Tuesday, July 17, 2007 Holding Fort By Arch’t. Karl A.E.F. Cabilao, UAP
AS architects here in Cebu start the initial hosting preps for the United Architects of the Philippines mid-year conference this October, memories of past conferences held in our Queen City come to mind, especially for those who have worked as part of the organizing committees then. Vivid reminiscences were very much part of the whimsical welcome dinner at Fort San Pedro for delegates who came from the different provinces.
Indeed it was both a paradoxical and fitting venue for such an affair. With its 20-foot-high and eight-foot-thick walls, the famous landmark, once known for being an important defense facility against foreign invaders during the Spanish era, was ironically rolling out the red carpet to people from other parts of the country into its core for a taste of rich history. Fitting, in the sense that the historic fort was being experienced and fully-appreciated by the professionals who could relate well with structures that deal with local culture and heritage.
Just recently, we set foot into the Fort (a first for this cultural apostate, shame on me!) and brought back Architectural History classroom litanies in college. Nestled in the equally-historic Plaza Independencia, Fort San Pedro is the product of hard work of both the Spaniards, through Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, and the creative hands of indigenous Cebuano laborers in the year 1738. With Google Earth, it is easily recognized through its triangular plan. It is enshrined in the online encyclopedia, Wikepedia, as the “oldest, smallest and well-preserved colonial fort” in the country. So wonder no more if it continues to be an interesting stopover for foreign tourists who would surely be in awe at what the Spanish conquistadors have bequeathed to the Cebuanos.
The Cebuano fort also played a vital role in the emergence of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. Then it was rendered a “multi-purpose” structure in the following years having served as a jailhouse, barracks and as military hospital, among others.
That’s something to harp about, you say? Well, wait until you get into the museum at the top portion of the structure. It boasts of having some of the most well-kept Spanish artifacts and documents, including those from the Spanish galleon, San Diego now lying in the seabeds of Fortune Island off the coast of Batangas. The museum is open daily from 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Surely, these precious hoards will complete the time travel back to the vibrant bygone eras.
Holding fort, even for just a few minutes, definitely renews and stirs one’s ardor for local history, culture and heritage.
And yes, you could count in love for the outdoors and the environment, too. On the cool and grassy ground under comforting shade of the tree or shadows of the pergola grids, a peaceful and relaxing air welcomes not just visitors from other provinces and countries but also dog-tired locals. And beneath this stone fortification, a huge wedge of our rich history is still embedded.
