Old houses have become rare in Metro Manila, particularly those that are in excellent condition and are still being used up to today. One such building is the Old Presidencia of San Pedro Makati, which is currently operating as the Museo ng Makati.
To honor the rich history of the Old Presidencia, The National Museum of the Philippines and the Makati Local Government recently unveiled a plaque declaring the structure as an important cultural property (ICP) — the first in the city. Makati Mayor Abby Binay and NMP Director-General Jeremy Barns led the unveiling ceremony.
Located along J.P. Rizal near the Pasig River, it was first constructed in 1918, starting out as a single-story structure. This was then upgraded to its current appearance in 1934, with construction works completed in 1937. It served as the seat of governance during Makati’s growth years in the first half of the 20th century.
When the seat of power was moved to a newer and more modern city hall, the building served as an annex of the Makati High School, then as a library, and turned into an eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) infirmary.
In 1990, then-Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay initiated the conversion of the building into a local museum. This led to conservation and repair works to the building before it finally opened its doors to the public in 1992. Today, the Old Presidencia is a repository of the city’s historical, cultural, and artistic heritage.
Inside the museum, there are art pieces created by Makati’s own artists as well as reproductions of historical notes and photos showing glimpses of Makati’s past.
As it has been declared an ICP, the Makati city government said it will pursue redevelopment and curatorial plans to improve the museum along with more programs for cultural heritage conservation.
