Counting how Kasa Boix has lasted through time

ARCHITECTURE

An architecture is a reflection of the expression and values of the people, on what they find important and how they show it in physical form. It shows the art, technology and possibilist during the time it was built and as it has surpassed through time. 

ENVIRONMENT

This is how our ancestors who are our family as a nation in our homeland which is our country, have built and developed our environment for the home of the next generation like us. 

CULTURE

Collective values gathered together become practice in lifestyle and becomes the culture of a group of people. Cult means practice. 

HERITAGE

These values when passed on to another becomes heritage or inherited by another. It becomes what we have in our home, our country.

TOURISM

It is these matters that makes us unique for what we have and how we identify ourselves in a place. It is what makes others curious about us. It is something we can share and celebrate with other people of different values coming together with us to learn about each other and make those differences becomes shared values. By touring places and sharing subjects of interests, others tell us what they see and we learn to become more aware about ourselves, how we stand in our position in relation to others and society. We become self aware. At the same time, others learn about us and they become aware also. It is a way to bridge relations with others as we learn to appreciate each other. 

CONSERVATION

It is important that we share these lessons to the next generations and to other people so that they learn the beauty and hardship of great people that has made these forms of cultural heritage by conserving what we have or our current resources. 

Kasa BOIX

Kasa Boix is a symbol and reminder of these important values that in times of doubt, we remember who we are, what we value, and what we have in our family, ancestors, home, our country. Casa means House. The letter K is a representation of the Filipino language, thus casa becomes Kasa. Most houses are just named after the surname of an owner significant through a certain period, thus Kasa Boix.

CIVIC Virtue and Service to the Humanity

Thinking, speaking, and acting on this even in little ways of promotion and appreciation puts forward to express what we believe in, who we have become, our values, and what we find important. So that others may benefit from the knowledge and awareness of what has been in the record and of history as development of the people. So that they may do the same in their own family, home, and country. 

ENTERPISE

Our heritage is intangible and tangible. Intangible are those like song, dance, poems. Tangible is those material items such as architecture, food, clothes, and artwork. Our ancestors made them as a form of expression and development of scientific knowledge to serve the public aligning to their needs and upliftment. It promotes enterprise and economy - supply and demand for our resources. 

Happy Anniversary! Celebrate and share these wonderful values! Sing! dance! rejoice in this wonderful milestone! 

 

Engaging for Neighborhood Appreciation

Meet with Locals: Neighbors in Quiapo gifting from Parol making workshop

Awareness of others and ourselves is a journey.

 During the time we explore new things and start to discover our own neighborhood, we grow our engagement in different ways with the local communities. It can be a rewarding experience and help us discover and appreciate not only about others but ourselves too as we learn how our skills and interest can serve other people for the better. These are some ideas you can try and can grow gradually as you engage more in bigger tasks and meaningful activities with the local communities.

News Feed : National Museum is now admission free PERMANENTLY

National Museum is now permanently admission free all visitors, Filipino or foreign, to its museums nationwide.

10 Reasons Why You Should Never Visit Quiapo

Quiapo Church

If you've think you've visited the nitty gritty parts of old manila, think again....


Lets start from the infamous heart of Manila

1. The worst place to bring your car.
Every street is crowded with vendors and stalls. You’ll end up walking just to get from point A to point B

BUT you’ll be surrounded with interesting knick-knacks,souvenirs,and items to see and buy. From the photographer’s haven which is Hidalgo, the handicrafts of you can find under Quezon Bridge, to gadget paradise of Raon. They surely got it all for you!

First in HIP : We thought you were gone... Laperal Apartments Restoration

Laperal Apartments facade

Its been 4 years since we last heard of the Laperal Apartments. The Art-deco building bought by University of the East, reduced to rubble leaving only its original facade left to crumble... But as time passes on, this tragedy might not be a threat after all.

RISING FROM THE ASHES: The New Quinta Market

Its been a while since we last heard any updates on the construction of the "New Quinta Market" some say it was all fluff and filler, while others say its something worth the wait.

A Veteran’s Last Stand: Goodbye AFP Museum???

Recent reports that the AFP Museum located inside Camp Crame will be shutting down soon due to 2 years’ worth of unpaid electricity bills reaching up P1.375 million.

To those who are not aware, the AFP museum is a private foundation handled by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Museum and Historical Library Foundation Inc. and does not fall under the budget of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Established in 1996, it was to dedicate and promote the AFP’s culture and history as well as military traditions and items of recognition.

Art in Quiapo? The Padilla Art Gallery

For most people Quiapo and Art are not two words you’ll see together in one sentence, but for us its an amazing sight to see!

Padilla house facade

2016 is a new year so why not start off with a new discovery in one of the most unlikely places.

The Massacre continues: Demolishing the Old PNB building

Old PNB Building in Escolta

Manila, under the administration of Mayor Joseph Estrada continues its massacre of the city’s irreplaceable landmarks. Last year January 7, the PNB building caught on fire due to faulty electrical wiring. The building sustained structural damage and there has been incidents of falling debris the following months. It was declared condemned by the local engineering department and a hazard to the surrounding area.

This year heritage enthusiasts and experts are on the lookout for another wave of heritage massacres, similar to what happened to the Heritage Massacre of September 2014 with the recent El Hogar demolition now imminent, the loss of the Original Savory Chicken restaurant in Escolta, and the city’s plan to retake the Manila Metropolitan theatre from the NCCA.

Mayor Joseph Estrada claims the old PNB building is dangerous to pedestrians and that the age of the building plus last year’s fire had made it impossible for any restoration, to which experts disagree citing that the demolition only opens it to another condo developer to the already ever congested city. Haven’t we had enough of these condos?

APPROACHING PACO STATION: The Revival of Manila’s Grand Central

The facade of Paco PNR Station

A sprawl of heritage news went off as 2016 came to our calendars, from the “Manila’s Grand Dame” the Metropolitan Theater to the tachycardiac news on the stealthy demolition of “Manila’s Jewel” the El Hogar Filpino. These structures have been silent the past year but perhaps it’s time to light up and share the historical spotlight to our next contender, the what was planned to be “Manila’s Grand Central Station” the Paco Train Station.

PISTAHAN: 120 to 120

Let's have a chill gathering and jamming inside the house as we look forward to its upcoming 120th anniversary and launch some exciting projects and activities. We will also start counting down 120 days on April 26 before Boix's big birthday celebration. Bring some friends, pika-pikas for sharing, and probably bring your own musical instruments or prepare some songs as we sing our hearts out and celebrate for the love of heritage!

Aklatan sa Kapitbahayan

The 1,200 to 120 project is a book drive launched by the Kapitbahayan sa Kalye Bautista as the main feature of the 120th anniversary of the 1895 Spanish-period Boix House in Quiapo, Manila. The project will run for 4 months, or for a total of 120 days from 26 April to the anniversary date on 24 August. The ultimate deliverable of the project is a library which will be known as the "AKLATAN NG KAPITBATAHAN."
As what the name of the project suggests, 1,200 book titles are targeted.

Artist's Rendition of the Proposed Rizal Cultural Shrine Manila, 1963

Photo shows the completed artist rendition of the proposed Rizal Cultural Shrine that was supposed to be constructed in 1963 during the centennial of the birth of Jose Rizal. Seen here is the Rizal Monument with its aluminum pylon and brilliantly-lit area; the National Library (left), the National Theater (middle) and the National Museum. Of the three building, only the National Library was constructed with much delay.

Artist's Rendition of the Proposed Rizal Cultural Shrine Manila, 1963

Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) Building, ca. early 20th century

The YMCA came to the Philippines in 1898. When the American Army in Manila moved to Fort William McKinley in February, 1905, an independent association for Manila was organized under the direction of the Army and Navy departments made a formal request to the YMCA International Committee in New York City for assistance. In 1907, John R. Mott, general secretary of the foreign department, visited Manila and met with the directors and interested friends where it decided to conduct a campaign for funds for an adequate and permanent association. Mott guaranteed P170,000 for the construction of a building on condition that friends in the Philippines secure the site and adequately furnish the building. The campaign for funds was begun here on February 15, 1907, and, by the 15th of March following, P83,000 was subscribed, nearly one thousand different persons contributing. Thereupon the Young Men’s Christian Association of Manila was incorporated under the law of the Philippine Islands and received its character in June, 1907. A site for the new building was selected on Calle Concepcion, Ermita, and the building contract was let on the 8th of January following. The cornerstone was laid with appropriate ceremonies on July 10, 1908, and the building was formally dedicated on October 20, 1909.

Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) Building, ca. early 20th century. Concepcion St. (now Natividad Lopez-Almeda St.), Ermita, Manila

A Very Short History Of The Colegio De San Jose

In 1601, the Rector of the Colegio de Manila i, Fr. Pedro Chirino, organized the Colegio de San Jose to
serve as the former’s extension school.ii The Colegioiii, aside from being an extension college, also served
as a grammar school where latin and Catholic morals were taught.iv In 1768, the Society of Jesus was expelled and their properties in the colonies, including San Jose, were taken from them.v After the Jesuit expulsion, the administration was given to the secular clergy.vi It was during this secular administration that Paciano, the brother of Jose Rizal, studied Segunda Enseñanza and graduated with a Bachiller en Artes from San Jose.vii

Image 01: The main entrance to the building of the Facultades de Medicina y Farmacia, Colegio de San 

Jose, Universidad de Santo Tomas, 1887.xvi

First in HIP : San Ignacio Church Reconstruction

San Ignacio Church is one of the oldest churches you will find inside the beautiful Walled City of Intramuros.

The San Ignacio Church facade
(c) credit to the owner

Right now the Intramuros Administration had preliminary plans of rebuilding the church into an ecclesiastical museum.,which is currently under construction.

Pamana : An architectural heritage conservation exhibit

PAMANA is an architectural heritage conservation exhibit that will feature photographs and infographs of few chosen built heritage in Metro Manila that will run from March 27-29, 2015 at Green Sun Hotel, Makati City.

The exhibit is free to the general public. It also includes a heritage conservation forum on the second day, March 28, at 2PM with speakers from Escolta Revival Movement, Heritage Conservation Society - Youth and The Filipinas.

The Legendary Chong Hock Tong Temple Demolished

In the 1850s the Chong Hock Tong Temple was built in the cemetery. As most other Chinese temples built in earlier years were located in and around the suburb of Bindondo, and were destroyed during the Battle of Manila in 1945, the Chong Hock Tong Temple is now the oldest remaining Chinese temple in Manila. [1]

Chong Hock Tong Temple (before)
Shoot ‎October ‎26, ‎2012

Though not as elaborate, the architecture is still reminiscent of those in Fujian province as well as those in Singapore and Malaysia with their colorful friezes and uniquely upturned eaves.

‪#QuiapoHeritage‬ Kasa Boix Clean Up

Give love this Valentine's season! Calling for volunteers who could help us clean the Kasa Boix in anticipation of the 120th Anniversary of the house.

Kasa Boix will be opened from 8AM until 5PM.

An exclusive look at the Apostolic Nunciature

SIMPLE AND ELEGANT. This is how the Apostolic Nunciature looks like.

Written by Stephen John Pamorada

An exclusive look at the Apostolic Nunciature (designed by National Artist for Architecture Jose Ma. Zaragoza) in Taft Avenue, Manila, the ecclesiastical office of the Roman Catholic Church that serves as the Embassy of the Holy See in the Philippines. Official residence of Pope Francis during his four-day official visit to the country.