BYEWALK

The newly elected Mayor Alfredo Lim recently removed the commercial establishments along the baywalk. A project of former mayor Lito Atienza, I was not a fan of the baywalk development because the structures block the view of the bay and the sunset. I like a clean and sweeping stretch of coconut trees along Roxas Boulevard. I remember exchanging friendster messages in 2004 with a resident in the area, regarding how “baduy” (flashy) the lamp posts are. I disliked it, with the notion that no public consultation was solicited. He told me that there was a consultation, and the existing design is far better from what City Hall originally proposed. He also convinced me that it is probably what the locals wanted. Like the jeepney, it is an eyecandy that easily attract majority of the Filipinos. I remember touring a German friend in the area. While making him try halo-halo” (a local iced goody) from Aristocrat, the place was so festive. There were marching bands playing Filipino songs that made people dance and sing. And then I remember Cuba, how it is described to be a country that lives its own music. The streets of Santiago de Cuba and Havana are filled with dancing and singing as well. I just realized that we were actually doing the same thing already. Although it is in the tune of Otso-otso, Boom tarat tarat and Spaghetti Dance, it is music to them and probably what best represent Pinoys today. I still think that the new father of Manila just wants to ensure that peace and order are maintained in the city. But as an architect and an aspiring urban designer, I know that there are better ways of achieving security while Filipinos still enjoy "fun" filled public spaces.

Catch it if you can.

The National Museum is about to close the exhibit: Building Modernity, A Century of Philippine Architecture and Allied Arts. It showcases how architecture and urbanism in the Philippines evolved in the twentieth century, within the framework of Modernism. The curator Gerard Lico, categorized the buildings into different tropes based on how they were influenced by movements and ideologies.These are Modern as a Civilizing Project, Modern as Vernacular, Modern as Technological Progress, Modern as Statecraft and Modern as Global Enterprise. The pictures, drawings, blueprints and even artifacts displayed, tell us that there is a substantial architectural history in the Philippines. Just a thought.... If we pay little value to our older and ornate buildings, how do we value Manila's modernist architectural heritage?

Located at the fourth floor of the Museum of the Filipino People, I was informed that the exhibit will close on the first week of September. We need more exhibits like this!