ANTONIO TOLEDO

MANILA CITY HALL

MANILA CITY HALL

The Manila City Hall is one of the distinct landmarks in the capital city of Manila, in the Philippines. The edifice, with its hexagonal tower with three red-faced clock on three of its facets, received unfavorable reviews in its initial years because of its austere architectural design, lack of entrances and the placement of the clock tower. The building's floor plan had been dismissed as similar in shape to a coffin or, in the other end, like the shield of Knights Templar.

MANILA CITY HALL

Nowadays, many critics praise the design of the City Hall for the same reasons the complex was vilified. The building is located in the center of tourism area where major government buildings and landmarks, are located. The National Museum, Museum of the Filipino People and the Department of Tourism are located just south of the city hall. Rizal Park, the largest city park in the country is just south of the museums. The city hall is also located just outside the oldest and most historic part of the city of Manila - the walled city of Intramuros. .

MANILA CITY HALL

The clock tower has become a trademark for Manila and the city hall. At nighttime, the tower is illuminated with its details highlighted by beautiful lighting. Every hour, the bell is rung three times followed by a melody. It is recognized as the largest clock tower in the Philippines.

FINANCE BUILDING
MUSEUM OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE

FINANCE BUILDING
MUSEUM OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE

The Finance building is an architectural monument designed by Antonio Toledo in the classical style, which was in vogue for government building in the late 1930s. The building designed with interiors of generous ceiling height around a spacious central court. Corinthian colonnades and neoclassic details are consistently found throughout the interiors. The central court allows the flow of air within the building. Even without the aid of air conditioners, the temperature in the building is pleasant.

FINANCE BUILDING
MUSEUM OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE

The building was originally constructed for the Department of Finance a mirror-image building, originally intended for the Department of Agriculture, now houses the Department of Tourism. The two buildings face a rotunda in the Rizal Park known as the Agrifina Circle. This ensemble of neoclassic-inspired buildings is composed of the few structures that survived the ravages of WWII in Manila. The Finance building was renovated in the late 1990s and established as the Museum of the Filipino People.

UP Fadre FAURA CAMPUS

Rizal Hall (Liberal Arts Building) at UP Faura taken before World War II Photo courtesy of Arch. Gerard Lico

LEYTE CAPITOL