Comments on: A Loss in Ilonggo Heritage: Locsin House of Molo, Iloilo

By: Berniemack Arellano

Berniemack Arellano — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:51:05 +0000

Thanks for visiting. That I really don’t know. Rumors has it that they’ll make a shopping center or supermarket at the former area of Locsin home.

By: Roel D. Locsin

Roel D. Locsin — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 09:49:53 +0000

So sad I am Roel D. Locsin a generation of the 1st Locsin (Agustin Locsin-1750) of Molo,Ilo-ilo. This is part of our heritage and treasure way back 1750. What happen? I will tell this matter to the entire clan of the Locsin.

By: Omon Maravilla

Omon Maravilla — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:03:39 +0000

A sad loss, the passing of an era in a blink of an eye, the story of my ancestors, the story of Molo unfolding.

By: roberto panerio

roberto panerio — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:13:48 +0000

thank you berniemack for creating an awareness regarding the locsin house in molo . it is sad to know that that the house is not longer there. let me add a personal note: i am aware of that particular house because when i am in iloilo i usually stay in molo (magaranon street, they say)… i would that the government or persons
to record in video, painting or sketch or in whatever form a particular landmark intentended for demolition. OR just cut THE HOUSE UP AND BUILT IT IN A PUBLIC place to be use as museum and for any public activities

By: jongbasco

jongbasco — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:31:12 +0000

claire,

houses, structures, buildings represent the values of our ancestors as well – probably its most potent form through architecture. There are different motivations of the houseowner during a particular era that defined why a building evolved and looked a certain way.

Real estate does not come cheap hence the challenge of making these heritage structures relevant today.

Beleive me values die as well if only because vestiges of these values die as well.

By: Berniemack Arellano

Berniemack Arellano — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:49:43 +0000

Miss Louella, aye. Same sentiments. It’s bleak and sometimes full of conflicts especially when it comes on how to preserve it or even the politics behind it. Reality bites.

I don’t know what happened to the Heritage Bill that some people in Manila have been preparing.

And yes, still hoping and praying that more people should be aware of our heritage and history. Maybe we should start with our educational system, but I know it’s a bold and steep move.

Thanks for your time! By the way, congratulations for the launch of the Balaanong Bahandi book (is it right? Basin sala ko sa akong Sinugbohanon, hehe!)

By: Louella Alix

Louella Alix — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:42:16 +0000

Bernie, herutage and conservation advocacy is very bleak sometimes. We have to thank heavens for those that we save.
The NHI and the NCCA do not have “police” powers. Maybe we should all gang up together and ask our lawmakers to create a law protecting historical/heritage structures, plazas, towns. The only way to go is the legal way. Persuasion also helps.

But we as a people do not have a sense of history. Period. The few who do care about it are doing their best. Let’s pray for more people to join us!

By: Baguio

Baguio — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:09:17 +0000

Claire, I’m sorry, that is a lame excuse to “forget the past”. There are ways to utilize a “heritage” structure for commercial purposes. Here in Baguio, a couple of Art-Deco apartments and theaters (which sprouted up after the carpet bombing of WW2) are being converted to provide commercial space. Although some aren’t planned well, at least the facade and basic structure is intact.

By: Berniemack Arellano

Berniemack Arellano — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:24:15 +0000

That is why I asked, is it the masa or us as a whole, in general in the society is the one to blame? People who do not care about their history, pride of place or even their own culture? I never harked them but simply asked, is it us in general to blame? We really couldn’t blame them because survival is on their top priority.

Now you did mentioned about the rich and powerful…sad to say they too contribute to the demise but I really couldn’t also blame them…if they cannot maintain it and they are also in dire need of money to sustain themselves then they need to do whatever they can dispose of in their capital. (But I wish the new owner could’ve given the house the adaptive reuse a chance).

I don’t LGUs are also to blame here but also the national government. I dunno if NHI or NCCA is doing something about these but I know they are also plagued with the perennial problem of budgetary constraints. I guess, culture and heritage preservation is really at the back seat of every government programs.

Heritage preservation has its dilemma I think.

I just remembered Architect Melba told me before, “In heritage preservation, only 2 things are certain…if you have money to preserve it then it’ll be preserved, otherwise its a goner like the rest.”

I’m just saddened about this latest development Mam Louella. But I guess this is not the end for the battle of promoting advocacy not just in heritage preservation but also looking on how important history and heritage are in our society…our Filipino society that is.

By: Berniemack Arellano

Berniemack Arellano — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:59:09 +0000

Yet we cannot lose them all. If the City of Iloilo is really banking itself as a heritage destination, they too should be serious about retaining these pieces of history, not just in the books. Letting go of the past is different from preserving heritage. The world is dynamic but unfortunately for us Filipinos, we do not like the mementos of the past, and instead would look for a new thing without knowing the mistakes of the past. History and heritage are inter-twined together.

What is the value of history if we even couldn’t take care of our heritage nor we always take for granted lessons of history in our own academe? Most people don’t mind except progress and survival but how about the basics of their culture? If it wasn’t for the past, they couldn’t be here.

IMHO, I even doubt that our society takes hold of its history, heritage and culture…they always take the backseat.