May is Heritage Month, a time to reflect on the importance of preserving the country’s cultural and historical treasures.
So when Martin Lopez, senior director of the Far Eastern University Center for the Arts, endorsed our featured artist, it felt timely and fitting. Dr. Peter Rallos is not only a physician but also a passionate heritage preservationist dedicated to protecting Manila’s old structures and stories.
Dr. Peter Rallos is not only a physician but also a passionate heritage preservationist dedicated to protecting Manila’s old structures and stories. PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER RALLOS
Heritage preservation refers to the practice of safeguarding and maintaining cultural, historical and architectural sites for future generations.
When we sat down with Peter, he spoke about his family, his interest in preserving heritage sites, and the challenges he faces in his advocacy work. He also shared the tools he uses, the reactions he receives from people affected by his work, and how he balances his profession as a doctor with his advocacy.
Peter is the eldest among his siblings and grew up in a family filled with love and care. His interest in heritage preservation started during a class project in his second year of college. Their group was tasked to survey residents in Quiapo and distribute hygiene kits. As he touched the brick walls and wooden structures of the houses they visited, he said the experience felt surreal. It made him imagine how beautiful these structures once were.
His interest deepened when he joined a clean-up drive. He began thinking about how countries like China and South Korea, as well as cities like Paris, have restored and maintained their heritage sites. From then on, he made it his personal advocacy to raise awareness and help preserve heritage sites in Manila.
According to Peter, heritage preservation comes with many challenges. One of the first is introducing himself to tenants and property owners of damaged structures. He said he has to show them that he comes with good intentions. He believes it is not their fault if they are unaware of the importance of preserving these sites.
As a true Manileño, Peter also feels it is his duty to inform the government about the lost potential of neglected properties. This requires extensive research on available historical information, which he then simplifies into letters addressed to the proper government agencies.
The tools he uses for his advocacy are simple but effective. He relies on his home computer and mobile phone to document heritage sites through photographs. He posts these photos on social media and encourages friends to help spread awareness. Peter also emphasized the importance of building a network that includes architects, mass communication professionals, social workers and laborers who can contribute to preservation efforts.
Peter also volunteered as a tour guide in Quiapo under the NGO Kapitbahayan sa Kalye Bautista. He said tour guiding has become an important part of his advocacy.
“Tour guiding is a useful tool for my advocacy as it is the stage where I become a voice to speak on behalf of the silent house that could not. It also allows the stories of others to be heard, especially owners and tenants, to say their piece and add a living part of history to what was assumed a dying place,” Peter said.
“I love my role as a storyteller to people, helping them understand and appreciate my home, Manila,” he added.
When asked if his medical profession blends with his advocacy work, Peter admitted that the two remain largely separate.
“It is like I am living a double life. When I am in the hospital, I only think of work and focus on the medical field. When I am out there, I try to be the best tour guide and get my message across,” he shared.
“Sometimes the two cross over and I tell stories or trivia, however so far each side isn’t particularly interested in the other and I get awkward smiles. I have met a handful who are interested in both. Perhaps, I just need the right stories that blend the best of both worlds.”
Peter also shared some of the comments he has received from people who have seen his work and listened to his advocacy.
“He is very passionate and hardworking.”
“He made me realize the value of my old house and gave me hope to see it one day restored.”
“I didn’t know people still cared about these houses.”
“If you did not show up, maybe I would have given up. You are God’s blessing.”
“You are so enthusiastic! I hope you multiply.”
For Peter, inspiring people to see old houses as potential tourist sites instead of haunted places is already a victory. Convincing property owners to preserve their homes is an added achievement.
Looking ahead, Peter sees himself continuing both his medical profession and his advocacy work.
“I see myself still serving as a physician while inspiring others, the same way seeing and entering old houses inspired me. I hope for in-depth talks with Manila LGUs so we can form a plan to support these heritage houses. We can’t just dictate owners to restore without aid,” he said.
“Living a double life is a small hurdle that I can get by if it means the money I earn is enough to sustain my passion. I also see myself contributing to historical literature since a lot of our local history is lost to time due to lack of documentation and archiving.”
“We live in a wonderful age where documents that were once inaccessible are now available on the internet for viewing, and uncovering something that has not been published is exciting.”
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Kudos to Dr. Peter Rallos. May his passion for preserving heritage sites continue to inspire others for many years to come.
