Ancestral houses: A peek from the past

Hard to be found and yet it is seen in every corner of San Miguel in Bulacan this is why San Miguel was name as the “Vigan of Bulacan”.

There are fifteen ancestral houses that was built during the Spanish Era. And we were able to see two of them.

Sevilla residence also known as “tatlong palapag” is consider as the only three-storey house which inspired from a local story about the male ego.

Originally built in 1921 by the former municipal mayor Catalino Sevilla.

According to Erlinda Ervon the care taker said the old house is in need an immediate rehabilitation.

“Maraming nawala noong bumagyo” Ervon said.
It’s been 15 years since the house was open for visitor but due to the bad condition it was closed to the public.

Ervon also told that the local government from the start do not give any assistant for maintaining or restoring of the old house.

The Sevilla residence once also become a museum but the co-owner do not agree on some conditions.

For 40 years of looking out, Ervon said that she developed fondness towards the house.

“Dito na ako lumaki. Simula pagkabata nakikita ko na sya (bahay)”. But she said that it was still depend on the owner if he wants to sell the house or not.

Ervon also denied the rumour about the series accident happened in front of the house were people die.

“Paano mga lasing yung mga naaksidente. Kung meron yan sana hindi na ako nagtagal dito” Ervon add.
The last one is the Claring Libunao house which was built in 1940.

According to Marilyn Roxas- Alparo the one who lived in the house, her mother-in-law the real owner found the house already in mortgage.

Alparo admit that it was hard to maintain the cleanliness of the old house.

“Mahirap kase malaki” Alparo said. The house have four rooms located at second floor, two comfort room up and down and two terrace which is back and front.

She adds that there are already made few restoration in the house.

Alparo also mention that the government do not give any assistant from the local government.

“Wala sarili gastos lang sya” she said.

In 25 years of living, Alparo also said it is more comfortable living in this kind of house.

“Pag-summer open mo lang yung windows malamig na kahit December malamig pa din” Alparo said.

Alparo add that she already developed an attachment toward the house. When she asked where she preferred to live she choose to be at the ancestral house.

“Hahanap-hanapin mo kase yung comfortableness na sa ancestral house mo lang makikita” she said.

 Ancestral houses are serve as a living pieces from the past. We should know that we are the responsible in preserving what was left. We should learn how to appreciate and value everything from the past. Just as the saying “Ang taong hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan”.

Cold weather: Double the Pain of Homeless

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan-- While most of us enjoyed the cold weather for the past weeks of January, it was a big struggle for others.

We are secured with the four walls of our house and find comfort with our own bed but for homeless people there is nowhere to go.

Booby Ricarte together with his wife who lived in the street for almost 20 years described their experience during the cold weather.

“Sobrang lamig parang nag-yeyelo” Ricarte described. Ricarte together with his wife Antonina live along the MacArthur highway of Guiguinto.

“Pinayagan naman po kame ng may ari” he explained about the legality of staying in a private lot. He told that they lived in that particular area for five years since his cousin got married and left them.

“Pag-gising sa umaga namamanhid yung buong katawan namin” he adds. Also Antonina experience arthritis every now and then.

According to Josefina Joaquin Nurse III of Guiguinto Health Center, cold weather can cause hypertension or blood pressure where some arteries is elevated.

“Dati hereditary pero ngayon nasa lifestyle na sya” Nurse Joaquin said about the cause of hypertension.

She adds that it still depend on how a person taking care of his/her own body.

In their report, this year there are 253 cases of hypertension in the town from age 45-64. Which is followed by acute respiratory infection with 226 cases children are prone from this disease.

“Siguro yung sa pagkain ng tama at balanse. May kasamang gulay at prutas kung maaari” Nurse Joaquin also adds.

According to the latest report, the youngest cases who experience hypertension was only in the age of 24.

“Mas gusto namin yung mainit. May araw” Ricarte said. ###

Unknown Hero

“Hindi ko nga sya kilala”.

“Masaya ko pag- Ople day, kase walang pasok”.

These are the common answers given by Bulakenyos when asked if they knew Blas Ople. Some only know him by his surname while others do not have any idea who he is at all.

But for others who really know him by heart, this is the time of remembering one Gat Blas F. Ople.

In honouring the 87th birthday of Gat Blas Ople, the province declare a non-working holiday as Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado lead simple event together with Vice governor Daniel Fernando happened at Kabataan, Sining at Kultura ng Bulacan Capitol Complex.

Felix “Toti” Ople, son of the late Ka Blas’ talked about how he remember him not only as a good public servant but as well as a loving father.

“Bago sya matulog, sisilipin muna nya yung kwarto ng mga anak nya” Toti said. The board member of first district also add that with the help of his father he was able to finish his term paper during college days.

“Nakatulog ako, pag gising ko tapos na” he add. He also add that even though Ka Blas’ was not as expressive and showy, he has his own way of showing how much he loves his family.

The younger Ople mention that his father keep his feet on the ground despite of having a position in the government and he believe that this is what a government official must have. “Simple at payak. Manatiling walang bahid” he said.

Toti together with his younger sister Susan continue the legacy of their father by being in charge in the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, non-profit organization who help Filipino Overseas workers around the world.

Ka Blas’ who also fought in the World Was II as a officer of the Del Pilar Regimet, Bulacan Military Area at very young age and under the BMA's Buenvista Regimet until 1945 when General Yamashita was captured.

He also become a columnist and co-founder and executive vice chairman of the National Progress Movement or Kilusang Makabansa. ###