QUE, JAHLENE ROSE M.

202012626
ARD. 411.1-4 DESIGN 7

Architectural Prophets: Shaping Cities and Lives

In the vibrant heart of the Philippines, Manila city stands as a testament to architectural
diversity and urban evolution. As a budding architecture student in this bustling metropolis, I am
reminded of a quote by the celebrated Filipino architect Leandro Locsin, who once said,
"Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness." This quote
beautifully encapsulates the essence of the questions we explore today: What does the city's form
actually mean to the people who live there, and what can city planners do to make the city's image
more vivid and memorable to the city dweller?

The shape of the city and its significance: In Manila, the shape of the city goes beyond its
physical features. With its cobblestone alleys and Spanish-style architecture, the old walled city
of Intramuros whispers tales of colonialism and tenacity to its inhabitants. It denotes a link to the
past, a symbol of heritage, and a reason for national pride. On the other hand, Makati's tall
skyscrapers stand for progress, aspiration, and economic expansion. Manileños interpret their
history, identity, and goals through the city's form. As a child, my earliest memory of Manila is from
when I visit my grandmother who lives in Sampaloc. The street closest to my heart was the
Dapitan and Don Quijote Street. There on the corner of it is the Tinapayan Festival, my favorite
bakery. It holds a lot of memory for me, it served as my landmark for whenever I want to go home
from an unfamiliar place in the city, as well as a place to replenish my craving for sweet pastries.
Making a Memorable City Image: City planners are essential to improving and
immortalizing Manila's image. Urban environments can be made more vibrant and beautiful by
including green places like Rizal Park or by developing cutting-edge public art works. The
architectural genius Ken Yeang's advocacy of sustainable architecture has the potential to make
Manila a green and eco-friendly city. City planners can reinforce the link between the past and
present and make sure that the residents' memories of the city are permanently imprinted by
maintaining and rehabilitating historical landmarks like the Manila Cathedral. One of the few
places I’ve visited that bewildered me because I never thought a place like that exists in Manila
city is the Arroceros Urban Forest Park, I just hope developers would help maintain and expand
it rather than cutting it all down to build another building for the rich.

In conclusion, Manila's urban landscape is a vibrant canvas filled with tales, traditions, and
aspirations. As a student of architecture that almost grew up in Manila City, I think that city
planners ought to balance modernism with history and create an urban narrative that motivates
the people who live there. The desire to build a lasting link between a city and its residents is
echoed in Leandro Locsin's concept of architecture, which yearns for everlasting beauty. The
future of Manila is not just in its structures, but also in the hearts of individuals who call it home.