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Andrew Ronquillo - The Philippine Star
February 21, 2026 | 12:00am
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso led the ceremonial lighting of the façade of the newly rehabilitated Juan Luna Building in Binondo, Manila on February 18, 2026.
Christian Turingan / Manila PIO
MANILA, Philippines — The restored facade of the Juan Luna Building in Binondo was illuminated on Thursday as part of the Manila city government’s efforts to revitalize the district’s nighttime economy and commercial vibrancy.
Mayor Isko Moreno led the ceremonial lighting of one of the last surviving American-era commercial structures in the old business district.
“From darkness, the Juan Luna Building – the former First National City Bank of New York Building or Ayala Building – will shine in Binondo,” Moreno said during the ceremony.
As a commitment to preserve and showcase the architectural heritage, the city government ventured into a public-private partnership to rehabilitate the five-story building.
Moreno urged other heritage building owners near historic structures to coordinate with the city government for similar lighting initiatives.
“The city government is open to working with lighting your structures and featuring their beauty at night,” he said.
Originally completed as the Pacific Commercial Company Building in 1922, the structure at the corner of Juan Luna Street and Muelle de la Industria housed the First National City Bank of New York before its acquisition by Enrique Zobel in 1940.
It underwent renovation in 2007 but sustained damage in a 2018 fire from a nearby structure.
The facade restoration is an initiative of the city to reposition Binondo as a heritage and tourism destination for economic activity beyond daytime business hours.
