GMA’s top-rated show Maria Clara at Ibarra has been watched by millions of netizens worldwide in its last week.
The said show was based on the story of national hero Jose Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo.
It featured Klay Infantes (Barbie Forteza), a Gen-Z nursing student who gets transported into the setting of Rizal’s two books.
During one of its episodes, Klay can be seen crying in front of the monument of Rizal.
While the said scene was emotional, some netizens couldn’t stop noticing the controversial building ‘Torre de Manila’ in the background.
Some netizens expressed their disappointment on social media after seeing the distraction in the scene.
It also revived the petition to demolish the said building, believing that it was not supposed to be there.
“Exactly what i was telling my kids just a couple of days ago when we passed by Luneta Park. Nakakalungkot. This is a sign of disrespect. Sana i demolish ang condo n yan.” netizen Pam commented.
“Kasalanan nyan ng LGU ng manila during that time na nag bigay ng permit para mabuo yan.. baka malaki ata ang bigay kaya pinayagan,” netizen Jordan said.
A netizen also believed that the government has the authority to demolish the said building.
“Sa tingin ko kaya ipademolish ng government yang building under the doctrine of eminent domain. Ang sabi sa doktrina, the sovereign can do anything, if the act of sovereign involves public interest. The doctrine empowers the sovereign to acquire private land for a public use, provided the public nature of the usage can be demonstrated beyond doubt.” netizen Gary remarked.
Meanwhile, another fan tried to edit out the building from the background.
i gotchu pic.twitter.com/Ob9O5yfOhb
— alex (@sodiumsunshine) February 23, 2023
It can be recalled that even the family of Rizal wanted the building to be demolished because it became an eyesore to the visitors of Luneta Park.
Torre de Manila’s construction started in 2012 and was halted temporarily because of the petition to stop its building.
In 2017, the court ruled in favor of Torre de Manila’s developer and the attempts to stop its construction failed.