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”.