“Imagine an elegant, all-white spectacle” This is how architect Leandro Locsin envisioned the CCP Fountain. Here we stand before this iconic landmark. The CCP Fountain graces the front of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Let me share its story. It began in 1969 when William Schaare got a lifetime opportunity. He was already working on the fountains for Rizal Park at the time. Word of his work reached Locsin, who was designing the new cultural center.
Locsin showed Schaare his plan for the fountain. He described his vision. Schaare had to interpret it in water. Initially, Schaare thought Locsin would want a multi-colored fountain. Locsin said no. As the cultural center, he didn’t want a three-ring circus.
Locsin wanted elegance. He wanted an all-white fountain. Schaare wanted to add something more dramatic. He knew the public craved spectacle. The result is what you see now. It is all-white as Locsin envisioned. Schaare contributed cool and warm tones.
Once the design was agreed upon, work proceeded quickly. Mrs. Marcos wanted it done in three weeks. Schaare was used to working at record-breaking speed. There wasn’t much discussion beyond the initial meeting. It was just work. Sketches sufficed instead of comprehensive plans. The vision was clear in their heads. Schaare was only 30 then. It was his first big fountain.
Industron Inc. completed a renovation of the CCP Fountain. William Schaare’s daughter, May, oversaw the renovation. Her father had created the original fountain. Industron won the bid. The fountain’s water cycle came full circle.
Schaare recalls being approached for the project. Architect Antonio Heredia had heard about his experiments. He asked Schaare to design fountains. Schaare had never built one before. But he said he could.
Valencia took one look at Schaare and remarked on his foreign appearance. Schaare confirmed his German heritage. Valencia quipped that if the fountain wasn’t nice, he’d have Schaare deported. Confident, Schaare invited Valencia to see his experiments.
The design remains true to Locsin’s original vision. Today, the pumps have been refurbished. Lights have been replaced with LEDs. Nozzles and fixtures have been repaired. This ensures the CCP Fountain will welcome guests for many more years. Schaare wants people to remember Locsin’s legacy when they see this pure, all-white fountain. It is a legacy crafted in water.