White Cross-Quezon Preventorium | Victoria Lopez-Araneta MarkerWhite Cross-Quezon Preventorium | Victoria Lopez-Araneta Marker is a Important Cultural Property, National Museum; Marked Structure, NHCP; Work of National Artist for Architecture Pablo S. Antonio located at San Juan City, Metro Manila, National Capital Region.
The prestigious White Cross Orphanage was the brain child of a most charitable and civic family in old Manila. Don Salvador Araneta and his gracious wife Victoria first opened their home as a free school for the underprivileged children. The institution then started to grow incorporating inspired new members like Mrs. Mercedes Zobel Me Micking. The list then continued to expand. From its conception in the mid nineteen thirties, The White Cross finally found its permanent home in Santolan Street, San Juan, Manila. Built on a sprawling field with an abundance of trees, the White cross is truly an architectural jewel. Designed by the national architect Pablo S. Antonio, The Building even up to this day remains a timeless monument.
Indeed European inspired, elegantly symmetrical with an imposing facade on whose two sides are highlighted by a pair of bas-reliefs executed by the notable Italian artist Francesco Riccardo Monti. Pablo S. Antonio graduated from the University of London. Having a European degree in architecture meant a different view and aspect for venture and designs for future projects in Manila. The White Cross orphanage with its European character incorporated the elements of tropical architecture for which Arch. Antonio had been also credited.
The courtyards, the large windows for natural light and ventilation. Aside from the stairway, a smooth circular undulating ramp on the left side of the structure leads to the second and third levels of the building. Indeed much advanced before ramps for wheelchairs were mandatory. Spacious classrooms, dormitories, recreational area, even a chapel are all well maintained through the effort of numerous dedicated donors and benefactors.
Indeed this truly exceptional piece of architecture will continuously remain one of the best works of Pablo Antonio. It remains among Manila’s worthy remaining architectural design of the mid thirties, a remarkable landmark. (Source: The Architectural Legacy of Pablo S. Antonio: 1901-1975)
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Marker Text:
Victoria Lopez-Araneta
Lider sibiko, edukador, manunulat at mangangalakal. Isinilang sa Jaro, Iloilo, 6 Marso, 1907. Tagapangulo ng sangay pangkababaihan ng National Economic Protectionism Association, 1934-1959. Tagapagtatag ng White Cross, bahay-kalinga para sa mga anak ng may sakit na Tuberkolosis, 13 Abril 1936. Kasamang nagtatag ng Far East Air Transport, Incorporated (FEATI), 1945; FEATI Institute of Technology (Ngayon ay FEATI University), 1946; Araneta Institute of Agriculture (ngayon ay La Salle-Araneta University), 1947; FEATI Industries at Republic Flour Mills, 1957; at FEATI Bank and Trust Company, 1961. Yumao, 16 Pebrero 1988.