LOOK: Wartime hero Vinzons’ home a neglected landmark

An army of termites is taking down an important historical landmark in Camarines Norte: the home of Wenceslao Vinzons, a young Filipino resistance fighter and politician who was executed by Japanese forces in 1942 at the age of 31.

His home in the town of Vinzons—originally Indan, then renamed in his honor—was declared a historical landmark by the National Historical Institute (NHI) in 1991.

According to GMA News stringer Peewee Bacuño, Vinzons' home is in a very dilapidated state, with collapsed walls, a damaged roof, and unkempt surroundings.

The ground floor is strewn with garbage, while on the second level the flooring, portions of the ceiling, and some walls have already collapsed.

Vinzons' youngest and only surviving child Ranavalona Vinzons Gaite alleges that the NHI—now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines—has neglected the house.

She said that when the NHI was still taking care of it, tourists would visit, and students would go there every day to use its library.

Gaite also said that some of the furniture and items from the house have been stolen.

Gaite told GMA News Online that she had asked that the NHI elevate the house's status from historical landmark to national shrine, but that the agency rejected the suggestion. She also said that she wanted to bring back the glory of the old house, but that she does not have enough money to maintain it.

The local government has declined to give a statement. GMA News Online is still trying to get NHCP's side on the matter.

The father of UP student activism

Wenceslao Vinzons studied law at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, where he was also editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Collegian, and president of the UP Student Council. He was an advocate for the Philippines' indepedence from American rule, and at the age of 24 became the youngest member of the 1935 Constitutional Convention.

He campaigned for former president Emilio Aguinaldo in the 1935 presidential elections, then put his political career on hold when Senate President Manuel Quezon won.

Vinzons returned to politics in 1940 when he was elected governor of Camarines Norte, but his term was cut short when Japanese forces arrived in the Philippines.

He led armed resistance against them, which made him a top target. He was captured by the Japanese and executed on July 15, 1942. Shortly after, his father, wife, sister, and two of his children were also executed.

Today, Vinzons Hall in UP Diliman houses the offices of The Collegian—the same newspaper he was editor-in-chief of in the 1930s—and Vinzons himself is remembered as one of the pioneers of student activism in the Philippines. — Trisha Macas/BM, GMA News