Resilient National Treasure

The Bureau of Fire Protection reports that the fire that started in the basement of the centuries-old Manila Central Post Office and gutted it down was controlled after a day and six hours. The BFP further claims that the building did not have a fire suppression system that could have stopped the fire from spreading. Most likely destroyed in the building were the National IDs we had all been waiting to receive for over a year.

This catastrophe is saddening, considering that the building has been declared one of the most significant structures in Manila. It is documented that in 2018, the Manila Central Post Office Building was acknowledged as an essential cultural treasure by the National Museum. This means the building has received government funding for its protection, preservation, and restoration because of its historical and cultural significance to our nation. In neo-classical style, it is said to have been the magnum opus of famous Filipino architect Juan Arellano, alongside Tomas Mapua and Ralph Doanne. Arellano is the same architect who designed Manila’s Metropolitan Theatre and the Legislative Building that now houses the National Museum of Fine Arts. The Post Office Building had been earlier destroyed by fire during the Second World War and restored in 1946.

The costly 300 million it will take to restore it a second time is only a manifestation of our moral responsibility as a nation to look after our national treasures and preserve them for many generations. Hopefully, the structure’s original design can still be maintained in its restoration.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.”

Aristotle

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Philippians 4:8