Classics of Steel and Stone
Metro Magazine
March 2005

As workers feverishly began renovation of Virra Mall in Greenhills last month, family and friends of Jose Maria Zaragoza, the late architect who designed that building, were quietly celebrating the launch of Architecture For God, For Man, a book about the architect and his works.

“I think my Dad loved each of his creations and kept a very special place in his heart for each of them,” Ma. Lourdes “Loudette” Zaragoza Banson, who wrote the book with art critic Ruben D.F. Defeo tells Metro.

Zaragoza’s career spanned 50 years, starting 1938, during which time he designed 45 churches and Catholic centers around the country, including the Santo Domingo Church, Don Bosco Church and Convent of the Pink Sisters.

He was responsible for the Casino Español on T.M. Kalaw, the first ShoeMart on Carriedo Street, and the classic Meralco Building along Ortigas Avenue.

Most of his works are still standing, but one that is no longer around and which had caused him pain was a building in Makati.

“What pained him a lot was the tearing down of the San Miguel Building on Ayala corner Paseo de Roxas. I saw him while he was standing on his apartment’s balcony,“ says Banson. “ I never asked him directly how he felt. I just stood beside him as he watched this happening, holding his hand.”

Jose Maria V. Zaragoza: Architecture For God, For Man is published by ARTPOSTASIA and available at Fully Booked in Rockwell Power Plant Mall.