Jones Bridge makeover nearly completed this year

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has made true another one of his promises. As part of his plan to invest on heritage preservation and cultural revival of Manila, Jones Bridge is currently being restored to its almost-original design.

The mayor revealed the progress of the project through a Facebook Live session on the evening of October 19 to the early morning of October 20 (the guy famously roams Manila’s streets during odd hours). Holding up his phone to face its camera, he apologized for not being able to finish everything by October 20, the original date of completion. “Okay na rin,” he said. “Best effort naman.”

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We did an on-site inspection (naks naman!) a week after, specifically Monday morning of October 28. Some parts, indeed, remain unfinished, including wirings, paint job, and balustrades. Much of the bridge had not been painted green and gold — a detail that has been met with comment section protests, with some saying the choice of colors is gaudy. Honestly, we don’t know what to make of the colors, especially the yellow gold parts that look like keso ice cream with strips of nata de coco. Some netizens, however, pointed out the old lampposts look simpler and more pleasant.

The original Jones Bridge was meant to replace The Bridge of Spain, which was torn down due to increasing Manila traffic. The final design was created by architect Juan M. Arellano, after the passage of the Jones Act, named after the lawmaker, who passed a bill to give the Philippines autonomy from the United States.

The original design had four plinths and four statues on pedestals by the sculptor Martinez. The bridge was destroyed during World War II, which, in turn, destroyed one of the statues. It was reconstructed in 1946 with a new design. In 1988, it was partially reconstructed by the architect Conrad Onglao, more popularly known as Zsa Zsa’s BF.

Mayor Isko’s 20-million-peso restoration hopes to bring back the original design of the project with the three remaining sculptures. The fourth sculpture would be replicated.

“Dito magmi-meet sa Jones Bridge ang dalawang pamana,” he said, talking directly to his audience again. “Pamana ng panahon ng Kastila at Americano, at pamana ng ating mga kababayang Chino.” He then pointed the camera straight ahead, which revealed a very quiet Chinatown.

The project, he said, is slated for completion by the end of October which is, really, any minute from now.

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