This heritage walk takes you to historical sites nestled in the heart of Manila

A group organized by history advocate Diego Torres hopes to introduce the current generation to the historical structures of Manila.

Jessica Soho explored these landmarks in an episode of “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.” 

In the segment, Diego said that Renacimiento Manila’s goal is to preserve the stories of the important historical sites in the Philippines through its heritage walks.

The cultural organization takes visitors to important spots, including Severino Reyes’ ancestral house, the area where ‘Ang Kalayaan’ was printed, as well as the Bahay Nakpil-Bautista.

Severino Reyes’ ancestral house

In Sta. Cruz, Manila, stands the ancestral home of Severino Reyes, the famous author also known as Don Binoy, who wrote 'Walang Sugat' and 'Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang.'

He was also one of the founders of Liwayway Magazine in 1922, where he published “Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang.”

Severino got the name Lola Basyang, which served as his pen name, from his neighbor, Gervacia Guzman de Zamora, the famous matriarch from the Zamora Family in Quiapo, Manila.

As a way of preserving its identity, Severino’s home has a marker that includes details of his personal history.

“Malaking bagay ‘pag ‘yung inyong bahay, may ganitong marker. Kung wala ito, hindi mo akalain na minsan sa ating kasaysayan may tumira diyan na importanteng personalidad,” Jessica Soho said.

["It’s very important to have this kind of marker. Without it, no one would have thought that somebody important used to live there.”]

“The challenge sa pag-maintain ng ganitong mga bahay is maintenance. ‘Pag ‘yung properties ay na-abandon or nale-lease out to other people na hindi naman sa walang pakialam sa bahay,” Diego said.

[“It’s challenging to maintain these kinds of houses, especially when these properties are leased out to people who don’t take good care of the houses."]

When asked about plans to further preserve the national historical site, he said, “Ang unang challenge kasi, it's a private property pa. Gusto ng mga current owners ay ayusin siya, magkaroon ng partnership with the government in terms of sustaining this house. But depende ‘yun sa availability of funds din.”

[“It’s a private property. Its current owners want to partner with the government to sustain the house. But that would still depend on the funds available.”]

‘Where Ang Kalayaan was printed’

At 230 Lavezares Street Corner Sevilla in Manila, a building was given a marker that said "Where Ang Kalayaan was printed."

“Ang Kalayaan” was the official newspaper of the Kataastaasan Kagalang-galangan na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, founded by Andres Bonifacio.

Its publication in 1896 awakened the consciousness of the Filipinos during the Spanish era.

“Sa panahon na walang Internet, walang social media, walang television, paano nagkaroon ng Philippine Revolution? Of course may word of mouth ka. Pero ang naging pinaka-epektibo d’yan ay ‘yung pahayagang Kalayaan. Minsan lang ‘yan lumabas. And this was already around early part of 1896. By August, rebolusyon na. Sinasabing from 300 members, umabot ng around 30,000 members ang Katipunan dahil doon sa diyaryo na ‘yun, historian Xiao Chua said.

[“At a time when there was no internet, no social media, no TV, how did the Philippine Revolution came to be. The answer is through word of mouth. It played a huge role for the newspaper Kalayaan. Kalayaan was only published once in the early months of 1896. But by August, the revolution already started. It’s said that from 300 members, Katipunan grew to about 30,000 members because of that newspaper.”]

Melisa Dano, who claimed to be one of the fifth-generation granddaughters of the editor-in-chief Emilio Jacinto, said that 'Ang Kalayaan' was used to gather the Katipuneros in secret.

“Dapat nating buhayin ang ating mga historical sites sa Maynila. Nakakalimutan nila. Dinadaan-daanan. Parang balewala lang. Pero ito ang nagbigay sa atin ng kalayaan,” Melissa added.

["We should take good care of our historical sites in Manila. They're being forgotten as if they don't matter. We have to remember that these sites paved the way for our freedom."]

Bahay Nakpil-Bautista

In a busy alley in Quiapo, visitors will find the Bahay Nakpil-Bautista, which is considered the home of the Katipuneros.

It served as a residence for some important people in our history, including the Lakambini of the Katipunan Gregoria de Jesus, the widow of Andres Bonifacio.

She later married Katipunan’s secretary, musician, and composer, Julio Nakpil.

It also served as home for Dr. Ariston Bautista, one of the earliest professors at the UP College of Medicine who discovered the anti-cholera drug.

The house, which is now a museum, was built in 1914 designed by architect Arcadio Arellano.

“For a basic tour, it’s 80 pesos. Magastos, ma-maintain. We have to ask people to pay a certain amount– budget suitable for students, for professionals,” Bobbi Santos-Viola, President of the Nakpil-Bautista Foundation said.

[“A tour costs 80 pesos. It’s expensive to maintain the property, so we have to ask people to pay a certain amount. But we have to make sure that the amount is affordable for students, and even professionals.”]

The museum’s ticket resembles that cedula torn by the Katipuneros during the Himagsikan.

“Hindi lang pamahalaan dapat ang nangangalaga d’yan. Lahat ng mamamayan ay dapat kasama,” historian Xiao Chua said

[“All of us should be involved in taking care of these historical places.”]

“Mahirap talagang i- preserve ang pamanang pangkasaysayan kasi talagang mahal,

may cost, ‘di ba? At hindi rin lahat ay ating pini-preserve. Pero pinipili natin, ano ba ‘yung may saysay sa atin? Nagiging makasaysayan lang ang isang bagay kung nalalaman natin ‘yung kuwento nito at nagiging makabuluhan na siya sa buhay natin at sa puso natin”, he added.

["It’s very challenging to preserve our historical heritage because of the costs. We choose what buildings to preserve. We have to know the story behind these properties for them to be meaningful to our lives.”]

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines meanwhile said historical places must be assessed to maintain its structure.

“Kung makasaysayang lugar, mayroong pinapadalang mga team para initially i-assess kung ano man ang mangyayari du’n sa isang istraktura na ‘yun. I-inform ng NHCP ‘yung owner kung paano mame-make sure na mame-maintain ang structure na ‘yun and so far as the law is concerned,” SJ Go, former head of the National Heritage Registry, National Commission for Culture and the Arts said.

["When it comes to historical sites, there are teams sent out to assess the building’s structure. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines will inform the owner how to maintain the property.”]

“At the same time, sa heritage law naman natin, may sinasabi na kung halimbawa hindi kaya ng may-ari na i-repair or ayusin ang structure niya, puwedeng mag-take over ‘yung government para tulungan sa pamamagitan ng isang compulsory repair order na pangalagaan ang structure na ‘yun,” he added.

[“Under the Heritage Law, if the owner is unable to repair or maintain the building’s structure, the government can take over by issuing a compulsory repair order to take care of the structure.”]

—JCB, GMA Integrated News