An ancestral house in Vigan City that was constructed in 1873 is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

The festivities include a ritual and blessing, with the extensive hall of the house echoing with memories shared by the descendants, particularly those of their grandmother, Angela Verzosa Villanueva, who was the heir to the house.

"As a little kid, this house appeared very huge to me so I would run around [and] enjoy every nook and corner… she [my grandmother] was a very religious woman, she [would] wake up at dawn [and] we would walk to church," Mercedes Gerlock, a family member, said.

The house has been featured in numerous films and teleseryes, contributing significantly to Vigan City's bid to be declared a World Heritage Site.

The Verzosa family is keen on preserving not only the heritage of their own home but also supporting the conservation of other ancestral houses.

The Provincial Government is backing this initiative, recognizing the vital role these houses play in preserving history and educating future generations.

"Ang importante mapanatili siyang heritage kung paano siya noong unang panahon," Santanina Abainza, a relative of the Verzosa family, said.

Governor Jeremias Singson emphasized the crucial role ancestral homes play in ensuring that future generations appreciate and learn from the past.

"They [ancestral houses] are vital in ensuring that future generations can continue to appreciate and learn from our past," he said.

Looking forward, the Verzosa family aims to assist other ancestral homeowners in preserving their old houses, transforming them into showcases for others to appreciate. 

"So that the other heritage owners or ancestral home owners would follow suit in terms of fixing their houses and making it a showcase for others to appreciate," Emmeline Verzosa, the granddaughter of Villanueva, said.