Haunting online exhibit remembers ghosts of Manila's past

 

 

Amidst the bustle of modern-day Manila, you wouldn't think that it was the second most devastated capital city of the Second World War with over 100,000 people dead and centuries of history obliterated in a matter of days.

 

Google this week joined the commemoration of Manila's 444th founding anniversary with an online exhibit of photos depicting the city's rich history—including its tragic death and agonizing rebirth.

 

Dubbed "Manila Reborn," the exhibit is part of the Google Cultural Institute's collection on Remembering the Second World War.

 

"'Manila Reborn' explores how war can destroy a city and transform a way of life, while highlighting the resilience and adaptability of Filipinos," Google said.

 

Many of the photos were from the Filipinas Heritage Library and Google Cultural Institute.

 

The photos showed how Manila was destroyed in the wake of World War II—and eventually rebuilt and revived.

 

Visitors to the site can use their keyboards or mice to navigate through the photos.

Click here to see the entire online exhibit.

 

“We want the viewers to understand that no one really wins in a war,” said Faye Cura, associate manager in charge of Filipinas Heritage Library's special projects and exhibitions. Cura wrote and curated the exhibit. 

 

Cura added “Manila Reborn" could have been released in digital form 10 years ago, but it would not have had historical perspective provided by the last decade.

 

Many of the pre- and post-war photos are by Filipino photographer Teodulo Protomartir, who first brought the 35mm format to the Philippines and popularized street photography.

 

Other photos were provided by Prof. Ricardo Jose, an expert on World War II - Pacific Theater. 

 

Google said many images from the war are available in libraries and archives abroad, "but its continued digitization have widened their accessibility."

 

It added the photos of the exhibit have been a part of the Filipinas Heritage Library’s Retrato Photo Collection, which were digitized and catalogued prior to "Manila Reborn," but are now on a platform easily accessible to the world.

 

Meanwhile, Gail Tan, Google Philippines Head of Communications and Public Affairs, said that with Google's Cultural Institute, "we hope to make these pieces of art, history and heritage available and accessible to everyone.”

 

Google's Cultural Institute seeks to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News