{"id":16797,"date":"2023-02-04T06:23:08","date_gmt":"2023-02-04T16:23:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/?p=16797"},"modified":"2023-02-04T06:23:09","modified_gmt":"2023-02-04T16:23:09","slug":"book-review-endangered-splendor-manilas-architectural-heritage-1571-1960","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/2023\/02\/04\/book-review-endangered-splendor-manilas-architectural-heritage-1571-1960\/","title":{"rendered":"BOOK REVIEW: ENDANGERED SPLENDOR: Manila’s Architectural Heritage 1571-1960"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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by Rose Churma \u00a0

In the book\u2019s preface, the French architect, Guillaume Marchand calls this publication an urban novel.\u00a0To read this book is likened to a journey, with its readers as explorers to decipher the urban zone that is Metro Manila.

In essence, this is an inventory of Manila\u2019s architectural heritage, a vital instrument in preserving memory.

Apparently, the process of doing a Cultural Inventory has become increasingly popular in the Philippines and the initiatives in Cebu and Bohol provinces were noted as examples.

Ateneo de Manila\u2019s Cultural Laboratory has also done cultural mapping of Tayabas in Quezon province, as well as Intramuros and San Juan in Metro Manila \u2014 funded by Fundacion Santiago, a non-profit foundation that \u201csees the positive contribution of heritage tourism to job creation at the grassroots level.\u201d

It is not surprising that the country\u2019s Department of Tourism initiated the impetus to create an inventory of Manila\u2019s heritage structures in 1996\u2014as part of a \u201cmaster plan\u201d that would generate better quality tourism.

Interestingly, a few Hawai’i architects and planners participated in producing this master plan\u2014an off-shoot of Hawai’i State\u2019s thrust to market Hawai’i\u2019s consulting services in design and tourism planning.

Noted anthropologist and one of the authors of this book, Fernando N. Zialcita, was part of that team. He had identified the list of structures for each of the \u201cSpecial Design Areas\u201d identified in the master plan, and he eventually suggested that a more expanded \u201cInventory of Manila\u2019s Heritage Structures\u201d be conducted.

Cities and municipalities of the NCR (National Capital Region) was scanned, and photo-documented and their architectural, historical and social significance was noted, such that by the end of the survey, the total number of entries was around 3,400.

This book is a product of that research, with the team comprising of individuals with various skills and backgrounds and a project manager (Erik Akpedonu, a German Ghanian who developed a deep love for Philippine heritage and architecture) who trained the young researchers and controlled the quality output of the research.

But the common thread for all participants was their sincere interest in Philippine heritage architecture.\u00a0This passion and commitment are evident in this publication\u2014a stunning and awesome achievement in the context of Philippine society\u2019s slow to the non-existent appreciation of the country\u2019s heritage, nor an understanding that cultural assets can be economic assets as well.

In this regard, Dr. Victor Venida, an economist and one of the authors, highlighted both the potential economic activities for each district that could serve as discussion points for long term urban management.

The book\u2019s authors stressed that cultural heritage is more successfully preserved in the context of an urban plan, as experienced by several urban centers. It requires regular and consistent dialogue among its stakeholders.

The four districts of Manila that are covered are: Intramuros, Binondo, San Nicolas and Tondo. These four districts, a zone running from north to south at the mouth of the Pasig River is considered the core of Manila and of the entire Philippines.

Intramuros, located south of the Pasig River, began as a Spanish colonial walled city and evolved as the center of the nation\u2019s\u00a0political, religious, educational, social and cultural center during the Spanish rule.

North of the river is Tondo, which flourished as a port even\u00a0during prehispanic times. While south of Tondo is Binondo, called the\u00a0\u201cPivot of the Pacific\u201d for its role in the Galleon Trade which earned Manila the term \u201cfirst global city\u201d since these global transactions took place in the Parian which was part of Binondo.

Beside Binondo is San Nicolas, whose\u00a0historic\u00a0structures\u00a0document the emergence of a local\u00a0bourgeoisie, among them the\u00a0family of General Antonio Luna.

World\u00a0War II devastated large swaths of Manila, destroying examples of architectural heritage from the Spanish colonial and early American era. But some remained. But for how long?

The authors of the book lament that the lack of\u00a0district planning, the commercial sector\u2019s desire for profit and neglect to maintain these historic edifices are destroying landmarks of Manila\u2019s history\u00a0and Filipinos\u2019 creativity.

Since they started writing this book, a few of the structures\u00a0have already been demolished!

In the back cover, they write: \u201cThis series was written in the hope that seeing all the\u00a0remaining splendor\u00a0gathered together under one cover, the public might feel it urgent to keep alive Manila\u2019s story and its landmarks.\u201d

This series is meant to be a set of three volumes. This book is the first volume.

“Volume 2: The South” covers the zone that extends from one of the oldest settlements within the\u00a0metropolis down to Manila Bay (which includes Pandacan, Paco, Malate, Singalong, San Andres to Ermita). “Volume 3: The North\u201d will cover areas\u00a0across the Pasig River\u2014Sta Cruz, Quiapo, San Miguel, to Sampaloc-Sta Mesa.

We look forward to these volumes before some of its historic structures are demolished or\u00a0deconstructed and moved elsewhere.

The\u00a0photographs show the beauty and glory of the structures as well as the filth and decay (which is heartbreaking because beneath the grime and intrusive\u00a0electrical wires and detritus of\u00a0urban life, one can\u00a0glimpse of\u00a0what used to be\u2014the intricate\u00a0details of\u00a0moldings,\u00a0the craftsmanship of a bygone era).

One of the authors,\u00a0Fernando\u00a0\u201cButch\u201d Nakpil Zialcita has Hawai’i ties.\u00a0He received his graduate degree in cultural\u00a0anthropology (MA and PhD) from the University of Hawai\u2019i and is married to a local-born from O’ahu.

An author of other books, he has fought for the conservation of cultural heritage such as the\u00a0protection of urban ensembles like Vigan. He currently is with the Ateneo de Manila University\u2019s Department of Sociology and\u00a0Anthropology where he set up the Cultural\u00a0Studies Program.

For advocates of the preservation of Philippine culture and history, this book is a \u201cmust-have.\u201d\u00a0For local libraries and educational institutions, this publication is a well-researched reference tool for young Filipino-Americans in search for their roots.

Interested parties can send inquiries via email at <kalamansibooks@gmail.com<\/a>>.

ROSE CRUZ CHURMA<\/strong>established\u00a0Kalamansi Books & Things\u00a0three decades ago. It has\u00a0evolved from a mail-order bookstore into an online advocacy with the intent of helping global Pinoys discover their heritage by promoting books of value from the\u00a0Philippines\u00a0and those\u00a0written by Filipinos in the Diaspora. We can be reached at <\/em>kalamansibooks@gmail.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Rose Churma \u00a0 In the book\u2019s preface, the French architect, Guillaume Marchand calls 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