Local artist reimagines the Hilario Sunico House

Manila Girls illustrator, Kenny Tai, shares vibrant vision of second chances for the vanishing heritage house.

When historic landmarks are in danger of being demolished, local artists often step in to tell their stories through art. Kenny Tai, the independent artist behind the well-known Manila Girls series, is one of these advocates. Her work questions the status quo. Lately, she has turned her attention to the uncertain future of the historic Hilario Sunico House and Foundry in San Nicolas, Manila.

Tai’s work is very personal to her. Through her brand Manila Girls, she is dedicated to preserving heritage. Manila Girls, as the name suggests, brings Manila’s different districts to life as bold female characters, each with unique traits that make them easy to recognize and connect with.

The Hilario Sunico property stands out as a rare example of Filipino industrial craftsmanship. Built in 1891, this late Spanish-era bahay-na-bato was the headquarters and foundry of Hilario Sunico Chanuangco, a master metalsmith from the 1800s. His foundry made around 200 church bells found all over the country, including in Binondo Church nearby. The building features the “Estilo Sunico” style, known for its detailed iron grills, floral designs, and a unique chamfered corner that shows off a golden age of local industry.

In early 2026, the historic building was quickly and illegally taken apart over a holiday weekend, timed to avoid city regulators while offices were closed. Heritage groups like Manileños for Heritage acted fast to try to stop the damage, but the building was badly harmed in just a few hours. Its roof and old capiz shell windows were removed, and now a large tarp covers what remains.

In response to this loss, Tai uses her vintage-cartoon style to imagine a brighter future for the landmark. She shares that her latest illustration shows the endangered site as “Sunny Goat: Bookhouse of Second Chances,” a lively, multi-story secondhand bookstore and community space inspired by Satoshi Yagisawa’s book “Days at the Morisaki Bookshop” and Tokyo’s Jinbōchō Booktown.

Tai’s art is a strong form of protest. By mixing today’s youth culture with restored historic spaces, her work shows that a city’s progress only matters if it honors the history behind it. She turns “decaying” places into spaces that keep telling stories.

To see more of Kenny Tai’s work and follow her latest projects for Manila’s heritage, check out the Manila Girls’ official Facebook page or follow her on Instagram. Supporting her helps share these important stories and keeps the conversation about preservation alive. Catch her works tomorrow at Día De Manila 2026 to be held at Centro de Turismo, Intramuros.