MANILA CITY HALL
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso is expecting an influx of local and foreign tourists to the city hall’s iconic clock tower once all the renovations are finished and the view deck is opened to the public.
Considered as the Philippines own version of London’s “Big Ben,” Moreno said improvements were done to the historic clock tower as part of the local city government’s efforts to make it one of Manila’s premier attractions.
Moreno was very impressed with the materials used in the renovation of the viewing deck as this will attract more tourists both local and foreign. Comfort rooms were also constructed at the clock tower for use of visitors.
“Tama ‘yan. Di komo gobyerno eh nagtitipid kasi magiging tourist attraction ito sa mga foreigners,” Moreno said during his inspection of the clock tower Wednesday. He was accompanied by Manila City Engineer Armand Andres as well as other city hall officials and employees.
The 47-year-old presidential aspirant said the Manila City Hall clock tower can be compared to that of the Old Post Office and Clock Tower located in Washington, D.C.
“Ang ganda ng view deck. May pinupuntahan ako sa Washington yung lumang post office. Doon ‘yung idea na ito. Of all post offices siya lang ang pinakamataas sa buong Washingtong D.C. Tapos sasakay ka ng elevator maliit lang tapos kita mo na ‘yung buong Washington. Eto parang ganito. Doon kinuha ang concept nito, doon sa Old Washington Post Office,” Moreno explained.
With a number of improvements still to be done in the clock tower, Moreno told Engineer Andres and those in charge of the renovation work to put up a coffee shop where visitors can relax and chat with friends and loved ones.
Moreno said even judges, fiscals, lawyers, and city hall officials and employees can also drop by the place during break time or if they are not busy from their work.
“Pwede silang mag meryenda ‘yung mga piskal, mga judges, mga empleyado, mga abogado. Pwede rin sila mag meeting doon,” Moreno said.
The Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer also instructed the renovation team to put up information boards about the history of Manila so that visitors may also learn of the city’s very rich history. A space will also be reserved for painters and other artists to showcase their works.
“Dapat dito ang history ng Maynila. Ang Battle of Manila, panahon ng mga Muslim, Kastila, Amerikano, Hapon tapos bagong maglalagay tayo. So kapag pupunta ang tao, mamamasyal sa view deck, kasi pasyalan na to.” Moreno said.
Moreno said an information board should also be put up telling about the history of the tower clock for better appreciation of the place.
“Tapos dito dapat ‘yung history ng clock, ipalinis ninyo ito. Parang Regina Manila. ‘Yun ang original nyang pangalan. Tapos lagyan mo ng history. Tapos ‘yung para sa mga painters para meron silang display area,” Moreno said.
“Tapos ‘yung mga turista i-package mo Manila Zoo. Tapos Jones Bridge, Lagusnilad, Kartilya (ng Katipunan), Mehan Garden, tapos ‘yung Intramuros. Pwede mong gawin ‘yun eh tourism group,” he added.
An iconic trademark of Manila and of its city hall, the clock tower was designed by Antonio Toledo and was unveiled in the 1930s. Being the largest clock tower in the Philippines, the hexagonal shaped tower has one red-faced clock placed on its three facets.
Looming east of Intramuros, the neoclassical city hall building is distinguished by an attractive clock tower that is beautifully illuminated at night. It was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt in 1946.
In the evenings, the clock tower is kept illuminated by light. The bell of the clock tower is rung three times before being followed by a melody.
The bells that are located within the tower makes a sound to mark the break time of Manila City Hall employees. The bells ring again at the closing of business day.
During the Christmas season, the clock tower is programmed to play Christmas carols that can be heard outside the confines of the building of Manila City Hall.
Although monitored regularly for synchronization, there were times that the three clocks of the Manila City Hall clock tower would each show different times.
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