Charles Teves
The Torre de Manila, also known as the “Pambansang Photobomber” has gone viral again after appearing in the last episode of the GMA Network program Maria Clara at Ibarra (MCAI).
In the said episode, Gen-Z nursing student Klay Infantes, played by Barbie Forteza, visited the Rizal monument.
However, the shot included the residential building, which viewers said ruined the moment.
Social media users shared their disappointment after witnessing the disturbance in the scenery.
This occurrence reignited a previous petition to remove the said edifice as they believed it obstructed the scenery and was not meant to be there after all.
NAKAKABWISET YUNG BUILDING SA LIKOD NOOOOOOOOOOOOO https://t.co/n0hlzEGOnX
— yani (@yanihatesu) February 23, 2023
https://twitter.com/zachrcgtwts/status/1628925425975169028?s=20
Ang ganda na ng scene tangina panira lang talaga yung torre de Manila https://t.co/CTDEF8wIMn
— Miss Ge (@itsmissge) February 23, 2023
https://twitter.com/eynjela_/status/1628806653817794560?s=20
cute mo naman jan torre de manila haha https://t.co/cloEzLPZ7s
— love, 𝓉𝒾𝓃 🌷🌸 (@kjagriam) February 23, 2023
kakagigil yung torre de manila miiii. ganda sana ng shot, photobomb malala https://t.co/EP344VgFi1
— love, 𝓉𝒾𝓃 🌷🌸 (@kjagriam) February 23, 2023
torre de manila ruined this scene i faken HATE https://t.co/ws3p1gq4Hp
— lem (@ratikyIe) February 23, 2023
Bida bids yung torre de manila ampanget https://t.co/gFCohijT8S
— lyka (@gusibyukwon) February 23, 2023
The late cultural activist Carlos Celdran campaigned against the construction of DMCI Homes’ condominium in 2012, arguing that it would spoil the view of the national hero’s monument.
The building also drew the attention of the Knights of Rizal and Las Damas de Rizal Philippines Inc., who petitioned the Supreme Court to challenge its construction.
Critics dubbed the building “Terror of Manila” instead of its official name, Torre de Manila, and deemed it an insult to the national hero and our country’s identity.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) also raised concerns about the building, though it later took the side of the critics.
The matter remained unresolved until 2017 when the Supreme Court dismissed the petition and affirmed that no law prohibited its construction.
