craftsmen from the province.

Thanks to a Japanese gardener that the Dison couple hired to create a genuine Japanese garden, the Dison house survived the ravages of World War II.

Treated fairly by the couple, the gardener, who turned out to be a military officer, reciprocated by protecting the mansion.

After the war, the Dison family relocated to Manila and decided to sell the house to the Archdiocese of Manila. It was not known if the decision to move out of Pampanga was because of the peasant rebellion.

The mansion’s first tenant was Cesar Ma. Guerrero, the first bishop of the diocese of San Fernando. His term was from 1949 to 1957.

The house was witness to Guerrero’s devotion to the Virgin de los Remedios under whose auspices he began the crusade for peace when the province was rocked by agrarian unrest. The Virgin Mary’s canonical image has been enshrined in a chapel beside the house. The devotional practice continues to this day.

So when David agreed to restore the Dison house, he had in a way, come full circle. It was David’s maternal grandfather, Victoriano Siongco, owner of the Catholic Trade Center, who carved Mary’s image in the chapel.

Guerrero’s successor, Bishop Emilio Cinense, lived in the mansion during his term from 1957 to 1975 and three years after when he, as archbishop, saw the transition of the San Fernando diocese into an archdiocese on March 11, 1975.

For a decade starting 1978, Archbishop Oscar Cruz stayed in the room that Cinense built at the Mater Boni seminary, about two kilometers from the Arsobispado.

The present resident, Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, has also stayed here since 1989.

The archdiocese found use for the mansion as the office of the econome (finance officer) and mandated organizations like Adoracion Nocturna, Mayap A Balita publications and the Association of Parochial Schools.

During the Marcos regime and until now, the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines held office here, launching many civil liberty campaigns and fact-finding missions for desaparecidos (the disappeared).

The Social Action Center of Pampanga had its roots here in 1988, providing a venue to development workers, who in 1991, faced a big challenge in disaster management following Mt. Pinatubo’s eruptions.

The mansion, having witnessed so many significant events, was worn out by decades of use. A restoration was in order.
Bishop David said Aniceto, 70, gave him a free hand in the undertaking, working on a P1-million budget.

Before the restoration began in July 2006, Bishop David said the roof was leaking, the gutters were broken and the wooden floors creaked or sagged.

Through years of use, the mansion’s architecture had been altered. Glass panels covered the entire verandas on the first and second floors, shutting out elements harmful to the structure.

Additional panels hid the high ceilings and folding walls. A service staircase from the dining area to the second floor was removed. Some of the callado, originally in harp design, were missing. The French windows were permanently closed. Air-conditioned units were put in the wrong places.

Without formal training, David established the mansion’s original features “by taking a closer look at the house.”

He also relied on his personal familiarity with old houses and tapped a network of workers in the wood-carving village of Betis, his birthplace.

Work, as of the third week of December, was 85 percent completed, Bishop David said, adding that at this rate, the house has once again become a “fitting residence of the archbishop.”

On the first floor, two rooms have been converted into the offices of Bishop David and Bishop Roberto Mallari. The main hall serves as a conference room. The smaller room next to it is an office, complete with computers. The dining area and kitchen are clean and tidy.

The main staircase to the second floor is elegant, leading to a room that has been converted into a chapel. Here, there is an image of the Virgen de los Remedios on a refurbished altar.

The 14 Stations of the Cross, made by wood artisans, fit well in the 14 panels like they belonged there.

Bishop David has reserved the next room for the archbishop. Another room serves as a property office. The bigger hall is now a library with some heirloom pieces donated by Good Shepherd nun Tess Feliciano of Magalang town.

From the warehouse, they found two posters of national eucharistic congresses in 1929 and 1937 that have been framed. There is a concrete bust of Pope Paul VI and portraits of Pope Pius XII, John XXIII, John Paul II and Pope Benedict.

A mesa altar that Bishop David found in the warehouse of the Dominican Sisters in Apalit town has been refurbished, and now graces a corner in the hallway.

The tiles—Malaga upstairs and bronze-lined on the first floor— have been polished for a bright shine. A few pieces of wooden furniture, capia among them, were put to good use by replacing the worn-out parts with recycled pieces.

The efforts seemed to have appeased the unseen occupants.

“The ghosts are quiet now. On the first night I slept here, I slept soundly. The spirits must be happy now,” Bishop David said.

The heritage conservation work faces a threat, though. The Department of Public Works and Highways plans to raise the road by one meter, which would put it on the same level as the base of the house.

[overtureph]

House on Vito Cruz: Family’s heritage to nation began here

By Laling H. Lim
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:02am (Mla time) 01/06/2008

(Editor’s note: The author is the daughter of Gen. Vicente P. Lim and Pilar Hidalgo Lim.)

MANILA, Philippines -- Vito Cruz will always be Vito Cruz to us although the street is now called Pablo Ocampo.

The name of the street has changed but hopefully, the house built by our parents, Gen. Vicente P. Lim and Pilar Hidalgo Lim, will remain.

The house on Vito Cruz became a home when Vicente, who was then an army major, Pilar and their four sons transferred there in 1931 from the maternal home of Pilar on Magdalena Street in Trozo, Manila.

My father was able to build the house on his salary since the lot cost only 50 centavos a square meter. The grand sum of P600 was paid.

Our parents asked Juan Nakpil, who later became a National Artist, to build their home. Nakpil had just returned from Paris, France. He was influenced by the fashion of the day, which was art deco. He did not just copy art deco but incorporated the concept into his own designs using Filipino craftsmanship.

High ceilings, big windows, ventanillas (small windows) and cross ventilation were incorporated into Nakpil’s design which made the house cool even during Manila’s torrid summer months.

There was a gentleman’s agreement among homeowners in the new subdivision that houses would be built 5 meters from the fence (on either side).

This saved our house during World War II. The retreating Japanese soldiers set fire to every other house on the street. They hoped the fire would “jump,” and like dominos, all the other houses would burn. The 10 meters—5 meters from either of the fence—saved our home. We were all in the States, except for my father.

During the war, the Japanese Navy garrisoned our house for their use. Toward the end of the war, the Japanese moved out and took with them all our furniture and household items.

Thus, we all came home to an empty house. Empty because the Japanese had beheaded my father and took away all our worldly goods.

Before World War II, the house was filled with activity. Vicente had meetings to build an army for the Philippines. Pilar was involved as president of the National Federation of Women’s Clubs. At the time, women’s suffrage was the burning issue. She was also involved with the Red Cross, the Philippine Girl Scouts and other organizations. She even produced Filipino movies.

The boys, who were studying at La Salle, would come home to eat lunch. Often, they would invite their classmates to play basketball or just to get together.

The two girls were the last to be born so they were left home just playing, waiting to grow up like the boys. We were studying at Maryknoll and learned our table manners from lola (grandmother).

In May 1941, father sent mother, my siblings Patricio and Butchie to accompany me to the States so I could undergo corrective surgery for polio. The three older brothers were already studying in the States. Luis was at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Roberto was at the US Naval Academy and Vicente Jr. was entering West Point in New York.

My father was supposed to join the family in December that year, but World War II broke out on Dec. 8, 1941.

My mother, my siblings and I did not return to the Philippines until November 1947. Manila was devastated. The house, by some miracle of 10 meters, was still intact.

My mother, a single parent, worked at Centro Escolar University (CEU) and later became its president. She died in 1973.

My brother Patricio became a priest. I taught at several universities before joining the corporate world working for Mondragon.

My sister Butchie married Conrado Ayuyao; they have four boys and one girl. She later became executive vice president of CEU.

The rest of my brothers got married and held responsible jobs. Luis married Fanny Aldaba and worked for San Miguel Corp. Roberto married Gloria Mapua and was with Philippine Airlines. Vicente Jr. married Nita Fernandez and worked for Del Monte.

Through the years, my mother became more involved in nation-building. She also started many traditions such as the Christmas family get-together, the Hidalgo clan reunion, and giving the first insignia to all graduating cadets at the Philippine Military Academy.

Patricio and I belonged to the Hearts and Arrows Club and many parties were held in our Vito Cruz house.

Much later, we would hold meetings to plan and strategize ways and means to replace the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Vito Cruz was the venue in the planning and making of the film of the funeral of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

Our house has seen so many historical events, including birthdays, weddings, loved ones falling ill and deaths.
The house which started with our parents and six children now has a clan of 100.

Patricio and I stay in Vito Cruz together with Dennis Ayuyao (son of Butchie and Conrad) and his family.

Although my other siblings have their own houses, they still consider Vito Cruz as their home.

Our heritage is our gift to the nation.


Copyright 2008 Philippine Daily Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=110645

[overtureph]

LOOKING BACK
A-list of dinner guests

By Ambeth Ocampo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 11:37pm (Mla time) 01/03/2008

Often at slow dinners someone tries to break the ice by asking others what books, discs, or personal belongings they would take if stranded on a deserted island. Another version of this ice-breaker is to ask people around the table who are the people in history they would want to converse with if they had a time machine.

People expect me to put Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Emilio Aguinaldo and the brothers Antonio and Juan Luna at the top of my list because I seem to write about them all the time. If I were to go through all of world history, there would be too many guests to fit comfortably at a dinner table, so let’s stick to Philippine history. My list would include the “usual suspects” above, but they would be secondary guests because I have done so much research on them I probably know more about their lives than they do.

My “A-list” includes a cast of obscure characters like Mateo de los Angeles, the Filipino gamekeeper who was sent to Spain in the 18th century with an albino deer that was given to the king as a gift. Thanks to Dr. Luciano Santiago, who shared his research material with me, I have since written a short piece about this man who lived on the royal game preserve, returned to the Philippines, and fought on the Spanish side during the British Occupation. What makes him significant is that he wrote the king to ask for a reward. He did not want gold or jewels, he simply wanted to be declared “white.”

I would also like to meet Limahong and find out what he saw in the Philippines that made it so desirable that he tried to wrest it from Spain.

Then there is the unknown potter (probably a woman) who made the now famous Calatagan Pot in the National Museum. This simple, almost crude, pot has writing on the neck in a pre-colonial syllabary that has confounded pre-historians for almost half a century. What is the mystery behind the writing? Is it, as Guillermo Tolentino claimed, an ancient Philippine curse? Does it really say, “Kung mabasag mo ako mamalasin ka” [“Cursed will ye be if ye break me”]. Can the curse be more creative than my favorite Egyptian curse from Cristina Cuyugan, which goes, “May all your teeth fall off but one, and may that one ache for all eternity!”

Then there is Jose E. Marco who created the most elaborate hoaxes of the 20th-century Philippines. In a career that spanned over half a century, Marco passed off fake historical documents to librarians, scholars and collectors. Starting with an ingenious document on tree bark written with cuttlefish ink, he created a whole pre-colonial world when scholars were just piecing together the jigsaw puzzle that is our history. Marco not only covered pre-Spanish Philippines, leaving us with the now (in)famous Code of Kalantiao, he is also credited with creating a whole corpus of work by Fr. Jose Burgos, the most famous of which is “La Loba Negra,” which has inspired a play by Virginia Moreno, entitled “Itim Asu,” and an opera by Francisco Feliciano. My Chinese-Filipino students know that when you break up the name Kalantiao into Ka-Lantiaw with “ka” being an honorific, you are actually honoring a significant part of the male anatomy. Nobody seemed to have gotten the joke for the longest time, blinded by their reverence for this pre-colonial law and lawmaker who allegedly lived in Batan, Aklan, in 1433.

Then there is Pascual Racuyal, who is unknown to this generation. Racuyal was famous every time we had elections because he had the unique distinction of having run, and lost, in all presidential elections from the time of Manuel Quezon to that of Ferdinand Marcos. If I am not mistaken he was still alive and kicking during the 1986 snap elections, when he was finally declared a nuisance candidate. If he were alive and running in 2010, I guess Filipinos would be willing to give this contemporary Don Quixote a chance to make our lives better. In 1952 he asked Ramon Magsaysay, Arsenio Lacson, Lorenzo Tañada and Trinidad Legarda to be his running mate. All of them refused. Whether they were right or wrong, we will never know. But for the record, Racuyal’s 10-point agenda as listed in the Manila Times were as follows:

“1. Application of naturo-therapy to solve the Huk problem. 2. Introduction of Racuyal’s standard calendar of 30 days a month, 13 months a year, which if found imperfect could be corrected by an international conference of astronomers. 3. Adoption of Jehovah for the 13th day of each month. No name for the 13th month supplied. 4. Construction of a system of plastic roads throughout Mindanao. 5. Abolition of floods in Central Luzon through a top secret system of dikes. 6. Institution of a new monetary system with fire-proof, water-proof and counterfeit-proof plastic currency. 7. Establishment of the seat of the UN Assembly in Baguio City. 8 Use of an algebraic-geometric detection code for rooting out graft and corruption in government. 9. Resort to surprise blitzkrieg helicopter raids all over the Philippines led by himself to combat racketeers, gangsters, etc. 10. To solve the current Mayor-City Council disputes, he suggested abolition of the Municipal Council.”

They say there is a hairline that separates genius from madness. Looking at the above agenda, maybe we should have given him a chance?

Racuyal is my Guy. He is foil to boring dinner conversation.

* * *

Comments are welcome at aocampo@ateneo.edu.


http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_id=110249

[SleMarKen]

repost from cebu thread

Another heritage site the City Goverment of Carcar is demolishing?
located in front of the city hall.

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/ssc/CarcarFountain01.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/ssc/CarcarFountain02.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/ssc/CarcarFountain03.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/ssc/CarcarFountain04.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/ssc/CarcarFountain05.jpg

[le Reine]

^^gosh, and why would they demolish that?

[Wonderboy]

^^ Cebu folks/residents should do something. Huwag ninyo tularan ang mga Manileñong tulad namin na walang pakialam.

-----

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view_article.php?article_id=110766

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/844/sansebastian1mh0.jpg

Restoring the most beautiful street in Manila
By Tina Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: January 07, 2008

MANILA, Philippines -- Jeepney terminals, vendors of various stripes and nondescript shops have taken over most of R. Hidalgo Street in Quiapo, once a fashionable address for graceful mansions of prominent Manila families.
Several old houses, now covered with grime and rust but retaining traces of their former grandeur and beauty, have been converted into commercial establishments or dormitories for the many students of schools and universities nearby. New buildings have come up. A slum colony has also mushroomed, housing illegal settlers in the area.

Old-time residents of the street, named after 19th century Filipino painter Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, admitted that it wasn’t the street of their youth. With the newcomers in the neighborhood and transient dwellers in the numerous boarding houses that have sprouted with the burgeoning student population, things haven’t been quite the same.

For one, they have stopped taking leisurely strolls, a favorite pastime, and don’t feel safe walking in the neighborhood especially at night.

Concern for the continued decline in the neighborhood prompted a group of educators and other stakeholders, including old-timers and city government officials, to conceptualize a plan that would help restore its reputation. In the 19th century, R. Hidalgo was regarded as the most beautiful street in the city.

Social commitment

The restoration program, according to Msgr. Gerry Santos, director of the Nazarene Catholic School, is part of the school’s social commitment.

“It is important to become socially aware and be concerned about our environment,” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer during a recent meeting with different sectors involved in the project.

He added, “It’s a historical street, and if only for that, it merits the attention of educators as well as other stakeholders. So I decided to gather not only the residents but also the parents of children enrolled in our school, teachers and the Muslim community in Quiapo to ask what they could contribute to the project. The program has become multisectoral in terms of focus.”

Among the problems that the group intends to address are traffic, vagrancy, sidewalk vendors and peace and order.

Police officials have told the group that they would put up signs to strictly implement the “no parking” rule and to study the rerouting of vehicles that pass through.

To date, some establishments have been conducting feeding programs to address the community’s problem on vagrancy. But Santos has suggested that vagrants be provided with livelihood and skills training to uplift their plight, instead of just feeding them.
Santos also said that they are now trying to coordinate with vendors, particularly those selling pornographic and pirated DVDs and VCDs that have all but blotted out legitimate business in the area.

“To combat piracy, the parents are planning to sit down with Optical Media Board Chair Edu Manzano to discuss solutions to the perennial problem. At the same time, we’re thinking of what alternative work we can offer the vendors,” Santos said, adding that police officials have vowed to regulate vendors and rid the street of obstructions.

“Maybe we can just designate a space for them. We cannot displace the vendors. They need to survive, we understand that. But let’s just give them a better place where they can do business,” added Dr. Fernando Nakpil Zialcita, author and anthropology professor who has conducted an in-depth study of Manila’s historical streets.

The group also plans to supplement the financial assistance given to the barangay tanod (village watchmen) who help the police in ensuring peace and order in the community.

“The additional incentives are aimed at strengthening the tanod’s commitment. It’s not all about money but to let them know that the group recognizes the importance of their work,” Santos said.

But more than the financial aid, the barangay watchmen will likewise be trained in values formation.

Electrical wires and cables in the area would be placed underground as part of the group’s beautification drive. “The hanging wires are not only dangerous but make the place look ugly,” said Zialcita.

As part of the restoration efforts, the group also plans to rewire and replace street lights, repaint pedestrian markings, declog esteros (waterways) and replace covers of open manholes.

They are also working on the possibility of repainting or sprucing up the facade of old houses.

“We are discussing this option with the homeowners,” Zialcita said, adding that they would make an inventory of structures on the street that need attention, in cooperation with the National Historical Institute.

Not about nostalgia

“This is not about nostalgia,” he quickly added. “We will keep only those that are historically and architecturally significant.”

R. Hidalgo is considered a unique street since it connects two churches -- San Sebastian and Quiapo, Zialcita noted.

Apart from the few remaining old houses, the street is also home and is close to several educational institutions and religious congregations, including the NCS, Manuel L. Quezon University, St. Rita’s College, San Sebastian College, the Shrine of the Holy Face of Jesus and Hospitaller Order of the Brothers of St. John of God.

Called Calzada de San Sebastian during the Spanish era, R.Hidalgo Street today is a far cry from what it was decades ago, said Zialcita.

The street, he recalled, used to be a favored location for upper to middle class families because of its proximity to Malacañang, schools and churches, and recreational facilities on Rizal Avenue.

“Many prominent families lived on the street in fabulous mansions, a few which are still around. The Aranetas, Zaragosas, Ocampos, Genatos, Paternos built their homes there because the street has a strategic location,” Zialcita said. “In fact, in 1817, the street was called the most beautiful street in Manila because of its grand homes,” he said, adding that the street was “okay” until 1960 when it started to decline.

Zialcita, who usually takes tourists around for a glimpse of Old Manila, also revealed that European architects were amazed at the vista. “But because it is congested with vehicular and human traffic now, one cannot appreciate its former beauty,” he lamented.

However, Zialcita stressed that the problem of R. Hidalgo has also been a problem of the City of Manila, and perhaps all cities in the country. “There was no plan for the buildings which were gradually neglected by the owners. Eventually, the owners left the place and fled to the suburbs,” he said.

But despite these unhappy changes taking place, Zialcita said it was nice to know that there are people who still feel affection and a pride of place for the street, and hope that restoring it to its old glory would not just be a pipe dream.

©Copyright 2001-2008 INQUIRER.net, An Inquirer Company

[BoNduRanT]

I passed by the National Museum again today. They are not keeping the white color scheme afterall. They are doing the tan and olive green color scheme. Siguro mga 60% na napepaint.

[le Reine]

^^what? I don't think it would look good that way. Please post a pic. I might be wrong.

[chocolato1000]

Why Filipinos leave

This is in reaction to Conrado de Quiros’ column “Tails and dogs.” (Inquirer, 1/7/08) De Quiros should, perhaps, get in the pulpit and preach about “being able to show off English [that] just prepares students to become nurses and forklift operators abroad.” He would do well to write in Filipino or any dialect of his choice.

Local broadsheets in foreign countries are in the local languages primarily due to the homogeneity of language. That is not certainly the case in the Philippines. Regionalism is still deeply embedded in the psyche of the inhabitants of the Philippine islands.

Supposedly, any “self-respecting” Cebuano or Ilonggo shudders at the thought of speaking “Filipino.” Within such a context, the speaker of the local dialect looks at “Filipino” as the language of a colonizer and an occupation force which seeks to obliterate and annihilate the local culture. And it doesn’t help when native Tagalog speakers pounce on the accents of the “promdi/probinsyano” Southerners, as if being born and raised in the Northern islands is a sign of pedigree and gentility.

Factor in the Department of Education’s central role in the distribution of educational resources with the attendant grease money flowing in from the top to the bottom of the food chain -- please feel free to get enraged, gnash your teeth and weep.

Corruption, whether in English, Filipino, or any local dialect, is still corruption. And that is the gist of the matter. Call the Filipinos who have become nurses, caregivers, forklift operators what you will -- “pahid puwet,” sellout, unpatriotic -- but it will not stop them from leaving the Philippines. For one reason, we are sick and tired of all the crap that is being force-fed down our throats.

It doesn’t matter whether the politician is from the opposition or the administration -- they are all corrupt, no exceptions. And to add insult to injury, we campaign hard among our friends and relatives, and tell them not to vote for corrupt politicians, and we get the same answer: It doesn’t matter whether the politician is from the opposition or the administration -- they are all corrupt, no exceptions. Yes, we will continue to struggle against such iniquities -- but it will be on our terms because we too have lives to live and children whose future we have to take care of.

Where does that leave those who do not want to be party to such depravity? Absolutely anywhere but the Philippines. We will leave and migrate while we are still in our productive years. We will not allow the corrupt politicians, the oligarchs and incompetent government to benefit from our sweat and effort -- we have had enough.

To the very large number of the electorate who keep on voting for the corrupt, you get the government you deserve. Serves you right.

[_zner_]

^^what? I don't think it would look good that way. Please post a pic. I might be wrong.

actually it looks quite good. medyo post-modern-ish especially if they would replace the old windows.. :D

[chocolato1000]

English to be the world's 'language of choice'--British PM

LONDON -- British premier Gordon Brown Thursday pledged to make English the world's "language of choice," announcing a huge program to boost teaching and access to resources, particularly in China and India.

Brown, who heads to China later Thursday on his maiden visit as leader, said the British Council cultural organization will offer English students and teachers greater access to materials, resources and qualifications via the web.

Teachers and learners will be able to communicate with their counterparts around the world, while students will get one-to-one tuition via voice over Internet protocol (VOIP).

Writing on the Downing Street website, he said the aim was to encourage one million "hits" per month, with a particular focus on China, where the government there has said children should be taught English from the age of six.

Currently, about two billion people are learning or teaching English worldwide, while some 350 million speak English in India and 300 million in China, the prime minister said.

But he added: "I believe that, with the right help, we will have a situation by 2025 where the number of English speakers in China exceeds the number of speakers of English as a first language in all of the rest of the world."

Brown also said the existing framework of qualifications for English teachers abroad will be expanded, short-distance learning courses developed and co-operation enhanced with broadcasting organizations like the BBC.

In India, which he visits Sunday and Monday, Brown said he will announce a British Council-run program to recruit "master trainers" to train 750,000 English teachers in India over the next five years.

Private sector companies in the telecoms, Internet and broadcast sectors will also be encouraged to enhance access to English learning, teaching and practice materials, he added.

Brown said that English had developed into more than a language, becoming a "bridge across borders and cultures, a source of unity in a rapidly changing world."

"English is our heritage but it is also becoming the common future of human commerce and communication," he said.

"This is a great opportunity for Britain -- and a measure of the greatness that lies not in empire or territory but through a language that has the power to bring this world of over 200 countries and billions of people closer together, with the versatility to evolve and adapt.

"We will take up with vigor the bold task of making our language the world's common language of choice, the language that helps the world talk, laugh and communicate together."

[Nabartek]

English is the new Latin. LOL

[LordCarnal]

Main altar retablo, side altar retablo, and tabernacle


According to a friend, these were removed when the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral was renovated some time ago and are now safely kept in the Society of the Angel of Peace in Cansojong, Talisay City, Metro Cebu.




The then main altar retablo;

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_cathedral03.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_cathedral02.jpg




Seal;

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_cathedral01.jpg




An angel holding the Holy Eucharist similar to the one in the facade of the cathedral;

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_cathedral04.jpg




The then side altar retablo; this is the only one left intact, the other one is severely damaged but is still being kept in the bodega;

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_cathedral07.jpg




The tabernacle;

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_cathedral06.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/cebu_cathedral05.jpg




.:.

[chocolato1000]

Senate bill to protect historical sites, ban new projects

MANILA, Philippines -- Alarmed by the destruction of "national historical places" in favor of new property development projects, Senator Loren Legarda has filed a bill seeking to ban the building of new structures in such sites.

Senate Bill 1093, authored by Legarda, seeks to protect historical sites by prohibiting new construction projects in said places, unless the prospective developer is able to obtain prior clearance from the National Historical Institute (NHI).

"We must guard our historical places if we are to preserve the patriotic and nationalistic ideals of the past, for future generations to cherish…Historical places are sacred monuments of the past. We must secure them to instill love of country in every Filipino," Legarda said.

Under SB 1093, the NHI would have to identify, designate, and mark properly all national historical places across the country. The NHI would then submit to Congress a list of all specified historical sites.

As proposed by Legarda, the sites would include historical government buildings, shrines, landmarks, monuments, and other places where a memorable event of national significance occurred. They would also include other sites hallowed by a hero's former presence.

Under the bill, it would be unlawful for any person, association, corporation, or entity to undertake construction projects in historical sites or in areas proximate thereto, without first securing a permit from the NHI.

Violators face up to two years in prison, or a fine of not less than P100,000, or both.

If any limited construction is to be authorized at all, the NHI may impose the terms and conditions necessary to preserve the site. Authorized builders would be required to post bonds to ensure strict compliance with permit provisions.

Should the historical place be damaged, the erring builder would be required to restore the site to its original state.

The NHI undertakes research and publication of Philippine historical works, administers educational activities on historical events and personages, restores, preserves and conserves movable and immovable objects of historical value, and oversees the implementation of the National Historic Act as well as the Flag and Heraldic Code.

The NHI, however, lacks the mandate to effectively protect and preserve these historical places.

Legarda's bill seeks to remedy this by requiring all persons, associations, corporations, or entities to secure a permit from the NHI before any construction or real estate development may lawfully commence in areas identified, designated, and appropriately marked as historical places or in areas proximate thereto.

[Animo]

http://images.inquirer.net/media/showbizandstyle/lifestyle/lifestyle/images/pic-02181251460291.jpg

By Augusto Villalon (http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20080217-119540/Making-heritage-work-for-us)
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:56:00 02/17/2008

MANILA, Philippines - There has been a long lament in heritage circles that Philippine built patrimony is either so endangered these days or has practically vanished altogether, having been replaced by all sorts of architectural oddities.

Heritage enthusiasts further notice that our landscape and urbanscape are rapidly losing their character. They urge conservation, citing that without carefully conserved heritage, places like Venice wouldn’t be Venice, or, for that matter, our Vigan wouldn’t be anything at all.

“Preserve Philippine built heritage at all cost is an often-heard cry.” The cry from the other side of the equation by owners of heritage structures is pretty loud too: preserving heritage costs them a lot, because to preserve architectural or landscape heritage in a country like the Philippines, one is mostly on his own because of the lack of support system.

The support system is actually in place, in the form of like-minded souls who see value in maintaining heritage structures. What is not in place, actually, is the on-the-ground support that assists preservation through incentives―such as tax breaks, construction loans at low rates, and official assistance in navigating Building Code requirements not applicable to heritage structures.

Awareness, the most basic support element, needs to increase at all levels, especially on the level of heritage structure owners, government authorities, and property developers, who see conserving architectural heritage as anti-development.

But there are models showing how heritage has stimulated development.

Vigan

Vigan is an obvious example. Decades after the residents participated in a prolonged debate, the town has accepted a set of conservation guidelines that make sure the architectural heritage of the city is maintained.

Now Vigan is reaping the rewards. It is the only Philippine municipality to be declared a city simply on the basis of its heritage status. Branded as the archetypal Spanish colonial town in the country, it’s now a favorite tourism destination. It is also the source of reproduction of Spanish colonial furniture and building material.

Having made an impact on Vigan lifestyle and economy, heritage can be regarded as an income-generating source.

This is not to say heritage is to be commodified and commercialized, Disneyland-style, milked to the utmost for profits.

This is saying that, if properly and sustainably made use of, heritage is an untapped resource for income generation that can ultimately benefit the community.

Looking at heritage as a resource that benefits the community where it is located introduces a new take on preservation, that conserving heritage has unrealized tangible benefits after all.

A web of heritage legislation protects the built heritage in the country. Most laws accentuate the negative, setting down strict preservation methods, prescribing penalties and punitive measures, but making no mention of incentives to provide government assistance or to encourage preservation of heritage structures.

Local government authorities loosely interpret and often misunderstand the mostly outdated provisions of the relatively unknown laws. Because of their cavalier attitude, much architectural heritage is lost.

Confusing to the general public is the mandate given to three distinct national cultural agencies.

Assistance

What assistance can heritage structure owners expect from government authorities?

When searching for assistance, the owner of a heritage structure can expect competent technical advice once the proper agency for his particular type of heritage structure is determined.

For those who do not want to deal with government bureaucracy or whose structures do not fall within government-assistance mandate, there are a number of professional heritage practitioners to consult.

Technical assistance is available. That’s the hardware stuff, achievable through textbook information, special construction methods, materials conservation formulae, all pretty standardized procedures known to all professional heritage practitioners.

Assistance beyond the technical is what heritage structure owners need most. They need information on how heritage can be used to generate additional employment, income, and improve local lifestyle.

The information that, indeed, heritage is an income-generating resource is available, although not documented.

Vigan is a heritage success story. Unknown to most Filipinos, rice-terraces conservation efforts in Ifugao are quite a success. So is the Freedom Trail project of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation that unites four coastal heritage towns in southern Cebu in a joint heritage-development program.

There is much effort, and success, in on-the-ground conservation happening in the Philippines. What makes these projects totally commendable is that they are working with local communities to conserve their own architectural heritage whose preservation is used as a means for economic change.

Conservation methods these on-the-ground projects employ are the best they can muster under the circumstances, usually limited by budget and materials.

The finished product may not precisely follow international guidelines set by International Council for Monuments and Sites (Icomos) of Unesco, but it is sufficiently done and makes no further damage to the original. To be honest, what more could we ask for under our limited resources?

Foreign conservation models and regulations are a good framework, laying down procedures, strict definitions of exactly what built heritage is to be preserved and how it is to be done.

Once heritage-structure owners are told how it is to be done, they are left with the reality of having to source funds to do it the way they were told. And for those who are able to do it, it seems fair that they find a way to make their investment in heritage earn something to pay them back for the effort.

Eminent conservationist Fernando Ziálcita once asked: “What would Vigan be without its houses?”

We might add: “What could we do to help Vigan homeowners (or heritage owners everywhere in the country) to continue keeping their houses?”

E-mail feedback is welcome at pride.place@gmail.com

[LordCarnal]

Photos I took yesterday

I think it would be much better if the paint was white or cream


The National Museum

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas24.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas23.jpg



Post Office

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas13.jpg

[Maxxclip]

maganda talagang tingnang kapag white yung mga ganyang type(greek) na building:ohno:

[lauston_rr28]

Is Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) a Non-governmental organization? Is there a government counterpart of it?

[Wonderboy]

^ Yup, it's an NGO. Government counterpart will be the National Historical Institute (NHI) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) but we are all aware that the said government agencies specialize on a particular concern. NHI prioritize preservation and protection as long as there is a historical value in it. And since NCCA is a funding agency, it's much closer to HCS in terms of HCS's role by restoring built heritage in the country. NCCA also supports preservation of natural heritage and culture.

Then there's the National Museum, the Local Government Units, and Manila Historical and Heritage Commission that Alfredo Lim revived. The problem with government agencies is that since they are too many and most of them do not cooperate and coordinate their projects, heritage protection and preservation becomes a problem and oftentimes neglected because each has its own project. Kanya kanya bumbaga.

Below is HCS's website for your reference:

http://www.heritage.org.ph/

[richard24]

kamusta na metropolitan? last time ko nadaanan parang walang activity?

[LordCarnal]

Palacio del Gobernadorcillo

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas30-1.jpg




San Ignacio Church Ruins

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas31-1.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas32-1.jpg




Are these catacombs?

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas33-1.jpg




Passing by near Fr. Blanco's Garden;

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas34.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas35.jpg




San Agustin Church

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas36.jpg




San Agustin Church Museum, entrance was P80 with free snacks.. The last time I've been here was 10 years ago :lol:

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas37.jpg




Tombs! Oh I love church tombs, hehehe..

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas38.jpg




Tombs of the Zobels, Roxas and Ayalas

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas39.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas40.jpg




I can understand only a little Spanish but I think this is the tomb of a valiant soldier who fought Moro pirates? Also, an obedient son, a loving brother, and a good friend :D Hehehe

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas41.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas42.jpg



Tomorrow I'll post the rest of the San Agustin Museum photos..




..:..

[Wonderboy]

^^ The facade of San Agustin Church should be cleaned up.

Nice photos nonetheless, Arnold.

kamusta na metropolitan? last time ko nadaanan parang walang activity?

Kulang kasi budget na binigay kaya hindi matapos tapos ang restoration. Hindi priority kasi ng gobyerno ang arts and culture wherein fact ito ang isa sa importanteng aspeto ng bansa natin. Kung walang kultura, wlaang kaluluwa ang bansa.

[lauston_rr28]

^ Yup, it's an NGO. Government counterpart will be the National Historical Institute (NHI) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) but we are all aware that the said government agencies specialize on a particular concern. NHI prioritize preservation and protection as long as there is a historical value in it. And since NCCA is a funding agency, it's much closer to HCS in terms of HCS's role by restoring built heritage in the country. NCCA also supports preservation of natural heritage and culture.

Then there's the National Museum, the Local Government Units, and Manila Historical and Heritage Commission that Alfredo Lim revived. The problem with government agencies is that since they are too many and most of them do not cooperate and coordinate their projects, heritage protection and preservation becomes a problem and oftentimes neglected because each has its own project. Kanya kanya bumbaga.

Below is HCS's website for your reference:

http://www.heritage.org.ph/



Thanks Wonderboy. Meron naman pala. Maybe they should also focus on educating Filipinos of its values and impacts, not only on heritage preservation\protection. I think its useless if Filipinos don't know the intentions of its preservation.

[Pinoy_ako]

Are these catacombs?

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas33-1.jpg



. . . the Jesuit crypt. The bones of the Jesuit priests from mission churches were placed in this crypt. Their names can still be read on most of them.

It was desecrated during the war, mixing the bones in their search for valuables.

[kevinb]

kamusta na metropolitan? last time ko nadaanan parang walang activity?

Oo nga. I thought nag-tie up na ang Manila LGU and another organization, which I forgot, to restore it? Sayang ang Metropolitan Theater kung hindi maayos. Ang ganda pa naman ng details niya.

[kevinb]

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas42.jpg

I wonder why they still need to detail the dead's age back then. They could just place the dead's age in years, without including the number of days.

[LordCarnal]

. . . the Jesuit crypt. The bones of the Jesuit priests from mission churches were placed in this crypt. Their names can still be read on most of them.

It was desecrated during the war, mixing the bones in their search for valuables.


Wow.....

As I've said before, I'm always amazed looking at crypts..

Are there still bones there?

How spooky since this was converted into a warehouse after the war..Maybe they didn't know that there was a crypt below?



..

[LordCarnal]

San Agustin Church and Museum

Side chapel retablos

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas40-1.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas41-1.jpg




Tomb of Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, founder of the Spanish settlements in Cebu, Manila (and Iloilo?)

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas42-1.jpg




Pulpit

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas43.jpg




The church

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas44.jpg




Outside at the courtyard

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas45.jpg




The crypt where Juan Luna's remains can be found

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas46.jpg





...

[LordCarnal]

Inside the museum

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas47.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas49.jpg



To the second level

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas51.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas50.jpg




Corridor

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas55.jpg



A retablo near the choirloft (I forgot the name of this place/chapel where prayers are recited.. :bash:)

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas52.jpg




Finely carved benches at the choirloft

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas53.jpg




The pipe organ

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas54.jpg






...

[Pinoy_ako]

Wow.....

As I've said before, I'm always amazed looking at crypts..

Are there still bones there?

How spooky since this was converted into a warehouse after the war..Maybe they didn't know that there was a crypt below?



..

The Jesuits transferred them and placed them in a common grave at the Sacred Heart Seminary in Novaliches.

[LordCarnal]

^^

Umm so it's quite possible that there's also a crypt at the former site of the St. John the Baptist Church in Pari-an, Cebu City. A fire station now stands on its very site now. The church, just two blocks away from the Cathedral, the parish was reduced to a visita during the Spanish times and the church eventually demolished stone by stone.

[LordCarnal]

When I went inside the museum and viewed the exhibits, the Spanish Chief Justice was just beside me with Fr. Galende..

I would have wanted to introduce myself to Fray Galende but he was busy touring the Chief Justice of Spain..

Also, Korean or Japanese filmmakers and actors were shooting a film just outside San Agustin Church.. I think it was a romance movie, hehe..



...

[Pinoy_ako]

^^

Umm so it's quite possible that there's also a crypt at the former site of the St. John the Baptist Church in Pari-an, Cebu City. A fire station now stands on its very site now. The church, just two blocks away from the Cathedral, the parish was reduced to a visita during the Spanish times and the church eventually demolished stone by stone.

The church was built quite late - 1890. There was a crypt since the church and the casa mision was the "motherhouse" of the Jesuits in the Philippines.

[icarusrising]

2 Vigan City officials join int’l training on heritage preservation

Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The Manila Bulletin

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Glenn Concepcion and Architect Eric Quadra represented the Philippines in an "International Training Course on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage" held recently in Kyoto, Japan.

Mayor Eva Marie Medina said that reacting to the worldwide trend in serious and irreversible damage to cultural heritage in the world caused by natural and manmade disasters, the United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage Center sponsored the international training course, together with the Division of Cultural Heritage, ICCROM, ICOMOS, Ministry of Culture in Japan, and the Ritsumeikan University Research Center for Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage to provide interdisciplinary training for professionals and experts on cultural heritage and disaster management.

The course comprised of lectures, field trips to various WH sites in Kyoto, group discussions on integrated risk assessment to analyze the vulnerability of cultural heritage to natural and manmade disasters, build integrated system for disaster risk management of cultural heritage, incorporate disaster preparedness into urban planning, formulate disaster-risk management plan for cultural heritage, and establish an international scientific network system for risk management of cultural heritage.

World renowned lecturers spoke at the discussions. They included Giovanni Boccardi (Italy), chief of the UNESCO WHC for Asia and the Pacific; Joseph King (USA), Sites Unit Director of the ICCROM; Dr. Kenzo Toki (Japan), director of the Research Center for Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage; Dr. Kanefusa Masuda (Japan), UNESCO chairman on cultural heritage and risk management; Architect Rohit Jigyasu (India), conservation architect, Disaster Management Cultural Office; Engineer Kumiko Shimotsuma (Japan), cultural properties chief specialist, Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan; Dr. Takeyuki Okubo (Japan), Assoc, Professor, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University; Yasumichi Murakami (Japan), Chief of the Cultural Assets Office, Hyogo Board of Education; Byungha Choi (Korea), Historic Architecture Division, Cultural Heritage Administration; Akiko Umezu (Japan), Cultural Property Specialist, Kyoto Prefecture’s Education Agency; Noriyoshi Tsuruoka (Japan), Cultural Property Specialist, Kyoto Prefecture Education Agency; and Architect Hikokazu Omori (Japan), Chief Technical Expert of Cultural Property Buildings and Fire-Fighting Equipment.

The participants in the 2nd International Training Course on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage includes Akim Monowar Hossain Akhand and Md. Rafiqul Alam of Bangladesh; Shijun He and Ms. Cuiyu He of China; Maria del Carmen Corrales Perez and Patricia Isabel Gibu Yague of Peru; and Concepcion and Quadra of the Philippines.

Concepcion presented the various programs and projects of the city government on Vigan’s cultural heritage, centered on the heritage conservation as a tool for development program of the city in consonance with different disaster-risk management programs to protect its unique heritage for the humankind.

The World Cultural Forum is an annual international gathering that provides opportunities for world’s leading cultural icons and artists to discuss together the latest trends and directions in world culture and share insights on various issues related to culture, and thus serving as a medium for presenting cultural messages to the world.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080227118045.html#

[LordCarnal]

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas62.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas63.jpg


Quiapo Church

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas64.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas65.jpg


Building with revolving restaurant

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas66.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas67.jpg

[habagatcentral1]

The first Picture i think is Plaza Goiti near Carriedo Station of LRT.

[LordCarnal]

^^

Yup that photo was taken from the Carriedo Station of the LRT...


Old photos of Cebu Churches
Photo scans by Joeber Besares from a "souvenir" book/magazine at the Cebuano Studies Center



Immaculate Concepcion Church of the Recollects

(Demolished by the recollects for the expansion of the university/ another church still stands on the very same site and connected to the university building; the main altar retable of this church is on display at the San Agustin Church Museum in Intramuros)

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/recoletos.jpg





Church in Balamban, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/balamban.jpg




Church in Alcoy, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/alcoy.jpg





St. Anne Church in Barili, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/barili.jpg





Our Lady of the Patronage Church in Boljoon, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/boljoon.jpg





St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Carcar, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/carcar.jpg





Cebu Cathedral

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/cebucathedral.jpg





Church in Consolacion, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/consolacion.jpg





St. Thomas of Villanova Church in El Pardo, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/elpardo.jpg





Mabolo Church, Cebu City

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/mabolo.jpg





Our Lady of the Rule Church in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu

(demolished by Dutch priest, new church built)

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/opon.jpg





Church in San Nicolas, Cebu City

(destroyed during the war, new church built)

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/sannicalos.jpg





Our Lady of the Pillar Church in Sibonga, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/sibonga.jpg





Holy Rosary Church, Cebu City

(demolished, new church built)

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/storosario.jpg





St. Therese of Avila Church in Talisay, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/talisaycopy.jpg





St. Joseph Church in Mandaue, Cebu

(facade remodeled, church expanded)

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/mandaue.jpg





Church in Moalboal, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/moalboal.jpg





St. Thomas of Villanoba Church in Danao, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/old_cebu04.jpg





Church in San Fernando, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/sanfernando.jpg





Church in Samboan, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/samboan.jpg





Immaculate Concepcion Church in Oslob, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/oslob.jpg





St. Therese Chapel in Lahug, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/lahug.jpg





Church in Ginatilan, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/ginatilan.jpg





Church in Catmon, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/catmon.jpg





St. Michael the Archangel Church in Argao, Cebu

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/argao.jpg





San Carlos Seminary Church, Cebu City

(destroyed during the war; barbeque grill stands on its very site now)

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/old_cebu02.jpg

[habagatcentral1]

^^ Di kayo sinita? Kasi ako sinita ng gwardya ng kumuha ako ng pix. Kala nila terorista daw. "Por seypti lang ser"

[LordCarnal]

^^

Nope I was not.. but when I took a photo of the MRT, a security official in barong politely and courteously told me that taking photos is not allowed -- which of course is understandable...


...

[habagatcentral1]

^^ OK. MRT and LRT-2 (Purple Line) I think has a strict implementation of no photoshoots allowed.

Anyway, sometimes I do have some difficlulty with taking pictures of public landmarks up close due to security reasons.

[LordCarnal]

Just try to take snapshots, hehehe..


..

[Wonderboy]

The Heritage Conservation Society launches its 2008 Architectural
Conservation Lectures in partnership with the Manila Historical and
Heritage Commission. Ms. Tina Paterno, a professional conservator
practicing in the USA will speak on conservation procedures and issues from
9-12 P.M. at the Army and Navy Club in South Boulevard at the Rizal Park in
Ermita.

The lecture is open to the public. However reservations are encouraged by
informing the Heritage Conservation Society Secretariat of your intention to
attend. Please telephone 5212239 or 5222497. In lieu of seminar fees, your
kind donation to the HCS will be much appreciated.

ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION LECTURE (March 8, 2008) brought to you by the Heritage Conservation society in partnership with the Manila Historical & Heritage Commission and the Museo ng Maynila

Saturday, 8 March 2008
Army & Navy Club Building
South Boulevard, Ermita, Manila

PROGRAM
9:00 a.m. - Welcome Remarks (Gemma Cruz-Araneta)
9:10 a.m. - Introduction of Guest Lecturer (Mailin P. Locsin)
9:20 a.m. - Lectures (Tina Paterno)

Lecture 1 - SOILING ON LIMESTONE: Diagnosis & Cleaning Methodologies
Lecture 2 - SURVEY, RESEARCH and DIAGNOSIS as Phase 1 of a Restoration
Project
Lecture 3 - Brief Discussion on the PERFORMANCE OF A CONSOLIDATION TREATMENT
(Ethyl Silicate) ON ADOBE

12:00 p.m. LUNCH (to be provided by MHHC)
1:30 p.m. INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATION on a specific project-related
conservation issue (Interested parties should make an appointment)

SEMINAR FEES: Your kind donation will be much appreciated

[Sinjin P.]

@Arnold: How old is the Mabolo Church? Even before the recent expansion, it didn't look too old to me. Or did it undergo a renovation before 1990?

[LordCarnal]

^^

It was built during the American times bai Mike.. Same with Sto. Rosario Church, but "someone" from the hierarchy had it demolished so that a new church will be built on the very same site.

Sto. Rosario Church became the pro-Cathedral of Cebu right after World War II.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Old_Photos/storosario.jpg

[Animo]

I can understand only a little Spanish but I think this is the tomb of a valiant soldier who fought Moro pirates? Also, an obedient son, a loving brother, and a good friend :D Hehehe

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas41.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/manila/acfs_aknas42.jpg



He was born in Cadiz, Spain

This ill-fated young man, who prepared with valor against Muslim pirates, between Cagayan and Manila.

I think he died by accident. It said here that he was blown by gunpowder and gave his soul to God.

A consequence of this deplorable event.

:lol:

I wonder why they still need to detail the dead's age back then. They could just place the dead's age in years, without including the number of days.

It was a poetry kind of style. It was common in old English literature.

[reg villa]

World Heritage Site.. Vigan

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/reginaldvillanueva/DSC01210.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/reginaldvillanueva/DSC01213.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/reginaldvillanueva/DSC01223.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/reginaldvillanueva/DSC01261.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/reginaldvillanueva/DSC01265.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/reginaldvillanueva/DSC01264.jpg

[ArkiLurker]

May news daw ng restoration ng Metropolitan Theatre. Tapos si Kuya Germs daw ang head nito. Nakipag meeting na raw siya kay Mayor Lim.

[red_jasper]

^^

Lim to bring back ‘kundiman,’ zarzuela to ‘The Met’

By Tina Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer (http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20080304-122785/Lim-to-bring-back-kundiman-zarzuela-to-The-Met)
First Posted 22:15:00 03/04/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- By the end of the year, the Metropolitan Theater—fondly referred to as the “grand dame ” of Manila theaters—is expected to provide a culture and arts venue for the masses.

This was announced on Tuesday by Mayor Alfredo Lim who, along with Quezon City Representative Mary Anne Susano and movie personalities, inspected the “Met,” as the theater has been fondly called, at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

Lim has ordered the immediate restoration of the structure, which has deteriorated over the past years.

He stressed the need to rehabilitate the theater because of its historical value, as well as to provide the masses with the kind of entertainment that could be seen only in live and stage shows.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines, he said, has been known to cater mostly to the upper class.

“We must make culture available and attractive to the masses,” Lim said. “The one that the poor will find accessible is the Met and I feel we should revive it. Once it opens, the people will get to see and hear the kundiman, zarzuela and other stage plays showcasing Filipino heritage and talents.”

The mayor added that he would order the speedy restoration of the structure to meet the deadline, which he set.

“We hope to open it to the public by December,” he said. “If we have to work on it round the clock just to rush its restoration, we’ll do it.”

The Art Deco building, constructed in 1931 by Juan Arellano, was badly damaged during World War II. It was rebuilt in 1978 by former First Lady Imelda Marcos, but its condition again deteriorated in the ’90s.

The Met finally closed down in 1996 following a long-running dispute between the Government Service Insurance System and the City of Manila over its ownership and management.

In 2004, the GSIS and city government finally agreed to set aside their differences and, with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, signed a tripartite agreement on a work action plan for the structure’s restoration.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also ordered the release of P50 million to partially fund the project.

Susano, meanwhile, vowed to allot P10 million from her pork barrel for the restoration work.

She added that she intended to ask support from other lawmakers and senators, particularly Senators Lito Lapid, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, who were movie stars before they joined politics.

The Met’s restoration was estimated to cost over P200 million.

During its heyday, the theater could accommodate 1,670 people: 846 in the orchestra section, 116 in the loge and 708 in the balcony areas.

[ArkiLurker]

^^^^

That's great news. It can also attract a lot of tourists!

[Pinoy_ako]

Scenes from San Nicolas, Binondo, Manila - Going, Going, Gone


http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/1976/snnicholas21qg.jpg

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/3300/snnicholas11kn.jpg

[habagatcentral1]

Been to San Nicolas yesterday. Its sad to see those old houses deteriorate in neglect. :ohno:

[Wonderboy]

^^ Manila City Hall should make an ordinance to protect the old houses in San Nicolas. Whoever said that some houses are fire hazzard doesn't know the value of Philippine history.

What happened to Jones Bridge?

While the historic Jones Bridge has been spruced up to make it look “tidier,” I am concerned with the rather tacky lamp posts installed on both sides and on the middle of the bridge (looks like cheap lamp posts mad from China). The red and white, capsule-like lamps doesn’t work well with the historical value of Jones Bride. Below are some photos:

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/5894/jones1tm9.jpg

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/4717/jones2dj6.jpg

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5512/jones3it4.jpg

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/1736/jones4pe6.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1889/jones5iq2.jpg

Prewar Jones Bridge (photo below) has a distinct design that should be retained at present:

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/571/jonesbridge1xa6.jpg

Notice that the Bridge of Spain (replaced by Jones Bridge) has lamp posts that blend well with the ornate design of the bridge:

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/4624/bridgeofspainyp7.jpg

The Manila City Hall should take into consideration the importance of aesthetical value. The present lamp posts are out of place and hideous.

[Wonderboy]

SOS on Uy-Chaco Building (Philtrust Bank Building)

I’m not sure what is being done with Uy-Chaco Building, perhaps NHI or Manila City Hall can check and give us feedback regarding the matter?

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/5073/uychaco1rh5.jpg

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/4150/uychaco2de3.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/2006/uychaco3fb9.jpg
Uy-Chaco during Manila “pistaym.”

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3180/plazamoraga1dy8.jpg
Uy-Chaco viewed from Plaza Moraga

Built in 1914 by Samuel C. Rowell, the 6-story Uy-Chaco Building on Plaza Cervantes is considered as Manila’s first skyscraper. The design is rather electric. However, its undulating balconies and iron grills mark it as belonging to Art Nouveau style, making it Manila’s first and last building style. The most striking feature of the building is the projecting turret on its northeastern corner. The rounded corner, emphasized by curving railings, gives the building the appearance of a French chateau. Rising from the eaves is gabbled roof with round clocks instead of windows. The building also features eight distinctly-designed bats, and projecting balconies on the third, fourth, and fifth floors.

--- from Philatelic Bulletin’s “Architectural Heritage”

[Sinjin P.]

(looks like cheap lamp posts mad from China).

They look cheap but they're very expensive. :runaway:

-----
I rarely read the Heritage threads but everytime I do open some, it is always an informative read. Kudos to our SSC Heritage Watch team. :okay:

[IndioBravo]

It's just gone from bad to worse.:ohno::ohno::ohno:

[habagatcentral1]

Actually, parang walang taste of aesthetics yung ginawa nila sa Jones Bridge. The foo dogs in the Lawton area could have set the mood to the people that they are entering old Manila.

On the other hand, the maintenance of Muelles in Santa Cruz and Binondo are fast deteriorating. Although if I'm not mistaken these were works of Atienza administration, its not a valid reason for neglecting the Muelles.

[Animo]

Seriously, those lamps look like some cheap-recycled Chinese made lamp posts. :puke:

Hopefully other parts of the Metro look alright! Does anyone have photos of this current project?

Houses, shops lining Las Piñas road adopt Old World look (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080308-123591/Houses-shops-lining-Las-Pias-road-adopt-Old-World-look)

By Julie M. Aurelio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:57:00 03/08/2008

ON A 3.3-KILOMETER stretch of road in Las Piñas City, the buildings and lamp posts seem to be stuck in a time warp, more specifically, in the Spanish era. The walls of the structures resemble adobe bricks while the lamp posts are made of wrought iron.

It is not by accident, however, that the houses and establishments on Fr. Diego Cera Avenue have acquired a Castilian look. Rather, it is a must for those who live or do business in the area, home to several of the city’s landmarks which are over 100 years old.

The avenue was named after Fr. Diego Cera, the city’s parish priest in 1795 who initiated the construction of the Las Piñas Church and its most famous tenant, the world-renowned bamboo organ.

“The idea is to restore the landmarks on Fr. Diego Cera Avenue and for the people to have an appreciation of the city’s rich history,” said Dexter Gonzales, an engineer working on the Las Piñas Historical Corridor project.

The project, a brainchild of then Rep. Manny Villar (now a senator) is aimed at restoring and preserving the city’s historical and cultural landmarks.

Toward this end, Villar sponsored Republic Act 8003 which named the Las Piñas Church and Bamboo Organ, Las Piñas Bridge, the Asinan Area, Fr. Diego Cera Bridge and the Old District Hospital as tourist destinations.

The measure was passed into law in 1995.

The Historical Corridor spans the entire length of the Fr. Diego Cera Avenue. It begins at the border of Cavite province and the renovated Zapote Bridge in Las Piñas. It ends at the city’s boundary with Parañaque City.

The Zapote Bridge, half of which was blown up by Filipino soldiers during the Philippine Revolution, was later restored. It is now used by pedestrians to cross Zapote River.

“Right now, the old Fr. Diego Cera bridge has been torn down to be renovated in the old design, of course,” Gonzales said.

Other landmarks of the Historical Corridor include the Manpower Building, Irasan (Salt Making) Center, Gabaldon School, Plaza Quezon as well as the old fire station and municipal hall.

The Gabaldon School is one of the few existing structures in Metro Manila designed by American architect William Parsons.

The centuries-old brick walls of the Las Piñas Church, meanwhile, were stripped to reveal their inner layer, giving the church an antique look.

To ensure that the avenue maintains its old world look, the city government passed an ordinance requiring new structures to adopt the Castilian look.

“But for existing ones like houses and other buildings, we just ask them if they are willing to have their facades painted over with synthetic adobe to give it an old red bricks effect,” explained Gonzales.

So far, most residents on the thoroughfare have followed the suggestion. “We have a 7-11 store with its walls painted to look like adobe bricks and its roof made of tiles,” he added.

The city government and the engineers on Villar’s staff also make use of iron grills, synthetic adobe, terra cotta paint, wrought iron and wood with an antique finish to give the avenue a look similar to Vigan, Ilocos Sur’s city with a Spanish colonial look.

Gonzales said he does not have an estimate of how much the city has spent to renovate and maintain the Historical Corridor.

The repair of the Zapote Bridge, alone, cost over P5 million, he added.

At least P100,000 is spent on the corridor’s maintenance as thieves sometimes make off with parts of the lampposts which they sell to junk shops.

“We can’t avoid those kinds of problems. In fact, we still have to install 100 more lampposts for the entire road,” said Patrick de Leon, an engineer in charge of maintaining the corridor.

The sight of vehicles and people in modern clothing offers a stark contrast to the old structures on the avenue. But residents are now used to their not-so-ordinary surroundings.

“Actually, they are quite proud of the city’s heritage and of the history of this road,” De Leon said.

[Animo]

You are cordially invited.

A Learning Forum on CULTURAL HERITAGE IN CHINA and
POSSIBLE FINANCING OPTIONS will be conducted by Ms.
MARA WARWICK of the World Bank.

Wednesday, 12 March 2008
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Bulwagang Villegas
2nd Floor, Manila City Hall
A.J. Villegas Street, Taft Avenue
M A N I L A

Organized by the City Government of Manila to
determine urban upgrading priorities and projects with
cultural heritage preservation and to learn more about
World Bank's extensive engagement in Asia and around
the world on this subject.

See you there!

[icarusrising]

^^ Manila City Hall should make an ordinance to protect the old houses in San Nicolas. Whoever said that some houses are fire hazzard doesn't know the value of Philippine history.

What happened to Jones Bridge?

While the historic Jones Bridge has been spruced up to make it look “tidier,” I am concerned with the rather tacky lamp posts installed on both sides and on the middle of the bridge (looks like cheap lamp posts mad from China). The red and white, capsule-like lamps doesn’t work well with the historical value of Jones Bride. Below are some photos:

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/5894/jones1tm9.jpg

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/4717/jones2dj6.jpg

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5512/jones3it4.jpg

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/1736/jones4pe6.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1889/jones5iq2.jpg

Prewar Jones Bridge (photo below) has a distinct design that should be retained at present:

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/571/jonesbridge1xa6.jpg

Notice that the Bridge of Spain (replaced by Jones Bridge) has lamp posts that blend well with the ornate design of the bridge:

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/4624/bridgeofspainyp7.jpg

The Manila City Hall should take into consideration the importance of aesthetical value. The present lamp posts are out of place and hideous.


Those lamps make me sad. They remind me of firecrackers about to go off... The life of our heritage structures in Manila are fast ticking away. Those lamp posts are symbolic of the fleeting concern of both the public and private sector to the historicity of not only Jones Bridge but many other heritage structures in Manila.

Our apathy will soon leave our capital city without tangible connections to the past. Being more than 400 years old, Manila is an ancient city. However, she can't be rightfully called a Grand Old Dame. She's becoming more like a zombie- rotting, filthy, and soulless.

[le Reine]

They look cheap but they're very expensive. :runaway:

-----
I rarely read the Heritage threads but everytime I do open some, it is always an informative read. Kudos to our SSC Heritage Watch team. :okay:Expensive or not, they still look hideous and out of place.

Those lamps make me sad. They remind me of firecrackers about to go off... The life of our heritage structures in Manila are fast ticking away. Those lamp posts are symbolic of the fleeting concern of both the public and private sector to the historicity of not only Jones Bridge but many other heritage structures in Manila.

Our apathy will soon leave our capital city without tangible connections to the past. Being more than 400 years old, Manila is an ancient city. However, she can't be rightfully called a Grand Old Dame. She's becoming more like a zombie- rotting, filthy, and soulless.hahaha... I don't know how to react with that statement. I felt so sad, mad and crazy when I read that.

[le Reine]

Built in 1914 by Samuel C. Rowell, the 6-story Uy-Chaco Building on Plaza Cervantes is considered as Manila’s first skyscraper. The design is rather electric. However, its undulating balconies and iron grills mark it as belonging to Art Nouveau style, making it Manila’s first and last building style. The most striking feature of the building is the projecting turret on its northeastern corner. The rounded corner, emphasized by curving railings, gives the building the appearance of a French chateau. Rising from the eaves is gabbled roof with round clocks instead of windows. The building also features eight distinctly-designed bats, and projecting balconies on the third, fourth, and fifth floors.

--- from Philatelic Bulletin’s “Architectural Heritage”Jeff, I think this has something to do with the press release of the Fil-Chi Cham of Commerce that they will "rehabilitate" Binondo. Actually, the lamposts and the foo-dogs in Jones Bridge are part of this project.

[kevinb]

What happened to Jones Bridge?

While the historic Jones Bridge has been spruced up to make it look “tidier,” I am concerned with the rather tacky lamp posts installed on both sides and on the middle of the bridge (looks like cheap lamp posts mad from China). The red and white, capsule-like lamps doesn’t work well with the historical value of Jones Bride. Below are some photos:

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/5894/jones1tm9.jpg

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/4717/jones2dj6.jpg

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5512/jones3it4.jpg

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/1736/jones4pe6.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1889/jones5iq2.jpg

Prewar Jones Bridge (photo below) has a distinct design that should be retained at present:

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/571/jonesbridge1xa6.jpg

Notice that the Bridge of Spain (replaced by Jones Bridge) has lamp posts that blend well with the ornate design of the bridge:

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/4624/bridgeofspainyp7.jpg

The Manila City Hall should take into consideration the importance of aesthetical value. The present lamp posts are out of place and hideous.

I agree. They could've thought of placing lamp posts that would depict the posts that used to be in pre-war Manila, like the ones near and surrounding the Manila City Hall. It would look lovely with this bridge. And not only the lamp posts made it unbecoming. Look at the striped painting they did with the bridge. It looks like it's just some kind of bridge. Sana ginawa na lang nilang plain white. :ohno:

[Rence]

They should put those ugly lamp post within Chinatown, Manila !

Do not expect that those old houses in Binondo areas would be saved from total decay and destruction just like the state of Philippine environment and biodiversity !

:ohno: As one of the critics told me last week : " Huwag na kayo mag-adopt ng theme sa mga orchid shows ninyo na mga conservation -conservation na iyan, walang katapusan na conservation kasi wala naman makikinig sa inyong plight "

"Dapat itubog na ang mga orchids at halaman sa formalin " that stirred -up a whole lot of controversy .....

[IndioBravo]

://"]http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=20080218102&type=2http://[/URL]

Preserving heritage sitesROSES & THORNS By Alejandro R. Roces
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Lately, we have read of several development projects taking place in the metropolis. In Makati, we note of new condotels and hotels being put up and the news that a plush seven-star hotel, they say that will be erected in the Greenbelt area. We also heard about the P400-million “Waterfront Development Project,” which will house entertainment facilities and restaurants behind the Quirino Grandstand. Also, what was once barren land in the reclamation area along Roxas Boulevard is now a booming district that is called Aseana. We also read of a tunnel being constructed 20 feet below sea level in the Cebu metropolis that will connect two roads in the city.

As we behold the transformation of our country with the various constructions taking place and the new structures going up, we hope that there is an overall urban development plan that takes into consideration the preservation of the country’s historical sites and landmarks. We hope that in the process of inevitable development, the historic sites and structures will not be destroyed to give way to such necessary projects like railway systems and modern edifices. And if ever heritage structures will be transformed into commercial establishments, we hope that this is to enhance the overall urban image of a particular area. We note that elegant family residences have been recycled into boutique hotels and banks; what used to be a Roces mansion along Vito Cruz is now a mini-hotel. A century-old train terminal (Tutuban) became a shopping mall and the first Manila international airport (Nielsen Tower) was restored and recycled into a library and bookstore, Filipinas Heritage Museum. We are glad to note that the Army & Navy Club, a historical and architectural landmark, which houses the Museo ng Maynila is now being restored by the Heritage Conservation Society and the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission. The demolished Jai Alai building still remains in rubles, however. The Jai Alai building had been a landmark in the city since its construction in 1940. Designed by the American architect Welton Becket in the art deco variant of the streamline-modern, it was a symbol of the optimistic Commonwealth period of our nation’s history as well as of the vibrant social life of the city in the post-war years. Now, it is one of the eyesores in Manila.

We note one of the recent activities of the National Historical Institute, which sponsored the traveling exhibit by historian Manuel Noche, featuring Philippine Colonial Bridges at the GSIS Museum of Art. Manila was the seat of the colonial government of Spain when it controlled the Philippine Islands for over three centuries from 1565 to 1898. It was under the Spanish rule that the construction of bridges started. These bridges eventually played vital role in our country’s history. Battles were fought on bridges such as the Battle of San Juan Del Monte Bridge, the Battle of Zapote Bridge and the Battle of Pansipit Bridge in Taal, Batangas. Bridges in Batanes were built by Dominican friars to facilitate evangelization and community building. Commerce in Manila flourished because of the bridges that traversed the mighty Pasig River. With the passing of time and perhaps, because of the complexity of everyday living, our people gradually lost awareness of the significance of these bridges. For instance, how many people still know that the Jones Bridge, one of the many bridges that connect downtown Manila to the south, was constructed in the 1920s and named after William Atkinson Jones, a member of the US Congress and chairman of the Insular Affairs Committee who sponsored the Philippine Autonomy Act in 1916? The bridge was designed by the same architect of the Post Office Building, Metropolitan Theater and the US Embassy: Juan Arellano. Before, Jones Bridge was called Puente de España which was built in 1875. The bridge was upgraded to accommodate auto-mobiles, a symbol of progress from the previous horse or carabao-drawn carts, carriages and tranvias. And before this, it was originally called Puente Grande built in 1632 to link Intramuros to Binondo and which was later destroyed by an earthquake.

Our historical landmarks are part of our heritage as a people and they make up the very soul of the cities we now know and where our children live. Our urban developers must learn, work and build on this rich heritage.

[Pinoy_ako]

They should put those ugly lamp post within Chinatown, Manila !

Do not expect that those old houses in Binondo areas would be saved from total decay and destruction just like the state of Philippine environment and biodiversity !

:ohno: As one of the critics told me last week : " Huwag na kayo mag-adopt ng theme sa mga orchid shows ninyo na mga conservation -conservation na iyan, walang katapusan na conservation kasi wala naman makikinig sa inyong plight "

"Dapat itubog na ang mga orchids at halaman sa formalin " that stirred -up a whole lot of controversy .....

Of course everything can still be done. Not unless you're a loser.

The people of Carcar, Silay, Taal, Pila and the other heritage towns and cities were lucky to have great leaders. Otherwise, we "do not expect those old houses" to be saved "from total decay and destruction".

Biodiversity? Reading the success stories of Philippine animals would help you gain a more optimistic outlook in life. Just think of the Calamian Deer, which was saved from extinction, or the Philippine Crocodile and Philippine Eagle, which are being bred in captivity and programs are underway to release some individuals back to the wild.

Some extinct species were rediscovered, like the Cebu Flowerpecker and the Negros Bareback Fruit bat. There is still hope, at least for us.

[SleMarKen]

repost from Cebu Heritage Walk Thread

The 1919 San Roque Parish Church in Valladolid, Carcar City, Cebu that's soon to be demolished to give way to a new church.

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5592/sanroque01af7.jpg

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/1364/sanroque02uu2.jpg

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/3127/sanroque03wu7.jpg

[LordCarnal]

^^

sayang... :ohno:

lemme guess, if a Filipino will become Pope, chances are high that St. Peter's Basilica and all the other buildings in the Vatican will be altered/modified/expanded/demolished/etc..etc..



...

[galore]

i saw this stunning building across the carriedo fountain, with faux-gargoyles and the works.

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1719/binondotour086zu4.jpg

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/175/binondotour090op1.jpg

[icarusrising]

Was wondering how old this structure is...


A house on Don Mariano Marcos Street, San Juan

http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/19292/2708305730101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/42519/2481609280101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/10432/2008000450101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

[icarusrising]

Not as grand as those in Vigan but the ones from Pila, Laguna sure are charming...

http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/33484/2939192870101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/42437/2226958950101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/40513/2226482080101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

[overtureph]

Great photos Igan.

[icarusrising]

^^ Thanks, Bogs...

Taal town in Batangas has a huge plaza fronting the Basilica of St. Martin de Tours said to be the biggest church in Asia. In the afternoon, the townsfolk are blessed with a promenade that has a view of this imposing church to the east bathed in dazzling Philippine sunlight. To the west, the view is of charming antiquated houses and town hall turning into silhouettes as the sun's orange disc dips into the horizon.

http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/37027/2979577700101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/40180/2134985860101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/40818/2277875150101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

[LordCarnal]

BURNED for the 2nd time

... Huhuhuhu..

I thought the news this morning did not include the church..

Bye..bye to one of the most beautiful and massive churches in South Cebu..

The convent of wood and clay tiles is also gone... reduced to ashes....


http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_church03.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_church04.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_church08.jpg



No more convento... reduced to ASHES!!!

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_church06.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_church07.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_church05.jpg

[icarusrising]

^^ That's sad news indeed, Carl... another piece of our national heritage lost. What caused the fire?


Hope this would cheer you up... A house lovingly, and painstakingly restored in Taal...

http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/39730/2601688980101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/33780/2542898360101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/42532/2227890980101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/35237/2772659680101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/27854/2365208900101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/34547/2696213890101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/3463/2633432910101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/38000/2941682750101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/42670/2617129970101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/40668/2554378700101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/43077/2689601770101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/37627/2337777630101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/11677/2808454070101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

[LordCarnal]

^^

The news reports initially blamed a computer in the convento.. But we'll still have to find out the real cause.

This should serve as a signal to structures made of wood like old houses and conventos..

Ok lang ang Oslob Church because nothing of its interior is historical since it got burned also in 1955.. The stone walls and the facade naman are still standing so they can just easily "rebuild" the interiors, the altar, etc...

Problem is yung Convento.. It's old.. The roof was still of clay tiles.. Pero all gone..


I hope the old conventos and churches in Bohol will heed this imminent danger on old wooden structures -- the risk of fire...

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_memorial.jpg

[overtureph]

Another great set of pics Igan.

Was that the Oslob church and convent that got burned? How unfortunate and another one bites the dust. What exactly happened and what caused the fire?

[icarusrising]

Wala lang...

Found out that there was an older kapitolyo for Rizal in Pasig. It is situated at Bgy. Sta. Rosa by the banks of the Pasig River and must have been U-shaped and of a neoclassical design.

I had a chance to enter the DPWH Flood Control Center facing Buting on the other side and adjacent to that government property was the old kapitolyo grounds. Clearly etched on the facade was the word "Capitol"...

I wonder how it might have looked liked when it was still in use...

Here are some photos I took today...

http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/19521/2027854120101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/32502/2007097200101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

[habagatcentral1]

I've posted Iloilo City's Heritage Sites several months ago, well thats just part 2 of the whole feature video.

Iloilo City's Heritage Sites (as of May 2006)
u6CHw7n03wA

and now,
Iloilo City Cultural Heritage video (the part 1)
This featured Iloilo City's LGU & private sector's effort to restore and maintain the city's manifestation of its glorious past
g9mGHPokOVE
Produced by: The City Government of Iloilo, ICCHCC, ABSCBN Iloilo and private sector (May 2006)

[sista]

Re: Jones Bridge...

The Jones bridge has turned into the pathetic jester of Manila, welcoming guests as they pass through with its tacky and trying too hard lamp posts. Those lamp posts I guess symbolized what Manila is all about right now, a place trying to hard to be modern, but its true soul lies in the past. Why can't Manila or the Philippine government hire decent urban planners and designers? We have lots of them here...*shakes head*

[kyle@1008]

yeah, the lamposts on jones bridge are horrible, I first saw it two weeks ago, and the first thing that came to mind was "oh what a lovely bridge, and what have those idiots done with it" all the way I was complaining about it, what cheered me up was the sight of intramuros and letran..at least some parts of manila are "partially" taken cared of...

[habagatcentral1]

^^ Di ka ba napagod sa tour na yun?Nyahhehe!!!
By the way, are those foo dogs supposed to be at Jones Bridge? Or is it just those lamp posts are to be removed?

[kyle@1008]

^^ well at least nakapagpahinga sa starbucks,..at nakakain ng libreng onion rings..:lol:

oh yeah the foo dogs should be removed, they should be transferred to binondo,,,,ay naku sana naman inisip ng mga intsik on how to do it properly instead of putting their stamp all over it....hey shanghai did it, why can't we...

[habagatcentral1]

^^Free onion rings with Starbucks. Anyway, when ur back in Manila, another round of heritage tours? :D

[kyle@1008]

^^ siga ba...basta i-limit lang ang mga stopover sa starbucks...iba naman...

[habagatcentral1]

^^ siga ba...basta i-limit lang ang mga stopover sa starbucks...iba naman...

Sure, Seattle's Best naman, nyahahaha!!!

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/7/photos/81/500x500/4/IMGP0404.JPG?et=wKM9UoDJSgnkUUkozY69Ng&nmid=61873640
Whatever happened to the former Banco Central? I thought they are going to revive it as the new place for the National Archives near Plaza Madrid?

[kyle@1008]

^^ walang budget....

[icarusrising]

Could anybody identify this ancestral house in Pandacan, Manila? It's located right across the Catholic church.

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/20526/2852314460101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/33039/2512003020101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/4764/2820399230101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/41826/2601633850101994864S600x600Q85.jpg

[Wonderboy]

^^ That's the Romualdez ancestral house. I took a photo comparison of that two years ago:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7093006&postcount=347

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=297314&page=18

[kyle@1008]

^^ oh so that's where Ferdie fetched Imelda to go to baguio,..where they ended up getting married in a whirlwind kind of way....

they're love story is really the stuff of great romantic novels,.... despite what they later did to the nation....

[habagatcentral1]

^^ Has anyone watched "Tadhana..." thingy? That Marcos-based movie which Imelda was played by Gloria Romero?

@Isagani. Natumbok mo ang bahay ng lola ng lahat, nyahahaha!!! :D

[habagatcentral1]

My camera is limited, that is why I didn't get the pictures of some of the structures:

Casa de Segunda (Lipa City)
http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/3/photos/151/500x500/1/Tagala00029.jpg?et=0598I1PzI4PQuTM8IT2o8g&nmid=88580163

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/151/500x500/2/Tagala00030.jpg?et=hsGzTJe1GnlPHozx4ZKR5A&nmid=88580163

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/151/500x500/3/Tagala00031.jpg?et=mEK75jw%2BebGQdg1NTBSyVA&nmid=88580163

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/151/500x500/4/Tagala00032.jpg?et=IJBUBo5ypa9wEizvDvmnyw&nmid=88580163

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/151/500x500/8/Tagala00036.jpg?et=ifMlMhLFCF%2B7KbtDeJJpSA&nmid=88580163

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/151/500x500/9/Tagala00038.jpg?et=wY0R%2BSBglOEFm4ji%2BXGaug&nmid=88580163

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/2/photos/151/500x500/10/Tagala00039.jpg?et=pw%2CzEpKWVX8FHHlCU9u5Lg&nmid=88580163

Note: What I've heard from the old lady there was that they are still paying taxes up to this point even though it has been declared as a heritage house. I think Wonderboi has the details behind it since he talked with the old lady of the house.

[icarusrising]

^^ Fan ka ba ni Lola Berns? :lol: There were two police cars parked in front of the house when I went there. It was as if the police officers were waiting for somebody. Could it be that your Iron Butterfly was there?

^^ That's the Romualdez ancestral house. I took a photo comparison of that two years ago:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7093006&postcount=347

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=297314&page=18

Many thanks to thee, Boy of Wonders. :) I had an inkling that it belonged to the Romualdezes after having read that they maintain an ancestral house in Pandacan. I've seen some other vintage houses in the area but this one takes the cake for scale and grandness.

I've always thought that Imelda has her roots from Leyte alone. I think now I understand better the affinity of the woman to the city.

[Wonderboy]

^^ You're welcome.

repost from Cebu Heritage Walk Thread

The 1919 San Roque Parish Church in Valladolid, Carcar City, Cebu that's soon to be demolished to give way to a new church.

[CENTER]http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5592/sanroque01af7.jpg

By the way, I reported this to the NHI and NCCA already and copied other heritage activist on the letter as well. I just hope they do something. I believe Augusto Villalon will include this in his Inquirer article.

[LordCarnal]

Extent of damage of Oslob Church

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_church_burned06.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_church_burned07.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_church_burned08.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_church_burned09.jpg

[Animo]

i saw this stunning building across the carriedo fountain, with faux-gargoyles and the works.



That used to be the Monte de Piedad y Caja de Ahorros de Manila. Also, the Monte de Piedad and Savings Bank. I'll post it in the Then and Now Thread. :)

[LordCarnal]

.... nevertheless Oslob is still beautiful..




Mountain ranges a thousand feet above sea level

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_sceneries02.jpg




A tanker oozing its way to the city

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_sceneries-1.jpg




An old street marker

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_church_burned05.jpg




Guardians of the sea

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_church_burned04.jpg




An unfinished military quarters

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_church_burned03.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_church_burned02.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_sceneries03.jpg





View of Oslob Church from the Cuartel

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Oslob/oslob_church_burned01.jpg

[Wonderboy]

^^ The Military Quarters looks very nice with the sea backdrop. Is that protected, Arnold? An NHI marker perhaps? Okay, let's not rely too much on NHI. Are the people in Oslo aware that they should protect their built heritage?

These are rheotrical questions but please feel free to answer (labo...hehe).

[LordCarnal]

^^

I do hope so that they're aware of their heritage.

Yes I agree with you that there should be a marker for these structures, at least the people there will realize that there's something interesting and important there.

There's a problem also with some of the past parish priests who were assigned there. I learned lately that there once were centuries old acacia trees at the back of the convento but these were cut down to give way to a basketball/tennis court, hehehe..

[LordCarnal]

This is the image of the Immaculate Concepcion to whom the church of Oslob was dedicated. This was displayed high above the main altar and was the only one inside the church that survived the fire.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/immaculate_concepcion.jpg


Ricky Trota Jose gives an impromptu lecture about the image. Based on the way it was carved, Ricky says that the image is older than the church which was built in 1830.

(OT: Salud to University of Sto. Tomas! They really spent money to send a team to Oslob)


http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/immaculate_concepcion02.jpg

[habagatcentral1]

^^

I do hope so that they're aware of their heritage.

Yes I agree with you that there should be a marker for these structures, at least the people there will realize that there's something interesting and important there.

There's a problem also with some of the past parish priests who were assigned there. I learned lately that there once were centuries old acacia trees at the back of the convento but these were cut down to give way to a basketball/tennis court, hehehe..

I rememberd one priest here in Iloilo saying that he (yes I'll emphasize the pronoun) doen't like to have the century-old church to be inscribed or put a marker of the NHI because the government and some heritage artys-fartsy might be interfering with the church affairs. He added that the example of Miag-ao Church controversy, in which the priests are asking where is the funding from the government since it has been inscribed already as a national treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Miag-ao controversy is that the priest (with the help of money coming from Miagaoanons) did altered the church's structure by adding up a sacristy that is a poor copy of the church's design. This enraged NHI & NCCA.

May problema nga talaga sa Kapari-an at sa Pamahalaan mismo pagdating sa mga ganitong isyu ng heritage conservation.

[LordCarnal]

^^

Maybe they should introduce at least 100 units of a Church Heritage and Conservation subject at the seminary.

[habagatcentral1]

^^ Induce them with that will do. Because they tend to copy beauty from other places and integrate it with the local church. But some priests tend to be "The Ruler" to bring legacy to the church by corrupting some of its pieces of art. Such a headache! :ohno:

[Wonderboy]

What do you think?

Carriedo Fountain was repainted more than a week ago. So what do you think of its new look?

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/9237/carriedofountain1ta3.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1740/carriedofountain2ii0.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3008/carriedofountain3bo5.jpg

[habagatcentral1]

^^ Ano yan?!!! Birthday Cake?!!! No ba yan, walang ka-art art IMO! :bash: Just being frank, I prefer the old whitewashed fountain, it gives a more elegant and classical look.

[Asturiano]

i agree the old whitewashed fountain was a lot better compare to that one. i hate to say that it was a lousy job. i recommend that the government of manila especially the committee responsible for the restoration of many of our historic landmark should take a time to reaserch of what the project look like in the old days before they do the restoring because rigt now, it seem to me by the look of that fountain that they don't have any idea of what good art and architecture should look like and what kind of color should go with it without irritating the eyes. They really need to study art and architecture of how to do a good restoration. Perhaps they need a tour of europe so they can see an example of what good architecture is all about. Most of our historic structures are ruin because the people who are doing the restoration are not professional.

[LordCarnal]

^^

Maybe they want to be unique from their European counterparts.. A unique Filipino art that perhaps looks appealing to outsiders for them.

"Lasang pinoy" as they say..

Just look at the National Museum right now.. National Museum pa yan ha...






:D :D

[habagatcentral1]

^^ Nyahaha!!! :Lol: But it looks like a Birthday cake for me. :D Mas maganda na ang naangkop sa klasikal nitong anyo.

[LordCarnal]

^^

yah and the National Museum also looks like a Chiffon cake

or perhaps a giant butter scotch

...

[habagatcentral1]

^^ What's next, Post Office like a Giant Sans Rival? Nyak! ehehehe! :lol: :lol:
Anyway, its just they have to execute the restoration as proper as possible. The Carriedo Fountain just looks like a fancy birthday cake.

[kyle@1008]

What do you think?

Carriedo Fountain was repainted more than a week ago. So what do you think of its new look?

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/9237/carriedofountain1ta3.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1740/carriedofountain2ii0.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3008/carriedofountain3bo5.jpg

:runaway:

:cry:

[sista]

to quote nina garcia from Project Runway..

"It looks cheap" :/

they should have painted it white with no other impurities in it :/

[LordCarnal]

The "colored" fountain remind me of those old photographs that look like postcards..

[icarusrising]

What do you think?

Carriedo Fountain was repainted more than a week ago. So what do you think of its new look?

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/9237/carriedofountain1ta3.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1740/carriedofountain2ii0.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3008/carriedofountain3bo5.jpg


First, the Jones Bridge... And now this... It does look like a cake. And it takes the cake for tackiness. :nono:

[OtAkAw]

^^Disgrace to humanity talaga ang mga nangangalaga sa mga heritage sites sa Manila! Dapat pure white nalang or they used dark tones and then gold/bronze plating sa mga engravings ala Place de la Concorde's fountain in Paris...

[Animo]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2337/1838351245_5279ae2414.jpg?v=0

Cibeles Fountain, Madrid

^^ They couldn't made it dignified? Other cities makes it as part of their cultural icon. It say's much of the Filipino taste. :bash:

:nuts:

What a waste of public funds! I would like it to be with the golden bronze paint.

[Asturiano]

why can we built a fountain like those fountains in madrid and rome they look very elegant because it was made of marble and good to look at, especially for posing picture for tourist.

[habagatcentral1]

I still prefer the classical whitewashed fountains if its design is classical Renaissannce.

Talk about glorification of politicans...

Fuente Osmena (Cebu City) [shot last 2006, I think Cebu peeps got the latest picture of it]

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/17/photos/27/600x600/31.jpg?et=b6sbhgU2HpQaMPbcHCBx%2Bg&nmid=21224106

Fontana/Fuente Arroyo (Iloilo City) [shot just last December 2007 and it still looks the same] :D
http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/9/photos/86/600x600/3/IMGP0745.JPG?et=A5hGbPiemuMYcM%2CI%2BD%2B%2B%2Bw&nmid=62867541