FINAL ASSESSMENT IN SPECIALIZATION I:

HERITAGE RESOURCE STUDIES

____________

A Research Paper

Presented to

Ar. Lester Anthony G. Calunsod

____________

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the

1st Semester

A.Y. 2022-2023

____________

By:

Baraoidan, Bridgith M.

Fong, Jillyn M.

Ingal, Catherine F.

Lopez, Vhernie D.

Peñaflor, Cyanneil B.

Ramos, Alexandra Ruth A.

Sarte, Ma. Angelica Alyssa C.

 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

A. Brief Introduction to the Site

Dapitan St. in Manila was named after the town Dapitan in Mindanao, it is

most well-known for being the place of exile of Philippine national hero, Jose

Rizal, and has plenty of historic sites for visitors to explore over a weekend.

There are two versions of how Dapitan got its name. Father Urdaneta

originally called the place "Daquepitan," which was later changed to "Dacpitan,"

which was then changed to "Dapitan" because the former was difficult to

pronounce. The second version is derived from the Cebuano dialect word "dapit",

meaning "to invite".

B. Site Description

Later, when the house was occupied by many people and the family started to

grow, renovations were started in order to accommodate additional people.

Additionally, deterioration started to occur in the house, which required it to be

fixed. Thus, in the mid-1980s, notably between 1982 and 1984, the second level

of the building was referred to as a "bilyaran" even though there were only two

divisions. It has a common, Congregated G.I. roofing that has been lowered but is

still intact. The current renovation began in 2005 and features the doors and

windows as they are seen today. It also covers interior remodeling. Now divided

into six sections, the home accommodates the family and their relatives as well as

some rental apartments and a small business as there are no direct entry leads

inside. Recently implemented is the exterior design. Some aspects of design and

construction have not changed, such as the post constructed of "ypil," a hardwood
measuring 30x30, the ceiling, as well as the hollow blocks. The second floor's

ceiling is at least 10 feet high. The house's worth has improved as a result of its

proximity to the market, ease of accessibility, and distinctive features that the

owners are proud of.

The house is a remarkable illustration of a heritage home as it has stood for

more than 80 years, has contributed to history, and has survived wartime. It has

catered and protected the dedicated family of Sajor. The house's continuing

occupancy is a daily celebration of the triumphant immersion of the legacy of

such beauty across time. According to the family, they have been caring and

conserving the house since it was constructed, and it is also specified by their late

mother that they should not sell or demolish the house. Consequently, the

hospitable family of the Sajor teaches their children about how fortunate they are

to live in a home that is a part of history as well as how the beauty of a heritage

encompasses the legacy and value of it by cherishing and recognizing by the prior

generations. Since it is one of the few remaining houses in the neighborhood while

the others have been civilized, the Sajor's House contribution to history and to

their community has helped the locals understand their own history. It provides

information on Sampaloc's development from a huge rural area to a compact

modern residential district, where some of the city's main business, leisure, and

education have been accessible.

C. Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study was to discover, explore, and generate information

about the structure that was built nearly 90 years ago around the assigned

community and make valuable connections to its history, place, and environment.
This study also sought explanation as to why conservation and preservation of

heritage is important to a city’s identity and to heritage tourism. Conserving the

architectural legacy of our local communities is as important as preserving the

built heritage and the values or traditions of previous eras. Today, our

architectural heritage is more at risk than ever before due to a lack of appreciation,

experience, and care. Some have already been lost and more are in danger. It is a

living heritage that needs to be understood, defined, interpreted, and managed

effectively in the interest of future generations.

The preservation of its character enables external artists and creative people to

think of the house as a setting for sequences that evoke nostalgic feelings. The

lovely home’s ambiance speaks to the period in which it was constructed and may

be used to demonstrate both purpose and its epoch. The neighborhood where the

Sajor’s family lives considers the house as eye-catching since it evokes historical

periods, particularly the Japanese era. The livelihood is unified since everyone

recognizes one another and feels the same sense, which is characteristically

Filipino.
 INITIATION

A. Interview (Homeowner)

Mr. Valentin Sajor is the present owner of the house. He is 47 years of age,

born and raised in Sampaloc, Manila. It was his late parents who, in 1933, had the

house built—a housewife mother and a father who was the captain of a ship, then

retiring early to pursue forestry. In the early 2000s, foreign architects approached his

parents for the possibility of purchasing the house to be transferred to Las Casas

Filipinas de Acuzar, which the couple refused. The house was known for its

“bilyaran” during the 1980s.

Pre-war, 1933

The 187.5 sqm house features elements such as Ypil posts, adobe hollow

blocks for the walls, and tongue and groove wooden floors. It also has a high ceiling

for better air circulation. It once had Capiz windows with the bottom part also sliding

open but is now replaced by glass windows. Three renovations were done to the
house, the first two being more of repaint jobs while the last one done in 2005 created

changes to the structure of the house. It is now divided into six individual units with

individual bathrooms, one for the family of Mr. Valentin, while the others are

occupied by relatives or rented out, and the “bilyaran” long gone. Stone claddings

were also added on its exterior.

Pre-war Architectural Drawings

Front and Left Side Elevations

The house is considered unique by the owner because of its old age, style and

characteristics. However, if they have enough funds, they wish to renovate it once
more. They plan to fully renovate the house into a modern one because it is now too

old.

B. Architectural Drawings

Ground Floor Plan (Initial)

Second Floor Plan (Initial)

Front Elevation
 Left Side Elevation

Perspective

C. Interview (Neighbors)

Marlon Guevarra Corrales is 36 years old, born and raised in Sampaloc,

Manila. According to him, the place is known for Dangwa Flower Market and the

famous festival celebrated in their area is the Santisimo Rosario Parish Fiesta every

first Sunday of October. Sampaloc is home for him because of his family and the

people who became his friends there. He would not trade the place for another

because of it. He considers the Sajor’s House unique because of its façade and old

age. He has seen the interior of the house which he says still possesses the
characteristics of “old” houses, but the pieces of furniture were already upgraded. For

him, the house is an important part of the community for it has already become a part

of their life for so long. He feels it would be unfortunate if the house would be

demolished the memories surrounding it, especially because it was once a “bilyaran”

where people hang out. Moreover, the late mother of Mr. Valentin apparently did not

want to get the house demolished.

Raymart Bondoc is 30 years of age, born and raised in Sampaloc, Manila.

According to him, the Santisimo Rosario Parish Fiesta every first Sunday of October

is a famous festival in their area, and basketball leagues are rampant. Sampaloc is

home for him because it is where his job is, and he feels it would be more difficult to

live in other places. He would not trade the place for that reason. He is familiar with

the Sajor’s house and considers the house unique due to its facade and the history it

witnessed. He has looked inside the house and said it to be modern. He considers the

house important because it is where he works, and he will be saddened if it were to be

demolished because of that reason.

Dhanella Joy Silvana is 27 years old, born and raised in Sampaloc, Manila.

She says the famous festival celebrated in the area is the Santisimo Rosario Parish

Fiesta every first Sunday of October and they also hold typical events like Halloween

Trick or Treat. Their area is also known for the PNR, dubbing it as “tabing-riles”. She

considers the place a home because of the friendly people and would not trade it for

another, even though they would be affected by the widening of the PNR route. She

considers the Sajor’s house unique due to its old age, facade, and because it is a

corner lot. She has seen the inside of the house and says it is not that huge because it

was divided into units and looks modern. She feels that the house is an important part
of the community because it has become somewhat of a small business district due to

some spaces being rented for commercial use. If the house is to be demolished, she

will be saddened because it will lose its unique characteristics. It would become

modern and usually, the corner lots in their area become apartments that are plain

looking.

Mae Cosme is 50 years old, born and raised in Sampaloc, Manila. She moved

out of the place a few years back and lived in a subdivision someplace else, but she

married a man from the same area she was from and thus, moved back. She says the

famous festival celebrated in the area is the Santisimo Rosario Parish Fiesta every

first Sunday of October. She does not know of anything that Sampaloc is especially

known for. She does not really consider the area a home because she prefers to live in

the subdivision because according to her words, she is getting old and appreciates the

quietness more. She knows the Sajor’s house very well and considers it unique due to

its facade. She has already been inside the house, and it has preserved the wooden

floor. She thinks that the house is an important part of the community because it was

before the Japanese occupation in the Philippines, and it is the only bahay-na-bato left

standing there. She feels that she doesn’t really have a say if the house were to be

demolished by the owners because it is their choice. Maybe the house is already

difficult to maintain because it has gotten too old, so they want to renovate it.

Chelsea Liz N. Lanot is 27 years old, born and raised in Sampaloc, Manila.

According to her, Sampaloc celebrates Santisimo Rosario together with their party

games such as agawan buko, boxing, and bingo. It is also known for the food they

offer around the area because there are many restaurants in Cristobal and in U-Belt in

general. She also stated that Sampaloc’s defining quality is that it is the center of the
City of Manila, and it is safer and offers more educational and business opportunities.

Originally, she intended to stay in this area, but she is open to explore new places if

given the chance. She described the house as unique since even when they renovated

the house and divided it by six when their family grew, it still resembled its old

facade. The commercial area of the structure became a billiard place and a computer

shop before, so many teenagers of her days remember the place and hold it close to

their hearts. She considers the house important as the owner, Mr. Valentin Sajo, is

also their Barangay Chairman. Ms. Chelsea also said that if the structure was to be

demolished, she would be deeply saddened and reminisce about the memories she had

collected with the house.

ASSESSMENT

A. Values

Age and Rarity Value

 The building is considered rare by the respondents or the neighbors. It stood

well for more than 80 years despite the changes to its exterior and interior aspects.

The older it gets, the rarer it looks in its environment. This also makes it more

valuable that the owners could not afford to let its uniqueness go. Their refusal to the

offer that involves translocation shows just how much the family owner values the

house that their parents built.

Architectural Value

It was built prior to the Japanese occupation and possesses the combination of

the quality of the previous influences, the American and Spanish influences. The

upper story is overhanging and wooden being the result of the mix of styles from

colonizers and other cultures. Aside from these influences, the bahay kubo's concept

is applied to the construction. It is a traditional Bahay na Bato with a high ceiling

height and a high-pitched roof. It used to feature sliding Capiz windows, a traditional

quality of the country's architecture for natural ventilation.

Cultural/Historical/Technical Value

The use of hardwood ypil which is native to the country, as a building material

widely used in the past construction technique. It can be seen as posts inside the

house, reminiscent of the old ways. Adobe blocks were also used as it was

recommended for structural integrity. The flooring is of wood utilizing the tongue and

groove method. These are the technologies of construction available and significant

during the time it was constructed. They exist still in the house and thus make up for

the physical pieces of evidence of the past. Part of Filipino culture is preserving the

house for family generations.

Economic Value
 When a part of the house was used for lease, it provided income for the owner.

A portion of the house was converted to a computer shop and “bilyaran”.

Landscape Value

The building is a big residential space in the corner lot at Dapitan Street. It is

the first picture to be seen in the area because of its size and architectural style that

contrasts with the neighboring buildings. It is in an advantageous location because

two elevations are in sight.

Local Distinctiveness

Materials used at the initial construction/state are locally sourced which sets it

apart from other buildings beside it. Alterations were made but the original design is

still recognizable.

Public/Social Value

The conversion of the portion of the house into a ‘bilyaran’ and a computer

shop also turned it into a place where people gather. The neighbors interviewed

shared that they remember the times when it was just like it, a place where they used

to hang out and made memories.

RECOMMENDATION

Preservation
 The exterior design, floors, walls, windows, posts, and other significant

elements of the house should all be preserved by the family. Its goal is to maintain it

in its existing condition. Based on the information the researchers have gathered, they

deduce that it is better to preserve the house and preserve its important features and

elements for authenticity than to modernize it. The house was renovated in 2005 to

suit the needs of the family and their relatives, divided into six units with individual

bathrooms, and installed stone cladding on its exterior walls, but the other original

features of the house such as Ypil posts, adobe hollow blocks for walls, and tongue

and groove wood floors are still present. It is better if the original features and

elements of the house are preserved because it possesses qualities that modern houses

lack.

APPENDICES
Guide Questions for Interview with the Owner

1. Name

2. Age

3. Place of Birth

4. How long have you been living in Sampaloc?

5. Who was/were the original owner/s of this house? What were their

occupations when they built the house?

6. When was this house built?

7. Ask for more stories about your interviewee’s experiences in the house and

Sampaloc itself.

8. Do they consider their house unique in Sampaloc and the rest of Manila? What

are the features that make his/her house unique?

9. Were there changes, repairs, modifications made within the house?

10. Do they have any plan of retaining the current structure of the house? Why or

why not?

Guide Questions for Interview with Five Neighbors

A. Sampaloc

1. Name (optional)

2. Age

3. Place of Birth

4. How long have you been living in Sampaloc?

5. Are there any festival, practices, and other cultural activities that are

celebrated? If yes, specify. Otherwise, proceed to the next question.

6. What is Sampaloc known for?

7. What makes Sampaloc a home for you? Specify.

8. Would you trade this place to other places? Why?

B. About the House (show the picture of the house)

1. Are you familiar with this house?

2. Do you consider this house unique? If yes, proceed to Item no. 3. Otherwise,

proceed to item no. 4.

3. What makes it unique? Check one or more boxes that corresponds your

answer

o The size

o the façade

o the spaces in the house

o others. Specify.

4. Do you have any chance to get around and/or inside the house? If yes, what is

your impression on the house and share your memories associated with this

house? Otherwise, proceed to next question.

5. Do you consider the house an important part of your community? Why or why

not?

6. What would you feel if this house got demolished?

DOCUMENTATION