Protecting a Heritage
Fernando Nakpil Zialcita
In his essay “Revitalizing the City through Heritage,” Fernando Nakpil Zialcita poses questions on the definition and importance of cultural heritage—how Manila can revitalize itself and take advantage of its heritage and Quiapo’s role in renewing Manila.
Heritage ensures cultural continuity (Zialcita 17). Heritage brings to mind Benedict Anderson’s notion of an imagined community in that people who share commonalities, such as language and culture, identify with each other, thus forming the concept of a community (7). The population of Manila and Quiapo are no longer comprised of original settlers. Tausugs, Visayans and people from Central Luzon live in its streets to study, work and raise a family. Regardless of change in residence, however, certain traditions and practices constituting a heritage remain.
In Quiapo, the yearly devotion to the Black Nazarene on January 9 and Holy Week are still practiced. People flock to Quiapo Church to pray for a miracle to heal the sick, pass an exam, or land a job. Once the favor is granted, devotees take upon themselves the task of partaking in the suffering of Christ by walking barefoot on January 9 and communing with their fellow devotees. A number donate portions of their earnings and services to pay back the Señor for his generosity.
Interestingly, the religious fervor has led some to walk on bended knees to the altar, prompting Church officials to dissuade them, but the reminder was met with failure.
Zialcita believes that Manila could capitalize on Quiapo’s religious fervor and strong cultural heritage. For instance, Bahay Nakpil-Bautista, residence of former La Liga Filipina and Katipunan members located at Quiapo, house artworks and artifacts from revolutionaries. It could also look into the markers and homes of the Aranetas and Ocampos on Hidalgo Street and General Antonio Luna’s house at San Nicolas. Moreover, it could explore the numerous infrastructure and artworks produced by Quiapenses. The literary articles written by Quiapo residents like Gilda Cordero-Fernando, Chona Trinidad, and the Aranetas and non-residents such as Nick Joaquin and Gregorio Brillantes about the area are rich repositories of information about life in Quiapo.
Although heritage appreciation and conservation are considered luxuries by some, these are necessary endeavors in the life of the city and the nation. Cultural heritage is strongly connected to experience and memory. It is more than an aesthetic experience that crisscrosses into history and culture as a material object, a creation, or a skill. Moreover, proper implementation of cultural heritage conservation can encourage investors, improve employment, and contribute to national development.
For a detailed discussion on Quaipo’s heritage, read Fernando Nakpil Zialcita’s preface and essay “Revitalizing the City through Heritage” in Quiapo: Heart of Manila, edited by Fernando Nakpil Zialcita and published by The Cultural Heritage Studies Program Department of Sociology and Anthropology Ateneo de Manila University and Metropolitan Museum of Manila.
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Fortifying Efforts to Preserve Quiapo’s Heritage:
Key to Manila’s Continuous Progress
Mary Ann M. Majul | November 4, 2017
WORKS CITED
Anderson, Benedict R. O’G. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. Revised edition. Anvil Publishing, Inc., 2003, pp. 1-7.
Gatbonton, Esperenza B. “Identifying Manila’s Material Culture”. Beyond Intramuros Manila Selected Papers of the Annual Conferences of the Manila Studies Association 1989-1993, edited by Bernardita Reyes Churchill, Manila Studies Association, DLSU-Manila, NCCA, National Historical Society, 1994, pp. 6-17.
Zialcita, Fernando Nakpil. “Revitalizing the City through Heritage.” Quiapo Heart of Manila, edited by Fernando Nakpil Zialcita,The Cultural Heritage Studies Program Department of Sociology and Anthropology Ateneo de Manila University and Metropolitan Museum of Manila, 2006, pp. 4-39.