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NU-Laguna School of Engineering and Architecture
Preserving the Legacy of
Don Roman Santos Building
ASPECN01 Heritage Resource Studies
BY
GROUP 3
[October 18, 2024] This research was highly focused on Don Roman Santos Building, constructed in 1894 with its grandeur and exemplary adapted neoclassical style; and how it serves as a vital part of the city's architectural landscape, cultural and historical identity, and importance of preserving it. Don Roman Building is just one of those buildings that not only reflects the artistic and historical values of Filipinos; as it also plays a significant role in shaping cultural identity of the Philippines, specifically Manila. Employing on-site observation and inspection, gathering government-issued documents and qualitative methods including interview with barangay officials and documents analysis, we come up with comprehensive data and information about the building. Don Roman Santos Building is privately owned by a bank company and the ground floor is being utilized for banking while some other floors show signs of deterioration including some peeling paints and plaster, and window frames falling off. Although informants and local residents observed that this building would not work as actively as before, they still seek ways to preserve this heritage as initiated by the National Historical Institute (NHI). Despite the changes visually, the heritage structure remains robust with little to no signs of structural collapsing. Furthermore, future studies can be conducted for a broader exploration of conservation strategies for Don Roman Santos Building and similar style of heritage in the Philippines, emphasizing their significance in fostering national identity and cultural continuity among local citizens.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- GROUP 3 10/18/
- 1 CHAPTER 1.....................................................................................................
- 1.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................
- 2 CHAPTER 2.....................................................................................................
- 2.1 Methodology..................................................................................................................
- 2.2 Collection Methods........................................................................................................
- 2.2.1 Case Studies:...............................................................................................................
- 2.2.2 Thematic and Narrative Analysis:..............................................................................
- 2.2.3 Historical Contextualization:......................................................................................
- 2.2.4 Visual Analysis...........................................................................................................
- 3 CHAPTER 3.....................................................................................................
- 3.1 Result.............................................................................................................................
- 3.1.1 Historical Significance................................................................................................
- 3.1.2 Architectural Features.................................................................................................
- 3.1.3 Community Impact...................................................................................................
- 4 CHAPTER 4...................................................................................................
- 4.1 Discussion....................................................................................................................
- 4.2 Discussion of Unexpected Findings.............................................................................
- 4.3 Suggestion for Future Research...................................................................................
- 5 CHAPTER 5...................................................................................................
- 5.1 Conclusion...................................................................................................................
- 5.2 Acknowledgement.......................................................................................................
- 5.3 References....................................................................................................................
- 5.4 Tables and figures........................................................................................................
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National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the National Historical Institute (NHI) wherein it does restoration, preservation and conservation of movable and immovable objects of historical value that the country should have. It is being considered for having the attributes. [1] Age: Historic buildings must be erected 50 years and above. [2] Integrity: the building must withhold its physical characteristics during its period. [3] Significance: it must have significance in terms of social, historical, aesthetic, evidential, and economic (Webb, 2017). This research aims to provide the information and data of the Heritage structure, Don Roman Santos Building, to preserve and use the building as with its original form. This study will be beneficial to the heritage and economy of the country by providing facts and information to preserve the building such as: [1] Integrity of the building for its design, original materials, and purpose; [2] The significance of the buildings in social, historical, economic, and artistic; and [3] impact to the community as well as the LGU.
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2 CHAPTER 2
2.1 Methodology
This research study utilized a qualitative historical design to find the importance of heritage sites, Don Roman Santos Building, in the country with the economy. Introducing the history, architecture, structural, and its story for the community, government, and conservator to be knowledgeable and focus on its importance. The descriptive type of research design explains the data, information, relationship of the building on how it affects the community, economy and tourism. The researchers would like to present the capability and characteristics of the Don Roman Santos building in terms of providing details gathered by observing, research and interviews. This study will apply the descriptive design. This specific design focuses on providing information of the heritage site, Don Roman Santos building, and understanding the historical, social, political, economic, spiritual, scientific, and artistic significance that may improve the quality and importance of its heritage value. This is because the building has unique and important features to preserve and conserve as well as be part of the important cultural heritage of the country.
2.2 Collection Methods
The researchers will gather information from the documents from the city municipality of Manila, Tourism office of Manila, and Officer of the Barangay, on-site visit and observation, photographs, existing literature about the building, research and study regarding Don Roman Santos Building to see the verified details of the building. This is to collect data that will provide the needed facts for the criteria of the heritage buildings in presenting permits to the staff of the municipal office and questionnaires for the interviewees for the guide questions. The research will focus on a case study approach as it allows more comprehensive examination of the building's history, significance, and community impact while also letting researchers adapt to new information and ideas emerging, comparing Don Roman Santos Building's architectural features with other local heritage sites highlighting its unique factors that influence its heritage value. Thematic and narrative analysis will also be employed identifying common experiences, patterns, and knowledge providing insights into recurring issues or perceptions, while also emphasizes individual experience and stories as it is straightforward and accessible suitable for further researches, obtained from different sources including interviews, and reviews online while also connecting it to field observation we conduct to
GROUP 3 10/18/ the Philippines Martial Law and later revived as the National Museum of the Philippines. Manila Post Office Symmetrical plan, simple wall structure and series of well-distributed columns. Established in 1767, the very first post office built in Manila. Now houses many irreplaceable artifacts, historical relics, and haunting memories of the battle of Manila. It weaves the history, culture and national pride. It was a symbol of unity, bridging communities.
2.2.2 Thematic and Narrative Analysis:
Interview: Carlos Encela (BOE) 2nd October 2024 (Manila Barangay Hall) Blogspot: Don Roman Santos Building 17th Sept. 2014 (DaExpedition Blogspot) Tourist Guide: Don Roman Santos Building, Manila N/A (GPSMYCITY Inc.)
2.2.3 Historical Contextualization:
Don Roman Santos building in Manila during 1894 and the condition of Manila during the American Colonial period and the outbreak of Spanish-American War.
2.2.4 Visual Analysis
Examining visual materials — such as images, on-site observation, and direct contact observation with the building’s materials.
GROUP 3 10/18/ This research integrated multifaceted methodology including case studies, thematic and narrative analysis, historical contextualisation, as well as visual methodologies to further analyze Don Roman Santos Building's significance as a heritage structure. Through these diverse approaches, the researchers aim to gather both possible historical context and current situation with its lived experiences associated with the building. Combinations of these qualitative methods will ease an in-depth analysis of the building's impact on the community and contribute to continuous discourse on heritage conservation. Through these methodologies ensuring a depth data collection that aligns with the research objectives, this findings can contribute in enriching findings of preserving cultural heritage.
GROUP 3 10/18/ highlight the details of even a small part of the building. Appearance of window framing in concrete and metal grills associated with glass panels is clearly visualized in context with local climate and materials.
3.1.3 Community Impact
During the period it was constructed, Don Roman Santos Building already served an impact for the community, specifically the services for their financial needs from poorest to government officials and elite class. As it adaptively functions as a hospital, acts as another service for the community with its wide area accommodating those who need it. Until the building transformed into a commercial establishment, still serving the community; and back as a privately owned bank today. Demonstrating that since its construction, the building has effectively served the community and significantly left an impact in various aspects, including financial, medical, and commercial spheres, while also providing local community with meaningful employment opportunities. The findings of this research about Don Roman Santos Building indicate that it's historical significance left an impact on its community as well. Although it limits its unique features compared to other existing neoclassical buildings in the Philippines, its detailed architectural patterns still stand out uniquely. Don Roman Santos Building also emphasized how versatile its function while providing services and opportunities for the local community.
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4 CHAPTER 4
4.1 Discussion
Heritage buildings are being preserved in the country with the support of National HIstorical Institute along with the law RA 10066. Manila, specifically Escolta street was the host of trade and businesses, hospital, and entertainment buildings. Implementing the conservation of the building is also taking importance of the history and heritage that was left in the country. The Don Roman Santos building played its vital role in significance, historical, and values. The building served its integrity, and still has its original materials and design in Neoclassical and Greek style that was constructed in 1894 and fixed since 1957, which made the building erected for 67 years. It was used as a commercial building and housed Monte de Piedad Savings bank, bought and expanded by Consolidated Investments, later on bought by Asyenda Magdalena, housed American Red Cross hospital. It was then bought by Roman R. Santos became the building of Prudential Bank as well as the South Supermarket. Currently, the right portion of it is occupied by BPI. The location became the landmark of the area as it is located near the Carriedo station along Plaza Lacson Its design displayed the details of neoclassical and greek style with its cornices, columns, tympanum, balusters, walls, arches, and beams. Its symmetrical rectangular form made it sophisticated along with its color designed by Juan Hervas. Currently, the building is damaging its skin as the paints are peeling, windows are cracks, the structure has stachybotrys or black molds on some parts as well as the gates and casements are getting rusty. It is mainly made out of concrete. According to Webb, there are three considerations to presume a historical building [1] Age, [2] Integrity, and [3] Significance. The Don Roman Santos building provided the three attributes to be named as a historical building. It has been erected for 67 years since 1957, it retains its original materials and facade as well as having a unique and rare type of structure, and it played a huge role in the history of the country especially in manila. The building witnessed the development of the community because of its scientific implication on its own the reason why it is still standing strong until today.
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5 CHAPTER 5
5.1 Conclusion
Heritage sites and buildings in the Philippines are widespread, the work on preservation and conservation is being implemented to keep the legacy , culture, tradition, and identity of the past. The country has a lot of cultural treasure to keep and there could be more. The Don Roman Santos played a huge role in the history of the country, manila, architecture and significant values. The building served economic, aesthetic, social, and historical significance. It witnessed the development of the community as it was able to erect for more than 50 years to be declared as a historical building. Its architectural, structural, and location made it considered to be the landmark in Escolta street, Sta. Cruz District. The neoclassical style stood out to be a unique and rare design of the building that made it a building to be kept. Some details of it are the clock in the tympanum as well as the arches that other neoclassical buildings in the Philippines do not have. This also went to multiple incidents and calamities that made its structural features serve its purpose and serve its purpose for adaptive reuse. Heritage buildings are an important treasure that a country could have. Conserving and preserving structures are part of the heart of every person. It serves as the blood sweat and tears of the past that no one can return but instead make importance of. This leaves not only the physical structure itself but also the story, history and significant features that will tell the story of the past and create the legacy for the future.
5.2 Acknowledgement
We would like to express our deepest appreciation to Barangay 291, Zone 29
District 3 of Manila Executive Officer, Mr. Carlos Encela, who accepted the permission to be
interviewed for two heritage buildings: Natividad building and Don Roman Santos Building
as well as welcoming us to the office. Without his participation, we would not have any facts
and data of the buildings who have initial knowledge and experience witnessing the
development of it.
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We would also like to express our gratitude to the staff of the Municipality of Manila
for helping us find the land number of the buildings to list for the Tax Declaration document
and instructing us to claim the document which is very important for our study and
manuscript. Along with him is the Department of Tourism of Manila for giving us brochures
about the heritage sites in Manila and instructing us how we can have more information other
than them.
Most importantly, a huge thank you to our Professor Ar. Eden Gay M. Deabanico, for
teaching us what documents to collect as well as guiding us in every paper that we need to
accomplish. Our cultural mapping became easy and enjoyable because of the advice that led
us to visit important sites, learn new and old things about architecture and history, and made
us appreciate preserving and conserving buildings not only for us, Architecture students, but
also of every community, history, and economy of the country.
5.3 References
Article in Database: Fung, I. W.H., Tsang, Y.T., Tam, V. W.Y., Xu, Y.T., & Mok, E. C.K. (2017, May). A review on historic building conservation: A comparison between Hong Kong and Macau systems. ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S Webb, A. L. (2017, September). Energy retrofits in historic and traditional buildings: A review of problems and methods. ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1364032117301569?via%3Dihub Article in Online Reference Book: Preservation Definition & Meaning. (2024, October 7). Merriam-Webster. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preservation Article in Journal:
GROUP 3 10/18/ rannieldotcom (2012, January 2023). Neo Classicism in the Philippines. WordPress. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://rannieldotcom.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/neo-classicism-in-philippines/ Evangelista, T. (2020). Filipino Building Styles. Richest PH. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://richestph.com/filipino-building-styles-baroque-to-contemporary/#:~:text=In%20the% 019th%20century%2C%20the,Neoclassical%20architecture%20in%20the%20Philippines Unknown (2014, September 14). The Expedition: Don Roman Santos Building. DaExpedition. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://daexpedition.blogspot.com/2014/09/don-roman-santos-building.html?m= Interviews, Email, and Other Personal Communication: Carlos Encela, personal communication , October 2, 2024
