#savemanilabay

#SaveManilaBay

Last February 12 was the day that I won't forget. It was the day where people with the same advocacy joined together to save what is considered to be one of the most precious things in Manila, the sunset view of Manila Bay.

I can definitely say that it was one of the most fulfilling events that I attended. I just supported their advocacy because I know how the Manila Bay's sunset view is just beyond amazing. And as a photographer, this is one of the most photographed sights in Manila. 

Because we have such beautiful sunsets, I felt that if we put a dramatic form against the sunset it could be very exciting. The idea was to have a massive rectangle, a massive slab of some hard stone tossed up in the air. The very exciting problem was how to make the massive and heavy form – the rectangle is without windows – look light. We used the device of cantilevered beams. The base is curved, so that the whole thing is sort of as if lifted up into the air.

Manila possesses the greatest resources for recreation and refreshment in its river and its ocean bay. Whatever portions of either have been given up to private use should be reclaimed where possible, and such portions as are still under public control should be developed and forever maintained for the use and enjoyment of the people.

-D. H. Burnham, Report on the General Plan on the Improvement of Manila

The harbor of Manila Bay is justly famous worldwide for having one of the best sunset views. With just one swerve from the City Hall, Manila might lose one of its greatest assets forever with reclamation of the bayside from the coastline of the US Embassy to the Manila Yacht Club. The Baywalk is almost a kilometer long, so that's quite a big area already. The reclaimed bayside will be home to another High Density District complete with skyscrapers and other ultramodern city delights. For a congested city like the City of Manila, another High Density District is the last thing you'll be building on it, as it badly needs parks and other public recreational facilities as its breathing space. Undoubtedly, the harbor view of the sunset is one of these rare city delights.

As I believe that a city's progress, identity and beauty is not alone measured by concrete and skyscrapers, saving the bay for the enjoyment not just for the Manilenos from all walks of life, but also for the whole nation is better than to have a few businessman benefitting from that place.

On February 12, 2013, the Heritage Conservation Society and the Heritage Conservation Society - Youth will hold a synchronized sunset viewing and and Human Chain at the Manila Baywalk at 4PM. Our group, the JaywalkersPH, supports this advocacy and we are actually encouraging you to attend the said event and learn more about the impending reclamation project. Register here: http://bit.ly/U7oYhs. Also, show your support here in Tumblr (and twitter too!) through the tag: #SaveManilaBay

Further Reading:

Realty exec defends Manila Bay reclamation

Standoff looms over Manila Bay reclamation project

Goodbye beautiful sunset? Groups protest Manila Bay reclamation project