Cebu architects to Palma: Reconsider

CEBU, Philippines — Cebuano architects are one in appealing to the local Catholic Church hierarchy to spare the decades-old Patria building from demolition.

The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) chapter in Cebu has joined the campaign initiated by heritage conservationists to preserve the old existing building of Patria de Cebu that is planned to be converted into a modern, commercial center.

Architect Joseph Judilla, current president of UAP Datu Lapu-Lapu chapter, has asked Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma to think over the plan of tearing down the old building.

“We write to you as a matter of urgency and of grave concern for the ongoing issue regarding the preservation of the Patria. We would like to add our voice to the voices of other concerned professionals and citizens in appealing to you to reconsider your decision to demolish this building which has served the archdiocese and the community very well through the six decades of its existence,” read part of the one-page letter dated January 19.

The office of the archbishop received the letter last January 22.

Judilla said that the organization agrees with heritage expert Architect Melva Java, whom he described as the “foremost heritage expert in the region, recognized by the most respected heritage bodies here and abroad.”

"The Patria, as has been pointed out to the community by heritage experts... is without doubt, a building of great significance. We respectfully caution you that any opinion to the contrary, including conjectures questioning the stability and safety of the structure, is, in our professional judgment, erroneous,” he said.

“We will belabor this point with you as we are aware that several presentations have been made by heritage experts elaborating on these points, including your very own members of the Archdiocesan Heritage Commission,” he added.

Heritage experts including Java offered a compromise agreement to keep the front portion of Patria, or the building facing the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral along P. Burgos Street.

However, the developer expressed that it will be withdrawing from the proposed project if the old front building will be retained as it might affect the design and stability of the new building.

Because of this, the discussion led to an election which favored the developer of reconstructing the entire building, which means the old one has to be destroyed.

To the dismay of some of the members of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on the Cultural Property of the Church, including Java, that made them decide to leave the special body.

Java resigned mid-January. Later on, another member of the commission Eileen Mangubat also stepped down from the position. Both are vocal critics on demolishing the entire existing building.

Judilla cited that the organization are cognizant to Java’s research with regard to Patria’s cultural importance, and fully supports her efforts to save Patria from total destruction.

“We would like to appeal to you, as members of a community of professionals recognized by society to be its best resource for information in this aspect of community life, to heed the advice of those of our brothers and sisters in the profession who only have the best interests of the community and the church in mind,” part of the letter read.

Judilla also pointed out that the issue is also of “special concern” to the organization because the lead architect of the structure, Teodoro Trinidad, is a member of the chapter who was also behind for other significant architectural treasures in Cebu.

While heritage experts insist of the significance of Patria as one of the treasures of Cebu, Palma maintained that the building is not categorized officially as a cultural heritage site, describing it as a mere building.

The prelate earlier said, through the collective decision of the administration board, the project of redeveloping Patria will push through. — GAN (FREEMAN)