ContemporAntiquity inside Meralco Museum
(or "how this person got stumbled in there")
Situated in Pasig City, the museum of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) shows off its ages-old contribution, that somehow made this person describe as a relics of ContemporAntiquity.
Ranging from its old electric meters, pictures, as well as a replica of a tram that was one of the recognisable symbols of old Manila, the museum wanted to show its visitors that the company as more than just a generator and distributor of electricity, but also a contributor in the metro, what more of a country's contemporary development.At first, one would say that the once-named "Manila Electric Railroad and Light Company" has contributed much to Metro Manila, and in extention, Mega Manila's development for more than 100 years, and as a ContemporAntiquitarian, the museum’s intent is more than just revisiting the past with all its mementoes and replicas enough for a observer to know how that company hath brought light to its customers for generations, but also to inspire present and future generations to steer development in various fields: be it Power Generation, Transporation, Communications, and other emerging technologies in industries in need of breakthrough solutions to developmental challenges if not as part of a megali idea that leads to a nation’s renaissance.
Sounds idealistic after seeing those mementoes, if not too optimistic knowing that MERALCO but, come to think of this: was the founders of that company truly concerned about national development? By bringing electricity, by promoting cheaper and faster means of transport, wasn’t it that equivalent to a promotion of growth, progress, emancipation, and rejuvenation of a country? Filipinos then be like they sought the wonders of those as efficient than depending on human, horse, or carabao-power; as the power plants like those in Isla de Provisor churned electricity in every street light and home, and its Trams brought people in a faster pace to their destinations, one would wonder that MERALCO tries to “bring light”, in which those from the past would have equated it to “progress” if not “civilisation”.
Sadly, it turned out to be different. The old power plants in Metro Manila were either demolished for "development" or in case of the power plant in Bicutan as rotting and waiting to be at the hands of the wrecking ball; the Tramway system was destroyed during the war, enough to justify as an opportunity for those Yankees to have cheap automobiles to take over; from there it took decades to have an "efficient urban mass transport system"; only to be realised in a form of the elevated "Light Rail Transit" which was once supported by MERALCO. Currently, the company supplies electricity for both LRT and MRT systems.
However, in spite of their duty to bring light and power to the metro, MERALCO hath been synonymous to the oligarchy and of increasing rates, and for sure one would also say that development hath gone at its slower if not its slowest phase enough to make Philippine power rates to remain one of the highest in Southeast Asia (thanks to the oligarchs!); and because of that everyone hath been complaining about those and cursing the Lopezes and Manny Pangilinan for all those woes, as well as the government for its continued lack of government subsidies enough to cheapen its costs (or is it intentional due to the government's adherence to less intervention in economic affairs?).
Sounds too real, but anyway, this person did enjoy seeing those old stuff, and he left satisfied with those wonders. For sure kids will enjoy seeing those stuff besides taking a picture inside the replica of that Tranvia.