Manila eyes Baywalk Wharf

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim plans to have a dolphin show, fishing and dragon boat race in the new Baywalk along Roxas Boulevard to make the strip attractive to children.

The attractions will be open to public viewing for free.

Speaking at the commemoration of the 5th death anniversary of Max Soliven in front of the late STAR publisher’s monument in Baywalk, Lim also announced yesterday a proposed joint Baywalk project of the city government of Manila and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“That (project) will be a tourist attraction for the people to look and see, especially for those who come to Manila all the way from the provinces,” he said. “We would make their visits to Manila more enjoyable for them and their families.”

The wharf project will include dolphins among the regular public attractions, he added.

Lim presented an architectural draft of the proposed project to former UNESCO director-general Preciosa Soliven, widow of Soliven, and other members of the Soliven family.

Lim got various suggestions for the name of the new Baywalk promenade including “By the Way Wharf” in honor of the title of the daily, hard-hitting column of Soliven at The STAR.

The project aims to rehabilitate the Baywalk, which was destroyed by typhoon “Pedring” last Sept. 2, he added.

Soliven’s monument, across the Aristocrat Restaurant facing Roxas Boulevard, was the only structure undamaged by the typhoon.

“Like the proverbial ‘last man standing,’ the statue of Max stood unscathed by the storm surge at Baywalk,” Lim said.

Lim said the proposed project is fully supported by Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson as part of the rehabilitation of the entire Baywalk.

Under the plan, the wharf would be 100 meters long and 40 meters wide and extend to the Manila Bay area, protected by a new breakwater structure.

Lim said the entire Baywalk rehabilitation project is estimated to cost around P30 million, while the proposed wharf along the Baywalk at the back of Soliven’s statue would cost around P20 million.

The proposed project will undergo public bidding and hopefully start by early next year, he added.

Lim said the proposed wharf project will also feature family-oriented establishments from restaurants and souvenir shops to a recreation park for children.

‘Last man standing’

Soliven proved to be “the last man standing” when his life-size statute withstood the huge waves from Pedring that damaged millions in properties, and even submerged the nearby US embassy.

Speaking during Soliven’s 5th death anniversary, Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said “Max’s statue was the only one left standing, just the way Max used to describe himself as the last man standing whenever there was a battle to be won.”

The statue, sculpted by Julie Lluch, was unveiled on Nov. 24, 2008, across Aristocrat, a “silent witness” to many major events in his life, which included his “dates” with his wife Preciosa.

Romualdez, who writes a column for The STAR, spoke of Soliven as a “legend.”

“He was a legend now, more in death,” he said.

“He was larger than life. As we can see from this monument, we all know about the story of the storm that just passed about a couple of months ago, that surged through this very same seawall, and many properties in Manila were destroyed, put many underwater including the US embassy, but Max’s statute was the only one left standing.”

“I can never forget the last words Max told me on the day before he died when he called me from Tokyo,” he said.

Romualdez said Soliven told him: “Brother, keep the fire burning.”

He guessed Soliven meant that all of his friends, colleagues and associates should remember to keep the fire burning for country, he added.

Romualdez said having lived a full life of 76 years, Soliven knew “what it was to be in the deepest valley.”

“It’s really very heartening for our dear friend, Mayor Alfredo Lim, a very close friend of Max, to gather all of us here today and commemorate the passing of a great Filipino and friend who touched our lives in one way or another,” he said

“But he also knew what it was to be on the highest mountain.”

Romualdez said Soliven, who was a true friend, continues to stand tall to this very day as can be seen by the monument built in his honor.

“I am sure he is watching all of us today from that highest mountain and reminding all of us to keep the fire burning for our country,” he said.

Before Romualdez spoke, Lim welcomed all the guests which included Soliven’s colleagues and friends from the Samahang Plaridel and Bulong-Pulungan, his wife Preciosa, brother Guillermo and Army Lt. Col Samuel Futalan, among others.

Soliven co-founded The STAR with the late Betty Go-Belmonte and served as publisher until his death on Nov. 24, 2006 in Tokyo.

Lim said if Soliven were alive, he could give pieces of advice to the leaders of our country and help them in their service to the people.

“Max, your friends are here and I assure you, they will always remember you and not forget what kind of a person you are. I know you are up there resting in peace. Please continue guiding us,” he said.

Preciosa said her husband has great admiration for the brave.

“He believes that our country needs men of courage, women of courage, people who are decisive, people who will build over our weakness, and strengthen our inner hearts and minds,” she said.

“But in the life of my husband, he has many characteristics which are very human.”

Preciosa said her husband truly dreamed of heroism of Filipinos.

Her husband used to call the Manila mayor as “Dirty Harry” or even “007” of the Philippines due to his fearlessness, she added.

She thanked all who paid tribute to her husband on his death anniversary.

“Anyway, here we are. Imagine Max is here. That’s his favorite pose with a pipe, standing straight. And all friends around him who remember him.”

Other friends including Rod Cornejo, Celo Lagman, Ed Dipton and Sol Vanzi of Samahang Plaridel and The STAR Associate Editor Marichu Villanueva of the Tuesday Club also offered flowers during the wreath-laying ceremony which was followed by a 21-gun salute.

MMDA to design wharf

Artists rendition of proposed Baywalk wharf

Gilberto Reyes, DPWH-Bureau of Design director, said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has asked for designs for the proposed wharf.

“We would just help out in the design,” he said.

“But I don’t know who would finance it or who would construct it… This is more of a project of the MMDA and the Manila City Hall.”

Reyes said the project is still in its conceptualization stage.

The wharf might take the shape of a letter “T” that would stretch out into the waters of Manila Bay, he added.

“We would consider weather factors when we make our designs,” Reyes said when asked if it would be dangerous to put up a walkway along the Manila Bay since it is often hit by heavy rains and high waves during storms and typhoons.

Public Works Secretary Singson said the DPWH is more involved in the repairs of the seawall along Roxas Boulevard, not the construction of a wharf.

“That is their (MMDA and Manila City Hall’s) project,” he said. “As far as I am concerned, my role is to restore the seawall. Apparently they have other plans with the MMDA for tourism and that is outside our scope.”

Singson said he has heard of plans to put up restaurants and souvenir shops along the Baywalk

“but I don’t know their full plans yet,” he said.

The job of the DPWH is to restore, strengthen and elevate the seawall, which they hope to finish by early next year, Singson said.   – With Evelyn Macairan