A Philippine structure hailed as one of the most beautiful in Asia since its inception is in

danger of becoming yet another mountain of rubble.

The El Hogar during the 1920s. © Philippine History and Architecture

The El Hogar Filipino Building, or simply El Hogar, is an early skyscraper in Manila

built. It stands at the corner of Juan Luna Street and Muelle dela Industría in the Binondo
district and contributes to the spectular pre-WWII cityscape when one cruises through
Pasig River. It is flanked by the First City National Building on the right and the Hong
Kong and Shanghai Bank Building on its rear.
 El Hogar and the First City National Bank Buildings in the late 1960s. © Definitely
Filipino

Boasting a Beaux-Arts architecture, a neoclassical architectural style taught at the École

des Beaux-Arts in Paris, the El Hogar was designed by Ramon Irureta-Goyena and
Francisco Perez-Muñoz and was built in 1914. Some of its interesting features are the two
garden courtyards and the mirador or balcony, which provides an astouding view of the
Pasig River and southern part of Manila. El Hogar's staircase, with a sculpted mythical
griffin on its base, is considered as one of the most ornate in the city.
 The El Hogar's intricate staircase grillwork, which included a sculpture of a mythical
griffin. © Manila Nostalgia/Isidra Reyes

It was said to be a wedding present for Doña Margarita Zóbel y de Ayala and Spanish
businessman Don Antonio Melián Pavía. The building housed the Sociedad El Hogar
Filipino, a financing cooperative, and the whole Melián business empire composed of
Filipinas Compañía de Seguros, Tondo de Beneficiencia, Casa de España, and Casa de
Pensiones. Other tenants were Ayala y Compañía, Sociedad Lizárraga Hermanos, and
Smith, Bell and Company.
 The El Hogar Filipino, one
of the city's oldest American era structures, now on the verge of destruction. © Historic
Preservation Journal

As of the moment, the building's title belongs to a certain Ritz Premiere Corporation,
which wishes to demolish the building.

Heritage advocates are calling on celebrities to help in resisting the demolition and
promote awareness for the preservation of the building's and the city's rich history.

"Napakarami na tayong mga heritage structures na nawawala. Mas mabuti 'yung nakikita
natin 'yung mga palatandaan ng ating pinagmulan," said Isidra Reyes of the Heritage
Conservation Society in an interview with ABS-CBN.

(Video report from Ces Drilon, ABS-CBN News. Photos from Arquitectura Manila.)
ALSO READ:

1)  15 Greatest Things We Miss From Old Manila

2)  Get to Know Anda, the Historical Landmark the Gov't Plans to Demolish
3)  Historic Manila Bay Landmark Now in Rubbles—And Not by War
The building, which has elements of Renaissance and Neoclassical styles, is one of the
few remaining early American-era structures along the historic Pasig River.

Read more: https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/266385/el-hogar-stay-now/#ixzz5fO2nXTz7

Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook