Breaking the Walls of the Walled City: A Quest for Local Knowledge

Breaking the Walls of the Walled City: A Quest for Local Knowledge

Report Authors: Irish, Chen, Vicky, and Ryan Institution:St. Paul University Dumaguete, Ethnic Minorities Research Institute @Yunnan University, Miriam College, West Negros University

Website: http://people.audrn.net/group/thewalledcityintramurosEmail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Methodology•Field observation

•Random interview

•Photo documentation

Findings/Results/Learnings(1.)Some impact which from Spanish, America and China could be seen in the citizens’ present daily life in Manila. Such as the couple hold their wedding ceremony in the church, and the couple have to book the place 6 months or one year before. Some taxi driver put the small statue of a Saint (Mother Mary) in the taxi.

(2)Some Manila citizens’ house was influenced by the Spanish style. The post office, Casa manila, and other establishments.

(3)Transportation: two kinds of transportation tools which from Spanish and American; the Kalesa and Jeepney, respectively, and we can find the handicrafts in the souvenir shop, but it is marked “Philipines”.

(4) The outsiders learned the local knowledge after they come. The first church was destroyed by the typhoon, fire, eathquake, so they learned more knowledge on structure from local people such as using bricks and stones.

Findings/Results/Learnings

Applications/Outputs

•A good material for documentation•A study case in the curriculum of Visual Anthropology

Insights and Reflection

Our national hero: fight against Spanish’ control after he came back from overseas. There are some connection or relationship between the history and the citizens’ present daily life or concept of value. But we should discuss this topic under the methods and viewpoints of historical anthropology. That is to say how the citizens interpret the history of Manila or Philippines? How could we interpret the citizens’ present daily life according to the history? Statistics of the quantity of the church in different period in Philippines:

1581-1595 41865-1909 11910-1949 151950-1969 301970-1979 161980-1999 122000-2004 7 Total 85

Findings/Results/Learnings•The city captures the irony of its ruins and modern activities.

•The people (living within or outside the city) are pretty much aware about the heritage site.

•The history of the site inspires most of them and even had an impact on respect, love, and dedication for the heritage site.

•Livelihood in the area mostly depends on Tourism.

•Arts and Architectural designs of the area is very well preserved which are influenced of mostly Chinese, Greek and Spanish themes.

•The story of heroes like Rizal, Bonifacio, and other unsung heroes of wars and revolutions; are mostly concentrated in the area and are very evident with the exhibits that they show in museums. These convey the nationalistic side of the Filipino as a citizen of the country.

•Religion, specifically Catholic, is very well rooted in the city.

•A very special touch on Natural Science (Biology in particular) is also visible. The collections of Jose Rizal, Father Blanco on the Flora La Filipinas, and the souvenir industry using sea shells and other biodiversity products.


Insights and Reflections

•The original local people are only restricted to areas where the ruins are. •Although much of the people know about the historical and importance of the area, most of the people are not from that area. They are just there to make a living.• To some people the heritage site serves as an inspiration .•Historical facts about the area needs more tagging and labeling.•History books is commonly the tool that made people knew about the place even if they are not there.

Applications /Outputs

•The heritage site is a very good material for research for a lot of disciplines.• Tagging more of the Ruins and artifacts



Despite being branded as a culture and heritage site, Intramuros need to be developed and maximized as an educational site. Problems have been identified such as lack of reference or markers to fully inform public about the relevance of specific materials. For example, there are cultural/heritage materials found at Fort Santiago that were left exposed in not so recognized areas that do not have marks. Intramuros is also an area of irony where both poverty and richness of history co-exist. In San Agustin Church, for example, there are hundreds of artifacts such as statues and paintings that are dated back to the 17th Century. The area surrounding the San Agustin Church, however, houses informal settlers.


According to F. Steinberg, Senior Urban Development Specialist of the Asian Development Bank, , around 14,280 square meters of land are occupied by informal settlers. As of 2005, a total 16,116 informal settlers or 1,321 families occupy Intramuros. (See:

http://www.adb.org/documents/events/2009/Urban-CoP-Revitalization/F-Steinberg.pdf)

There seems to be a disconnect between people’s appreciation of Intramuros and the messages that Intramuros wants to convey to its visitors and residents. Intramuros has already been highly commercialized without giving much regard to the historical and cultural nature of the place. One possible reason for this is the passing of a law in August 1956, RA1607, transforming Intramuros into a commercial, residential and educational district. The said law paved the way towards road widening and opening of portions of the wall to support such purpose.

http://www.adb.org/documents/events/2009/Urban-CoP-Revitalization/F-Steinberg.pdf

Applications and Purposes

Advocacy material to inform duty-bearers about the challenges and problems in terms of preservation and identification of cultural/heritage materials. As per PD 1616, the Intramuros Administration has the mandate to issue and ensure implementation of fules and regulations as regards conservation, utilization and management of Intramuros. The following are relevant provision of PD1616 that may be used as reference:Section 3. Functions and Powers. The Administration shall have the following functions and powers:(b) To initiate, plan, undertake and supervise the restoration, upkeep and maintenance of the Intramuros Walls, including the ravelins, moat, Sunken Garden, and public places or areas, plazas, streets and other government properties situated within Intramuros;


(c) To adopt, issue, promulgate and implement regulations pertaining to zoning, building height, dimensions, architectural style and designs, and other specifications of the building construction to be undertaken therein;(d) To regulate traffic, street usage, and other related matters within the area;(e) To determine and regulate the architecture of buildings erected within Intramuros, the utilization of the said buildings, the size and nature of display signs, advertising billboards, neon lights, and other external signs and advertisements in buildings;lawphi1.net(f) To require private holders to modify the design of existing buildings so as to comply with approved specifications;


Educational material to inform public/students about the gaps in terms of government/duty-bearers fulfillment of responsibilities;Guideposts for students to further conduct historical research (e.g. why was Quirino detained in a separate cell vis-à-vis other prisoners during the Japanese period?)

Results/Findings/Learnings

•The Phillipine Post built in Maynila 1767 is the most effective way to communication across distance and space. It was huge, artistic and well built building with huge pillars and post. It is strategically located infront of Plaza and a commercial district. It was recognized by the Distrito Pangkoreo na Espanya in 1779 and Universal Postal Union in 1877. It was damaged during World War II but was rebuilt with the help from the government of the United States of America by virtue of Phil Rehabilitation Act of 1946. The same year, it was named Phil. Rehabilitation Act of 1946.

•The Roman Catholic Cathedral of Manila, presently known as Manila Cathedral was built in 1581 during the reign of King Carlos IV. It was damaged by typhoon in 1582 and fire in 1583. The Cathedral was rebuilt several times in 1592,1614,1879 due to typhoon, fire and earthquake. It was also damaged by 2nd World War in 1945 and was reconstructed in 1954-1958. This part is part of the Arch Dioceses of Manila famous by the name of Immaculate conception because of its dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary.


•We interviewed, Nanay Carmen , one of the vendors who had been selling there for 30 years. She said that they used to sell sweepstake tickets and she earning well because the Chinese buy tickets in bulk. Now, she sells the goods (crucifix bracelet, etc) on a consignment basis and earns at least 300 pesos a day. I asked for her observations on people’s perception of the Manila Cathedral. She said, that people in the past, mostly come for religious reasons . . . to pray and perform other religious rites. Now, it is mainly tourism by local and international tourist. Wedding reservation must be placed at least a year ahead.

•The 2nd church we visited is the San Agustin Church with a Museum at the side. One is greeted with a 4 ton bell at the entrance of museum. It’s an overwhelming sight with its centuries old elaborate artifacts, artworks, paintings, images, furniture, bamboo pipe, baroque pulpit. The wood used was molave and some artifacts are overlaid with


Table Summary

GOAL UNDERSTANDING

Knowledge The Walled City, Intramuros, is a center of Philippine Heritage, Culture, and History.

Method Field observation, Random interview, and Photo documentation

Purpose Rediscovering the different stories Intramuros can offer for culture, politics, architecture, tradition, history, natural science and arts.

Form The heritage is a very good tool for different subjects. Studying the area through research and data can be used to empower the locals of the area and let them continue in preserving it.

Table Summary

GOAL UNDERSTANDING

Knowledge The Walled City, Intramuros, is a place which has a complex meaning of history, culture, modernization and localization.

Method Observation and photo documentation.

Purpose To discover the connection or relationship between the history and the citizens’ daily life or concept of value. And how the citizens interpret the present situation according to the history?

Form The research on the modernization and localization under the viewpoint of Historical Anthropology.

Thank you!

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