Heritage houses are not valuable.
Heritage houses have multiple facets of value. In the Philippines, heritage structures are defined by the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, also called the Republic Act 10066, as having social, historical, and aesthetic/architectural significance. It is one of two houses in Metro Manila recognized as heritage houses. One is called the Lichauco Heritage House and the other is MiraNila, a 90-year-old Heritage House and Library built in 1929. It is managed by the Benitez-Tirona MiraNila Foundation (BTMNF). Today, MiraNila is an example for heritage conservationists in the preservation practices and the business of adaptive reuse.
Cultural Significance
Heritage conservation and preservation is a complex process. The UNESCO defines conservation as the means taken to lengthen the life of cultural heritage. It also entails spreading the word about its significance in heritage and values of a specific culture. One of the leading professional groups taking on this challenge to protect the world’s cultural heritage is the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
The Burra Charter, or Australian ICOMOS charter, provides definitions, principles, and practices of conservation. It identified that preservation is to keep a structure in its current state while conservation is to take care of a place or structure to sustain its cultural significance. Cultural significance is a way to identify and approximate the value of a place or structure. MiraNila has social, historical, and aesthetic/architectural value. Let’s break these down below.
Social Value
The Benitez-Tirona Family are the owners of MiraNila. With the family’s proximity to influential people of their tim, the social value of MiraNila is in its role as a venue for political and social meetings. Ideas and advocacies formed within that would shape society. The family also hosted impactful conversations with guests such as President Manuel L. Quezon, General Douglas McArthur, Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos, and President Dwight Eisenhower.
Historical Value
A notable person in the family is Helena Benitez, the seventh female senator of the Philippines. She envisioned and fought for the recognition of MiraNila as a heritage house. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) declared its historical value as a a military post during and after WW2. Its occupants were the Japanese army during Manila’s Occupation period and the America army after WW2.
Aesthetic Value
Next, MiraNila also has aesthetic, specifically architectural, significance. As part of the tour, the tour guide, Ms. Purissima (Petty) Benitez-Johannot, mentioned that the house has been identified as California Mission Revival in its architectural style.
The matriarch of the family, Francisca, was also inspired by Florentine villas. It informed the look of this four-tiered structure with a tower.
Its elliptical staircase is also a sight to see. And the rest of the ground floor displays a diverse collection of art and books.
Adaptive Reuse
The world is no stranger to word adaptive reuse as we see castles restored and rented out on the web. The National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 defines adaptive reuse as a way to utilize structures for a purpose different from its original use to conserve and maintain the integrity and authenticity of the site. So, adaptive reuse is one tool for heritage conservation. It is the approach applied by the owners of MiraNila.
MiraNila has changed a little over the years. It was the private residence of the former senator until 2016. And it opened to the public in 2019. 75% of the original structure and materials must remain the same to be declared a heritage house. It has been repainted from a Burnt Sienna or Terra Cotta to White for easier maintenance. Since older houses in the past typically were made of wood, most didn’t have a toilet in the upper levels. So, a walk-in closet in Helena’s room is now a bathroom.
With the heritage house aimed to become a tourist destination surrounded by commercial spaces, there are a few challenges. When booking a tour, they limit the groups to 7-20 people at a time to minimize the impact on its narra flooring. Guests are also asked to wear soft-soled shoes to minimize damage on the antique floors. Thus, the maintenance costs are high. And its commercial revenues go into repairing its deteriorating parts.
The location of MiraNila is also unique. It is surrounded by condominiums and residences. It is not as well-known. It is a niche destination as tourists can go on one-day tours of heritage towns instead of a few hours at a heritage house in an urban area. The house is also managed by a small trusted staff.
The charm of this heritage house as the only privately-owned heritage house with its furnishings and interiors intact means that it is a must to visit in Manila. It also has Café Bizu, Henry Hotel & Suites, and an events space, Gallery MiraNila by The Blue Leaf. It delivers a comprehensive package for a wedding or a short stay of a tourist in the area. This beloved family home that houses the multiple cultures that have influenced the country will continue to preserve its rich heritage through adaptive reuse in the years to come.
References :
Ibañez, M.C., Habaradas, R., Rivera, J.P. and Roxas, F.M. (2023). Doing Sustainable Business: AIM DLSU Case Folio 2023. 1st ed. C & E Publishing, Inc., pp.194–200.
lawphil.net (2009). Republic Act No. 10066. [online] lawphil.net. Available at: https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2010/ra_10066_2010.html.
MiraNila Heritage House & Library (n.d.). MiraNila Heritage House & Library. [online] www.miranila.org. Available at: https://www.miranila.org/ [Accessed 10 Sep. 2023].
Rypkema, D. (2008). Heritage Conservation and the Local Economy. www.globalurban.org. [online] Aug. Available at: https://www.globalurban.org/GUDMag08Vol4Iss1/Rypkema.htm.
The Global Development Research Center (n.d.). The Australia ICOMOS Charter (the Burra Charter) for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Significance. [online] www.gdrc.org. Available at: https://www.gdrc.org/heritage/icomos-au.html.
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2009). Conservation of cultural heritage. [online] uis.unesco.org. Available at: https://uis.unesco.org/en/glossary-term/conservation-cultural-heritage.
Image Sources
All Images used with permission from Faith Dumaligan.
