Sunday, March 25, 2007
MABUHAY ANG QUIAPO!
It was a celebration of Manila's famous district which consisted of three events -- the opening of Revitalizing Quiapo Photo Exhibit at Arsenio Lacson Underpas; the opening of Juan Nakpil: National Artist for Architecture Exhibit at Bahay Nakpil-Bautista in Calle A. Bautista; and the launching of the book, Quiapo: Heart of Manila, edited by Fernando (Butch) Nakpil Zialcita, jointly published by The Cultural Heritage Studies Program, Department of Sociology And Anthropology at Ateneo de Manila University and Metropolitan Museum of Manila.Gemma Cruz Araneta, President of Heritage Conservation Society of the Philippines hosted the opening of the Juan Nakpil exhibit. She is shown in the photograph on the left standing behind Fernando (Butch) Nakpil Zialcita.
The ubiquitous face of Manila, Congressman Miles Roces cut the ribbon to officially open the photo exhibit at the Arsenio Lacson Underpass, while mayor Lito Atienza was the guest of honor and speaker at the book launching party held over at Calle San Sebastian right behind the San Sebastian Basilica.
Many fellow bloggers attended these series of events such as Sidney Snoeck, Ivan Mandy, Tito Basa, Ivan Henares, and Carlos Celdran.
Ivan Mandy was most gracious for introducing Sidney and I to the many members of Heritage Conservation Society of the Philippines, especially Gemma Cruz Araneta and Fernando (Butch) Nakpil Zialcita.
A sumptuous dinner followed wherein I met an intensely passionate professor of architecture at UST, who shared with us his insight on the future development of Manila as he envisions it. I trust that I will meet him again in the near future so I could feature his views and portrait on this site.
Many thanks to Tito Basa for inviting us to this wonderful celebration of Quiapo!
Thank you as well to the shy and elusive Belgian Consul who arranged our invite for that tasty dinner.
sponsored by
The Office of the Mayor of Manila
The Metropolitan Museum of Manila
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Ateneo de Manila
The Architectural Archives
Ang Samahan ng Puso ng Maynila
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posted by Señor Enrique at 7:33 AM
24 Comments:
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carlotta1924 said... it's really too bad i missed it. anyway, i'll buy the book... and soon! i hope to see you and the others soon too. ^^
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NOYPETES said...
Where can I find the book for sale?
Is it on Amazon or Barnes and noble yet?
I was with my father at the inauguration of the Quiapo(Lacson)Underpass back in '61. It was very exciting for most Manilenyos then to cross the subway without the hazards of the busy Quiapo traffic.-
said... i don't know, it's been more than 10 minutes, and i still could not view the pictures. something must be wrong with my computer, i will drop by again.
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Sidney said...
I am also not able to see your pictures. Maybe caused by bad links? I will check it out again tomorrow.
Anyway it was nice to meet you again together with Tito Basa, Ivan Mandy, Ivan Henares, and Carlos Celdran. It was definitely a pleasant and informative evening. I am happy to see that a lot of people are working hard to make Manila a nicer and more human “city”.
Quiapo is my favorite place in Metro Manila and I am happy that Ateneo de Manila University and Metropolitan Museum of Manila published a book about it. This will allow me (and others) to place Quiapo in a historical context.-
said...
Wow! It's great you guys have finally met up on this important event. I'm sure you guys involved in the heritage conservation had a lot to talked about, I'm a bit squirmish in my history and heritage stuff as Tito kept reminding me. Hehe.
Too bad I couldn't join as Tito invited me as well.
Can't see the pictures too. I'll check back again later-
Ivan Henares said...
Nice to bump into you again. Sayang I missed the Nakpil exhibit opening. I made a wrong turn somewhere in Sampaloc. And I missed dinner too. Let me guess, the UST professor is Manolo Noche, right?
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Nick Ballesteros said...
Hello Senor Enrique! That place is indeed filled with our rich history. Ummm... I can't see the photos...
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Señor Enrique said...
Folks, the server that stores my images is down at the moment. Sorry. Please come back another time to check them out. Thanks!
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Señor Enrique said...
We're sorry to have missed you as well, Carla. I'm sure we'll have another get together pretty soon. It was indeed lots of fun to hang out with these guys :)
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said...
Senor,
Can't see the pictures as well :-(-
Señor Enrique said...
Believe it or not, Noypetes, down in that underpass is where they are holding the exhibition. Pretty nice center area and well lit also. I'm impressed.
As for the book, I have a feeling it'll only be available locally in the beginning. But they have got to arrange some sort of international distribution for our fellow Pinoys to appreciate this book!-
Señor Enrique said...
othing wrong with your computer, Dine, but with my image server -- undergoing maintenance at this time. Please come back another time. Thanks!
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Señor Enrique said...
There is really nothing like Quiapo anywhere else in Metro Manila, Sidney.
It is indeed an integral part of Manila's main hub -- along with Sta. Cruz and Binondo. As Ivan Mandy remarked, this part of Metro Manila remains to be the most expensive real estate.
I really hope that the incoming administration will continue with the revitalization programs started by outgoing Mayor Atienza.
It was fun to see you as well and to hang out with all those fun and passionate fellow bloggers :)-
Señor Enrique said...
We were hoping that you'd show up, Ferdz. Perhaps, another time.
As for history, I am basically just learning myself. I have nothing to worry about since many are more than willing to share their knowledge.
Come back later to check out the accompanying pics!-
Señor Enrique said...
Yes, Ivan, it was Prof. Manolo Noche. I'm counting on you and Ivan Mandy to organize another get together even if only a handful of us. I really enjoy hearing everyone's insight.
It was a very enlightening evening amongst friends. I will be joining Heritage Conservation Society for sure!
Too bad you missed dinner.-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Watson and Sonnie!
Please come back later. Hopefully, the server will be up and running again by then. Sorry.-
Francesca said...
i saw the photos and they are great as usual. congrats sa pba awards soon! handa na ba ang suit for the big night? lol
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Señor Enrique said...
And I heard you commissioned Christian LaCroix, or was it Versace for an evening gown for you to wear at the awards night, Francesca ... hehehe!
Good luck. Will you be flying to Manila to receive yours?-
said...
Hi. Just want to say that your blog is great. I have been enjoying looking at your photos and reading your intelligent posts since I stumbled upon your blog early this month. By the way, Dr. Zialcita was my teacher in the Ateneo and I must say that he really is very passionate on things about our culture and heritage. We really need people like him. Thanks.
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Señor Enrique said...
Wow! Many thanks, Anonymous!
Dr. Zialcita is not only a highly intelligent man, but incredibly down to earth as well. I also noticed that everyone seemed to adore him. I bet he's a wonderful teacher.
It was a fun and enlightening evening. Wish you were there. You would've loved it :)-
said...
Very nice event indeed:) Look forward to buying the book. You guys must have enjoyed this affair. Gemma still looks great at her age :)
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Señor Enrique said...
I was truly amazed by Gemma's youthful looks, BW. She is still quite a looker.
Wonderful indeed it was and most of all, very enlightening.
I highly recommend the book!-
said...
I look forward to buying this book. Quiapo is one of my favorite places in Manila. I have been there many times and I still enjoy going around the different places. There's just too many things to see and do! The reason why I learned to like the place was because of my parents, they had many fond memories during their college days and when we were younger, they brought us to some of those places. We even have a family joke about a my dad's footprints in front of Quiapo church, but that's another story...
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Señor Enrique said...
Footprints in front of Quiapo Church? Hmmm..... :)
I have only been exploring Quiapo since moving back to Manila, Whatsuplb. I have few memories of Quiapo; mostly Sta. Cruz and Binondo. So far, I find this enclave one of the most colorful in the entire Metro Manila, especially if you're a photographer. Myriads of subjects abound.
I'd get your parents a copy of this book if I were you. I'm sure they'd love it as well :)
