October 15, 2019
Political Science
What is new? What is hot? Intellectuals tend to look for the novel idea; the sparks that will make them shout “Eureka”! But an idea cannot be taken in isolation. Along side with it comes the what-it-is-not; and it consequently contributes to the what-it-is. So for a new thing to emerge, there are tons and tons of what-has-been, things that already emerged if not dilapidated or scorned and abandoned. New things are actually offshoots of the old things. But the question is what should be done to the old things? Practically speaking, one could with ease say throw them or worse set them into the flames for they are hazards and liabilities to attain par excellence or ISO standards; and their ashes will mark a fresh start for something new. But how could one throw away something of great historical significance? How could one afford to abandon a locale of marvelous cultural legacy? This perhaps is the dilemma why the Philippine government took effort to preserve the Intramuros ruins.