Arrows no longer fly in Paco of Aquino’s youth

MANILA, Philippines—In the 1980s while in college at Ateneo de Manila University, Benigno Aquino III and his study group would meet in a house in the vicinity of the public market in Paco, Manila.

What he found curious and memorable in those student days was how he and his friends would be reminded by the homeowners to keep the windows closed, no matter the muggy weather.

“They were worried that we might get hit by arrows from the gangs,” President Benigno Aquino III said, recalling the Paco of his youth during Thursday’s inauguration of a section of the currently-being-redeveloped Paco Market.

The President spoke of a community overrun by street gang wars, just like many congested urban areas.

But while the congestion and urban blight remain, the 100-year-old market that is being redeveloped as part of the rehabilitation of Pasig River is now at least clean enough to accommodate the small gathering composed of the Tantoco family of Philippine luxury retail, government and social work leaders, and market vendors.

The market has been restored as close as possible to its 1911 structure, with high ceiling and clearly laid-out stalls—a far cry from what it was 14 months ago, when it was a huge yard of market clutter and filth.

What’s possible

“Ito ang katotohanan ng kung anong pwedeng mangyari,” Mr. Aquino said, stressing the truth made real from the realm of possibilities.

Indeed, what is happening in this 3,000-square-meter sprawl right in the heart of the city in decay is nothing short of a miracle.

On the way to Paco Market, crossing Quirino Avenue, one looks to the side at Estero de Paco and sees that it’s no longer covered with debris, that water is running through it, and, wonder of wonders, that grass and greenery are growing on its banks.

The cleanup and rehabilitation of Estero de Paco is critical to the rehabilitation of Pasig River, the city’s lifeline, into which drain four other large rivers and 47 creeks and esteros running a total of 170 kilometers.

The “informal settler” families have been relocated to socialized housing units in Rodriguez, Rizal, and Calauan town in Laguna province.

About 3,200 cubic meters of garbage clogging Estero de Paco have been removed, and its banks reinforced through the construction of riprapping to prevent erosion.

Community volunteers called River Warriors conduct maintenance cleanup of the estero.

Urban renewal

“If we fail to abate the pollution from these esteros, Pasig River will remain as dark and dirty as it was in the 1990s… Pasig River is like our circulatory system,” Gina Lopez, chair of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, reiterated her message.

Paco Market was a major source of the clogging of Estero de Paco. Restoring and redeveloping the market impact on the sustainability of the rehabilitation of Pasig River.

Ultimately, it becomes proof that urban renewal is possible and doable.

In June 2010, the Paco Market Redevelopment Project was launched with Lopez as chair and interior designer Maja Olivares-Co of the design firm Sonia Santiago-Olivares & Associates as designer and project director.

The never-say-die tandem of Lopez and Co proceeded to raise funds from the government and the private sector to redevelop this landmark not only into a market but also a vibrant community center and tourist attraction.

Around P75 million is needed, but the funds remain short of that. Seed money of P15 million was provided by the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Green architecture

Aside from restoring the historic structure close to its 1911 mission revival style of architecture by US architect William Parsons, the project aims to use “green architecture” methods, such as natural and artificial lighting, cross ventilation, water and waste management, and the use of recycled materials.

It also aims to standardize stalls for commercial sustainability and classify produce by categories.

Paco Market will have an activity and learning center for workshops on a motley range of activities from reading to music, even healing.

It will also have a Filipino “palutuan,” where fresh produce can be bought and cooked.

The families resettled in Calauan are producing recycled products from market refuse, also to be sold in the market.

Eventually, local specialty goods will be offered to draw local consumers and tourists alike.

“Now where could you find a place in Metro Manila where you can buy fresh produce and actually eat it there while your children listen to a guitarist or story telling of some Lola Basyang, and try out a ‘pahilot’ (massage) before heading home?” Co said in her short remarks at Thursday’s inauguration.

Personal milestone

The Tantoco family of the Rustan’s Group of Companies has been the strong supporter of the project. It was fitting, therefore, that the patriarch, Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco Sr., celebrated his 90th birthday at the inauguration of Paco Market’s specialty area-dry goods section. (The area has been turned over to the vendors.)

For the family, Paco holds a sentimental value.

“Today is a personal milestone as I mark my 90th birthday,” Tantoco said in a speech read for him by his eldest grandchild Donnie Tantoco.

“Almost 60 years ago, my wife Glecy and I also nurtured a dream in this same vicinity. We too started a home-grown business in our living room in San Marcelino, just a stone’s throw away from here. We too started as small entrepreneurs with big dreams.

“As we grew, it was always our vision to be a partner in community initiatives to help improve lives, to give ordinary Filipinos opportunities to turn their own dreams into reality, to aid small businesses become professional and world-class.”

The President also sees in this market, which will have room for hundreds of vendors, a good opportunity for job generation.

In the meantime, Lopez and Co are trying to raise the remaining P25 million to complete the wet market and other parts of the redeveloped Paco Market, which can very well be the Filipino market of the 21st century.