Chin up, Plaza Miranda -2

Our own Times Square

After all, not only Manilans, but thousands of people living in

nearby towns and cities pass by Plaza Miranda every day.

Some people may not agree, but Plaza Miranda is probably our

version of frenetic Times Square in New York.

Strategic portions of the Manila square are accented with

columns supporting walls, which bear several gold-painted

replicas of the city seal. Below the seals, just above each

column are arabesque patterns lifted from the Quiapo Church's

facade.

Lining the top of each concrete panel are young plants, that, in

due time will cascade down the walls. A sprinkler system

doubles as misting agent to cool but not wet people down

below.

Anchored on each colonnade is a giant urn in pale terra-cotta

finish. Bricks accent the top and bottom of the main post

supporting the ornament.

Atienza also had arches built at the entrance leading to the

four streets bordering the plaza. The arch on Villalobos St. is

even equipped with a golden bell. Below each arch is, of

course, the city's merlion seal.

Surprisingly, despite the addition of new structures, Plaza

Miranda has remained unimpeded. With vendors relocated in

adjacent side streets, the whole area is one big stage for

cultural shows, art exhibits and various outdoor activities.

Lacson legacy

Plaza Miranda was inaugurated by then Mayor Lacson on Dec.

15, 1961. In Atienza's desire to accommodate the Simbang Gabi

crowd, he hastily had it reopened last Dec. 15.

''I didn't realize the coincidence until somebody pointed it to

me,'' he says.

The city engineer's office plans to painstakingly polish each

granite slab with a special sealant. The decision to move the

underpass' Evangelista entrance was one of the most dramatic

changes ever made in the area.

The triangular shed which used to partly block Quiapo

Church's imposing facade has been levelled, and a bigger

entrance made of ''vitrified'' tiles was put in place on the

church's left side.

In fact, all entrances have been refurbished leading to the

once-squalid underpass. Tenants, most of whom sell optical

products, have been asked to vacate their stalls. The place has

also been cleared of beggars and vagrants.

But perhaps one of Atienza's best decisions is to have the

bank in the underpass demolished. People will recall a

Philippine Savings Bank branch situated right smack in the

center of the underpass.

Goodbye to trial and error. With it removed, passers-by can

now see through one point to another. Aside from human

traffic, air now flows freely inside the once-stuffy subterranean

walkway. Toilets are being refurbished and given a new look.

Once finished, even Hong Kong and Singapore's efficient and

clean walkways are no match to Lacson Underpass, Atienza

boasts. He envisions future concessionaires to foot the bill for

its airconditioning.

''We're not discounting help from the private sector,'' says the

mayor. ''After all, the private sector will do a better job than

government in maintaining public places like this underpass.''

And perhaps even Plaza Miranda.