To our dear friends in the philippines and abroad:
WE DESPARATELY NEED YOUR SYMPATHY AND COLLABORATION.
THERE US A PLAN TO DEMOLISH THE CHERISHED ANCESTRAL
HOMES IN BACLAYON BOHOL. WIDENING OF THE ROADS HAS
STARTED. AND THE DPWH WOULD NOT BUDGE IN RE DESIGNING
THE CONCRETIZATION IN THE POBLACION TO PRESERVE THE
ANCESTRAL HOMES, ABOUT 10 TURN OF THE CENTURY
STRUCTURES.
WE APPEAL TO YOU TO HELP US write letters of appeal to
the following
The president of the philippines
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts
National Historical Institute
NATIONAL MUSEUM
DPWH
DOT
and to spread this as an issue not just of concern to
us in Bohol but to the entire country as well. This is
not what we know as development. This is utter
disregard of culture and heritage.
Attached is our letter to the president for your
information and guidance.
Thank
you
gardy with
CONCERNED CITIZENS/OWNERS OF ANCESTRAL HOMES
IN BACLAYON
January 27, 2005
HER EXCELLENCY GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
President
Republic of the Philippines
THRU: MADAM Cecile Guidote Alvarez
Executive Director NCCA/PA for Culture
MADAM Evelyn Pantig
Chairperson NCCA
MADAM Emelita Almusara
Executive Director
National Historical Institute
MADAM Corazon Alvina
Director
National Museum
Your Excellency Madam President Arroyo:
The undersigned is a group of 10 families each owning
and/or managing an ancestral home in Baclayon, Bohol.
As you may well know, Baclayon is the oldest cabisera
in the heritage province of Bohol. As part of the
development plan of the province, the coastal highway
of Baclayon is subject of the widening project of the
Provincial Government of Bohol with the Department of
Public Highways. In several dialogues with Governor
Erico Aumentado and after lodging with the authorities
several letters of protest from us, we have been
assured by the Governor that a 2-kilometer stretch
east and west of the beautiful and historical Church
complex of Baclayon will be spared from the widening,
i.e. any repairs or improvements will be done AS
BUILT.
However, despite these assurances, the DPWH in Bohol
is continuing its plan of widening beyond what has
been agreed with the Governor. Yesterday, the DPWH
called for a meeting with the local residents and
illustrated the plan on the 2-kilometer stretch. If
implemented, most of the houses of the undersigned
will suffer partial or full demolition. Also part of
the belfry of the Church complex will be affected! We
expressed our appeal to redesign the widening project
to spare our homes, but due to the loud clamor for
progress by our other co-Baclayanons, we who own
these heritage structures feel isolated and
misunderstood as against development.
We are not against development or modernization per
se. But if this means destroying a major part of the
tangible heritage that make up the cultural identity
of our community and town, we will pursue our appeal.
Madam President, most, if not all of our homes, were
constructed at the turn of the century and display
humble characteristics of unique Boholano vernacular
architecture. We have been planning already as a group
to maximize the historicity of our sites by developing
heritage inns or stops which visitors can appreciate.
Destroying part or all of any of our homes decreases
the visual image of our cultural legacy, its soul, its
spirit.
We are all for the safety of our children. But we
cannot believe that by expanding the width of our
streets we will be provided more safety and security.
On the other hand, if we keep construction AS BUILT,
with a more protected poblacion, with regulated
traffic and speed, with repaired roads, with the
conduct of norms respecting the historicity of our
town, greater safety can be achieved.
By destroying our homes, we feel part of our being
Filipino is destroyed forever.
WE APPEAL TO YOU MADAM PRESIDENT:
--to issue a restraining order to the DPWH and the
Hanjin Construction firm to stop the widening process
within the two kilometer stretch
--to organize for us a venue for a re-design
negotiation which will harmonize both the exigencies
of development and respect for heritage
--to mobilize the appropriate government national
agencies to assist us in this lonely crusade for
heritage and culture
This is not impossible to achieve. The glowing
examples of Silay and Carcar cities hold a beacon of
inspiration to all of us. Bohols claim to be one of
our countrys most exemplary provinces for
Eco-Cultural will surely be diminished if part of its
enviable legacy of ancestral homes will vanish into
thin air.
WE TURN TO YOU AS OUR LAST HOPE TO STEM THIS TIDE OF
APATHY AND MISUNDERSTANDING. We know deep in your
heart that you too have a sensitivity for our
cherished past, both the intangible and tangible
treasures of our race. We may sound like a strident
voice in the wilderness. But we know we are fighting
for something right. We are not losing hope. Please
extend to us the chance of leaving to future Boholanos
and Filipinos something we all can be truly proud of:
The soul of our forefathers as crystallized in our
domiciles. We promise and pledge that if our crusade
is won with your most gracious assistance, we will not
spare any chance of revitalizing our homes with a
greater sense of dignity and honor.
Maraming salamat po;. At Mabuhay po kayo at ang
Bansang Pilipinas!
Respectfully yours,
FAMILIES OWNING/MANAGING BACLAYON ANCESTRAL HOMES
GRACIANO VILLAMOR HOUSE c/o Telly Ocampo
ROMANA CABALLO HOUSE c/o Lira Lomboy
RESTITUTA OPPUS HOUSE c/o Siony Baquial
MALON HOUSE c/o Frennie
GINETE HOUSE c/o Hilay and Pestelos families
LUZA HOUSE c/o Labad, Cutab and Caballo families
FELY OPPUS HOUSE c/o Chona Oppus
LERIAS HOUSE c/o Baby Lerias
CABALLO HOUSE c/o Beth Caballo
Save the Ancestral Homes of Bohol!
WE DESPARATELY NEED YOUR SYMPATHY AND COLLABORATION.
THERE US A PLAN TO DEMOLISH THE CHERISHED ANCESTRAL
HOMES IN BACLAYON BOHOL. WIDENING OF THE ROADS HAS
STARTED. AND THE DPWH WOULD NOT BUDGE IN RE DESIGNING
THE CONCRETIZATION IN THE POBLACION TO PRESERVE THE
ANCESTRAL HOMES, ABOUT 10 TURN OF THE CENTURY
STRUCTURES.
WE APPEAL TO YOU TO HELP US write letters of appeal to
the following
The president of the philippines
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts
National Historical Institute
NATIONAL MUSEUM
DPWH
DOT
and to spread this as an issue not just of concern to
us in Bohol but to the entire country as well. This is
not what we know as development. This is utter
disregard of culture and heritage.
Attached is our letter to the president for your
information and guidance.
Thank
you
gardy with
CONCERNED CITIZENS/OWNERS OF ANCESTRAL HOMES
IN BACLAYON
January 27, 2005
HER EXCELLENCY GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
President
Republic of the Philippines
THRU: MADAM Cecile Guidote Alvarez
Executive Director NCCA/PA for Culture
MADAM Evelyn Pantig
Chairperson NCCA
MADAM Emelita Almusara
Executive Director
National Historical Institute
MADAM Corazon Alvina
Director
National Museum
Your Excellency Madam President Arroyo:
The undersigned is a group of 10 families each owning
and/or managing an ancestral home in Baclayon, Bohol.
As you may well know, Baclayon is the oldest cabisera
in the heritage province of Bohol. As part of the
development plan of the province, the coastal highway
of Baclayon is subject of the widening project of the
Provincial Government of Bohol with the Department of
Public Highways. In several dialogues with Governor
Erico Aumentado and after lodging with the authorities
several letters of protest from us, we have been
assured by the Governor that a 2-kilometer stretch
east and west of the beautiful and historical Church
complex of Baclayon will be spared from the widening,
i.e. any repairs or improvements will be done AS
BUILT.
However, despite these assurances, the DPWH in Bohol
is continuing its plan of widening beyond what has
been agreed with the Governor. Yesterday, the DPWH
called for a meeting with the local residents and
illustrated the plan on the 2-kilometer stretch. If
implemented, most of the houses of the undersigned
will suffer partial or full demolition. Also part of
the belfry of the Church complex will be affected! We
expressed our appeal to redesign the widening project
to spare our homes, but due to the loud clamor for
progress by our other co-Baclayanons, we who own
these heritage structures feel isolated and
misunderstood as against development.
We are not against development or modernization per
se. But if this means destroying a major part of the
tangible heritage that make up the cultural identity
of our community and town, we will pursue our appeal.
Madam President, most, if not all of our homes, were
constructed at the turn of the century and display
humble characteristics of unique Boholano vernacular
architecture. We have been planning already as a group
to maximize the historicity of our sites by developing
heritage inns or stops which visitors can appreciate.
Destroying part or all of any of our homes decreases
the visual image of our cultural legacy, its soul, its
spirit.
We are all for the safety of our children. But we
cannot believe that by expanding the width of our
streets we will be provided more safety and security.
On the other hand, if we keep construction AS BUILT,
with a more protected poblacion, with regulated
traffic and speed, with repaired roads, with the
conduct of norms respecting the historicity of our
town, greater safety can be achieved.
By destroying our homes, we feel part of our being
Filipino is destroyed forever.
WE APPEAL TO YOU MADAM PRESIDENT:
--to issue a restraining order to the DPWH and the
Hanjin Construction firm to stop the widening process
within the two kilometer stretch
--to organize for us a venue for a re-design
negotiation which will harmonize both the exigencies
of development and respect for heritage
--to mobilize the appropriate government national
agencies to assist us in this lonely crusade for
heritage and culture
This is not impossible to achieve. The glowing
examples of Silay and Carcar cities hold a beacon of
inspiration to all of us. Bohols claim to be one of
our countrys most exemplary provinces for
Eco-Cultural will surely be diminished if part of its
enviable legacy of ancestral homes will vanish into
thin air.
WE TURN TO YOU AS OUR LAST HOPE TO STEM THIS TIDE OF
APATHY AND MISUNDERSTANDING. We know deep in your
heart that you too have a sensitivity for our
cherished past, both the intangible and tangible
treasures of our race. We may sound like a strident
voice in the wilderness. But we know we are fighting
for something right. We are not losing hope. Please
extend to us the chance of leaving to future Boholanos
and Filipinos something we all can be truly proud of:
The soul of our forefathers as crystallized in our
domiciles. We promise and pledge that if our crusade
is won with your most gracious assistance, we will not
spare any chance of revitalizing our homes with a
greater sense of dignity and honor.
Maraming salamat po;. At Mabuhay po kayo at ang
Bansang Pilipinas!
Respectfully yours,
FAMILIES OWNING/MANAGING BACLAYON ANCESTRAL HOMES
GRACIANO VILLAMOR HOUSE c/o Telly Ocampo
ROMANA CABALLO HOUSE c/o Lira Lomboy
RESTITUTA OPPUS HOUSE c/o Siony Baquial
MALON HOUSE c/o Frennie
GINETE HOUSE c/o Hilay and Pestelos families
LUZA HOUSE c/o Labad, Cutab and Caballo families
FELY OPPUS HOUSE c/o Chona Oppus
LERIAS HOUSE c/o Baby Lerias
CABALLO HOUSE c/o Beth Caballo
Save the Ancestral Homes of Bohol!