The plaza may be considered a space of Philippine heritage and culture for several reasons. However, the most important factor that plays into its role as a perpetual watcher of the country's history is its accessibility. It is a public area that invites everyone regardless of their social status.

These areas are explored, commemorated and perhaps even mourned at Places of Memory, Places of the Heart: Plazas in the Philippines, an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila — now called The M — at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.

This quintessential venue has since been shaped by the Law of the Indies during the Spanish colonial era, which characterized them as a cuadricula, or a grid. The periphery should house la iglesia, el municipio y las casas de los ilustrados. These open spaces have been the go-to for community celebrations and commemorations.

To further recollect these local courtyards, curator Paulo Alcazaren, a city planner and landscape architect, has tirelessly explored the country for over a decade to document these areas, their landscapes and the remaining structures of note. His travels from the north to the south of our country to include Vigan City, Zamboanga City, Bacolod City, Mandaue City, Tagbilaran City, Pagsanjan and Pila.

The revealing result is 15 features of the morphological plans, photographic documentation, archival imagery, photo collages, interactive artworks and more. The ultimate model? The country's premier place — the Plaza Roma in Intramuros, Manila.

However, these observations have led to a horrifying conclusion: urban densification has threatened this architectural legacy and has led to the devolution of these estates, of which only 1,500 remain.