The Walled City lines up 121st Independence Day activities
Literally meaning “within the walls” in Spanish, Intramuros was synonymous to the City of Manila, the capital of the Philippines, during Spanish colonial period.
Alternately called the Walled City, the defensive walls were constructed to protect the city from foreign invasions in the 16th century by the colonial government — like the attack of Chinese pirates led by Limahong in 1574.
It was then the seat of government and political power as well as the center of religion, education and commerce. The standard way of life within the Walled City became the standard of life throughout the archipelago.
Globalization is said to have started at the Maestranza district, where Manila galleons sailed the Pacific Ocean for centuries carrying goods to and from Acapulco, Mexico. A landmark by the Pasig River attests to the 400 years trade exchange in 1964 between the two countries.
Intramuros was destroyed during the Battle of Manila in 1945, damaging and obliterating some of the churches, universities, heritage houses and government buildings. It was where the Japanese Imperial Army made their last stand against Allied Forces and Filipino guerrillas during World War 2. Only the San Agustin Church remained standing.
Intramuros Administration
Signed on April 10, 1979 by then President Ferdinand Marcos was Presidential Decree 1616 creating the Intramuros Administration (IA) — mandated to rebuild, redevelop, administer and preserve the pre-war buildings, structures and fortifications of the Walled City.
Since then, IA had been successful in restoring the walls, the sub-features of the fortification and the city within. Today, the attached agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT) is headed by Guiller Asido, former chief executive officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
In a roundtable discussion for The Manila Times Television (TMTTV) on Thursday, Asido discussed further the development IA is spearheading to make the Walled City the country’s main attraction of cultural and educational tours.
In a friendly banter with Times President and CEO Dante Francis “Klink” Ang 2nd, Publisher Nerilyn Tenorio, Managing Editor Arnold Belleza and Senior Reporter William Depasupil, Asido shared that IA has been making money the past two years mainly from Museum and Site fees.
Getting the lowest budget among DOT-attached agencies, the upward trend in its supplementary sources means that they can fund projects undertaken on their own.
“We have to live within our means,” Asido told the panel. He said that lighting, lanscaping and re-landscaping of the surroundings, particularly General Luna Street and Padre Burgos Avenue, had been implemented under the auspices of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The Times President and CEO, who sat on the IA Board during the term of Bambi Harper, said that he is happy of the development since the plans during their time had not been implemented.
New attractions
The Museo de Intramuros or Intramuros Museum took 40 years to realize, Asido informed.
Rebuilt in 2013, Ayuntamiento de Manila and the San Ignacio Church and Convent were reconstructed as the Museo de Intramuros. Opened on May 2 free for the public, it is designed to house the period art collections of IA that includes ecclesiastical art, furniture, vestments, and textiles and other artifacts.
One thing IA is working on is the pedestrianization of the major zones — like Palacio del Gobernador to General Luna to San Agustin Church, which tourists don’t mind taking the walking tour. Petty crimes had been abetted with the installation of lights, Asido assured.
A collaborative network of museums — connecting Intramuros to the National Museum and Rizal Park — is underway as well.
Informal settlers resettlement, underground cabling
Part of the conservation management plan (CMP) for the protection of the historic district includes underground cabling and the relocation of informal settlers.
IA entered into an agreement with the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) for the resettlement and relocation of about 500 informal settler families living inside the Walled City, targeted to be completed by 2021. The budget from SHFC will also cover subsidy grants for livelihood initiatives.
Underground cabling was already completed in Plaza de Roma, a major public square in the district surrounded by three important landmarks namely, the Manila Cathedral, Palacio del Gobernador, and Ayuntamiento de Manila. In the works are Aduana and A. Soriano Avenue, where The Manila Times is located.
Maestranza Wall Creative Hub
Together with the Creative Economy Council of the Philippines (CECP), IA is working on building a creative hub along the Maestranza Wall.
Composed of 44 chambers, the 300-meter structure built along the Pasig River in the 16th century is envisioned to be incubation spaces for various creative arts including architecture, media, advertising and fashion.
It will be the country’s first iconic hub, Asido said, adding that the chambers will be divided as canvas for the arts.
“There will be masters setting up spaces, for example, or teachers, who will train and impart their ideas, or the proper development of ideas that will take root from there,” the IA adminstrator shared.
The adaptive reuse of the Maestranza Wall coincides with IA’s long-term plans of creating a more dynamic and inclusive Intramuros — one that isn’t just appreciated as an urban heritage district, but also one engaged in a vibrant dialogue with modern times.
If Maestranza heralded the beginning of globalization in the 16th century, its adaptive reuse in the near future can also be seen as a new globalization of ideas and creativity.
“Treat Intramuros as canvas – an open space for everyone,” Asido said of his turf.
He also assured that kalesas will always be an added charm to Intramuros, as pointed out by Tenorio. Horses get certification from Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and a veterinarian from the Manila Polo Club makes sure that the animals drawing carriages for tourists are physically fit.
Independence Day offerings
As the nation celebrates its 121st Independence Day on Wednesday, IA has lined up a series of activities to enjoy the country’s cultural, religious and educational hub.
Open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., Fort Santiago and the Destileria Limtuaco Museum offer free entrance. General Luna Street is car-free, inviting everyone to stroll along Intramuros’ main street or can go around on bikes and scooters with their pets. Free screenings at Fort Santiago Teatro in the We Are Intramuros Short Film Festival starts from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. A Free Photowalk around the Intramuros is also offered for visitors, meetup at Plaza Roma at 9 a.m. The We Art Intramuros Freedom Bazaar operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For those who love music, admission is free at We Are Intramuros Music Festival from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The next major event is the Young Scholars Conference on Intramuros in August, followed by the Grand Marian Procession in November.
“But there will be activities in between,” Asido disclosed to The Sunday Times Magazine.
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