November 9, 2009

Neo-classical Corinthian

Built in 1940, the former Finance Building in the City of Manila was designed principally by the Filipino architect Antonio Toledo, who received his training at the Brooklyn Institute of Technology, Ohio State University and Cornell. Toledo was a member of the Bureau of Public Works, the agency which was in charge of the construction of all government buildings during the American colonial era. He also designed the Manila City Hall. Heavily damaged during WWII, the Finance Building was rebuilt after the war by the construction and engineering company of A. M. Oreta. In 1998, it was renovated again in time for the Philippine centennial, this time to house part of the collection of the National Museum of the Philippines. That part was the museum's collection of Philippine archeological artifacts and what used to be the Finance Building is now the Museum of the Filipino People.

neo-classical Corinthian columns of the National Museum of the Filipino People, formerly the Finance Building

This post is dedicated to our good friends Vic Oreta, one of A. M. Oreta's grandchildren, and his wife Cecile.

21 comments:

  1. CopenhagenNovember 9, 2009 at 5:47 AM

    What a great era of architecture.

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  2. SharonNovember 9, 2009 at 6:48 AM

    They don't make buildings like this anymore.

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  3. LowellNovember 9, 2009 at 7:27 AM

    A building of grandeur! And a grand place for the museum!

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  4. Clueless in BostonNovember 9, 2009 at 10:09 AM

    Great perspective. The columns look magnificent.

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  5. gogouciNovember 9, 2009 at 10:24 AM

    Very beautiful geometry and detail. Magnificent perspective.

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  6. ChinNovember 9, 2009 at 10:47 AM

    What a magnificent place.

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  7. Don and KriseNovember 9, 2009 at 11:37 AM

    What a place. The architecture is something else.

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  8. Leif HagenNovember 9, 2009 at 12:04 PM

    I don't think even a "tuff" woman like Hilda could push over one of those pillars!

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  9. KaoriNovember 9, 2009 at 12:55 PM

    Great angle, Hilda :)

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  10. FANovember 9, 2009 at 2:00 PM

    Beautiful shot, Hilda. It looks like something right out of Italy! It's been a week or so since I've visited. I'm glad to catch up on all the good things that I've missed. God bless!

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  11. BlossomFlowerGirlNovember 9, 2009 at 3:15 PM

    Lovel the way you've taken it showing the detail under the roof.
    Melbourne Daily Photo

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  12. VPNovember 9, 2009 at 3:33 PM

    FA is right, compare your Corinthian capital to the ones of my Theme Day post for this month: they are almost identical even if the columns are different.
    Great ancgle and beautiful image of a great building.

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  13. Irredento UrbanitaNovember 9, 2009 at 9:47 PM

    Love the composition, it has a sensation of speed !!

    Regards

    Valery

    Barcelona Daily Photo


    Trujillo Daily Photo

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  14. LoisNovember 9, 2009 at 11:04 PM

    I love any building with columns!

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  15. Ken MacNovember 10, 2009 at 2:06 AM

    love the angle

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  16. Carlos LorenzoNovember 10, 2009 at 3:01 AM

    The angle is risky and yet attractive. Nice looking acanthus leaves on these Corinthian columns :)

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  17. HalcyonNovember 10, 2009 at 3:59 AM

    Neat angle!

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  18. brattcatNovember 10, 2009 at 4:23 AM

    I'm feeling a bit of vertigo, looking up at this.

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  19. marleyNovember 10, 2009 at 7:28 AM

    Lovely architecture and funky angle too!

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  20. Cezar and LéiaNovember 10, 2009 at 8:56 PM

    What a fabulous column!I loved this angle, perfect shot!
    hugs
    Léia

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  21. AnonymousNovember 11, 2009 at 2:42 AM

    Such a classic! Great perspective!

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