Future-Proofing the Past

Why Manila's smartest buildings might already be standing

- Ar. Jojo Tolentino

Walk through old Manila—Escolta, Ermita, Binondo—and you'll find buildings that have witnessed more than a century go by. Some now stand empty, worn by time and, let's be honest, by neglect. The usual explanation? Keeping them up is difficult and expensive, and the future, people say, should always mean something brand new.

But do we ever stop to ask if that's true? In a culture that often prizes what's imported or shiny, we tend to overlook what's already here. Heritage buildings are more than bricks and beams; they are living parts of our story. And here's the good news: with imagination and modern technology, these grand structures don't have to fade away. They can be transformed into smarter, more vibrant spaces that serve us today.

Around the world, historic structures have been adapted in ways that blend old and new. London's Battersea Power Station, New York's High Line, and Cape Town's Zeitz MOCAA are just a few examples, each transformed into contemporary destinations while retaining their original character.