 Unfortunately , much of Manila 's prewar and Spanish colonial architecture was destroyed during World War II . Reconstruction took place afterwards , replacing the destroyed historic Spanish @-@ era buildings with modern ones , <unk> much of the city 's character . Some buildings destroyed by the war have been reconstructed , such as the Old Legislative Building ( National Museum ) , <unk> de Manila ( Bureau of the Treasury ) and the currently under construction San <unk> Church ( <unk> de <unk> ) . Plans have been laid out to <unk> several neglected historic buildings and places such as Plaza Del Carmen , San Sebastian Church and the Manila Metropolitan Theater and soon Spanish @-@ era shops and houses in <unk> , <unk> , and San Nicolas will be restored to its former <unk> , as a part of a movement to restore Manila to its former glory . 
