The other night, I had the opportunity to attend an exhibit at the prestigious GSIS Museum in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex. Yes, the GSIS not only insures government workers and government assets, it also promotes our national heritage. This week until the end of the month, GSIS Museum features a “traveling” exhibit on “Tulay” or bridges. I was impressed by the collection of photographs featuring bridges in the country put together by Researcher Manuel Maximo Lopez del Castillo-Noche, whose exhibit was sponsored by the Filipino Heritage Festival Inc. and the Ilocandia Art Gallery. Entitled “Philippine Colonial Bridges”, the exhibit featured the evolution of bridges through the years. Mr. Noche’s fascination with bridges is evident, and his passion for the subject is indeed contaminating and enlightening. In my endeavor to promote culture and history, I thought to myself this was an important aspect of our history that was never given such attention and importance as a subject the way Mr. Noche did. An article he wrote “Bridge Over Not So Troubled Waters: Spanning Communities and Building Relationships” reflects his enthusiasm that draws out the interest in the reader. He wrote: “The evolution of bridges in history is a natural process, from a fallen tree to passable rock outcrops in a river bed, crossing gaps through any natural means, allow the building of mutual relationships between communities. As history progressed and civilizations developed and prospered, bridge design and engineering evolved. Beginning with wooden planks supported by heavy logs mimicking those of a fallen tree, to the development of the voussoir enabling arched masonry to accommodate heavier loads and increasing traffic, bridge design throughout the centuries has assisted the development and prosperity of communities. The development of sturdier spans in the Philippines can be attributed to the beginning of Spanish colonial rule. The development of communities under the Leyes de las Indias or Laws of the Indies resulted in the establishment of compact towns. Citizens then were required to partake in rituals imposed by the colonizers in the town church or plaza. Good roads and bridges (caminos y puentes) were thus erected by the Spanish friars to enable the citizens to come and participate. These friars were neither trained engineers or builders, but were equipped with a basic understanding of Renaissance building techniques, and most likely, a pattern book brought in from Mexico and Europe.”
The two bridges most memorable to me are the Jones Bridge, formerly known as Puente de España, which is the Philippines’ oldest bridge and the Sta. Cruz Bridge, which I always passed from our home in Oroquieta to my office in the old Ideal Theater, which used to be owned by my father. Like streets and plazas, bridges should always evoke memories of the past events, preserved as part of a people’s history. Thus the way these places are named should reflect their particular history and how they came to be. There is almost always a wonderful story of heroism and courage or simple purpose behind these landmarks that can be handed down from generation to generation. This is one way we can value our past and use this to guide our future.