HOW LOCAL CULTURES CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF CITIES

Culture is the fabric for the dynamic construction of individual and

collective identities. The active participation of people in local cultural
activities (such as poetry, dance, sculpture, theatre, music, etc.) improves
their quality of life and well-being and enhances life opportunities and
options. Also, culture is a means through which citizens feel they belong to
their city.
 THE FIRST UNITED
AMERICAN INFLUENCES BUILDING in Escolta
was designed by
Spanish and American colonization, as well as interactions through renowned Filipino
trade with other neighboring countries, has brought a kaleidoscope of architects Andrés
cultures to the Philippines. Luna de San Pedro
and Juan Nakpil.

During the American occupation, the whole lane of Escolta used to be

dotted with shops and boutiques owned by immigrant merchants from
The staircase of the
China, Europe, and Latin America. To create an efficient market for
First United Building on
commerce and to express the majesty of the infrastructural Escolta(left). The Art-
development, the colonial administration showcased the technological Deco facade of the old
advancement of the city and the splendor of Art Deco architecture. Capitol Theater(right)
 SPANISH INFLUENCES ON THEATER AND EARLY CINEMA
Salon de Pertierra
Spaniards also has their fair share with advertisement(left).
the growth of our industry. Antonio The Capitol Theater
Ramos, a Spanish soldier from Aragon designed by Juan
was able to import a Lumiere Nakpil in 1935 and
Cinematograph from Paris. had an 800 seat-
capacity(middle)
The Lyric Theater sat
Salon de Pertierra was the first movie- 1,600 people and was
theater house in the Philippines, designed by Pablo
established in March 1896. By August, Antonio(right)
1897, Liebman and Peritz presented
Lumiere
the first movies and was set up at the
Cinematograph Escolta Street at the corner of San
is a film Jacinto Street.
device which Long before the coming of cinema in the
can be use as
a camera or
Philippines, theater originated in the
projector. culture of the country’s early societies.
Their theatron was on the ground within
The next year, Ramos make a huge the community. Theater serve effectively
First movie shot
comeback by producing films made in in the Philippines as a medium of social awareness and
our country. These films were Panorama entertainment.
de Manila (Manila landscape), Fiesta de
Quiapo (Quiapo Fiesta), Puente de
España (Bridge of Spain), and Escenas
Callejeras (Street scenes).