MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Insitituto Cervantes de Manila, together with the Intramuros Administration, held an open panel discussion on the state of the walled city and the rich potential it continues to hold. Held at Casa Manila, the organization together with the Spanish Embassy of Manila invited guest speakers: Professor Pedro Luengo, Spanish Historians Alfredo Morales, Manuel Casado, Ignacio Hernandez, and Intramuros Administrator, Guiller Asido.The panel was moderated by Dr. Javier Galván, Director of Instituto Cervantes de Manila.
Built in the Spanish colonial era, it was made to become the Spaniard’s political and military base in Asia. Thriving within Intramuros weregrand administrative establishments and religious and educational institutions, where only the most powerful clans could settle.
Originally, it was an ideal location for the indigenous Tagalog and Kapampangan tribes to trade with other Asian civilizations before the Spaniards arrived. Due to the continuous threats of invasion, defensive features, including moats, cannons, and defensive walls from bulwarks to ravelins where also built around the city. Hence, the name Intramuros—“a city within the walls”.
The walls, and the city itself suffered heavy damage during the second world war, and was left in disarray.
It was until 1979 by the virtue of Presidential Decree 1616, that the government has assigned the Intramuros Administration with the restoration, protection and development of Intramuros.
According to the Intramuros Administration chief, Atty. Guiller Asido, the crafting of the conservation management plan which indicates the policies and directions needed to better preserve Intramuros has been finalized. Following the UNESCO’s Urban Landscape Approach that goes beyond the preservation of the physical environment, and focuses on the intangible significance of the Intramuros.
Atty. Asido also narrated the need to do an assessment on the walls as a number of them have been destroyed during the second world war. Instead of just relying on documents, the walls should also undergo a 3D scan for a more extensive research on the walls or fortifications, and outline the urban grip that Intramuros has.
The conservation of Intramuros should also not focus only on the infrastructures, but also the environment as advised by the speakers. Citing the Torre De Manila, the controversial high-rise building behind the Rizal Park’s skyline as an example.
Aside from the importance of the infrastructures in Intramuros, the strategic location of Manila also plays an important role in its heritage. Alfredo Morales, one of the art historians during the discussion, dubbed Manila as an “important hub of communication”. He stated that Manila links the east and west. As it was where most trades undergo before, highlighting the roles that Pasig River andtheManila Bayplayed. Another historian, Manuel Casado, also agreed, saying that it is not about the stone on stones, brick by brick, it is about using the location strategically and how they manage the location.
Since Manila is the center, or the capital of the country, it comprises a mix of different cultures that also contributes to its importance in heritage. The speakers were also quick to point out the similarities of the city (being near port) with other Latin America countries like the fortresses from Cartagena and Havana, expressing that Intramuros is one of the best examples in the field of architecture or engineering.
Heritage sites can be considered as the physical component of the city’s identity. The architecture, strategic locations, and the use of the buildings tell stories of how a place came to be and where it can go. It adds character to our city, and not does it only mirrors the identity of the city but also ourselves.
