Seeing pictures of Manila in its Hay day gives me goose bumps like no other. It is only just now that I realized there is beauty and majesty in Manila, even now. Out of all the chaos and twisted metal Jeepneys that rule the streets are the Landmarks that have shaped Manila's identity all over the world. That's how powerful the Architecture was, back in the day. So immense that it made us one of the most coveted tourist destinations among others like Paris, London and European Countries. But that label is long gone, and we are now struggling to preserve it. In many ways you can see how the modernization of Manila has taken its toll, crushing Manila's scenic views, and fresh air. Burnham never planned with LRT or SM department store in mind. It is only then that Filipinos have been affected by Commercialism and has changed the Filipino ways.
It is only in Europe that you'll find iconic Gothic Churches that are known all over the world. Who would have known that one could find the same here, under the colossal concrete commercial centers in and around the University belt. The glory of San Sebastian Church is unlike no other church in the country. This monumental church completed in 1981 by Gustave Eiffel is the only all steel church in Asia. It is majestic in all its glory. It stands in this small lot covered by all the chaos, yet when approaching you would never feel that, you would feel you are somewhere in Europe and all the surrounding buildings turn into Al fresco dining places or coffee shops. Nonetheless, a perfect steel structure like this standing in the heart of Manila never gets noticed, and is seldom recognized by passersby. I can say it is wonderfully preserved. The stained glass windows are still intact despite all the climate changes. The beautiful steel interiors and furnishings are still there and are well taken care of by the Administration. Although its is beautiful in itself only, there is this extension beside it that personally, I really hate. The Chartres Cathedral didn't have an extension, didn't it? Restoring for that manner is one way Architects are able to bring back the glory and life of as structure. You can see that being done in the Church. The intricate details are still there. You still encounter the feeling of awe walking in the Church, and other than the Tangible factors of restoration there is still the need to restore the feeling a structure can impose on people.
Got Milk? Well, might as well drop by Gota De Leche, a clinic established in 1907 for children to prevent malnutrition. Designed by Juan Arellano and Arcadio Arellano, this building has been recognized and now holds the 2003 Heritage Award of the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation. This Beautiful Renaissance style building has been restored a number of times and is now planning to undergo a 3rd one. The beautiful Rounded Arches greet you before coming inside the building. The original wooden doors, windows and furniture are placed inside and are still there, in their original position. The most eye catching part of the building for me was the intricate wooden beams upstairs, as well as the carved furniture. Personally, It is a beautiful building. But it has lost all its majesty and is not even recognized by people outside. At its current state, I think the restoration process was not done do restore the building yet it diminishes the character of the structure. Restoration is a continuous process, it should not have been done hastily. The paint job wasn't even nicely done. Doing the extensions behind the building even adjacent to it is just plain wrong for me. The rooms has very significant historical value, why put an extension on it when it doesn't have any particular purpose? I would've left the building stand on its own. It doesn't need to have a label, or a sign. You would know how a building is beautifully done when you know exactly what it is without even asking. This building is very historically significant, we should always know how to treasure the things we have and not ruin it further by modifying it to an extent.
I'am very sensitive in dealing with structures in Manila. I think its clear now. It is here and now that we face the hard truth between separating values and tradition. We should always treasure the past, what we have. Because once in our lives we have been the Paris of Asia. So to speak, It is a dream of mine to see that again, and to feel it again. What better way to start than now.
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