Rizal Memorial or mall in memoriam?
FOR Metro Manila’s mayhem traffic, credit or blame can go to the mall phenomenon. It is a measure of success of our mall developers, and the natural magnet to Pinoys who want to get away from it all, especially the summer, to go to the air-conditioned theme parks and malls. Before malls went up in Bulacan and outlying environs, the big thing was to take excursion buses to SM Megamall.
THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW. But why do our malls crowd major thoroughfares like EDSA? In Europe and USA, integrated malls are located out of town, since they are sure to draw shoppers.
Of coure, the old saying about taking the people to the market, is bettered by “take the market to the people.”
I leave to our planners and to Secretary Mark Villar of DPWH and to Secretary Art Tugade of DOTr to think through and to plan the future malls. (Aren’t we discouraging new schools from opening in the inner city because of the traffic they cause?)
Meanwhile, a Grand Dame in distress wrote about one icon in jeopardy because of covetous eyes – the Rizal Memorial sports complex..
Ching Montinola, daughter of Don Antono delas Alas, wrote: “One thing bothering me, that is about the Rizal Memorial Stadium which for sure, you have read in most of the papers, that is thought to be torn down by (Mayor Joseph) Estrada to turn into a mall. (Does he care for history and heritage?) So many write about this. My father (brought the Rizal Memorial to life) in the time of Quezon and was deeply involved with its past. I had been writing to writers who mention the unreality of the plan (to turn Rizal Memorial into a mall).
“Some thoughts on the matter with deep sentimental values which will never come back again.
“I vividly remember how Papa used to tour us children around to check how the Stadium was coming along with the best Art Deco Architect he could find, who understood the hard situation. Those days, it looked so grand big! Going back to this structure (now left in state of deshabille), it looks the very same way it was done during his time, thrushes, seats, etc. The big clock he brought from Switzerland for the Track and Field is not running anymore and is too expensive to fix. In spite of his full time in government (during the Quezon time, during the Jap occupation, way after the Liberation, and way after, for 35 years of serving as president after Jorge Vargas of the Phil. Amateur Athletic Federation), he managed to enjoy, use, and introduce to us children all the structures he helped build. So I know the Stadium like the back of my hand. Verily. I feel so privileged!
“Here are some of the events managed at the Rizal Memorial Stadium:
“a. 1939 – Construction of the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Construction a. Tourist attraction – Art Deco architect Juan Arellano.
“b. Papa certified all the Road Races in the Phil. Track and Field.
“c. 1966 – Sold-out performance of Beatles at the Coliseum.
“d. Baseball exhibition in baseball stadium with Babe Ruth and team. (Does anybody remember where Babe Ruth hit the baseball outside the...?
“e. Promotion of the Far Eastern Games in Manila.
“f. Football stadium started in Manila.
“g. 1948 – Exhibition in Manila by Fil-Am Vickie Draves who won the 1st Phil. Gold Medal.
“h. 1954 – Second Asian Champion Games in Manila.
“i. Exhibition Games of New York Yankees Baseball Team and Phil. Baseball Team.
“j. 1956 – 1st Phil. Cycling Asso., founded by Alas to help the Poor – the Tour of Luzon.
“k. Little Olympics of Armed Forces by Department of National Defense – all athletic Tournaments.
“l. 1958 Construction of First Grass Tennis Courts in Rizal Memorial.
“m. Alas construction for Velodrome of Cycling.
“n. World Federation of Amateur Sports Administration.
“o. Alas introduces Table Tennis in the Philippines.
“p. Fourth Asian Games in the Philippines.
“q. Mayor Arsenio Lacson approved remodeling of coliseum.
“r. NCAA – La Salle – Ateneo rivalry
“s. United Foot ball League in football court. “t. Rugby World Cup. “u. Asian Volleyball Championship. “I am asking some writers to help me as and I feel that life is catching up with me, got to worry!”
*** Why are we like kaingin farmers – without regard for our icons and honored past, but at the first opportunity, without hesitation, convert our old structures and heritage into newfangled?
Does the NCCA (National Commission for Culture and the Arts) have something to say about saving this icon?
***
Reader Sonia Z. ponders after Japanese PM Shinzo Abe’s recent visit and generous official development aid for PH: “Japan, a nation with their GNP 230% in debt, gives aid to the PH, a nation with only 40% debt? Thanks, huh.”
Ed: “To those that hath (40% debt), more shall be given;
To those that hath less (230% debt), shall be taken away (?)” FEEDBACK: