“What purpose did this building serve?” Imagine that question echoing through the corridors of Casa Tribunal de Naturales. This courthouse once served the native residents of Manila. It stands as a reminder of a bygone era. Casa Tribunal de Naturales offers a glimpse into the Philippines’ rich history.
Today we stand before Casa Tribunal de Naturales. It is on Asuncion Street in the San Nicolas district. San Nicolas is often overlooked. It is a district steeped in history. Casa Tribunal de Naturales is a significant piece of that history.
Back in the Spanish Era Casa Tribunal de Naturales was the prototype for municipal halls. Each town had its own Casa Tribunal. Binondo and Santa Cruz had multiple ones. This was due to the gremio system. The gremio system divided people into natives. It also included Chinese mestizos and pure-blooded Chinese. This division made tax collection easier.
Throughout Manila’s arrabales only Binondo’s Casa Tribunal de Naturales remains. It is the last of its kind. The current structure was repaired after the 1880 earthquake. Juan Jose Hervas designed the repairs. He was the Municipal Architect of Manila. Hervas also designed the Tutuban Train Station. He designed the Hotel del Oriente and the La Insular Building.
Casa Tribunal de Naturales had spaces for various functions. It included the gobernadorcillo’s office. There was also a courtroom called the Sala de Justicia. Rooms stored archives and arms. Jail cells called calabozos were also present.
The Casa Tribunal de Naturales facade has two stories. The lower story is made of stone. The upper story is made of wood. A pediment displays the Spanish colonial seal. Air vent stacks improved the building’s ventilation.
In the past Hilario Sunico presided over cases here. He was a well-known gobernadorcillo. Sunico was a 19th-century metalsmith and bell caster.
San Nicolas once boomed. It involved Chinese mestizos and the Filipino bourgeoisie. San Nicolas houses had exquisite woodwork. Their grillwork was refined. Many rich Chinese families lived in San Nicolas. They dominated local industries.
Many old houses in San Nicolas survived World War II. Casa Tribunal de Naturales is among them.
Sadly Casa Tribunal de Naturales faces threats. Modern mid-rise structures surround it. Demolition is a possibility. Adaptive reuse is an alternative future. It could become a private residence. It may also serve as a cultural museum. Possibly it will be used as a barangay hall.
Casa Tribunal de Naturales stands as a symbol. It symbolizes Manila’s forgotten district. It is a reminder of the city’s heritage. Preserving it is crucial. It helps us remember our past. It enriches our future.