Sunday, January 13, 2013

Malabon starts off the year in style

Finally.  Some of Malabon's beautiful heritage houses debut in a coffee table book that chronicles the unique architectural history of the Philippines --"Philippine Style - Design & Architecture"  by Luca Tettoni and Elizabeth V. Reyes.

Image from Arkitekturang Filipino Facebook page

A chapter in the book, "Malabon Art Nouveau Gems," features the beautiful, well-preserved interiors of the Martinez, Borja-Roxas and Chikiamco ancestral houses.  The ancestral house of the Santos-Andres clan is also included.

To welcome the coming-out of our hometown's heritage gems in a prestigious publication, the Parokyanong Malabon in cooperation with Anvil Publishing held a soft launch and book signing on January 11, 2013 at Pescadores Restaurant.  Entitled "Ma'arteng Malabon: A tribute to Malabon ancestral houses" the event was graced by Mayor Len Len Oreta, author Ms. Elizabeth Reyes, heritage house-owners and prominent residents of the city.

Parokyanong Malabon is composed of Atty. Ramon Lucas, Archt. Richard Bautista, Terry de Jesus and Leona Nepomuceno.  Their group has been spearheading culture & heritage promotion activities in Malabon for the past many years.

Being included in this book on Philippine Style is a huge step in putting Malabon on the heritage map of the Philippines where it rightfully belongs.  And last Friday's event launching the book in Malabon is an auspicious beginning for the year for our hometown's heritage promotion efforts. "Metro Manila's hidden gem" is hidden no more.

Malabon has started off the year in style and we can look forward to more exciting things to come!