Mansyon de Pobre

Episode airs on April 2, 2007 Right inside Binondo, across Escolta Street, lies a historical treasure unknown to most Filipinos. Barangay San Nicolas in Binondo was one of Manila’s finest residential areas during the Spanish era. Rich Filipino-Chinese families built grandiose, elaborate homes there, structures that have survived up to today. Most of the houses remain intact, enduring the test of the time, but their splendor has faded. The intricately designed walls and windows are badly damaged. Inside, they have been turned into garages and warehouses or subdivided into urban poor dwellings. Elsewhere in Manila, notable historical buildings designed by National Artists are being demolished one after another. The Avenue Theater, designed by National Artist Pablo Antonio, is now a private parking lot. The home of Rizal’s mother, Teodoro Alonzo in Binondo has been turned into a junk shop. The old Luneta Hotel and Galaxy Theater, will have to be torn down if not given immediate attention. Sandra Aguinaldo tries to find out if there is any hope of saving these historic buildings on I-Witness, Monday late night over GMA.