The issue currently raging—on the condominium building nearing
completion behind the Rizal monument at the Luneta—should lead us to question
the way things are in our country.
The age-old system that has kept us shackled to undesirable conditions
in our midst, for one, and for another, the way we regard what truly matters
for us. Judging from the reactions
of many vocal citizens heard or read in mainstream and social media, the Torre
de Manila issue is fast becoming a Torre de Babel reality. That is, IMHO—in my humble opinion.
Arguments have been aired over it, allegations of corruption thrown here
and there, but what is the contentious issue really trying to tell us, ordinary
people who claim to revere Dr. Jose Rizal as a national hero? It all started when some people
objected to the building’s being a “photo bummer”, sticking out like a sore
thumb behind the towering Rizal monument.
It mars the landscape, so they screamed, it disrespects a beloved
hero. From that sentiment arose so
many comments, and blaming fingers began to wag against the condominium
developer, DMCI, until the name “Torre de Manila” emerged as the villain in
what is turning out to be the city’s “sarsuela” of the decade.
The fight should not be between DMCI and the NCCA, NHC, or whatever
government agency on culture is involved; the kinks in this situation have to
be primarily ironed out by these abovementioned agencies and the city of Manila
(which approved the DMCI construction).
But emotions run high, especially on primetime tv where among others a
former beauty titlist and a multi awarded radio commentator were already
condemning poor DMCI even before it can air its side. The protesters’ main argument is based on a physical aspect,
the building’s being an “eyesore” and therefore an affront to Jose Rizal. For me that is a non-issue; it’s just a
question of perspective. I was
surprised to discover one day, driving along Roxas Blvd., that the building is
so far away and behind the monument that if you focus on the monument you won’t
even notice the Torre is there.
Creative photographers can even hide it altogether; if you want it out
of your picture, just change your vantage point.
But some influential persons want blood. They want the construction stopped, or chopped to the level
of the treetops if not tabula raza. All this sentimentality masquerading as
patriotism could make us miss the forest for the trees. In fact, their arguments make me wonder
if they are truly honoring a hero or just worshipping his monument.
For me, Rizal is so great that building even twenty condominiums behind
his monument would not make him less of a Filipino to emulate. There are so many other “eyesores” I am
sure Jose Rizal would want us to open our eyes to: the “street dwellers” around
us, the scavengers who eat fast food chain leftovers, the street children
sniffing Rugby off plastic bags, the homeless living under the bridges, the
squatters (“informal settlers” to the politically correct), putting up their
shacks on islands, parks, sidewalks or seawalls—the favorite subject of
moviemakers aiming for awards at international film festivals.
Emotions should be tempered with reason and objective
investigation. I am sure that
Rizal would consider it vanity for his fans be so anxious about the aesthetics
of his monument instead of working towards the ideals that he died for; sheer
mediocrity to be to be ranting and raving over the Facebook-worthiness of our
pictures instead of giving of ourselves in love for our fellow-Filipinos.
(To be continued)
