Praying For The Abandoned, Justice, And Mercy

The latest excitement in heritage circles is over a temple in Santa Ana that a Ms. Chloe Chizu Go, wants removed from the National Museum’s “Important Cultural Property” list.

- Wala Lang Dr. Jaime Laya

How she became owner of a temple is another story, but the petition must be in preparation for its demolition and replacement as another commonplace building, maybe a high rise.

There are some bright spots of course—Metropolitan Theater, China Bank Building on Juan Luna, Luneta Hotel in Ermita are their magnificent old selves, but it’s a pity how so few reminders are left of beautiful and historic Manila. The Art Deco Jai Alai building was demolished to make way for a parking lot. Torre de Manila mars the vista of Rizal Park, a fate that may soon befall gothic San Sebastian Church.

R.A. No. 10066 (National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009) defines “Important Cultural Property” as one “having exceptional cultural, artistic, and historical significance to the Philippines as shall be determined by the National Museum and/ or National Historical Institute.” In turn, a “nationally significant” property is one that has “historical, aesthetic, scientific, technical, social, and/or spiritual values that unify the nation by a deep sense of pride in their various yet common identities, cultural heritage, and national patrimony.”

The structure is certainly one that embodies historical, social, and spiritual values and that relates to various common identities. It is an unusual, possibly unique blend of Taoist, Buddhist, and Catholic beliefs that has attracted generations of native Filipino and Filipino-Chinese worshippers.