Manila City's Lagusnilad Underpass Gets a Fresh, Colorful Makeover

(SPOT.ph) After months of sneak peeks and artist renderings, Manila City finally opens the renovated Lagusnilad Underpass on August 24. This comes after the clean-up and rehabiltation efforts that started in November 2019. "Here we are today, an underpass undisturbed, no obstruction unlike before. Malinis, maaliwalas. Gamitin nila nang tama at sana proteksyonan nila," Mayor Isko Moreno said during the inauguration.

The pedestrian walkway, which connects Intramuros to the Manila City Hall, features colorful murals depicting Philippine history by artists Marianne Rios, Jano Gonzales, and Ianna Engano from the University of the Philippines' College of Fine Arts; massive photographs of Manila's famous landmarks; and easy-to-see signage written in baybayin script designed by Raven Angel Rivota, Edrian Garcia, and John Leyson. 

Vertical gardens are also installed on the walls, while the floors were fitted with non-skid tiles. The underpass' overall design is a collaboration between architects-slash-faculty members from the University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture Juanito Malaga, John Benedict Fallorina, Sean Patrick Ortiz, and Leon Centeno Tuazon; and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

A cove of empty bookshelves is also set for the return of secondhand bookstore Books from Underground, which was one of the stalls that were demolished during clearing operations last year. "With bookselling mostly done online nowadays, the spot will serve more as a pick-up point and a few interesting books on display for passersby," Books from Underground owner AJ Laberinto told Manila Bulletin.