| 04.01.2019 – If you’re in Manila you’ll find it hard to believe this place was the original central business commerce for the country. Even before World War II erupted Escolta, and its surrounding area was the most visited place as shopping centres basking in the business. But after the war with transition that changed the Philippines things where not the same.
There have been so many historical landmarks in this area of Carriedo, Sta. Cruz, and Escolta that you can find these stories not preserved in libraries, but through the web. Because even public libraries in this country have been shall we say ‘under construction’ since as evident from last week’s random walks around the city and nearby Rizal Park you’ll probably have idea already. |
But going back to the nearby areas of Binondo in Manila you’ll find most of the parts of this place should be protected for its heritage. Unfortunately, the current government in this city has other things in business minded sense that would benefit itself rather the city and its inhabitance. If you grew up unware of these parts you won’t have any connection or even understand what the history of this place is all about.
It’s fortunate for some to even visit this area as you’ll notice even though it is protected as a heritage site it is slowly deteriorated the way with the culture around. For instance the corner of Escolta Street and Plaza Sta. Cruz there’s this old building that has been standing there since probably the 1950s or 1960s. There’s not much history of this structure but it was standing there for the longest time. Prior to this structure it looked different in the 1920s as chronicled in 2008 Then & Now.
Just about past late afternoon witnessing this storied place you’ll notice there have been barriers already installed on the sides of the building that there’s no way for you to walkthrough as its existing sidewalks. Obviously, you’ll be walking on the side part of the Plaza Sta. Cruz Street while vehicles sound their horns because you’ve become an obstruction. The usual tenants there like the small tailor shop has relocated while others have slowly closed down after so many decades that you’ll wonder if this will be demolished by the city government of Manila to be reconstructed into a shiny high rise mall or condominium like the usual excuse for a lucrative business?
Old buildings like this should be preserved or at least use the façade, because it is part of heritage and yet the Philippines has not learned the hard way for being a country with a throwaway culture. Modern structures are not as sturdy as the Sta. Cruz Building it stood the test of time and its aesthetics is with its old architecture considered a novelty that should have been kept.
But like old structures like this it is nothing for the government or even the city council of Manila. This also dictates the cultural sense and mentality that in this country nothing lasts forever. They would rather invest now and rake in what they can get that keep historical structures like this rather adapt its past for the future. They would just build what it can get for those who would benefit for it than what it can do for most parts of this city.
In case you’re in the area, take a snap of what’s left of Sta. Cruz Building it might be its last before a wrecking ball start going around its structure. Old Manila had its chance but you might already know it is not part of Manila’s master plan to keep these heritage buildings forever as they go like the dinosaurs.
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