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Sunday, August 13, 2006
Covington: History lost
By Gary Covington
Looking In
SOMEBODY tell me why there's all this ruckus about the Court of First Instance being knocked down to make room for a museum (and apparently and nonsensically, the new construction to be a clone of the demolished one). "History lovers" up in arms? Davao's history and Yamashita's treasure have one thing in common -- they're both darn difficult to find.
Visitors often ask me, "Where's Davao's history?" Of course they're looking at the place through European eyes and used to falling over history in the form of castles or ancient houses or battlefields at ever step. Asia is different. It still has history -- even pre-colonization history -- but where is it?
I'm no historian, not even an amateur but I do take an interest in wherever I happen to be. A casual interest true but it's nice to know what the Spaniards thought as they splashed ashore (where?) or did they build a strongpoint up on Matina ridge (I don't know. Did they?)?
What was going on during the three or four hundred years of Spanish influence? Was Davao a seaport fitting out galleons to join the annual Manila "flota" or just a hamlet with a governor cursing his luck to be posted to such a dump.
Looking at that World War Two aerial photo of Davao it was still a country town even then but the GIs landed and over the next fifty years something happened -- dare I suggest an impetus lent by the Japanese tenure -- to jolt Davao from a country drop to the city it now is.
Years ago, in the middle of the Boulevard at the bottom of Bonifacio Street, there used to be a concrete plinth bearing a bronze plaque. I stopped and read the inscription once and it recorded the landing place of either the Spaniards or the Yanks (I'm ashamed to admit I've forgotten completely who). It's gone now. The plinth remains -- smashed but dutifully whitewashed by road titivating crews -- but where is the bronze plaque? Stolen? Melted down? Does anyone know it's gone or, more to the point, does anyone care?
Think the Court of First Instance on a smaller scale. It's not the same you cry. Yes it is. The plinth was part of Davao's history. There should be a marker celebrating whomever it was that landed.
Back to buildings. If the Court of First instance was such a big deal why, when it was first learnt that it was to be demolished, wasn't there a hue and cry, some sort of campaign organized to save the building? The wheels of government turn exceedingly slow, the decision to knock down the court wouldn't have been made overnight. Didn't I hear that there is a Davao historical society? Did they jump up and down?
Is there even anybody on the city's payroll whose job it is to 'list' buildings of historical interest (and not necessarily old either) for preservation or can anybody knock down anything at any old time?
There used to be (I say used because it's now been torched and sure to feel the housebreaker's hammer sooner or later) a splendid example of wooden architecture on General Luna Street opposite Gaisano's mall. It's stood empty ever since I've lived in Davao, I'd admire the place every time I walked past. One day the frontage was painted (but not the rear) and I had high hopes. Maybe someone would refurbish the building as yuppie flats with parking behind. No. I'll wager the building gets torn down and another bit of Davao's history is lost.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (August 13, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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