Project Panandito

𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼! 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝘇 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵

Not only that of the Monte de Piedad and Savings Bank, but an additional three markers were worked on during our culminating activity last week: the Santa Cruz Church, and the artist brothers Justiano and Leoncio Asuncion.

How did the Santa Cruz evolve as a religious center via its changing built heritage? Who were the artists that were known to have not only contributed to ecclesiastical imagery but native art in general?

Para sa bayan, andito ang Project Panandito! 🇵🇭🖌️

In partnership with:
Manileños For Heritage
UP Lipunang Pangkasaysayan (UP LIKAS)

A student-led initiative for CSSP NSTP

A work of art can be repainted, but history will always remain.

Project Panandito has accomplished another milestone in restoring historical markers at Monte de Piedad and Santa Cruz Church, in partnership with Manileños for Heritage.

These markers stand as silent witnesses to our past—stories etched in time, waiting to be remembered and honored. Through every careful restoration, we ensure that they continue to flourish and prosper for generations to come.

Again, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Manileños for Heritage (M4H) for partnering with us in this initiative and sharing the same commitment to preserving our nation’s history.

In every bit of rust removed, every detail retouched, and every color restored—our history lives on.

Para sa bayan, nandito ang Project Panandito!

In partnership with:
Manileños For Heritage
UP Lipunang Pangkasaysayan (UP LIKAS)

A student-led initiative for CSSP NSTP



Para sa bayan. 🇵🇭
Project Panandito

𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼! 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗱

As part of our culminating activity in heritage conservation, Project Panandito will restore the historical marker installed on the facade the former Monte de Piedad and Savings Bank.

How did the oldest savings bank in the Philippines come to be? How did it situate itself as a known landmark in the heart of downtown Manila?

Join us this Monday as we strive to restore and repaint these markers in our bid to bring history back to life. Para sa bayan, andito ang Project Panandito! 🇵🇭🖌️

In partnership with:
Manileños For Heritage
UP Lipunang Pangkasaysayan (UP LIKAS)

A student-led initiative for CSSP NSTP

Manila Grand Opera Hotel Historical Marker Restoration

The second marker restoration activity by Project Panandito was held last April 20, 2026 at the Manila Grand Opera Hotel, the former site of the Manila Grand Opera House in Santa Cruz, Manila.

We were able to clean up and restore the national historical markers that commemorate the former performance venue’s presence along the entertainment district of Avenida Rizal, as well as being the meeting place for the First Philippine Assembly, the precursor to the modern-day House of Representatives.

Once regarded as the most famous performance venue in Manila during the 1900s, the former Grand Opera House was an intersection for both pioneer Filipino show entertainment—such as bodabil, sarswela, and comedy productions—and the important American colonial period political milestones, particularly for accommodating the first wholly elected legislative branch purely composed of Filipinos.

Again, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Manileños for Heritage (M4H) for partnering with us in this initiative and sharing the same commitment to preserving our nation’s history.

In every bit of rust removed, every detail retouched, and every color restored—our history lives on.

Para sa bayan, nandito ang Project Panandito!

In partnership with:
Manileños For Heritage
UP Lipunang Pangkasaysayan (UP LIKAS)

A student-led initiative for CSSP NSTP

𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼! 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹

Moving on to the second leg of our journey to keep our heritage alive, Project Panandito will restore the historical markers installed within the vicinity of the Manila Grand Opera Hotel, the modern revival of the Manila Grand Opera House (MGOH).

What was the fabled institution that used to stand on this site? How did the MGOH grow from being an opera house to a renowned venue for a variety of national entertainers, and even serving as the central meeting place for political gatherings on either side of the spectrum?

Join us this Monday as we strive to restore and repaint these markers in our bid to bring history back to life. Para sa bayan, andito ang Project Panandito! 🇵🇭🖌️

Sources:

Constantino, Renato Redentor. “Cycling through the fabled history of an opera house, now a hotel.” 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘔𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳, June 15, 2024. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/06/15/cycling-through-the-fabled-history-of-an-opera-house-now-a-hotel/

“Inauguration of the First Philippine Assembly.” Installed by Philippine Historical Committee, 1940. Manila Grand Opera Hotel & Casino, 925 Doroteo Jose Street cor. Rizal Avenue, Santa Cruz, Manila.

“Manila Grand Opera House.” 𝘚𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘨 𝘒𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢 𝘝𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘦 1. Edited by Virgilio Almario. Manila: National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 2015.

RKC. “The Manila Grand Opera House: Most famous theater of the 1900s.” 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳, October 3, 2015. https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2015/10/03/1506769/manila-grand-opera-house-most-famous-theater-1900s

Santos, Tina. “Hint of nostalgia on site of Manila Grand Opera House.” 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘐𝘯𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘳, August 9, 2008. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080809-153675/Hint-of-nostalgia-on-site-of-Manila-Grand-Opera-House

“The Manila Grand Opera House.” Installed by Philippine Historical Committee, 1948. Manila Grand Opera Hotel & Casino, 925 Doroteo Jose Street cor. Rizal Avenue, Santa Cruz, Manila.

The Manila Grand Opera Hotel: Rich in history, luxe in Manila.” 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘔𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳, August 28, 2019. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2018/08/28/the-manila-grand-opera-hotel-rich-in-history-luxe-in-manila/

In partnership with:
Manileños For Heritage
UP Lipunang Pangkasaysayan (UP LIKAS)

A student-led initiative for CSSP NSTP

Philippine General Hospital Historical Marker Restoration

The first marker restoration activity by Project Panandito was held last April 13, 2026 at the Philippine General Hospital main building in Ermita, Manila.

We were able to clean up and restore the national historical marker to commemorate the history the hospital, another cast-iron marker by the Manila Historical Commission to remember its role in World War II, and two bronze markers that respectively memorialize the establishment of the institution and the post-war reconstruction of the building.

Known as one of the country’s oldest and most significant public hospitals, the Philippine General Hospital stands as a symbol of Filipino resilience, service, and dedication to accessible healthcare for all.

Alongside this restoration, we had the opportunity to visit the Paz Mendoza-Guazon Philippine Medical Museum, where we deepened our appreciation for the rich history of medicine in the Philippines and the individuals who shaped it. Each artifact and story reminded us that preserving history goes beyond structures—it’s about honoring the lives and legacies behind them.

We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to Manileños for Heritage (M4H) for partnering with us in this initiative and sharing the same commitment to preserving our nation’s history.

In every rust removed, every detail retouched, and every color restored—our history lives on.

Para sa bayan, nandito ang Project Panandito! 🇵🇭🖌️

In partnership with:
Manileños For Heritage
UP Lipunang Pangkasaysayan (UP LIKAS)

A student-led initiative for CSSP NSTP