Outright destruction, Façadism, and an ever yearning for preserving old Manila

Outright destruction, Façadism, 
and an ever yearning for preserving old Manila

The recent pseudo-developments in Manila is seemingly ranging from mocking heritage through façadism to those of compromised promises to revive the city's cherished identity.

For in the past few weeks, people saw this kind of trend such as destruction of various historic buildings-of those sanctioned by the very institutions meant to uphold RA 10066. And from these same authorities would even add salt to the wound by insisting "consolation to the loss" by letting a facade retain while the rest as demolished "to be with a totally new structure." To some would say it is a necessary compromise, despite the fact that it mocked heritage as these skins in fact trying to drap actually monstrous structures and claiming there is some continuity in it, enough as a "token to the past".

Be it Juan Nakpil's Capitol Theatre of calle Escolta or the Gibbs building  in Dasmarinas of William James Odom, these prewar buildings are in itself witnesses to the development that was happening in Manila. 

And in speaking of Gibbs building, these was distinguished by concrete window awnings and facade pilasters with Ionic capitals all made of reinforced concrete as it replaced old masonry techniques in the early 20th century. And this was along with Kneedler Building in Santa Cruz; the Masonic Temple, Gaches (Natividad) Building, and the old Heacock Building in Escolta; as well as the Insular Life Building in Plaza Cervantes. These reinforced concrete structures were all designed by Odom and highlighted as edifices of modern Philippines. 

But despite this kind of prewar beauty these doesn't escape the threat of being gutted by interests. Developers, especially who wanted to accommodate clients especially those from mainland China, would say that "Manila is the premier place for real estate" and thus wanting to remove old structures to and fro and claiming that "development is in full swing." And to think that regardless of a growing trend of reviving old buildings and making it relevant in this changing setting, these developers rather feigning concern if not obviously doesn't matter about heritage; and to make compromise with the community such as those of façadism is but feigning that they care about heritage when in fact wanted to give way for a high-rise condominium for their moneyed clients.

Its demolition was once halted in 2017 pending consultation with the cultural agencies, but these scrupulous developers rather eager to destroy as the wrecking ball had since permanently made its mark in gutting the building inside leaving an empty shell and an aspect of the city’s history into dust.

Quite worrisome isn't it? For sure one would remember what happened to the Admiral and Angela apartments, to those of old houses near San Sebastian end demolished for some accommodation And to think that those who preach about that goddamn development will treat it as any other optimistic delusion of seeing high-rise structures over the world's densely-populated city instead of promoting real and sound development in the countryside. 

And to think that these demolished structures also coincide with the "promise" of reviving Manila such as those from the underpass would say what is Mayor Francisco Domagoso doing? For sure he promised about reviving and preserving Manila's heritage; but silent in regards to the these threats and demolitions of prewar structures? Perhaps, since there are "trying to be concerned" developers are tinkering with façadism over these heritage buildings as a compromise between demolition and heritage conservation, it may take a matter of time as these remaining walls as still be retained amidst the modern high-rise construction, otherwise, to see these same property developers decide on their eventual demolition and irreversible removal from the city’s physical landscape and urban memory, with people thinking it as "come and go".

But for the concerned would say that neither façadism nor outright demolition for the sake of high-rise delusion will improve Manila's image. This is not an appeal to nostalgia tho, but more like the need for a sound planning the way those who wished to revive Escolta as a vibrant yet rooted district wanted as such.