Skip to main content

Intramuros, Fort Santiago among ‘most vulnerable’ historic sites—intl group

Two historical sites in Manila dating back to the Spanish period—the old walled city of Intramuros and the defensive fortress Fort Santiago—have been included in an international organization’s list of “most vulnerable heritage sites" around the world.



International non-profit organization Global Heritage Fund (GHF) included Intramuros and Fort Santiago in this year’s list of “sites on the verge" of destruction, among with 11 other historical places in the world.



The group cited “insufficient management" and “development pressures" as reasons why the two Philippine sites currently “look shabby" and are “in poor condition."



“Although much of the modern development that has changed the face of Manila has occurred outside the walls of Intramuros, several major food chains have opened outlets inside the fortress," GHF said in its report.



The group likewise said that high-rise hotels and golf courses surrounding the Intramuros and Fort Santiago “destroyed the viewscapes and authenticity" of the two historical sites.



In its report, the GHF also questioned why the city government of Manila wants to regain control of Intramuros, which is currently being managed by the Department of Tourism (DOT), a major national agency led by a Cabinet secretary.



“There is rampant speculation that the city wishes to capitalize on Intramuros’ real estate potential, replacing the heritage and history with high rises and malls," it said.



The group likewise urged the Philippine government “to properly assert Intramuros’ right to preserve its rich heritage."



“There is a strong likelihood that it will be soon overrun by rampant commercialism. If indeed this happens, the efforts to rebuild this jewel of Manila after its destruction in World War II will have been in vain," it said.



It added that although the Philippines only has a “medium" global heritage potential, the level of threats to these sites are “high."



The original walled city of Manila was built by the Spanish colonial regime during the 16th century along the Pasig river’s southern banks and facing the old foreshoreland of Manila Bay. 



As the increasingly-populous city of Manila expanded to outlying districts beyond the walls, the original city came to be known as Intramuros (“within the walls"). Today it is considered as Manila’s oldest district, containing some original structures as well as rebuilt historical buildings that were destroyed during World War II.



The Fort Santiago, meanwhile, is a defensive fortress originally built by Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, also during the 16th century, and gradually developed through the next three centuries. 



Among the many patriots who were imprisoned by Spanish authorities in the dungeons of the fort, the most prominent was Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, who spent his last weeks imprisoned there before his execution in December 1896.



Other sites that made it to this year’s list of vulnerable historical sites were the Maluti Temples in India, Hisham’s Palace in Palestine and the Palace of Sans Souci in Haiti.





Sourse: GMANews.tv

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How to become an Eat Bulaga Studio Audience

For sure everybody wants to see the "Dabarkads" in person especiall "Bossing" and watch Eat Bulaga Live! How to make reservations for the show? HERE'S THE GUIDELINES FOR EAT BULAGA STUDIO RESERVATIONS: 1. Reservation and entrance is free of charge. 2. Children below seven (7) years old are NOT ALLOWED to enter the studio unless they are contestants or participants of the show. 3. Mobile phones, food and drinks are strictly prohibited in the studio premises and shall be surrendered to the security guards for safekeeping. 4. All studio audience are required to bring at least one (1) valid ID for identification purposes. 5. For further questions, please call 721-2222, 725-7100, 0927-7918828, 0949-6432631 and look for Tonette Aduna or Hyacinth Uri. For more information just visit, Ea Bulaga Official Website. Update from Eat Bulaga FB Page: STUDIO BOOKING AND RESERVATION 1. First come, first served basis po ang aming booking. Magpunta lang po sa Br...

Photo and Video- Marian Rivera on FHM 2014 Victory Party

Catch some of the photos of Kapuso star Marian Rivera, this year's Sexiest Woman in the Philippines during last Wednesday night's FHM Most Sexiest Women 2014 Victory Party held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Donna Cruz Larrazabal, Daldalita Wedding Photos

Here's some of Donna Cruz photos from "Daldalita" during Mateo (Ogie Alcasid) and Carmela (Donna Cruz) wedding days on the pilot episode of Daldalita. Photos courtesy of GMA Network and Daldalita fanpage.

Super Shane Shake Dance- Video Tutorial

Want to do the "Super Shane Shake Dance'? Here's a tutorial video of Super Shane Shake Dance from Time of My Life. Time Of My Life is a 2011 Philippine drama billed as a "danserye" (dance TV series), created and developed by GMA Network, starring Mark Herras and Kris Bernal. The show premieres on August 1, 2011 on GMA Network in the Philippines and on August 3, 2011 on GMA Pinoy TV. Shane is the character of Kris Bernal on the dance-serye.

GMA Artist Center “League of Artists” Batch 2

50 contract stars of GMA’s talent management and development arm, GMA Artist Center, ‘graduated’ from their intensive talent development workshop held recently to “further enrich their skills in the multi-faceted field of performing arts,” says the center’s press release. photo and text credit:gmanetwork Among those who completed the workshop are actors Vaness del Moral; Diva Montelaba; Julian Trono; Krystal Reyes; Protege winners Jeric Gonzales and Thea Tolentino, finalists Ruru Madrid, Mikoy Morales, Elle Ramirez, Arny Ross, Zandra Summer, Abel Estanislao, Bryan Benedict, Japs de Luna and Shelly Hipolito; “Teen Gen” lead cast member Juancho Trivino; and child stars Angel Satsumi (Pepito Manaloto), Barbara Miguel (Munting Heredera), Rose Ann Magan (Biritera), DanielaAmable (Tropang Potchi), Isabel “Lenlen” Frial (Tropang Potchi), Bianca Umali(Tropang Potchi).

Video- Arnold Clavio's interview with Janet napoles lawyer Atty. Alfredo Villamor

Some netizens thinks that Arnold Clavio disrespected the lawyer of Janet Napoles. Pinoy Balita commented, "Im so sorry ARNOLD CLAVIO but you became very UNPROFESSIONAL!!! Even if Atty. Villamor is the Lawyer of Janet Napoles, I think ARNOLD, you did not uphold the right ethics in interviewing him. YOU DISRESPECTED HIM... Truly, Arnold Clavio did not live up to GMA's Coat of Arms.... GMA Network." Ivy Miravalles i never answer fb post but seeing arnold's way of interviewing the lawyer, i was so disappointed that i kept on looking for ways to air out my sentiments, very bad arnold. he should undergo more training and debriefing, baka pagod na sya sa or masyado exposure sa work, he needs debriefing. He was so rude, i hope this reaches him or the management. Part of an interview said: “Pasira ka ng araw eh,” Clavio snapped, adding that the case in court was exactly what he meant. As their exchange heated up and as Villamor continued to calmly explain h...

Tween Academy: Class of 2012 Premiere Night a big Success

GMA-7's hottest teen stars are set to conquer the hearts of moviegoers as they star in the upcoming movie, Tween Academy: Class of 2012 by GMA Films. The premiere night on August 20 was a blockbuster which makes the movie a Box-Office Hits in the making once it started showing on your favourite cinemas on August 24, 2011. The movie stars GMA Tweens Barbie Forteza, Joshua Dionisio, Jake Vargas, Bea Binene, Lexi Fernandez, Louise delos Reyes, Alden Richards, Kristoffer Martin, Joyce Ching and Derrick Monasterio. Also in the cast is Elmo Magalona. To see the Movie Trailer for "Tween Academy: Class of 2012", click here! <p><p>This page requires a higher version browser</p&...

Kyla dominating Indonesian Airwaves

R&B Princess Kyla is now dominating Indonesian Radio Stations. INDAH CINTA KITA -Joeniar Arief feat. Kyla Indah Cinta Kita. #5 on 101.1 MGTRADIO (Indonesian Radio) #5 on 92.9 Solo Radio, #6 on 91.7 J Radio FM, #11 on 105.8 Gress FM Official Clip Of Joeniar Arief 3rd Single " Indah Cinta Kita" featuring Philippine RnB Princess Kyla.