Uplifting downtowns

The recent loss of several heritage structures and the continuing threats to existing heritage landmarks in Manila have alarmed conservation advocates and the cultural community. The issue of rapid urban development compromising the city’s distinctive architectural and cultural character has become a subject of mainstream news, social media, as well as legislative inquiry.

Many of the heritage buildings lost or landmarks threatened are in the historic districts of Manila. The same pressures have come to bear on other urban centers in the Philippines. Downtown and uptown areas of cities are undergoing traumatic changes. Many, like Manila, have succumbed to economic pressures to demolish and replace gems of architecture with more commercial structures, often of undistinguished aesthetic merit and questionable densities vis-à-vis zoning and infrastructure parameters (many of these districts cannot support the traffic these skyscrapers will generate).

Some Philippine cities have swum against the tide and emerged with heritage fabric intact and actually benefitting from urban renaissance. One such city was the site last weekend of a summit celebrating the heritage of downtowns in the Philippines. The summit was organized by the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) and hosted by the City Government of Iloilo City, and Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council (ICCHCC).

The Heritage Conservation Summit 2014: Revitalizing Old Downtowns drew close to 300 participants from cities all over the Philippines including, among others, Taal, Angeles, Naga, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, and Vigan. Academe was well represented with the largest delegation from my alma mater UP Diliman. Private developers were also represented, along with government institutions, including the National Museum and the Intramuros Administration.

The venue location for the summit was the picturesque campus of the University of the Philippines Visayas, not far from heritage-rich downtown Iloilo. The campus itself is a repository of heritage structures including the original municipal building of Iloilo designed by Juan Arellano and enhanced with sculptures by Francesco Monti.

The event was opened by HCS president Ivan Henares and chairperson Gemma Cruz Araneta. The welcome keynote was delivered by Iloilo Mayor Jed Mabilog, who praised the private sector for conservation initiatives in their downtown and as partners in achieving economic and social progress for Iloilo within a framework of culture and environmental sustainability.

The pace of presentations was rapid and well orchestrated by the Heritage Conservation Society’s Youth brigade (HCS-Y), whose members prove that heritage is not just an advocacy of the gray-haired generation to which I belong (no, I’m not a senior yet, but I can’t wait for the discounts starting next year).

To start off, Atty. Karen Lucille M. Isberto, head of the NCCA National Committee on Monuments and Sites, briefed the audience on RA No. 10066, the Heritage Act. This was a good base for the next four speakers who gave a glimpse of initiatives in their respective downtowns: Arturo Dy, president, Escolta Commercial Association Inc. (ECAI) on Escolta, Manila; Dr. Kristin G. Treñas, president, Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council (ICCHCC) on the host city’s Calle Real; Carlo Medina, city councilor, on Vigan, Ilocos Sur; and Dr. Richard Daenos, city tourism officer, Angeles City; and Joy Cruz of the Angeles City Heritage District working committee, on the removal of street wires in their downtown and historic center — it can be done, fantastic!

The final cluster of speakers focused on tools for revitalization: Amor Maclang, of Geiser Maclang, spoke on her firm’s projects assisting LGUs and regions with tourism and conservation programs; Dr. Fernando Zialcita, of the Cultural Heritage Studies Program, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Ateneo de Manila University, spoke on “Creating Style Guides for Heritage Districts”; architect Lemuel Jim P. Alvaro, chairman, UAP Green Architecture Movement, lectured on the “Green Rating System” for architectural conservation;  Prof. Felipe de Leon, Jr., NCCA chairperson, and Jeremy R. Barns, director, National Museum, spoke on their respective institutions’ roles in the conservation process.

More technical talks were presented by Bernie Arellano III on using geotagging technology to promote pride of place, while Fung Yu presented equally fantastic “360 Immersive Imaging.”

The liveliest sections of the summit were the open forums and the last round table discussions moderated by HCS trustee, architect Manolo LC. Noche, which included Dr. Felipe de Leon,  Jeremy R. Barns, NM director, Angel P. Bautista, NM acting assistant director, Dr. Kristin G. Treñas, ICCHCC president, and this writer.

The summit ended with merienda cena hosted by the mayor atop the City Hall, followed by a walking tour of Iloilo’s magnificent Calle Real. There were tours to surrounding towns and sites before and after the summit as well as an adaptive re-use workshop with speakers, architects Jojo Mata and Miko Manalo.

I took the opportunity of the summit to have a short vacation with my family. We stayed at a great boutique hotel, Urban Sands, one of a slew of new developments spurred by the city’s renaissance. We enjoyed the Ilongo food from Tatoy’s, Butot’s Balat and Batchoy at La Paz Market. We even found time to jog along the Iloilo Esplanade, which was only two blocks from our hotel.

The summit and the summit’s location pointed out clear success lessons in conservation of heritage buildings and districts. Iloilo’s heritage initiatives worked hand in hand with infrastructure and urban design improvements and cooperation between government and the private sector. One indicator of Iloilo’s success is the fact that property values have risen between 20 and as much as 200 percent.

The best indicator of the value of heritage is the rising pride of place not just in the city’s downtown but in all the city’s tangible and intangible heritage. Yes, it is possible to conserve heritage and spur urban development. To erase the past is no way to build for the future.

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Feedback is welcome. Please email the writer at paulo.alcazaren@gmail.com.