 |
| Dr. Jaime Laya |
Two weeks ago, I found myself getting up at 6 a.m. as I had sent in a comment I was attending a group meeting for the e-group Advocates for Heritage Preservation. The meeting was supposedly at 8 a.m. until lunch time at the Escuela Taller (pronounced talyer) Foundation at Intramuros.
 |
| some restored pieces on the arches |
I got there just as the forum was about to start and listened to a few of the mentors/ board members at the talleres who were more than willing to give us a background on the noble work that they do at the foundation. My interest in jpining was two-pronged: 1) as a tour guide, I realized early on the importance of preserving our heritage and, 2) I have always been interested in art and culture. So for me, it was a worthwhile endeavor to get involved in something as worthwhile as this.
 |
| members of AHP admiring restored works |
Manila is fast becoming a concrete jungle and developers have become to greedy in the sense that gracious old buildings and mansions are wantonly destroyed in favor of characterless condominiums and high-rises. Think of the DMCI photobomber at thge Rizal Monument and you'll know what I mean. Intramuros which is right smack in the center of all this development, is beginning to get swallowed up in all this construction that if one so much as blinks, we might lose these historic walls forever.
 |
| Tito Encarnacion of Advocates for Heritage Preservation |
So Escuela Taller was initiated around the 1970's to take care of the many restoration efforts that are needed to bring back the glory of Intramuros. Hey, if Indonesia is exerting so much money and restoration effort to resurrect Batavia (1920's) all the more reason we should love what Intramuros has to offer. After all, it's been around for 450 years!
 |
| Technical lecture on restoration work at Malate Church |
I am pleased that no less than Dr. Jaime Laya is the chairman of the board of Escuela Taller. If anything, he has the knowledge and the necessary clout to head a foundation that can help preserve Intramuros as a national treasure. At first the government of Spain gave financial and technical support to seed the project. Nowadays, the foundation is trying its best to keep providing quality training to the youth with less and less dependence on the Spanish government.
 |
| Mrs. Mila Gatbonton of Intramuros Administration giving a lecture at San Agustin |
Out of school youth are brought in to the foundation as students where they take up hammer and chisel... or paintbrush and torch to learn the art of restoring old buildings, frescoes and wrought iron grills and gates that are beginning to decay due to time, the seasons and pollution. These out of school youth are given the necessary training in accordance with TESDA standards and are eventually set out in the world to make a difference in their trade. Depending on their interests, these kids learn anything and everything from masonry, woodwork, painting restoration, iron work, plumbing and electrical wiring. Tools necessary to make an old, tired building functioning again. In essence, both building and student get a new lease in life, as it were.
 |
| students slaking lime for plastering walls |
As we toured the Escuela, we watched as the trainees learn their art, slake the lime for plastering facades, even fashion their own chisels from iron rods at the foundry. Some students, we learned have moved on to greater things passing TESDA exams and finding work at actual restoration sites both here and abroad. With all the heritage buildings we have in Manila and the provinces, I wonder if the Escuela Taller can provide enough workers to meet the demand for actual well-trained restorers. It's a pity that centuries old churches are restored with a horrible mash up of influences that destroy both their integrity and their aesthetic value.
