At the heart of downtown San Fernando, Pampanga is the historic poblacion, replete with remnants of the city's rich architectural heritage and history. These architectural legacies, together with the intangible culture of the city, are the focus of the urban renewal program of the City of San Fernando called Preserving Heritage for Progress. In fact, the program was recognized as one of the Top 10 Best Practices of the League of Cities of the Philippines, and a Trailblazing Program of the Galing Pook Awards both in 2004.
In 2006, the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) selected the program as the winner of the Heritage Tourism Award of the Best Tourism Practices – Special Award Category "in cognizance of the innovative and valuable effort, passion and commitment of the City Government to ensure the protection and promotion of the City's priceless architectural heritage by restoring and preserving the same for the benefit of the future generation of Fernandinos and the Filipino people."
In line with a popular salawikain "Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan," San Fernando firmly believes that its history, heritage and culture are vital tools in the advance towards further progress.
In 2004, the historic core of the city was declared the City of San Fernando Heritage District through a city ordinance. Several of the structures have been declared by the National Historical Institute as part of our national heritage. While all heritage structures are protected by the ordinance.
Most of the structures are concentrated along Consunji Street, Tiomico Street and Capitol Boulevard. These include the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando, San Fernando Train Station and Death March Marker, Pampanga Capitol and Provincial Jail, and the Lazatin, Hizon-Singian, Consunji, Ocampo, Henson-Hizon, and Hizon Houses among many others. Four houses are already declared by the National Historical Institute as Heritage Houses.
Then there's the PASUDECO Sugar Central along Capitol Boulevard. It stands as a testament to the resiliency of the Kapampangans as a people and their continuous drive towards progress and development. An inherent part of the heritage district of the City of San Fernando, this storied structure, a fine example of industrial heritage, is ripe for adaptive reuse and conservation. This proposition yearns for an architect or urban planner with the vision, imagination and genius to incorporate this historical structure into the 21st century community that will be built around it.
Unknown to many, the town proper of San Fernando may be the only city in the country where motorized tricycles are prohibited thanks to the political will of its leaders throughout the years. You can in fact, still enjoy a kalesa ride around the old quarter. Why not take a journey back to San Fernando's storied past with a visit to the city's heritage district?
The city is very historical in fact, it has a large assemblage of markers from the National Historical Institute. I've counted eighteen markers so far. Later this year, markers for the Pampanga High School and Hizon House will be installed bringing the count to twenty.
Just a few days ago, I got a text message from Dom Martin Gomez inviting me to lunch since they plan to reconstruct and restore another Hizon House which will add luster to the heritage district.
There is no doubt, the citizens of San Fernando indeed value the city's architectural heritage. Which is why news of an SM City San Fernando to be built right smack in the center of the heritage district will be met with stiff opposition. I was told the mall is going to be built along Consunji Street, between PNB and Pampanga Hotel, all the way to V. Tiomico Street.
I was all praises for SM when they built SM City Pampanga away from the poblacion. I can't understand why they have to build another one in our historic downtown area. Right now, I'm already thinking about the damage the proposed five or six-floor mall building will do to the cultural landscape of San Fernando. It will tower over the Cathedral! The height alone will destroy the character of the district. The idiots!
For the love of Philippine heritage, will SM please find another place for their mall (as if they don't have enough already). Stay away from our heritage district please!
Save the City of San Fernando Heritage District! No to SM City San Fernando in our heritage district!
hndi lng ang historical heritage district ng SF ang tatamaan, pati mismo ang kabuhayan ng mga fernandinos, whose lives are history in d making.
ReplyDeletehay nku nmn.may SM n tayo.syng mga old house ganda p nmn.tgnan niyo vigan khit luma mga bahay nka preserve!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Only in this country, sir. Na malls are given precedence over preservation of our cultural heritage. Syempre, wala nga naman kasi kikitain ang gobyerno sa churches and other historical landmarks, di ba? :) Only in this country...
ReplyDeletethat area is the only area in the city proper left with cultural heritage! and to think the Cathedral is just across. Aren't they contented with SM Pampanga and Clark?? bet not.
ReplyDeleteI hope Ivan could initiate something that could prevent it to happen. I totally oppose to that idea. Heritage District in CSF is only thing we could be proud aside frm the christmas lantern. Something that could be proud by the whole Pampanga
ReplyDeleteI'll join you in the cause of opposing this. I'm originally from Bacolor and now my family lives in san Fernando. Where exactly are they planning to build it?
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be built along Consunji Street, between PNB & Pampanga Hotel, all the way to V. Tiomico Street. I was all praises for SM when they built SM City Pampanga away from the poblacion. I can't understand why they have to build another mall right smack in the center of our historic downtown area. And to think the National Historical Institute will be installing another historical marker in the heritage district later this year since another house was declared a Heritage House.
ReplyDeletei also wonder why they would want to build it in the heart of downtown San Fernando. It's a crowded area with narrow streets. I think downtown SF is best kept the way it is right now. I also lauded SM when it built it's mall away from poblacion as it not only developed a previously idle land and decongested the poblacion.
ReplyDeleteSir Ivan, SM talaga ohhh.. "This means War!" hehehe
ReplyDeleteThis is an outrage! Wtf is SM thinking! I am from Angeles city but whenever Im in downtown san fdo, I love passing by that area coz I love seeing old buildings, churches and especially old houses, I love thinking about the rich history behind this monuments and I especially love the old Hizon house! I love the san fdo heritage district coz when ur there u can imagine for a moment what its like to be in old pampanga and what a rich culture we pampanguenos have. Somebody stop sm from ruining what's left of our national heritage!!!
ReplyDeleteWill their building destroy any heritage buildings?
ReplyDeleteFortunately none John. Almost all structures are already declared nationally, and all locally. But it will overpower everything. You will see it from wherever you stand in the heritage district.
ReplyDeleteI looked at the drawings again, it's six floors! And that's six SM height floors!
ReplyDeletehay, ka kapoy ani napud. can't people see beyond malls for a change?
ReplyDeleteIvan, this must feel like a stab in your back. OK, now that we're outraged, what first concrete thing can we do? Is the building a done deal already? Is your mayor sympathetic to heritage preservation? Can there be a TRO?
ReplyDeleteI think the city government is rejecting the initial design, I hope! But I want the mall rejected unless they bring it down to two floors maximum. That's when we start talking about design.
ReplyDeleteTHERE SHOULD BE A TRO! THE MALLING OF THE PHILIPPINES HAS GONE A BIT TOO FAR!
ReplyDeleteAru... diyos cu! Macanyan la!
ReplyDeletewhats to prevent them? they got what they want in baguio and manila
ReplyDeletearent the 2 huge malls across the overpass enough? SM is beginning to eat into its own market territories.
ReplyDelete..... a horror story ! .... sigh ! .... I love your cathedral ! ....
ReplyDeletewhy so many malls? its even invading the Filipino culture - sa lugar at gawi.
ReplyDeleteHay naku,wag bigyan ng permit!
ReplyDeletePatay na lahat ng business sa downtown San Fernando. It will never ever be the same again. This is so sad.
ReplyDeleteif they can do it Manila, there's no stopping them from doing it anywhere.
ReplyDeleteThis is what's wrong with this country...Our govt officials lack a sense of appreciation for our cultural heritage. Commercialism always wins:-(
ReplyDeleteIvan, maybe it's time we should do an aggressive campaign against SM? I can do some of the legwork. Can we talk about it soon? :)
ReplyDeleteSay no to this madness!!SM has already starated killing small business in the poblacion area.Some are iconic in a sense that Fernandinos knows them all like Apung Gari, La Creation, Savers, Almatom etc.Spare the city from this.
ReplyDelete..and take this: SM will build a Hypermart in Mabiga! Another traffic mess in the making. Well, my theory is that, part of the corporate strategy yan ng mga business monster giants. They ingratiate themselves to the local government by offering their premises as "venues for provincial events, shows/ cultural presentations/ etc." --free of charge kuno in the guise of community goodwill. You think that's the reason? Of course not. It's to drive traffic to their malls! That's partly how Paskuhan Village died. Nagsilipatan ang mga major provincial events sa mga malls! Lantern Festival nasa Robinson's na. Yung Sinukwan, Miss San Fernando, sa SM, to cite a few examples. Instant reaction na nga,
ReplyDeleteAnd the provincial government has become dependent on them kasi nga naman libre na, comfortable pa. Naging indispensable sila tuloy and it has become a vicious cycle! And then they tout their participation in these events as part of their being good corporate citizens while siphoning businesses from local entrepreneurs and destroyiong the culural integrity of a place.
I air these comments not against any particular person. I say these to everyone who reads it.
ReplyDeleteBefore we move for the cancellation of the construction of a SM mall in downtown San Fernando, should not we listen first to those who are for the construction?
Here are questions that need to be answered and whose answers need to be given sound arguments.
1. Will a SM mall in downtown San Fernando destroy its cultural landscape?
2. Will a SM mall in downtown San Fernando cause heavy traffic? Maybe we should not be concerned with the mall construction (as far as traffic is concerned) because traffic matter should be solved through other means?
3. After considering the costs and benefits in the short and long term and in different aspects such as economy, culture, and politics, among others, which alternatives shall we pursue?
4. Is not the old houses the houses of the town elite? Whose culture do we want to preserve? Are majority of the folks for preservation?
5. Maybe it is not the construction of a mall that must be our challenge, but the things that we should do after that.
We should ask ourselves, "which alternative
I hate to play an evil advocate. But I felt that I should raise the objections above.
Those objections are not rhetorical questions. They are open questions.
Those questions should be answered first before we convince ourselves of blocking the mall construction. I say these for the sake of an informed decision. I encourage everyone to be calm and think about these carefully. Judgment is distorted when we are too hot and frantic. :)
I hope I don't get insults. Let us not attack the person. Let us discuss the arguments. A good day to you, everyone. :)
---
About the PASUDECO, someone should remove it from downtown. It is too near to residential and institutional areas such as the Provincial Capitol. There is a foul smell coming from that facility. I am a young adult now and that challenge was there since I was a kid. By virtue of land use principles, the current location of PASUDECO implies a conflict in land use. There is a law in Metro Manila that industrial land uses should not be located within a 50-kilometer radius from the Rizal Monument. Fifty kilometers is too far for relocation with regards PASUDECO, but you get the point. :)
goes to show that the filipino has no sense of culture and history. for sure may mga kumita na naman na public official.
ReplyDeleteplus, one way for SM to avoid paying taxes is to reinvest their income in to building more malls and then apply for tax breaks due to investment.
Ivan, can we not cite the heritage ordinance in the city of san fernando to prevent them from doing this? i thought it was a hypermart they were planning to build and i was imagining that the design of the building will respect the provision of the said ordinance. so, hindi pala?! this is terribly wrong...
ReplyDeleteCong Fer, we can. And I think that's what Ching is trying to do. Hindi pa huli kasi they are still in the process of application. Kakasubmit lang ng design.
ReplyDeletejust goes to show that filipinos have no sense of history and culture. may MGA kumita na naman na public official.
ReplyDeleteno need for another mall inside cabalenan San Fernando. kawawa naman yung natitirang business sa bayan. And if pinayagan ang SM I'm sure other will follow suit. Sa San Agustin nga may Walter Mart na (formerly Mr. Golf) soon to open by December 2010. e kahit wala panga yun WM matraffic na from SACOP (Pilar Vlg) to St Jude to Sn Fdo ngayon, paano pa kapag binuksan yun at gawin din yung mall sa cabalenan. Tsk tsk tsk lumakad tanamu. next time baka ibenta narin yun Sn Fdo Central Schl to give way for a mall, like what happen in Caloocan. Yikes...
ReplyDeleteLaban...
ReplyDeleteipatigil na natin hangga't maaga... thank you for informing us...
ReplyDelete@David Garcia, on PASUDECO, the sugar operations should be removed. But the structure must be preserved. It can be adaptively reused as a mall in fact similar to the Tutuban Station in Manila.
ReplyDeleteThe argument that the old houses are the heritage of the elite is also stupid. The bahay na bato is the architectural heritage of the entire country. Imagine saying the Great Wall of China or Forbidden City is the heritage of the emperor only, or that the palaces of Europe are the heritage of kings only. If that argument were true, there would be no heritage left around the world!
Heritage also pays tribute to the craftsmen who built them and not just their owners. They are testaments to the politico-historical, cultural & architectural traditions of the time they were built.
Nice questions but I'm sure you yourself could answer your own questions. They need not be asked because the answers are obvious.
May heritage district ordinance dyan db? :)
ReplyDeleteYes, that's why we need to keep our eyes on this. Hindi dapat tayo pumayag na multi-level structure in Sto. Rosario.
ReplyDeleteyour right, there is a heritage district ordinance which they are declared under historical institute and what the hell they are thinking and planning a one mall in the heart of the town. I can't imagine if there is a big mall between the heritage (Pampan
ReplyDeleteI agree. Sure, I have answers to some of the questions. But it was not nice to assume that the answers I had in mind were right. Yes, some answers are obvious to some, but not to me. I had to ask. And if a statement is sound, one should to be defend it. But thanks for giving an answer. I agree with it. :)
ReplyDeleteIf any one has a question, s/he should ask it no matter how stupid it sounds. That is a way for the person to know whether s/he is right or wrong.
Nice blog!
First Money money over heritage!! tsk tsk
ReplyDeleteoh no :( we have no sense of history, heritage and culture. no wonder we have no national pride. when will we ever realize that a lot of other things are more lasting and gratifying than economics?! arrrgh.
ReplyDeleteSM always does that...look at SM Baguio! The thing is...the Baguio Folk love it! Sometimes makes me wonder if only a few people in this Country are really concerned about heritage, history, culture, etc? I think Malls are the new Cathedrals and SM the biggest god of them all! The Gov't should place a stop to all these Malls, they're a real eyesore now! Malls will surpass Cathedrals, heritage sites, etc. in a very short time in this Country, if they haven't already done so!!
ReplyDeletenasa local officials nyo naman yan. lalu na sa mayor, malaki kasi SOP jan kaya di nila pinipigilan. pinatay na nga mga local businesses jan sa downtown nung tinayo ang sm city and rob., ngayon gusto pang i-double dead.
ReplyDeleteSir wala pa naman permit yan..
ReplyDeleteYes, I know. Kelangan ipatigil hanggang maaga. The biggest problem actually is the height. It's too high. Baka pag two-floors, pwede pag-usapan.
ReplyDeleteFor Mr. David Garcia:
ReplyDeleteWe all know what SM Malls look like in general. We also know that such establishment brings motor traffic to a standstill not all the time but it is a cause of traffic nonetheless. As mentioned, you know the answers to your questions. It's not being a devil's advocate, but it is blatantly pro-SM.
If this is true, SM has gone too far. This might be a test case for the Heritage Bill. With all it's financial capabilities and influence, one would have thought that SM should know better.
I forgot Mr. Garcia, when they start constructing and digging, there is a possibility that it may affect the heritage structures foundations and CAN THE INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT A MALL AS LARGE AS SM E.G. DRAINAGE, TRAFFIC.
sabi po ng aking ama... un daw po talaga ang original plan at site ng SM before nag erupt ang Mt. Pinatubo at nag lahar... kaya nga lang di naituloy sapagkat sa posibilidad na ilulubog ng lahar ang san fdo.....surprisingly bakit ipagpapatuloy pa rin dun???
ReplyDeleteWhile the design of the building is the biggest concern, we have to realize also its effects to the small businesses in the area... i am afraid that if the project will push through, it will render a lot of people doing their trade in and around the public market without jobs and push them to do unlawful acts to make money. at ang traffic, ang sikip nang mga kalye sa heritage district para lagyan nang isang mall... is it not enough that we have, i think,one of the longest SM mall in the country?
ReplyDeletepwede cguru nung ketang lugar ning pasudeco kc eyesore itang lugar at mabantot pag mumuran. i heard they're going to put sm there. ngeni ku abalu na consunji street ing planu da.sana king pasudeco nmu para masensu itang lugar karin ne
ReplyDeleteteka lang naman, i'm also a Fernandino ha,and I am very much "for" the preservation of SF Heritage District. Let us not deprive the young ones and the next generation to see these cultural landmarks. So sad naman if they'll get to see it in pictures na lang or sa mga articles na lang mababasa description ng place.
ReplyDeleteIvan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this, Cabalen! I'm also against it.
If I remember it right, the proposed location is being used as a terminal. Before 1995, a mall was supposed to be constructed at that same location but the floods were a hindrance. It became vacant until Mayor Oca Rodriguez transformed it into what it is today.
After a positive experience with them in Sta. Ana, I'm sure you can engage them to build something that is respectful of the district.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's the plan. But right now, people don't like the mall at all. The streets of downtown San Fernando are just too narrow. And the mall will kill the historical enterprises there that are struggling to survive.
ReplyDeleteI support you sir...
ReplyDeleteSana po hindi matuloy yan.
ReplyDeleteNakapunta na ko sa lugar na yan.
Napakaganda pa naman.
Sayang.....
has the San Fernando government approved of this plan?
ReplyDeleteNot yet. They're in the process of applying for a permit. That's why we're making our sentiments known.
ReplyDeleteis this plan push through i will never step inside a SM mall never!!!!
ReplyDeleteali na cute ing pangawan na ning sm.. makalunus na la man deng magtinda kilub palengki, lalu lang matda
ReplyDeleteManinap no yata karakal midame king gagawan da magkagera City San Fernando. Eneman maynila ini eh! Ampong ninu naman ing mamasyal karin karakal kalulu munaman!
ReplyDeletelawe ku istu ne itang SM lele nlex, ena dapat ing metung pa keng cabalenan.. dinan ta lang chance deng magtinda palengki, anyang minuna deng biklat ing SM meyna la.. ali porket makakolekta lang maragul a tax keng SM pagbigyan da la.. ali ngan pera ing mimiral keng mundu..
ReplyDeleteivan, first thing you need is to make the issue known to fernandinos and beyond.... i am inviting you on Talking Points over infomax8 & TV44... let's let it all out!
ReplyDeleteali ba dapat ing manungkulan kng balen na ning mesabing syudad iya ing mumunang against kng project ayti? O nanung gagawan na ning kekatamung leader a mesabing anak ning San Fernando?
ReplyDeleteFYI!
the soil composition of downtown areas is clayey,, that means when building higher structures they need to embed a piles that will hold up the foundation of the structure, that means they need to bring big equipments to the site to ram the piles...meaning ramming the piles into the soil will disrupt everything around the site including the cultural heritage and so....
This has been mentioned to the City Planning and Development Coordinator's Office of CSFP and I quote:
ReplyDelete"There is however an existing ordinance regulating the construction of buildings along the heritage district. We'll make sure the proposed building is according to Heritage specifications."
In that case hope the people work together to reject proposal. Glad to hear they're not for it. I remember when you brought us to down town years ago. It was a bit congested already. I'm totally with you that a mall would most probably kill smaller enterprises already struggling to survive. Good luck Ivan (and the people of SF)! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, we want to prove that San Fernando is a city, a progressive city right now, but our town have lots of history, lots of stories, popular streets, gorgeous architectures. Let preserve the history and heritage in the city of San Fernando. This is not only money, business, popularity nor politics. This is heart and concern to our history
ReplyDeleteThis is sad news. Aside from negatively affecting the cultural sites of San Fernando, SM would also destroy the small industries in the area. SM only promote but short lived employment that benefits them as it is cheap.
ReplyDeleteAli nala kanyan masali reng cheesebread ku lele almatom nung manalakad lang french baker ampong nino muhlach ensaymadas keng gawan dang sm a yan
ReplyDelete@Earl, thanks! When we talk about heritage specifications, it encompasses two things, design and scale. Design is easy to discuss because it will only be limited to the facade. But scale is another thing. When we talk about the scale of structures in San Fernando prevalent during the Spanish and American colonial periods, a structure should be no higher than two SM floors. The proposed six-floor structure (four mall floors plus two parking floors) is way beyond allowable heritage scale. We should not allow what happened in the City of Manila where SM is higher than Manila City Hall. I'm willing to sit down with them on the discussion table.
ReplyDelete@Girlie, there's nothing final. They just submitted an application for permit. But yes, as early as now, we should voice our opposition. I know the mayor will do what is best for the heritage district and his constituents.
@Jhom, yes let's discuss when all the details are in. All we know is that they've submitted an application and a proposed design which is obviously not suited for the heritage district. Others say there shouldn't be a mall at all in the poblacion period. A mall of that size in the poblacion will also mean the end of our historical enterprises.
naku naman ilang malls ba ang kailangan natin? nakakalungkot na ngang malaman na mawawala na ang kamuning market dahil sa SM but this is worst!
ReplyDeleteThe heritage site should be preserved
ReplyDeleteI am really proud that San Fernando has a heritage district (and the fact that the kalesa is still a common form of transportation around town). Building SM there would definitely destroy the district. Why does SM need another mall in Pampanga?
ReplyDeleteI vehemently object to this plan! This will destroy the facade of the place and will create monstrous traffic there. It will also kill many small stores and establishments in the area. One SM city in San Fdo is enough. Let us not allow this plan to proceed. Ric Lazatin
ReplyDeleteI trust and think that the local government will not allow this. Pretty tough decision though we own our city and we know better what will work best.
ReplyDeletewhy do they need another SM in San Fernando?
ReplyDeletei have kapampangan roots from San Fernando and Angeles and my hubby is from Bacolor. this is totally outrageous!!
i support you on this cause...
NO TO ANOTHER SM MALL IN SAN FERNANDO!!
Kung mag comment kayo akala niyo kung sino kayong magaling. Ang laki ng tinutulong ng SM sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas. Nakakatulong sila na maparami ang trabaho. Isipin niyo ang pang matagalang epekto nito sa mga mas nakararami. Ikaw Mr. Ivan, ano na ba ang naitulong mo sa Pilipinas bukod sa pag popost mo ng mga blog?
ReplyDeleteItong si anonymous, kung mag-comment akala mo kung sinong magaling. Sana di ka kasama sa kikita dito. Marami na akong naitulong sa bansa natin. I wouldn't have been awarded Most Outstanding Kapampangan and Most Outstanding Fernandino if I had not contributed anything to my city, province, and country.
ReplyDeleteNo to SM City San Fernando in downtown San Fernando! Protect our small businesses from corporate greed! Protect our workers from unfair labor practices! Protect our heritage district!
lets think positive about putting sm in the heart of san fernando, it only means that san fernando is beginning to be progressive. it will surely benefit the local people.
ReplyDeleteduring construction, surely sm will provide safety measures and technical method to prevent damages to its nearby structure.
traffic ? when there is traffic it means that so much business is in there, sm always prepare a traffic study before constructing and it is always submitted to the local government for their review and appoval.
since mr. ivan says that sm will not hit any heritage sturucture, then it is good. if our concern is to preserve the site, why not ask sm to make their exterior facade very cultural or historical, lets think positive always.
regarding saving the small entrepenuer, lets ask sm to give prioty to local businessmen for them to have space inside the sm, then lets ask some discounts.
sm will surely, help us with our concerns, its just a matter of coordinating with them.
for SM will save San Fernando. !
Beginning to be progressive? Are you insulting San Fernando? The city has long been progressive.
ReplyDeleteHenry Sy already owns the Philippines. I'm sure he can live without ANOTHER mall in San Fernando. Because San Fernando doesn't need ANOTHER SM mall.
@ Phillip Baguisa
ReplyDeleteMalls are not the measurement of progress.
para sa akin kung mag tatayo nang sm sa kabayanan kahit supermarket na lang kasi yung ang pinakaimportante sa mga tao ngayon or kung mall talaga hangang 3rd floor lang. SANA PPO MAGKAROON NANG DISCUSION MUNA BAGO TAYO MAG HUSGA . kasi makaktulong din sa atin ang isang bagong business mag kakaroon nang bagong trabaho sa atin mga kababayan
ReplyDeletefrom: ORDINARY CITIZEN OF SAN FERNANDO
para sa kin po walang masama na mag lagay papo nang isang sm sa san fernando wag lang po gaanong malaki. . kasi po magkakaroon nanamam po nang job oportunities dito sa san fernando na kailang po natin sa san fernando. Para sa akin di naman masisira ang heritage distict. SANA PO BIGYAN O NATIN PAGKAKATAON ANG SM KASI MAGBIBIGAY PO ITO NANG TRABAHO SA ATIN thnak you po
ReplyDeletelook in the brighter side Mr. Ivan, open your eyes wide. If you are really concern about the fernandino's instead putting this blog you should be helping.
ReplyDeletebeing pessimist will bring no good. !
We can consider the mall given the following conditions:
ReplyDelete1. Proposed mall should be no higher than the nave of the Cathedral, parking lot included
2. Facade should strictly adhere to Art Deco design or architecture prevalent during the Spanish or American colonial period. Design to be approved by qualified restoration architects of the Heritage Conservation Society
3. No heritage buildings will be damaged or demolished in the process, especially the Pampanga Hotel
Mr. Baguisa, my eyes are wide open. I've visited more than 70 provinces of the Philippines and over 20 countries already in search of best practices. San Fernando has potential to maintain its character and at the same time, earn from tourism arrivals through its heritage district. It takes time, at least a decade or two.
ReplyDeleteOver twenty years ago, Vigan was decaying and people wanted to demolish the old houses. They literally wanted to kick out those pushing for conservation. Look at Vigan now. Imagine if those who wanted to demolish the old houses succeeded, we have no Vigan to speak of today. Imagine if they built an SM mall right beside the Vigan Cathedral! It's earning much from tourism because they were able preserve the streetscape.
Taal is also moving towards that direction. San Fernando was slowly moving there as well until this SM mall came into the picture. You may not see the vision now, but a decade from now, as we slowly restore and improve the district, it will reap returns.
I'm not against another SM mall in San Fernando per se. I am against the proposed location of the mall, design and height.
SM Pampanga is just about five kilometers away! Overkill if they have another one in the poblacion. If they want to build another mall, let them do it in the north.
Hey Ivan, I just read this post! I really appreciate your blog and see that your travels abroad have widened your perspective. I agree with you on having a big corporation such as SM respect the architectural heritage of downtown San Fernando. They could still have a subtle presence in downtown and NOT overpower its charm. I like your vision! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!
ReplyDeleteHaving an SM in downtown will be very convenient for me and my family. It will save me a lot of trips going to their Pampanga mall. I'm glad SM is building one nearby!
ReplyDeleteThe current SM mall is just about 5 kilometers away. You sure are lazy!
ReplyDeletekunwari ayaw nyo itayo SM sa bayan pero pag nag open na cya madaling araw plang nakapila na kyo, magpakatutu naman tamu ne
ReplyDeleteIs that you ...? Haha!
ReplyDeleteagree ako, kahit saan kami magpuntang lugar sa Pilipinas, sa Cebu, Baguio, Tarlac, Laguna kapag tinanong ako kung anong ginawa namin doon, sagot ko ay nag SM. Kahit ayaw sa SM, sa SM pa rin ang punta.
ReplyDeleteDear Ivan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for calling the attention of all to SM. It represents a threat, not only to heritage, but also to equitable development.
1) To heritage because it propagates homogenization. Go to one SM in any part of the country and you will meet the same products. There is little effort by it to attract local businessmen to sell their wares. Also SM consciously seeks to compete with small businessmen in the heart of each town. But it is the heart of each town where heritage structures are located.
2) To equitable development because SM throws small businessmen out of business. Their plan calls for setting up Savemores beside wet markets to attract the latter's customers. It isn't just the tinderas who are driven out, so are the hundreds of shops selling dry goods. E.g. look at what has happened to Session Rd in Baguio or to the Historic Center of Iloilo.
In other countries (Japan and Spain), the government discourages big malls in order to protect small businessmen. But ours is a Weak State that is easily manipulated by powerful private interests.
If I may make a suggestion: HCS's message will be better understood if it allies itself with other segments of the population. E.g. with small shopkeepers and small businessmen -- in this case. In other cases, we may think of forming alliances with urban poor who need housing. Our inner cities have many semi-empty buildings (some of heritage value) that could be restored as rental housing -- as has happened in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco, USA.
Perhaps the next conference of HCS could focus on forming alliances with other sectors.
Best regards,
Butch
Mipalalu ne cataco canian in SM, pelalu rugu qng cabalenan na ning CSF, bisa ya mu namang manalacad mall na. Mayap sana nung Hypermart ya, oneng six floor ya! Alus pulus na malls ing acaquit qng labuad Capampangan cayabe ne quen ing Tarlac. E que mamarocan ing pamanalacad nang mall ning SM oneng e naman sana qng cabalenan na ning CSF. Obat e ne na nea mu italaca qng Betis uling balu cu mimisip na la mu namang SM Guagua canian den. Y yan naman siguradu ing babalacan na ning SM a mica mall ya careng anggang mangaragul a balen ing Capampangan, atin ne qng CSF, Clark, Tarlac, paratang nea me naman ing queng Guagua canian. Dapat mica batas a reng mall quen la mung uptown at e careng cabalenan. I support you Ivan to your cause. Dacal a salamat!
ReplyDeletewhen sm was built somewhere in mexico, humina na mga negosyo sa public market. what more ngaung maglalagay pa sila ng sm sa city proper dba? not only the heritage would be destroyed, pati livelihood ng mga taong affected. pero i guess, no matter how we disagree with this wala na tayo magagawa, theyre building it na eh.. whoever planned and approved this project is not thinking...
ReplyDeletethe construction of sm is now on going what can you suggest so that the vendors in the city proper or public market will not be that much affected in this plan. for short what is your conclusion to this problem?
ReplyDeleteIt's best for the mayor to answer this question. He approved it...
ReplyDeletethanks the Lord there is this blog where we can air our sentiments inopposing the SM right in poblacion...there are many compelling reasons why it should not operate int he very heart of our city
ReplyDelete1. cultural heritage - where the heritage houses situated where we take pride for many decades, and its so unfair for those families who have preserved their ancestral homes that we fernandinos are proud of.. in fact those streets should be given a special treatment TO REMIND US FERNANDINOS THAT WE RICH IN OUR CULTRUAL HERITAGE AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE COMMERCIALIZED,...
2. how about the local public market, its compromises their bread and butter, we know for the fact that tour city hall, cathedral and public market are historical to us fernandinos.. and what THIS SM Magnate has t do interfering to our cultural heritage killing the local business men who are bonafide capampangan....
3. why did our present city government betray the FERNANDINOS????? this should have undergo public assessment! One SM Mall in our city is ENOUGH... and this should not INTEFERE TO OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE area... gone are the days were we scroll those street seeing the beauty and the richness of those ancestral houses that these families have contributed to our city... we should respect them too..!!!! Why did the city mayor allows these, didnt he not betray public trust did he really put the welfare of the genuine fernandinos above personal agenda??? this is my opinion and i have the rights to express it please dont edit this ... Mayor Oca has betrayed the fernandinos?????? He should preserved our cultrual heritage and protect the local business na NADATNAN niya... what is his alternative measure to the local livelihood... if you go to the market there are many juvenile deliquents selling plastic bags cant afford to go to school... he should have settle this very basic perennila problem besetting our city.. due to THE REAL SITUATION : POVERTY! what SM MALl CAN DO WITH THE VERY HEart of PAMPANGA.... NABABOY ANG MGA HERITAGE HOUSES AN DAPAT SANA PAGYAMANIN NATIN. i oppose the sm in our POBLACION.. AND THANK YOU FOR THIS SPACE I WAS ABLE T EXPRESS MY OPINIONS THOUGH OTHERS CANT USE COMPUTER BUT I KNOW MAJORITY SHARE THE SAME VIEWS... THANK YOU I HOPE YOU WONT EDIT THIS .. I LOVE MY HOMETOWN AND ITS CULTURAL HERITAGE...mORE POWER AND MABUHAY ANG FERNANDINOS
mAYOR OCA SHOULD MODIFY THE POBLACION AREA PRESERVING AND RESPECTING THOSES ANCESTRAL HOMES, PROTECTING THE LOCAL BUSINESS MEN TO FIGHT POVERTY AND UPLIFT THEIR LIVELIHOOD.. TO CONTRUCT NAOTHER SM IS NOT THE ANSWER ... EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES???? I DONT THINK SO THE WORKING CLASS WHO ARE IN 5 MOTNHS CONTRACT CAN NEVER UPLIFT ECONOMIC SITUATION HE SHOULD HAVE PROMOTED THE VERY OWN PUBLIC MARKET TUTAL SOME OF THEM COMPLIES TO THE CITY GOVERNMENT IN ACQUIRISGN BUSINESS PERMITS.... PINALAKAS SANA CULTURAL AT BUSINESS NOT TO COMPETE!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletehaiz, pera pera lang ang labanan.
ReplyDeleteI am also against this.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, who actually approved this? Is it solely Mayor Oca? or the City Councilors casted their vote?
If it's the latter, please enlist the names of the councilors who voted for and against this so the PUBLIC may know.
Cultural treasures are ought to be preserved. Sn fdo heritage district's charm is priceless. Besides, it makes the city more interesting and attractive.
ReplyDeleteDo you have the list of the eighteen (or twenty) historical markers and where they are placed? :O I've only seen eleven. It would be nice if I would get to know all of them :-)
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if you could view my historical markers album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3730738838759.151116.1584644102&type=1&l=aa90f26f32
and my trip to San Fernando: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201796944357033.1073741850.1584644102&type=1&l=751dd09124 :)