Paper short abstract:

This paper focuses on how colonial heritage is envisioned and understood today by different actors in Intramuros, Manila. While the past is often forgotten, the future is unknown, and the present is unsettled, decolonial discussions do not (as yet) take central stage in this case.

Paper long abstract:

This paper focuses on how colonial heritage is envisioned and understood today in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines, and what meanings are written into it by urban dwellers, activists, and state actors.

With the recent rise of heritage initiatives in Manila, the discourse about the past of the city is changing. Yet, it is worth noting that a decolonial critique of the Spanish and/or American heritage is not very present in these initiatives. Because the material remnants of the past are most often demolished or forgotten, the main focus of grassroots’ advocacy groups is to save heritage buildings and their history.

In the case of Intramuros, the “heritage community” – if we understand it as dwellers of this part of the city - is to a high extent composed of informal settlers, migrants to the city, who came to the Old City after the war destruction. The people’s presence is what brings life into this heritage space, and yet their voice is not taken into account. Every new administration's term and every new project starts with a discussion about how to drive the informal communities out. Yet, no relocation plan is ever realized, and so Intramuros, Manila, remains a place where the past is forgotten, the future is unknown, and the present - with its ongoing discussion about the built (and intangible) heritage - is still unsettled.