There's a new controversy in Intramuros. And it's about the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Metro Manila, the San Agustin Church. Do you want to find out what they plan to construct beside Fr. Blanco's Garden? The Manila Times column of Rene Martel says it all. Check out Random Jottings: God and mammon join hands at Intramuros.There are actually some inaccuracies in the column. The new seminary won't be built in the garden itself. I actually asked Fr. Galende about this via e-mail and he assured me that the new seminary will be built on the original footprint of the former Second Monastery. I think what many people are uncomfortable about is the exterior design since I was told many have opposed it from the very beginning but to no avail. I would have to agree with the observations of Pinoy_ako in the SkyscraperCity Forums.
I am personally not against the construction of a new seminary. In fact, I am for it especially since we want to keep Intramuros alive (the Augustinians are the last order that remain in the walled city). At the same time there used to be a structure where the proposed seminary will built. However, I am also uncomfortable with the exterior design which many argue is not proper for a UNESCO World Heritage Site like San Agustin.I would be all praises if they built the new seminary as a faithful exterior restoration of the Second Monastery with up-to-date interiors such as that mock-up of the Augustinian Provincialate built just across the street. It would even be great if they can rebuild that bridge which used to connect the two buildings.
On the sports complex issue, it was on the front page of the Manila Times yesterday. Several articles came out:
Ugly side of Tourism Authority revealed
Former PTA heads want Gen. Mgr. Barbers charged
What is behind Barbers’ insistence on this project?
The good news is that Archt. Toti Villalon's column is back! Check out Pride of Place: Monumental Legacy. Don't forget to read my other posts on the Intramuros controversies: Protect the walls of Intramuros! and Inside the walls of Intramuros.
congrats for being a finalist!
ReplyDeletejust want to correct through, the augustinians are not the remaining ones in intramuros. the Dominicans who've been staying in Letran since the 1700s are still there too. :)
Thanks Nate!
ReplyDeleteI was referring to the provincialate of the order. Although Letran is still there, I think the provincialate is now in the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City. Before the war, most religious orders had their main churches and headquarters in Intramuros.
[...] Following story by Gerald Naval in Malaya. Picture borrowed from Ivan Henares... [...]
ReplyDelete[...] I have known about this story first from fellow travel blogger Ivan Henares. With all the insensitivities and callousness of our government officials, I wasn’t surprised at this. I was freaking mad. [...]
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the old pictures of the augustinian edifice,My! can't believe it.Because last year,in old Barcelona ,I saw a similar bridge that connects two buildings,exactly like the one in Intramuros.But! the one in Intramuros is more "magnifico" and eloquent.The only obvious problem is the one in Barcelona is still standing and can still be appreciated with naked eyes,while ours is non-existent aside from old pictures.I wish,I wish....
ReplyDeleteyour allie,
alex etcuban
Essex,England
I'm just curious if the controversy has been
ReplyDeleteresolved.
Will appreciate an update.
Yes, both issues were resolved. Former PTA GM Barbers lost in court and was required to demolish the sports complex
ReplyDelete