Religious icons 'Mula sa Lumang Bahay' in Intramuros

MANILA, Philippines - The Walled City of Intramuros burst with new life during the weeklong celebration of Intramuros Administration’s 32nd Foundation anniversary. Local and foreign tourists, families with little children in tow, all participated in the numerous activities offered by the agency, tasked to preserve Intramuros as a cultural heritage site, and promote it as a prime tourism and enterprise zone.

Among the exhibits on view are “Mula Sa Lumang Bahay” and “Sulyap: A Preview,” mounted at Casa Blanca, Plaza San Luis Complex, Intramuros, Manila. Both exhibits are open to the public until May 31, as part of the celebration of National Heritage Month. Admission is free.

Echoes of lola’s home are brought back to life in “Mula Sa Lumang Bahay,” an exhibit showcasing architectural details of the bahay na bato. A two-story structure of stone on the ground floor and wood on the upper floor, it was the traditional Filipino house where wealthy families of the Spanish era lived.

In the main living area, large, sliding windows made of capiz shells, and ventanillas let the breeze in. Ornate woodcarvings embellished the balusters of the grand staircase, and metalwork adorned various sections of the house. Filled with fine furniture and priceless objects, the bahay na bato flaunted the owner’s wealth and social status.

Also on display are carpentry and masonry projects, and woodcarvings rendered by the Escuela Taller students.

Ado Escudero, Spanish Ambassador Jorge Domecq, Intramuros administrator Jose Capistrano, Jr., and National Museum director Jeremy Barnes cut the ceremonial ribbon during the opening of “Sulyap: A Preview” and “Mula Sa Lumang Bahay.”

Intricate chokers and necklaces with saint medallions, abanikos, and religious images are among the important cultural artifacts on display in “Sulyap: A Preview.” These are just a few of the items included in IA’s extensive collection of over 6,000 Philippine antiques from the Spanish colonial period to the pre-war era. The selection runs the gamut from ecclesiastical vestments, religious art and altarpieces, ornately carved reredos and retablos (bas reliefs), kamagong and piña objects, to tableware, household furniture, recreational objects, inlaid furniture and other ceramics. These relics will be housed in the future Museo de Intramuros, which will be built on the site of the old San Ignacio Church.

The weeklong celebration provided a glimpse into the development plans the Intramuros Administration, headed by Jose Capistrano, Jr., is formulating with the help of the Department of Tourism.

The IA and the DOT plan to offer for potential public-private partnerships (PPP) the redevelopment of historic Intramuros.

Capistrano signed a Memorandum of Understanding recently with the members of the Intramuros Tourism Council, including ITC chairman Jose Mananzan of Mananzan Philippine Handicrafts, and J.C. delos Reyes of Barbara’s Restaurant, ITC president.

Apart from the Museo de Intramuros, the multibillion-peso redevelopment program will encompass a school — the old Ateneo de Manila. The restoration of the Maestranza Wall, a former storehouse and soldiers’ quarters, is already underway.

“The area close to the Light and Sound Museum will be converted into a theme park showing miniature replicas of the old buildings, churches and schools that once stood in Intramuros,” Capistrano said. “It will also show forms of road transport, virtually recreating a replica of the Ciudad Murada, Intramuros’ original name.”

A French lighting expert is drawing up plans to improve the lighting along portions of Fort Santiago’s walls and a few buildings, to liven up those areas in the long term. The Ayuntamiento, a project of the National Treasury, is already undergoing reconstruction. Down the road, the Intendencia will be rebuilt.

“Plans are afoot to transform Intramuros into a thriving community,” Capistrano said, “linking it up with community-based tourism.”