Cover Fort Santiago is an integral part of Intramuros (Photo: Tobias Jared Tomas)
Fort Santiago is an integral part of Intramuros (Photo: Tobias Jared Tomas)
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Fort Santiago is an enduring symbol of the Philippines, and its conservation guarantees that further generations can appreciate its beauty and importance
Within the streets of Old Manila sits some of the Philippines’ most iconic historical and cultural sites. Perhaps the most significant of these is Fort Santiago, constructed under Miguel López de Legazpi in 1571. Its walls have endured for over four hundred years, and it remains a national landmark to this day. The Intramuros Administration (IA), in partnership with Kärcher, aims to preserve this irreplaceable piece of our history—beginning with its exterior.
In case you missed it: Behind the Walls: Where to go in Intramuros and why does it matter to preserve this gem?
Above IA administrator Atty Joan Padilla gives her opening remarks (Photo: courtesy of CID Communications)
IA administrator Atty Joan Padilla gives her opening remarks (Photo: courtesy of CID Communications)
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The early hour did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm and spirits of those in attendance. “Despite the repeated devastation, these fortifications were rebuilt time and time again, standing as a testament to its resilience and the enduring spirit of our nation’s heritage,” IA administrator Atty Joan Padilla said. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Kärcher Philippines and Kärcher Southeast Asia for this generous contribution and donation.”
Dr David Klebs, the economics counsellor of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, gave cheery remarks on this latest partnership. “These efforts by the German company Kärcher stand as a shining example for the dynamic and multifaceted relationship of our two countries,” he enthused. “This endeavour reflects our shared commitment to cultural heritage and development.”
Above Dr David Klebs, economics counsellor of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, considered this a milestone collaboration between our two countries (Photo: courtesy of CID Communications)
Above Kärcher Southeast Asia Ltd director of marketing and product management of ASEAN, South Korea, Taiwan and Bangladesh Daina Bartuseviciute proudly looks back on the company's contributions and commitment to preserving historical sites and places of heritage (Photo: courtesy of CID Communications)
Dr David Klebs, economics counsellor of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, considered this a milestone collaboration between our two countries (Photo: courtesy of CID Communications)
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“This year is especially meaningful for us as we celebrate 90 years of innovation. As part of this milestone, we have pledged to complete 90 cleaning projects worldwide and Fort Santiago being one of them,” said Daina Bartuseviciute, the director of marketing and product management of ASEAN, South Korea, Taiwan & Bangladesh at Kärcher Southeast Asia Ltd.
“Over the last 40 years, Kärcher has cleaned more than 190 historical sites worldwide, including the Statue of Liberty, Christ the Redeemer, Mount Rushmore, and Cologne Cathedral.”
Padilla, Bartuseviciute, host Daphne Oseña-Paez, and Kärcher Philippines general manager Darwin Banez participated in a ceremonial handover of one of the German brand’s state-of-the-art pieces of equipment. This will bolster the two existing units procured by the IA.
See more: Intramuros opens a new museum and versatile events space
Above Kärcher cleaning specialist Gerd Heidrich explains the effects of high-pressure water and steam on Fort Santiago's walls (Photo: courtesy of CID Communications)
Kärcher cleaning specialist Gerd Heidrich explains the effects of high-pressure water and steam on Fort Santiago's walls (Photo: courtesy of CID Communications)
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Kärcher cleaning specialist Gerd Heidrich demonstrated the device’s effectiveness as he washed one of the untouched bricks. It uses heated, high-pressure water in steam mode, with a pressure between 0.5 to 1 bar at a temperature of 95 degrees Celsius. This directly addresses the root problem of biological growth in between the cracks of adobe stone. Heidrich remarked that this would become a permanent part of the staff’s routine to maintain the site’s beauty.
The general public can also lend a hand and contribute to preserving this landmark, as Padilla revealed that the IA would put out an open call for those willing to. “The more volunteers, the better, because it will help us to clean the entire stretch, because it’s around 4 kilometres of walls and fortifications, so it’s quite a very expansive space.”
Above Padilla demonstrates the ease of use of Kärcher's cleaning equipment (Photo: courtesy of CID Communications)
Above Heidrich oversees the cleaning of Fort Santiago's walls (Photo: courtesy of CID Communications)
Padilla demonstrates the ease of use of Kärcher's cleaning equipment (Photo: courtesy of CID Communications)
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While Fort Santiago is the latest to benefit from Kärcher’s equipment, it is far from the last. Though nothing is quite set in stone yet, Banez looks forward to partnering with another monument in the near future to commemorate the company’s ten-year presence in the country. Previous sites that benefited from its restorative cleaning services include St Andrew’s Cathedral, San Sebastian Basilica, Plaza Miranda, San Agustin Church, the People Power Monument, and the Rizal Monument. A nation is only as great as the way it treats its history, and it is through initiatives like these that we may continue to maintain a profound connection with our past.
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About
Tobias wants to write things that make people think, laugh, and reflect. He’s especially proud when he can sneak in a cheeky pop-culture reference or a pun in his titles and articles.
He possesses a deep love of history, resulting from years of books, games, and museum visits. It was this fascination with the human endeavour that fostered his love of writing, spanning genres, tones, and moods. He one day hopes to write a novel—he just hasn't decided on a genre yet. A certified homebody, you'll often find him on the computer he built himself, binge-watching Seinfeld or House, playing his favourite gacha game, or reading a book.
Work
Tobias is a features writer that specialises in branded content. Reach out to him at tobias.tomas@tatlerasia.com.
