Republic Act No. 10066
I have something to be pleased about. The National Cultural Heritage Bill has been signed by President Arroyo in law. The bill originally authored by Senator Edgardo Angara essentially protects all heritage sites from being destroyed, renamed, or literally stolen from the country.
Honestly, we really have to be careful about how our national treasures are being callously eradicated. It seems that somewhere along the way... we stopped caring! Years ago, well funded French and American researchers went up to the mountain provinces to research on our epic songs and poems. They have amassed at least 14 volumes of our native HUDHUD (epic songs sung by the elders while in the process of preparing the rice terraces for and during the planting of seedlings). WE have none of the recorded copies...
The City of Manila is a treasure trove of art noveau and art deco buildings, not to mention the spanish colonial and american colonial buildings that have survived centuries of war. Do we care about them? Lito Atienza tore down the Skyroom of the Jai Alai buildings during his term as Mayor much to the chagrin of the National Historical Institute. Years prior to that, the Manila Ice Plant had to give way to progress by giving way to the LRT railway that passes squarely through it. Now both areas are parking lots. The site of the ice plant now serves as the Lawton Station of the Pasig River Ferry Cruise.
The Metropolitan Theater, a fine example of art deco architecture, is currently housing a government agency on its upper floors while the theater itself is being left to dust and decay. Alas, it does take money to restore and renovate these buildings. But isn't it easier to maintain these buildings and keep them in tip-top shape rather than spend ton's of money on repairs. Apparently, we've run out of patrons/patronesses who easily dole out the much needed funds for the upkeep of certain landmarks.
Enter Senator Angara with the National Cultural Heritage Bill and everything seems quite rosy again. Hopefully the government will see the value in preserving what we have for generations to come and admire if not appreciate them.
The Banaue Rice Terraces is 2,000 years old. It is unfortunate that not many people take effort nor money in maintaining its aesthetic and cultural value to the country. Nowadays, with the temperature at (its highest yesterday) at 36.8 degrees is posing a threat to the UNESCO Heritage Site. The San Agustin Church in Intramuros, another UNESCO Heritage Site, is scrounging around for pennies and cents in accumulating funds for its upkeep as well.
Very often, we're surprised that street names are changed as well... Duque street in Binondo was renamed Nueva street(included in Rizal's Noli Me Tangere) which until recently has been renamed into Yuchengco. Rosario Street is now Quintin Paredes. Gandara is now Sabino Padilla. Dewey Boulevard is now Roxas Boulevard. Buendia is now Pedro Gil. Vito Cruz is now Pablo Ocampo. Isaac Peral is now Pedro Gil. With all these names changed is small wonder that even Manilenos get lost in the city.
There is always hope... Until Republic Act No. 10066 is implemented and enforced, we are assured that no buildings will be destroyed, no names will be changed, no songs and poetry will be brought and exported abroad. Now all we have to do is be vigilant about it!
