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Preserve the past!

It’s becoming evident that Manila Mayor Lito Atienza’s idea of beauty does not include architectural heritage landmarks and places that remind us of our proud past.

He demolished Jai-Alai Bldg. on Taft Avenue and the Mehan garden near Liwasang Bonifacio. Next in line are Avenue and Galaxy Theaters on Rizal Avenue in Sta. Cruz.

Architect and conservationist Augusto Villalon, in his column today in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, said “the Avenue Theater was designed by National Artist for Architecture Juan Nakpil in the 1930s, renovating it in the 1950s. “Nakpil, son of composer and Katipunero Julio Nakpil and Gregoria de Jesus, widow of the Katipunan Supremo Andres Bonifacio, studied architecture at University of Kansas, followed by courses at Fontainebleu School of Arts in France, and finally at Harvard Graduate School for Architecture.

“Nakpil is acknowledged as among the pioneers and early innovators in Philippine architecture. Among his surviving works today are the SSS Building, Quezon Institute and the University of the Philippines Administration and Library buildings in Quezon City.

“A prolific architect, he designed most of the mansions that gave Vito Cruz Street its air of elegance, all demolished except for the surviving residence of the descendants of Gen. Vicente Lim.

“Avenue Theater was designed in the Art Deco style that swept through the world during the ’30s. This was the time when the invention of machines brought industrialization and prosperity to many world economies including the Philippines, establishing an epoch of growth and stability called Peace Time by an older generation that today has practically died out.”

Ivan Anthony Henares, a member of the board of the Heritage Conservation Society, shared an e-mail he got from fellow board member Richard Tuason Bautista: “This morning (3 June 2006) during our taping and inspection of the ongoing demolition of the Avenue Theater and Hotel, we learned from the EVJ Demolition Team, with representation of their general manager Mr. Esteban Toting, that the Galaxy Theatre is next to face the demolition crew.

“Galaxy theatre is a work of National Artist for Architecture Pablo Antonio. It may not be too late to save this one. But how to save it, an uproar from the public is needed.”

Ivan asked, “What are people doing to Manila’s heritage? It seems the uglification of Manila is moving forward at such an alarming rate. The sad part is our utter disregard for the works of people we call National Artists. Why do we give out the award in the first place if we don’t even care whether their works are preserved for future generations of Filipinos to appreciate?

Ivan said “we should not sit down and simply watch while what’s left of the Pearl of the Orient and its capital city, goes down one by one!”

He said the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Historical Institute (NHI) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), should do something about it.

How about we, ordinary citizens?

Ivan suggests that we write Mayor Atienza (mayor_atienza@cityofmanila.com.ph) or call (5276063 or 5274991) and tell him to stop giving out demolition permits for Manila’s architectural heritage!

Published inGeneral

21 Comments

  1. Ellen,

    For God’s sake, why does he want to do that?

    Over here, we save every relic, even a bit of stone to preserve a reminder of the past.

    We re-model, rehabilitate buildings, etc. to preserve the past while Manila is hell bent on zoning out its own heritage.

    Good heavens, I’ve never seen or heard anything so Caucescu-like warped mentality.

    Filipino environmentalists should fight this one out!

  2. Ellen,

    I did not know that the Avenue is being torn down. I had fond memories of that theater. My Lolo used to manage that place. I would run around and watch the movies shown there. Its such a great part of my youth. Its sad that Atienza has a different view of development and heritage. Maybe thinks that modern malls and skyscrapers make a city progressive. Lets just do away with honoring our architects if our leaders do not know how to appreciate beauty and passion. London and Paris are full of art deco and they use these to enchant and entice tourists. Why can’t we do the same here? Not only conservationist should fight for this but the Dept. of Tourism too. We were able to do it in Intramuros why not the entire city?

  3. ystakei ystakei

    Didn’t I just talked about Atienza in comparison with the late Arsenio Lacson, the greatest so far among those who have become Mayors of Manila? I don’t know this man. Just read about him, but the impression I got was one who was as stupid as the one over-squatting at the palace by the murky river, and whose ass he almost literally licks!!! Boy, this one really sucks, much worse than the Mayor of Manila when we left the Philippines, Antonio Villegas, who was the pet peeve of columnist Joe Guevarra.

    With all the demolition of historical sites by this impertinent Mayor, Manilans should cry out “Foul!”

  4. What do you think of Baywalk, which Atienza is so proud about? I find it garish. Even the lights that he put up along Roxas Blvd are ugly. At least in Liwasang Bonifacio, it’s better.

    Gagastos man lang, hindi na kumuha ng urban beautification adviser with taste.

    His program is supposedly “Buhayin ang Maynila” . What is happening is “Patayin ang kaluluwa ng Maynila.”

  5. penoyko penoyko

    meron pa kayang natitirang kaluluwa ang maynila? maliban sa mga PINK URINALS@#$%^&*

  6. Spartan Spartan

    Ellen, the only thing that Mayor Lito Atienza interested in PRESERVING is his HOLD ON POWER…much like his MASTER in the Palace. ART and CULTURAL HERITAGE? This people in the GOVERNMENT now, both on the NATIONAL and LOCAL levels…from TOP to the BOTTOM positions don’t care about any of those. Filipino Cultural heritage, courtesy of GMA and her co-horts including Atienza is a culture of cheats, lies, immoralities, and thick-skinned [(un)public]self service. Everytime I go back there in Manila and see the city where I grew-up is rapidly being “de-faced” thanks to LA’s vision…whatever that is.

  7. goldenlion goldenlion

    I have emailed Mayor Lito Atienza, requesting him to stop the demolitions of old theaters and other landmarks of the old Manila. I wish he would have a little time to read it……and a have a little conscience to reconsider his plans. Nakakapanghinayang talaga.!! I lived in Manila for 25 years 1973 to 1998. Nong 70s maganda ang City. Madalas akong maglakad sa Rizal Avenue, sa Escolta, sa underpass sa Quiapo. Pero noong dumami na ang mga vendors noong dekada 80 until 90s particularly sa underpass, sus!!!, naging madumi, maingay ang Manila. I miss dekada 70, pati mga songs noong panahong iyon ay magaganda.

  8. ystakei ystakei

    Yes, this Atienza does not have any sense of history just like the Midget who is eyeing to sell Philippine patrimonies in Japan that not even Marcos, the dictator, wanted sold for they are indeed symbols of Philippine honor, valor and dignity. There are 5 Philippine properties in Japan, all properties acquired through reparations payments from Japan. To sell these properties indeed is like selling Philippine souls, for these properties were paid to the Filipinos in exchange for the number of Filipino lives sacrificed in WWII so the Philippines will be free.

    My friends and I in fact have assigned ourselves as protectors of these properties at a risk for Japanese nationals among us have become targets of blacklisting in the Philippines, and our Filipino friends in the movement do not like their names to be known for fear that their passports would be revoked and they would not be able to go home.

    Yet, despite such injustices, we still cannot help but love the land of our birth kahit na sukang-suka na kami sa mga burot na umuupo sa pamahalaan ng Pilipinas na bulok na bulok compared to the governments a lot of us have been exposed to overseas!

    Now, off the topic, the Midget is saying that there is going to be no Chacha this year. But wait till next year! Itong ungas na ito dapat talaga birahin na sa ulo para magtanda! What she says now may change tomorrow, you see!

  9. Hi Ellen, thanks for picking up the issue. I hope we make so much noise, Atienza can’t afford to ignore us this time around. Btw, the above link to my blog doesn’t work. Thanks!

  10. nelbar nelbar

    Ellen,
    Hindi ko mai-post dito ang link ni Mr.Henares.

    Dibale…

    Ivan, gusto kong mai-share sayo ito: “Munting Museo ng Namayan”

    Noon makikita mo ito sa lumang mapa ng Metro Manila

  11. Ivan, i changed the link to your blog. it’s working now. Thanks, nelbar, for the link.

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