Renovating Intramuros/Focusing on RP lensmen

Intramuros, Nick Joaquin’s “ever noble and loyal city”, is the setting of his celebrated drama “Portrait of the Artist as Filipino”. Quite logically, the Barangay Theater Guild first presented the play on an improvised stage in Intramuros.

The ramparts of Intramuros, built by the Spaniards, protected the city from marauders. The Manila Cathedral, the imposing Palacio del Gobernador serve their purposes. The golf course still draws divot diggers.

Not too long ago, Ana Marie “Bambi” Harper was appointed overseer of the entire area, and those who know her well can’t think of a more qualified person for the position of Intramuros Administrator. For years, Harper has been and continues to be an environmentalist who, along with her colleagues, fiercely fights pollution — I wonder why public and private vehicles keep emitting smoke with impunity — and illegal logging. In this regard, Harper staunchly opposed the cutting of the trees in Arroceros, which act was meant to give way to a dormitory for teachers. By this token, Harper could not possibly have ordered the cutting of those 29 Narra trees in Intramuros because it would have totally gone against her principles.

At the moment, all seems quiet on the Intramuros front, and hopefully, DENR Secretary Lito Atienza and Harper are now on cordial terms — as they should be. Indeed, both being appointees of President Arroyo, they should be harmoniously working for common causes.

At any rate, despite the hazards and challenges confronting Harper, her agenda unwaveringly includes the beautification and renovation of Intramuros. Here are the activities relating to this as officially announced.

The Walled City enters a more exciting phase of development this month with the launch of “Reliving Intramuros Today”. With no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as guest of honor, activities on the special day were led by Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano and Intramuros Administrator Anna Maria L. Harper.

First on the list of events was the Cornerstone Laying at Maestranza Park. This signifies the beginning of the reconstruction of the walls as the Northern part of Intramuros, the only section of the walls yet to be restored. Funding for the reconstruction project was granted by the government of Japan in 2004 upon the initiative of then Tourism Secretary (now Senator) Richard J. Gordon. Site of the Baluarte de Herrerias and Puerta de Almacenes, the curtain wall along the Pasig River was demolished by American Engineers in 1903 to give way to the construction of river wharves.

Next on the list is the ceremonial planting of flame trees (Delonix Regia). With the vision of 238 trees abloom in red for annual Flame Tree Festivals, Harper sought donations to bring the project to fruition. The donors’ names are engraved in markers at Plaza Roma and Maestranza in appreciation of their generosity.

Activities then moved to Fort Santiago with the opening of the Museum Shop at the Intramuros Visitors Center (IVC). Harper personally conceptualized the items for sale at the Museum Shop, such as mugs, note cards, tote bags, shirts, coffee/tea sets, and other gift items under the name The Intramuros Collection. The IVC occupies the chambers at Baluartillo de San Francisco Javier, a fortification built in 1662 as part of the seafront defense of the Walled City. Storage chambers for military supplies until the early 20th century, these were later used as barracks by the Japanese army and as garages and a warehouse by the American Army.

Capping the day’s festivities was the inauguration of the Almacenes Reales (Royal Warehouses) as an adaptive re-use facilities, with Marian images from the L.A. Museum collection on display. The brick walls were strengthened and polycarbonate sheers were installed as roofing to provide an indoor function area at Fort Santiago.

Antique windows, balusters and doors enhance the old charm of the structure. Originally put up in 1591 as a storehouse for goods unloaded along the river-wharves, it was renovated as soldiers’ quarters after the 1863 earthquake and eventually fell into disrepair.

With things happening in Intramuros at a fast pace, the future looks brighter for the Walled City.

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Like other foreign cultural agencies, the Goethe Institut, whenever it can, projects Filipino performing and visual artists. On Oct. 17, at 6 p.m., the exhibition “Mapping Invisible Cities” at the Shangri-la Plaza (3/F) will feature the works of 27 photographers, eight of them Filipino: Cathy Quiogue, Che Katigbak, Cristina Luisa Sevilla, Dennis Rito, Estan Cabigas, Gigie Cruz, Kidlat de Guia and Tammy David.

This is how their photos came to be included in the exhibit which ends Nov. 7. When German photographer Peter Biallobrzeski traveled through SE Asia in 2007-8, he combined his own photographic investigations with workshops for young talents in Jakarta, Hanoi, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Singapore.

Correction: Overall chairman of “Francisfest 2008” is Menchu de las Alas Concepcion.