La Consolacion University Philippines Malolos, Bulacan

Old Houses in Malolos

Submitted By: Justin Charles N. Rodriguez BSCS IV

Submitted to: Ms. Maria Merceditas Haz Professor

July 9, 2012

The province of Bulacan is one of the beautiful provinces in Central Luzon. Because of its vast plantation, it was called as The Garden of the Philippines by Jean Mallat, a spanish historian that went to Bulacan on 1700s. At the corner of this garden is a place that is very vital to the Philippine history Malolos. As a part of the Rizal course, we explore Malolos cultural heritages. We go to different old Spanish houses in Kamistisuhan district to see the intricate architectural designs of the houses that reminds us of the history that the past handed to us. We also go to the Casa Real Shrine where the relics of the Spanish and American era houses.

Kamistusuhan houses that were mostly located along Pariancillo street near the Malolos Basilica imitates the intricate architectural designs of the Spanish buildings. According to history, at the heart of the community of Malolos were the community of Chinese people emerged. The different stone houses were converted to government offices when Emilio Aguinaldo moved the capital of the Philippines to Malolos from September 10, 1898 to March 29, 1901.

At the corner of Estrella and Pariancillo streets is the former house of Arcadio Ejercito tha serves as Department of War.

The next house in the Pariancillo street is the house of Erastro Cervantes that were used as the Department of Interior.

Another famous ancestral house is the house of the Adrianos. It was restored to its original state using new materials. Today, it was

being used as the Meralco-Malolos branch.

In the Sto. Nio Street lies the wellpreserved stone house owned by Bautista family. It was built on 1877. The Mansion of Don Bautista became the Secretaria de Fomento or the Ministry of Interiors during the First Republic. It is also the place where Jose Rizal convinced the Triangulate of the Ten Gentlemen of Malolos to join the La Liga Filipina. It also functions as the Malolos Municipal Hall building during the Spanish Period. It is also the Departamento de Fomento during the Malolos Republic where it served as the education, agriculture, social works, Interior and Local Government department that was designated by Emilio Aguinaldo.

Another landmark is the marker of the former house where Rizal send the letter to the Women of Malolos. It was known as Institute del Mojeres. It is the place where the school of the women of Malolos was erected.

At the Malolos Cathedral, the Kalayaan tree stands. This 12-meter high shar tree was planted by Emilio Aguinaldo during the Malolos Congress. At the ground were statues that seem to talk with each other. This monument symbolizes the meeting of our

ancestors that fought for our independence. They were represented by General Emilio del Pilar and General Isidro Torres that represents the Filpino guards, Don Pablo Tecson a law-maker, Doa Basilia Tantoco that represents the women who help to fight for our independence, Father Mariano Sevilla.

At the front of the Meralco branch is the Casa Tribunal Building or The Old Carcel that serves as the prison during the Spanish Period. Looking at the picture, the traces of fire was still visible.

At the front of the Malolos Municipal Hall, the bust of Marcelo H. Del Pilar was erected to honor his contribution in the reformists that aim to free the country.

Filipino Veterans Monument was located at the center of the intersection. It symbolizes the Filipino militarys help to attain our freedom during the World War II. It is dedicated to the Filipino veterans.

Out tour around Malolos is not complete if we do not visit the Casa Real Shrine at the end of the bridge near the Malolos Municipal Hall.

The Casa Real del Malolos knows as Casa Real Shrine is an old Spanish house that was built during 1580 to function as the house of the Gobernadorcillo. It also serves as the Imprenta Nacional or the National Printing press on 1896 that published the 1896 Constitution and El Heraldo dela Revolucion, the official newspaper of the Filipino Republic edited by General Antonio Luna.

At the entrance of the Shrine, the original manual printing press used in 1896 was displayed. According to my professor, it still works but it will need too much effort to make it work since it is all metal.

During the American occupation, it serves as the seat of the American Government, a hospital in 1923, an annex of Bulacan High School and the headquarters of Japanese Chamber of Commerce during the Japanese Occupation. Today, Casa Real shire is known as the Malolos City Library and Museum that contain priceless artifacts and memorabilia during the Spanish, American and Japanese occupations.

A room was dedicated to the famous twenty-one women of Malolos. It displays

preserved artifacts and relics of personal things of Alberta Santos-Bitangcoy the leader of Women of Malolos. these women were the same women that received the letter of Jose Rizal. They have the courage to fight for their right to learn Spanish language

It also displays the preserved personal things of Eugenia Tanchiangco, one of the women of Malolos. In the picture, it shows her mother Doa Resenda. Eugenias father, Don Tomas Tanchiangco, is one of the friends of Rizal. When he visits Malolos, Rizal always stays at their house.

References: Balabo, Dino. Mukhang Basura. Mabuhay Lingguhang Pilipino mula pa noong 1930. Vol 29, no. 30. Nakuha sa: http://www.scribd.com/doc/4906898/Mabuhay-Issue-No30 Nakuha noong: July 8, 2012 El Herado de la Revolucion. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=2008102800 1655AACM2YP