Is it goodbye to a decades-old ContemporAniquitarian edifice?

Is it goodbye to a decades-old ContemporAniquitarian edifice?

Notes on the attempt to demolish Juan Nakpil's

pre-war Capitol Theatre at Escolta, Manila

In spite of attempts to revive Manila's cultural and heritage treasures, it seems that profit-driven "modernity" thrives as so-called "developers" continue to threaten old but well-known edifices, some end as lots for eventual "high rise" condominiums, others be left out as paid parking lots; and all these are quite lamentable knowing that how come alongside the idea of reviving its cherished heritage why on earth there are still those attempting to demolish all in the name of profit-driven "modernity" in a form of a dull condominium?

As months ago, everyone heard about the international style-built Philippine National Bank main office hath been demolished after it was struck by a fire last January 2015. And in response to widespread concern and criticism over the matter, Estrada justified the demolition as necessary:

“It was burned so how can it be restored? It’s a building endangering the lives of the people passing by the area,” 

And further justified saying that the idea of tearing down the building first came up in 2010 during the time of then Mayor Alfredo Lim. A developer, Romy Lorenzo of Geltd Developers and Managers Group Inc., claimed that the 12-story structure was in danger of collapsing should an earthquake hit the city. "The blaze, however, has weakened its foundation, leaving them no choice but to tear it down," said Robert Bernardo, chief of the city’s engineering office.

Because of that, that issue seemed quite lamenting knowing that after the recent demolition of the Arguelles-designed edifice, threats to demolish the reinforced concrete edifice hath been discussed for so long by so-called developers, who, in the name of "development" had to demolish every identity structure by structure, and replacing it with their own style one would describe as "dull", "plain", or "bereft of identity" compared to other once-stood structures.

"From being a trend to being threatened"

And this time, given the go-signal by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and National Museum (NM), another iconic and important structure in Manila is set to be demolished to give way to a high-rise residential building: Adding to the list of the city's built heritage-turned-intangible or altogether lost is the prewar art-deco Capitol Theater on Escolta Street designed by National Artist for Architecture Juan Nakpil.

Like any other threatened building which is worthy of being preserved, this person expressed concern regarding the status of one of Escolta's recognisable structures. Whereas people sought the entire strip as a "legacy of what Manila once was", it is fast becoming a duty to preserve, maintain, bring life, and be adapted to the so-called "modern times"; but, with those stubborn wanting to demolish and expand interests badly, one would say that not all have the interest to give support in reviving if not exaggerating it as if it is "relevant" to the structure and to some extent, to the appearance of the reviving strip.

An example of a Filipino-design 

An almost shattered glory (and the pursuit of salvaging)

Inaugurated in 1935, the Nakpil-designed art-deco stucture has double balconies, which were still rare at that time, it was also air conditioned, and can also accommodate around 800 people. However, what sets the theater apart from other well-known ones are the artworks adorning the space: Monti’s bas-relief sculpture of two Filipinas, and a mural, entitled "Rising Philippines" made by modernist painters Victorio C. Edades, Carlos "Botong" V. Francisco, and Galo B. Ocampo.

But in spite of its grandeur, the iconic theater was heavily damaged during the Second World War, only to be rebuilt and returned as one of Manila's well-known theatres during the post-war period. However, in spite of its recognition, in the ’70s and ’80s, the number of theatergoers declined due to the rise of commercial theaters, making the theater itself like most others, dilapidated.

Recently, the Capitol's interior has been abandoned, leaving only its façade. Several small business establishments and a restaurant used to operate inside. Many years ago, there was an attempt for a Chinese restaurant inside the old theater requiring its thorough renovation, only to be abandoned due to unpaid debts.

Aside from Capitol Theater, other notable buildings designed by Nakpil include the Quezon Institute in Quezon City; Philippine Trust Building in Manila; and the reconstructed Rizal House in Calamba, Laguna. Other well-known structures like the Avenue Hotel and Theater, and the Manila Jockey Club, were end demolished with the latter being replaced by one of Henry Sy's shopping malls.

However, in spite of its approval to demolish the original structure and be replaced with a "modern" residential building, the property’s developer Ascott Resources and Development Corporation insist that will preserve theater’s façade  according to an article from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, it saidth:

"NCCA Heritage Section head Charles Salazar told the Inquirer the property’s developer, Ascott Resources and Development Corp. (ARDC), had made a presentation to the three national cultural agencies “for the in situ methodology for the preservation of the tower and façade.”"

The article also stated that based from the recommendations by the NCCA, NHCP, and NM, much of the building will be torn down and the developer was instructed to do a “perfect” replica of the façade, as well as directed to “prepare complete documentation of the entire existing building including as-built plans, prepare casts of the relief sculptures of the tower for turnover to the National Museum, and install appropriate hoarding/enclosure featuring the original façade” during demolition and the construction of the new structure.

If that's the case, then the old pre-war Theater is going to be the latest heritage building in Manila repurposed using “façadism,” an approach in which the façade of a historic structure being retained in the construction of a newer building. Similar approach was also applied in heritage buildings such as the restored Luneta Hotel in Ermita; Laperal Apartments in Sampaloc; and the old Coca-Cola building in Paco.

"A memory left in postcards"

Today, many standalone theaters in downtown Manila no longer feature blockbuster films from both local and foreign producers, but rather operate underground where softcore pornographic films are shown, if not desperately showing reruns coming from malls; or in the case of surviving oldest ones, left dilapidated and likely to be demolished regardless of its prominence. It is worth nostalgic knowing that all these known structures end as memories left either in postcards, photos, books, or sayings of the old telling about the grandeur of what "The pearl of the Orient" was. And because of that fervor, there are attempts to restore the pre-war theater (as well as other old but gold structures) to its old glory, but with the recent demolition of known structures like the former Arguelles-designed structure threatens others whose decades-old appearance "worth reviving" be end threatened by demolitions "all in the end of modernity" in a form of a high-rise condominium. Even the recent frustrated "heritage-like" structure of the Admiral hotel hath mocked the original well-known pre-war structure which was eventually demolished.

But in spite of attempts to destroy the ContemporAntiquitarian image of Downtown Manila such as Escolta, there are initiatives done to preserve the once financial hub. And groups like the Escolta Commercial Association, which is composed owners of business establishments along the strip is also in cooperation with groups like the Heritage Conservation Society, 98B Collaboratory, and other concerned organisations.

Still, there's time to save

On the other side, critics, especially some conservationists and nostalgics alike have denounced the approach, saying that façadism, in spite of its intents, also affects, compromises  the integrity, authenticity, and historical fabric of a structure, or in the case of another Monti bas-relief sculpture, “The Furties,” on the façade of the old Meralco Building on San Marcelino Street, Ermita, everything was destroyed.

As according to heritage coservationist and former Tourism Secretary Gemma Cruz-Araneta:

“That remains to be seen, I hope it is true that the developer will keep the façade,” 

Cruz-Araneta also warned that the demolition of the old structure and construction of a new one (even a "replica") would affect the integrity of other heritage structures.

“However, as they dig and drive piles into the  ground for the foundation of a new structure, the heritage buildings beside Capitol will be adversely affected. Their foundations will be compromised. I think you should ask the owners of those heritage buildings if this is happening,” she said.

“It would be tragic to lose all that,” she added.

Besides Cruz-Araneta, groups like Advocates for Heritage Preservation insist that the lobby must also be preserved along with the tower and the façade. Others, in the case of two architecture students from the Technological Institute of the Philippines, used the Capitol Theatre as an example for an adaptive reuse as a mixed commercial/residential/financial hub. There are numerous plans likely to unfold, and it is quite interesting to hear those various forms of alternatives although most may likely to fell on deaf ears as the local government, who supposed to be at the forefront of reviving a community's almost lost identity favour getting sneered by the smell of cash and its increasing amounts.

That made this concerned writer thinks why on earth let this happen? Did the system intentionally letting its people be apathetic to heritage if not equating what is old to ugliness? The trend that is bereft of identity actually made the concerned thinks that to be ContemporAntiquitarian and to "Revolt Against the Modern World" as necessary. Anyway, here's a quote from Dominic Galicia:

 "Let me just say something about condemning. It is the easiest thing in the world to do. Gossips do it all the time. But as in the case of a patient being advised to amputate his leg, it is always best to get a second opinion and a third. Science and technology today – as well as the more forward-thinking architecture – are able to stabilize the most endangered of structures."

That's all for now.