I was probably naïve to think that it would never happen, but in the end, it did. A house that I had myself visited and photographed not long ago is now going, and will be gone in a few days.
In August 2006, I had, on hindsight, the rare privilege of visiting the home of what must have been the wealthiest couple in turn-of-the-century Malolos, Bulacan, Lino Reyes and Maria Tantoco (she being one of the famed Women of Malolos). (See the previous article that I wrote about that visit.) Although it had been obviously neglected during a long period of being uninhabited except by unsympathetic caretakers, its imposing façade (after a thorough early 20th century renovation), and stately original late 19th century interiors were still in evidence, and it was not difficult to imagine how luxurious it must have felt to be one of its original residents.Like many, no doubt, I dreamt of somehow, by circumstance (or the bounty of the Lotto), being able to acquire it (for it had been for sale for quite some time), and restoring it to its original habitable condition. The exorbitant selling price, however, was a major obstacle.
Unfortunately, it seems that one person too many had also admired its palatial design, and at least one person (the same) did not find the high price to be a deterrent. A few weeks ago, word got around town that it had been sold, allegedly to a movie star, who planned to reuse its impressive carved wall panels and other architectural details in his own new structure.
In due course, a demolition permit had been applied for, but had supposedly been rejected by city hall, reportedly citing a statute that forbade the demolition of all pre-war structures in the town center. This had obviously given relief to the (few) heritage-conscious citizens around, and it was assumed that the sale would simply be rescinded.
It is not clear what happened – if the seller and buyer just went ahead without a demolition permit, or if a loophole had been found to get around the statute, or if the statute even exists at all (for everyone talked about it but no one seems to have a copy of it). In any event, word got around again this past weekend that the demolition had commenced, and that in fact, only the roof and the frame of the façade now remained.
Despite it being a holiday this past Monday August 31st, I rose early, went to Mass in Barasoain Church (for it was the 150th anniversary of that venerable parish’s establishment), and afterwards, walked the few hundred meters to the Bayan, and positioned myself towards the rear of the outside of the Cathedral, directly across the Lino Reyes House.
The bad news was accurate.
The large mango tree to the left of the façade manages to conceal the carnage, but the view behind it is clear enough – quite literally. For the bottom of the L-shaped floor plan (that once held the long dining room and two bedrooms) is now gone.
The cargo truck employed to cart off the house piece-by-piece is on standby.
Most of the glazed window panels, and all the louvered narra persiana panels, are now gone.
The metal ceiling panels are still visible through the naked windows, but it’s obviously only a matter of time before they go too.
The wrought iron grills of the ventanillas on the right side of the house are still in place, but no doubt will be gone soon as well.
And the azotea towards the rear at the right side is now nearly orphaned.
The proud hipped roof that resulted from the early 20th century updating of this Spanish colonial mansion will soon be no more.
And the appliance store renting the zaguan will have to find alternative protection from the elements, as the sala’s wide floorboards overhead will probably be in some showbiz cabana soon.
Don Lino and Doña Maria must be turning in their graves. And since they’re no longer around to pronounce it, we shall: A pox on the houses of those guilty of this heritage crime and sin of commission and omission.
Originally published on 2 September 2009. All text and photos copyright ©2009 by Leo D Cloma. The moral right of Leo D Cloma to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted.
Original comments:
arcastro57 wrote on Sep 3, '09
How unfortunate. This house could have stayed where it is, restored--then rented out for film shooting. E di me pera pa yung movie star. I wonder where it will be relocated.
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rally65 wrote on Sep 3, '09
Word is that it will not be relocated -- the parts will simply be reused in the buyer's new "faux-antique" structure, supposedly in an upscale residential area in the southern part of Metro Manila.
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jsfrom wrote on Sep 3, '09
Yes, we appreciate and admire these edifices, And as much as it makes us feel we have as much claim to their beauty in contrast legal claim of ownerhip, we are still the powerless spectators of grandness and the history behind each plank, each stone and each metal. Lucky you having had personal remembrances of what was on that piece of Malolos terrain.
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antigualla wrote on Sep 3, '09
I dont know what to say, Leo.
Probably, it would have been better if the gentleman from Bagac got it, dismantled it piece by piece and reassembled it in his Real de..., like what happened to our old renterd house in San Rafael Street, Quiapo. One day, I will make that trip to Bagac, if only to reminisce my childhood years in that house. |
mienaichizu wrote on Sep 3, '09
that is a very sad news for us heritage advocates
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rally65 wrote on Sep 3, '09
antigualla said
I dont know what to say, Leo. Probably, it would have been better if the gentleman from Bagac got it, dismantled it piece by piece and reassembled it in his Real de..., like what happened to our old renterd house in San Rafael Street, Quiapo. One day, I will make that trip to Bagac, if only to reminisce my childhood years in that house.
I had the same thought. Of course, it would have been best to leave the house where it is, and just restore it (for it had been neglected).
But barring that, a relocation-reconstruction-restoration would have been next best. Just reusing the parts and other architectural details in a modern construction is a real pity. |
rally65 wrote on Sep 3, '09
mienaichizu said
that is a very sad news for us heritage advocates
Architect Ramil, are you up to the challenge of reconstructing this house from photographs (of which I have plenty)? Ha ha ha.
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rally65 wrote on Sep 3, '09
jsfrom said
Yes, we appreciate and admire these edifices, And as much as it makes us feel we have as much claim to their beauty in contrast legal claim of ownerhip, we are still the powerless spectators of grandness and the history behind each plank, each stone and each metal. Lucky you having had personal remembrances of what was on that piece of Malolos terrain.
Indeed -- good thing I took lots of photographs three years ago!
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totogonzalez wrote on Sep 3, '09
"Sic transit gloria mundi."
I first visited the Lino Reyes house in 1987 with a group led by Dez Bautista. The architectural woodwork, specially the doors and some of the wall panels, were spellbinding; the antique lighting fixtures like the gasolier, the red sconces, and the large Dutch pulley lamps, enchanting. Oh well, as Charles Wrightsman the oilman collector said: "Everything is for sale in the end." |
rally65 wrote on Sep 3, '09
totogonzalez said
"Sic transit gloria mundi."I first visited the Lino Reyes house in 1987 with a group led by Dez Bautista. The architectural woodwork, specially the doors and some of the wall panels, were spellbinding; the antique lighting fixtures like the gasolier, the red sconces, and the large Dutch pulley lamps, enchanting. Oh well, as Charles Wrightsman the oilman collector said: "Everything is for sale in the end."
I suppose that it was in much better shape in 1987 than when I visited and photographed it in 2006, and perhaps more of the original furniture was still in place as well.
A real pity that the current generation of family members abandoned it just like that. |
victorancheta wrote on Sep 3, '09
How truly unfortunate. I'm surprised Malolos couldn't do anything to stop this. Specially to a house owned by one of the Kababaihan ng Malolos! They had some success with other heritage buildings, Casa Real (albeit a reconstruction) and others. But then again, those cases happened decades ago. |
rally65 wrote on Sep 3, '09
victorancheta said
How truly unfortunate. I'm surprised Malolos couldn't do anything to stop this. Specially to a house owned by one of the Kababaihan ng Malolos! They had some success with other heritage buildings, Casa Real (albeit a reconstruction) and others. But then again, those cases happened decades ago.
There's just no public funding set aside for projects of this type, I guess. To be fair, the city government has been investing a lot on, among other things, road-widening and developing alternate vehicle routes, which help to decongest the town center.
Unfortunately, the decongestion is also being achieved by private individuals, by means of the demolition of antique structures like this one. |
antigualla wrote on Sep 4, '09
rally65 said
There's just no public funding set aside for projects of this type, I guess. To be fair, the city government has been investing a lot on, among other things, road-widening and developing alternate vehicle routes, which help to decongest the town center.
I suppose this is true for all LGUs, including Cebu. Budget priorities are on infrastructure, medical, eduation, peace and order, drug abuse, and the relocation of informal settlers.
Kung mayroon mang matira sa budget, yon na lang yata ang pang heritage. Thank God naman at may mga taong may kaya pa rin namang nagmamalasakit sa minanang yaman ng Cebu, gaya ng mga Aboitiz at Gorordo (Casa Gorordo); Sandiego (Yap-Sandiego); Sy (Casa Jesuita); Noel at Valencia-Castro, atbp. |
iamkirah wrote on Sep 7, '09
...our thesis in college was about a restoration..and it's so sad that some people doesn't give a damn about this...
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guillermodionisio wrote on Dec 22, '09
This is heinous as a crime. Spanish era inspired houses in Malolos Bayan are always a wonderful treat to my soul more than my eyes. To me, they are treasures of our identity as a people. But more than funding problems I think it is the owners' lack of sense of heritage that demolishes these houses sacred to our nation. Sad to say, these old venerable families of Malolos failed to cultivate and pass on a good sense of history to their descendants. This is a gaping wound to our culture.
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rally65 wrote on Dec 22, '09
guillermodionisio said
This is heinous as a crime. Spanish era inspired houses in Malolos Bayan are always a wonderful treat to my soul more than my eyes. To me, they are treasures of our identity as a people. But more than funding problems I think it is the owners' lack of sense of heritage that demolishes these houses sacred to our nation. Sad to say, these old venerable families of Malolos failed to cultivate and pass on a good sense of history to their descendants. This is a gaping wound to our culture.
Thanks for the insights. Do you speak from personal experience or direct acquaintance with the Malolos heritage situation?
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guillermodionisio wrote on Dec 26, '09
I do speak from personal experience. I grew up and still lives in Malolos. The death of its many valuable historical houses and the depressing lack of sense of heritage of their owners (and the many nouveau riche that pounce on them) are as palpable today as the first time I became conscious of them.
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