Special release no. 01: Sunico Descendant Reacts to Demolition of Ancestral Building

Maria Cecilia Atienza Sunico
29 Aug 2020

In a statement sent to El Reportero, Maria Cecilia Sunico answered point by point what the National Museum indicated in its letter to the site’s developer last month.

Here is her statement:

Maria Cecilia Atienza Sunico

I would like to reply to the points raised by the director of the National Museum on the supposed lifting of the significance of the so called “Sunico house” located on the corners of Jaboneros and Barcelona Streets in San Nicolas. Let me also take the occasion to correct some misconception on the property.

The so-called Sunico house is actually the foundry of Hilario Sunico. The upper storey which faces Jaboneros street is actually an 1895 structure which served as the offices of Sebastian Litonjua Sunico, who was the manage of the foundry.

The lower grounds or the silong of the structure is the original foundry which dates back earlier than 1895. The age of the structure can be dated by the presence of an obtuse cut or chaflan located on the corners of Jaboneros and Barcelona Streets. The installations of chaflans or mini plazas in corner structures was the result of an bando or ordinance dated April 6, 1869 and was signed by Manuel Azcarraga, civil governor of then Provincia de Manila.

“It is not located within a declared heritage site.”

Where in the provisions of RA 10066 that a property assumed significance If it is located within a heritage site? This is purely an invention on the part of Mr. Barns to justify his issuance of a clearance to demolish the house. Is the Rizal shrine in Calamba within a declared heritage site? Is the church of Guiuan in Eastern Samar which was declared a National Cultural Treasure within a declared heritage site? Is the church of San Sebastian in Quiapo also a declared NCT within a declared heritage site?

“It is not connected with the express significance or integrity of any declared structure or site.”

Again, nowhere, in the provisions of the heritage law that a built structure assumed significance only when it has a connection to any declared structure or site?

In relation to the third and fourth points raised by the Director of the National Museum, it must be taken into serious consideration that the district of San Nicolas together with the district of Binondo to the east consisted the country’s historical economic district. By the 1850s it evolved into a mestizo district that agitated reforms in a colonial society. During the last decade of the 19th century, the mestizo class of San Nicolas and Binondo with their material wealth and prosperity supported the revolution against Spain.

The architectural historian Professor Lorelei de Viana has this to say about the foundry:

“As the former home of one of the Philippines’ foremost metalworks companies, the Sunico House and Foundry in Binondo, Manila stands as a testament to one of the most prominent industrial enterprises, which played a significant role in the economic, religious, and revolutionary history of Binondo and the country. “

With his how can the foundry be not integrated into the economic and cultural history of Binondo and San Nicolas and to a larger extent the country?

If the director of the National Museum is referring to the site of the Alcaiceria de San Fernando perhaps he should do further research on the histroy of San Nicolas as an economic district. The Alcaiceria or the silk market located along the banks of the Pasig River was destroyed during the earthquake of 1863 further San Nicolas was razed to the ground by a great fire in 1865 thus levelling structures that are related or connected to the Alcaiceria which the National Museum declared as a National Cultural Treasure. The foundry only came into existence in 1872.

San Nicolas is an archaeological site. If San Nicolas is an archaeoligical site, then the location of the foundry is a heritage site as provided for by Section 3, Article 2 of the Heritage Law of 2009.

That a demolition permit was granted by the local government. So, finally Melchor Garin has succumbed to the pressure to the real estate developer. As of my conversation with chairman Garin in October 2019 he expressed exasperation over the pressure exerted on him by Premium Realty Development Corporation. to issue to the company a demolition permit.

That third parties made representation claiming that the house is a fire hazard. The only third party I knew who are claiming that the house is a fire hazard are the engineers and architects of Premium Realty Development Corporation. If there are other individuals who expressed the same sentiments as that of the engineers and architects of the developers, can the director of the national Museum in the interest of transparency name them?

Last but not the least. If the National Museum has taken note of the cultural significance of the house and its registration before the agency as such, can the director of the National Museum has the decency and integrity stand by such declaration.

Maria Cecilia Atienza Sunico, 28 August 2020

Source: El Reportero

MCS portrait courtesy of Arkitrato.

RENACIMIENTO MANILA is a group of artists, creators and history enthusiasts committed to heritage advocacy, with particular interest on Manila’s built heritage. As such, the purpose of Renacimiento Manila is to produce art to promote and realize Manila’s cultural rebirth and for it to materialize its core philosophy, the Renacimiento Movement. The Renacimiento Movement. What, then, is the Renacimiento Movement? The movement is the core philosophy of the organization. It is founded on the reality that heritage is a cornerstone of holistic development and that it is indispensable in ensuring quality of life. As such, cultural revival is necessary for the promotion of heritage in the national agenda. Heritage should be driven by the people, regardless of race, gender, creed, or religion. This cultural revival can be achieved through the following ways: government support, the advancement of private initiatives, and the engagement of the people.