From February 2 to February 4, 2020, the City of Biñan had a three-day celebration for "Araw ng Biñan". These three days commemorate the following important events of the city:
10th Cityhood Anniversary | February 2, 2020
75th Liberation Day | February 3, 2020
273rd Foundation Year | February 4, 2020
As my tribute to my hometown, I dedicate this blog entry to The Alberto Mansion.
The Alberto Mansion is a historical heritage site and is over two hundred (200) years old. It is the ancestral home of Dr. Jose Rizal's mother, Teodora Alonso.
This site was previously owned privately by the Alberto family until they decided to sell it to the owner of Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar, Jose Jerry Acuzar last 2010 (1). After that, the ancient bits and pieces of the mansion were transported to Bataan as part of the resort's collection of heritage houses.
And now, there are two Alberto Mansions in the Philippines. The first one was built in Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan after the remnants of the original mansion in Biñan were transferred. And the second one is built where it originally stood here in Biñan.
See the Bataan version of the mansion photos in this blog. http://withonespast.com/2015/10/11/the-alberto-house-of-bagac-formerly-of-binan/
Growing up in Biñan, the mansion had always been an interesting part of my day whenever we visit the town proper and the marketplace. As a child, I had an interest in architecture and was always looking up to buildings of every kind. I used to own a sketchbook and drew buildings using color pencils. I even asked older neighbors to teach me how to sketch.
As a child aged around 5 to 7 years old, they taught me to draw three straight lines vertically, four horizontal lines above the vertical lines, then squares inside the lines for the windows, two curves further south for the main door, and a couple of trees around the three vertical lines. Finally, a sketch of a building.
But the fascination was worn out by the passing of time and age. I had forgotten and let go of my architecture dream and never really developed any technical skill. The first building I learned how to draw as a child is the building I could only draw even at my current age.
Like the passing time, the Alberto Mansion also wasted its glory days away. It was eventually deemed nothing but a useless collapsed building. It had been covered by a giant billboard and tarpaulins of all sorts. The sides were laden with vendors and were even transformed as a temporary parking lot. Not exactly a picturesque view at the heart of the City of Biñan.
The collapse even made it to the national news (2), and rightly so. It is an essential piece of the history of Filipinos.
I was a witness to the deterioration of the heritage house. And honestly, back then, I had no idea whose family lived in the mansion. I just knew it was a part of the history and it was fading right before our very eyes.
These are photos I've taken somewhere around 2012-2014.
The collapsed mansion watched the days come and go as its front area transformed from a 'perya' to a parking lot.
This heritage site went through a long journey to be kept inside the vicinity of Biñan. True enough, much of its original parts now belong to its Bataan replica, in a private resort where only a few can visit.
Here in Biñan, 10% of the pieces remained, the foundation of the house held on to the ground. And I am clinging to that 10% of our history as well.
Thankfully, the local government had acquired the rights to this historical site. On the 16th of December 2019, a replica of the Alberto Mansion was finally unveiled to the public back to its glory (3).
I swear my jaw dropped and my heart stopped after I caught a glimpse of its beauty.
TAGALOG
ANG MAKASAYSAYANG MANSYON NG MGA ALBERTO
LOCAL HERITAGE SITE
Pinaniniwalaan na ang bahay na bato ng mga Alberto sa Biñan, Laguna ay ang natitirang pinakamatandang istruktura na may anyo ng mga bahay na batong tampok noong ikalabing-anim na siglo. Mapapansin sa kabuuan ng istruktura ang isang gitnang lagusang arko na mayroong dalawang haligi taglay ang disenyong Korinto. Kapansin-pansin din ang bubong nito na yari sa pulang tisa na nagpapakita ng malakas na impluwensyang Tsino sa arkitektura nito.
Isang mahalagang kaganapan sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas kung saan naging bahagi ang mansion ay ang tagpo noong taong 1856 kung saan bumisita ang gobernador ng Hong Kong sa Biñan. Sa aklat ni Sir John Bowring, isang kilalang mananalaysay ng kasaysayan, na pinamagatang “A Visit To The Philippine Islands”, ay nabigyan ng paglalarawan ang bahay na bato ng mga Alberto:
“At ang kaniyang bahay na napakalaki ay nagbigay ng maraming katibayan na hindi siya nag-aral ng walang kabuluhan sa sining ng sibilisasyon. Ang mga kagamitan sa bahay tulad ng mesa at kagamitan sa pagluluto ay masinsing pinili. Dumagdag pa sa kagandahan ng mga ito ay ang mainit na pagtanggap sa mga bisita.”
Ang kinikilalang may-ari ng mansion ay isang prominenteng tao noong ikalabing-siyam na siglo, si Don Lorenzo Alonso De Alberto, ama ni Teodora Alonso at nagsilbing kapitan ng bayan ng Biñan noong taong 1844. Ipinagkaloob sa kaniya ang titulong “Knight of the Order of Queen Isabel The Catholic” dahilan sa kaniyang mahalagang gampanin sa ekspedisyong Pranses at Spanish Cochinchina. Namana ang titulong ito ng kaniyang anak na lalaki na si Don Jose Maria Alberto, tiyuhin ng ating pambansang bayani na si Dr. Jose Rizal kung saan isinunod ang kaniyang ngalan. Nag-aral siya sa British India kung saan siya ay nanatili sa loob ng labing-isang taon. Iginawad sa kaniya ang titulong “Knight Commander” sa ilalim ng kapangyarihan ni Haring Amadeo. Ang ama ni Don Lorenzo na si Don Cipriano Alonso ay nagsilbi rin bilang kapitan ng bayan ng Biñan taong 1790 at 1802.
Hunyo 2009 nang harapin nang banta ng paggiba sa mansion at tangkang paglipat nito sa Bagac, Bataan. Pinangunahan ng United Artists for Cultural Conservation and Development (UACCD) sa pamumuno ni Dr. Rosauro A. Sta. Maria Jr. at Bryan Jayson T. Borja ang isang malawakang welga kontra rito kaalinsabay ang mariing pagtutol ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Biñan sa pangunguna ni Mayor Marlyn B. Alonte-Naguiat laban sa paggiba at paglilipat ng mansyon. Pira-pirasong kinuha ang mga parte ng bahay mula sa loob gaya ng dingding, suelo, at hagdan ng walang pahintulot sa pamahalaang lungsod. Dahilan sa bubong at pader na lamang naiwan, unti-unting gumuho ang gusali noong Oktubre 2012.
Hunyo 2017 sa panunungkulan ni Mayor Atty. Walfredo R. Dimaguila Jr., nailipat sa pagmamay-ari ng makasaysayang mansyon ng mga Alberto sa pamahalaang lungsod ng Biñan upang ito ay muling maitayo para sa kapakanan ng mga susunod na henerasyon ng mga Pilipino na tutungo sa hinaharap baon ang mga aral at pamana ng nakalipas.
PINASINAYAAN NGAYONG IKA-6 NG DISYEMBRE TAONG 2019 ANG MULING PAGBUBUKAS NG MAKASAYSAYANG MANSYON NG MGA ALBERTO SA PUBLIKO MAKARAAN ANG DALAWANG TAON NG MASUSING PAG-AARAL AT PAGSUSUMIKAP UPANG ITO AY MULING MAITAYO.
ANG ISTRUKTURANG ITO ANG MAGSISILBING TANDA NA UTANG NATIN SA ATING MGA MAGAGALING NA NINUNO AT SA ATING MAYAMANG KASAYSAYAN AT KULTURA ANG KASALUKUYAN AT MAGIGING HINAHARAP NG ATING MINAMAHAL NA LUNGSOD NG BIÑAN.
(LAGDA)
ATTY. WALFREDO R. DIMAGUILA JR.
PUNONG LUNGSOD
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
THE HISTORICAL MANSION OF THE ALBERTO FAMILY
LOCAL HERITAGE SITE
It is believed that the stone house of the Alberto Family in Biñan, Laguna is only the oldest structure with the characteristics of houses especially made of stone which is the feature of the sixteenth (16th) century. It can be noticed throughout the structure that there is a central archway with two columns possessing a Corinth design. The roof made of red bricks is also noteworthy which shows the strong Chinese influence in its architectural design.
One of the important events in the history of the Philippines in which this mansion had a role was in the year 1856 when the visit of the governor of Hong Kong in Biñan took place. In the book written by the historian Sir John Bowring, “A Visit To The Philippine Islands”, the house of stone of the Alberto Family was given a description:
“And his spacious house has given much evidence that he did not study the art of civilization in vain. Household appliances such as the table and cooking equipment were carefully chosen. Adding to their beauty is the warm hospitality towards the guests. ”
The well-known owner of the mansion was a prominent nineteenth-century man, Don Lorenzo Alonso De Alberto, father of Teodora Alonso and served as the town captain of Biñan in 1844. He was given the title “Knight of the Order of Queen Isabel The Catholic ” because of his important role in the French and Spanish expeditions of Cochinchina. The title was inherited by his son Don Jose Maria Alberto, uncle of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal where his name was followed. He studied in British India where he remained for eleven (11) years. He was given the title "Knight Commander" under the command of King Amadeo. Don Lorenzo's father Don Cipriano Alonso also served as captain of the town of Biñan in 1790 and 1802.
It was in June 2009 when it faced the threat of the demolition of the mansion and the attempt to move it to Bagac, Bataan. The United Artists for Cultural Conservation and Development (UACCD) led by Dr. Rosauro A. Sta. Maria Jr. and Bryan Jayson T. Borja had a widespread strike against the unanimous opposition of the city government of Biñan led by Mayor Marlyn B. Alonte-Naguiat against the demolition and relocation of the mansion. Parts of the house were acquired bit by bit from the inside like the walls, ceilings, and stairs without permission from the city government. Only the roof and the walls were left which has caused the building to gradually collapse in October 2012.
In June 2017, during the term of Mayor Atty. Walfredo R. Dimaguila Jr., the historic Alberto mansion was transferred to the city government of Biñan so that it can be rebuilt for the benefit of the next generation of Filipinos who will face the future as they take with them the teachings and the legacy of past.
INAUGURATED TODAY IN 6TH OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF 2019 IS OF THE OPENING OF THE HISTORICAL ALBERTO MANSION FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF THE PUBLIC AFTER TWO YEARS OF INTENSIVE RESEARCH AND TIRELESS STRIVING FOR IT TO BE BUILT AND ERECTED ONCE AGAIN.
THIS STRUCTURE IS THE SYMBOL OF OUR INDEBTEDNESS TO OUR GREAT AND NOBLE ANCESTORS AND TO OUR RICH HISTORY AND CULTURE THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE OF OUR BELOVED CITY OF BIÑAN.
(SIGNATURE)
ATTY. WALFREDO R. DIMAGUILA JR.
CITY MAYOR
The open area of the house welcomes you upon entering the mansion.
Many comments had been said that this does not seem like a heritage house since most of the house is built in cement. Take a look at this wall:
Pieces of the red bricks may or may not have been inserted in between the cement and the hollow blocks. But to me that's alright. There is nothing wrong with holding on to the small pieces of history.
You can't deny that in other museums around the world, something so small and intricate such as a hairpin is preserved and displayed.
Right here, we have a whole structure to experience history.
The red brick roofing caught my eye. As stated in the plaque, it is the influence of the Chinese.
The veranda is another part of this mansion that is noteworthy. Standing here, you will have a view of the Biñan City Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Office (the Old Biñan Municipal Hall) and the San Isidro Labrador Parish.
There is this water well that extends from the ground up to the veranda. The wooden pail is a nice touch. Although at the moment, no clean water is stored in the well.
The interior of the house had quite a number of rooms. I think it had more than two dining areas with long tables and tall seats.
These passageways from the opposite sides support the fact that the house is spacious as they connect one room to another. The Alberto children must have had an epic game of tag or hide and seek.
Details of the capiz window:
As said by Mayor Arman Dimaguila, antique items were placed inside the mansion to complete the house. I noticed there are plenty of cabinets. There are antique radios and clocks as well.
Twin tubs in the comfort room:
Items inside a bedroom:
I really appreciate the effort to assemble the antiques. But I hope the Alberto family could generously provide a portrait or two of the older generations of the clan. That would give more character to this mansion and a look into the life of Teodora Alonso. I also hope in the future there would be a guided tour for the visitors.
I can spend all day in this house, that is if the guardia civil won't drag me out of the mansion for overstaying!
It must be because this mansion has become a symbol of hope. For years, you may have felt forgotten, useless, and defeated. But given the right chances, opportunities, and support, you can stand on your own again. You can finally look back on the journey you've taken and feel thankful.
Given the beauty of this mansion, I also have a dedicated post on my Behance account which you can check out right here.
The Historic Alberto Mansion (4) can easily be located at the town proper of Biñan. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm.
SOURCE/S:
(1) Philippines_Graphic. (2016, June 18). Reclaiming Rizal for future generations. Retrieved from https://philippinesgraphic.net/reclaiming-rizal-for-future-generations/
(2) GMA News. (2019, July 3). SONA: Alberto Mansion, isinailalim sa full restoration para gawing museum [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWMPlJuL2IE&feature=youtu.be
(3) Cinco, M. (2019, December 15). Biñan wins 10-year fight over house of Rizal’s mother. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1201709/binan-wins-10-year-fight-over-house-of-rizals-mother
(4) Biñan City Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Office. (2020, January 3). This new year, we invite all of you to come and #ExperienceBiñan!!! 😊 #CityOfLife [Facebook status update]. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/BinanCHATO/photos/a.653653554787655/1483677101785292/?type=3&theater