Centuries Old Homes in San Juan, Batangas by Pamsy Lopez Tioseco published at Woman Today magazine 2009 One need not have to travel far to Vigans Calle Crisologo to see first hand turn of the century homes still lovingly preserved. Just take a short two hour drive to my hometown San Juan, Batangas. If you know anybody whose family name is de Villa, Mercado, Salud, Marasigan, Licaroz, Quizon, Ona, Sales or Lopez - ask to be invited to their ancestral homes. If not, then find someone who does, or coordinate with the towns Tourism Office. After enjoying the glorious white beach of nearby Barangay Laiya such as La Luz, Kabayan, Virgin, Coco Grove, Blue Corral, Palm Beach among so many others in the 7 kilometer white sand strip which is just thirty minute from the town proper, please dont go home to Manila yet. Rather, why not immerse yourself back into the early 1900s by entering into the private homes of the towns oldest families. Still standing proud today, these historical domiciles have been treasuring and enveloping in its walls, furniture and ceiling, the history of the people of San Juan. One of them was built by my great grandparents - Lolo Santos Lopez and Lola Maria Mercado - parents of my maternal Grandmother Soledad or Lola Nene as we call her. The more than a hundred year old four poster beds of my great grandparents are what we lie down on when we vacation there usually during Holy Week or summer. We keep our clothes in a huge ornate hand carved wooden cabinet which has the initials SL in a crest above the cabinet doors because it was once used by our great grandfather, Santos Lopez. The books on the shelves are the Manresa law books of my grandfather, Judge Eusebio M Lopez, a delegate of the 1935 Constitution Convention and a founder of the Lyceum of the Philippines. The wedding gift of plates gilded in 18 karat gold from Senator Claro M Recto to my Lolo Eusebio Iboy and Lola Nene is in the glass case in our dining room area. A huge photo of Lola Nene in a carnival queen inspired dress that was the fashion during her teen-age years is in the middle of our living room facing the lifesize painting of Lola Leonor by the staircase that is encrusted with faux feathers and glitters. Beside Lola Nenes photo is that of Great Grandfather Lolo Santos framed in thick carved wood also with his SL initials. One summer, my cousins and I went on a familiarization tour of each others ancestral homes which we hope to formally open to the public to showcase as - the San Juan, Batangas Heritage Tour, thanks to the initiatives of Zaldy Mercado Marasigan, grandson of Leon Mercado. First stop was the Fernando/Apolonio Marasigan home right in the heart of the town. Joy Marasigan welcomed us. After, we enjoyed local delicacies prepared by Cafeno, a coffee shop run by Joys wife, Sylvia in their silong. Cafeno makes special ice creams aside from serving our good old Batangas kape barako.I was especially amazed at the huge brown tuba jars which were apparently used as campaign giveaways of Joys dad. The home of Lola Choleng Magtibay and Lolo Enzo Hernandez had intricate and ornately wood carved doors and ceilings.At the dining area, everyone stretched hands to check how many could be comfortably seated in the round table apprently made from a single slab of wood which measures 82 inches from one end to another. A block away was the pink ancestral home of Zaldys Lolo Leon Mercado and Lola Emilia Sales, with two white lions at the entrance. Together with Zaldys cousin, Oni Mercado Mayo they made sure their ancestral home was well preserved.There was a guest book and beside it a comprehensive history of the Mercado family, their accomplishments and list of present descendants. Oni even proudly showed us the room where he was born! He described how as a young boy, curtains used to hang in front of the bedroom doors that had exquisite wood carved arches and curtain holders. Last stop was the home of Pilar Marasigan and Aguido Mercado, the ancestors of Pinsan Boyet Marasigan who inherited the place. Almost everyone in San Juan, Batangas is related to each other because our families have inter-married. My Mom s father Lolo Eusebio M Lopez married his first cousin, Soledad Mercado Lopez. Their fathers were brothers - Lolo Santos Lopez and Lolo Julian Lopez. When she was single, my Mom was Sonia or Ching Lopez Lopez. The Mercado branch of my family in San Juan, Batangas also traces its roots to the family of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Zaldys mother Tita Angie Mercado Marasigan said Jose Mercado, (father of my greatgrandmother Lola Maria Mercado Lopez and Tita Angies father Leon Mercado) was the first cousin of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal (they even had the same names) because their fathers were brothers. Jose Mercados father Gregorio is the elder brother of Dr. Jose Rizals father, Francisco. The towns elders believe Padre Damaso Mojica founded the church in San Juan, Batangas. So rich in history, tara na sa San Juan, Batangas. Dont just enjoy our beaches, come to our homes!
Posted on: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 01:31:29 +0000
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