111. 6 ANCESTRAL HOUSES OF MAGALANG: A LIST BY LOUIE ALDRIN L. BARTOLO

KAPLISTORIAN EXCLUSIVE! Magalang is one of Pampanga’s most historic towns, and its old houses—if they could only speak—could tell endless tales of,  not only strifes and struggles, but also of progress and plenty. These 5 ancestral houses, selected by historian and teacher LOUIE ALDRIN LACSON BARTOLO, reflect the spirit of those times, when Magaleños, like all Kapampangans, built their residences as big and as grand as their dreams.

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LUCIANO HOUSE (Marbea Subdivision, San Nicolas I)

This Spanish style mansion is located behind the Magalang Municipal Hall. It was

constructed in 1925 by Dr. Andres J. Luciano. This house is marked with woodcarved designs  derived from the Spanish style and motifs. During the American period, the house, with its spacious surroundings, was a favorite venue of lavish parties sponsored by social clubs like Mountain Side Club and El Circulo Magaleño. During the Commonwealth period, President Manuel L. Quezon, a friend of Don Andres, also visited this house during his trips to Magalang. In World War II, this house was occupied and looted by the guerillas. When Don Andres died in 1959, the house was passed on to his daughter, Maria Elvira L. Luciano. In later years, it continued to be a shooting site for such films as Lino Brocka’s masterpiece, Ina, Kapatid, Anak (1979), starring Rio Locsin, Lolita Rodriguez and Charito Solis. In 2004, the horror movie, Pa-siyam, directed by Erik Matti, was also filmed in the Luciano house.

FELICIANO HOUSE (San Pedro I)

A few steps from Magalang Public Market is the beautiful Feliciano house, constructed in 1935 by the couple Don Andres Feliciano and Doña Maria Paras. The house features a  mix of Spanish and American architectural styles. During the liberation of Magalang in 1945, the house was made into a rest house of US Army Officers. When Don Andres passed away in 1947, the house was inherited by  his son, Jose P. Feliciano. This house was later used as a meeting place of elite and youth groups, like  the U-N-I Club,  composed of young Magalang professionals. When Jose passed away in 1962, the house was inherited by his American-educated son, Engr. Rodolfo L. Feliciano. The huse was restored and brought back to its former glory.

ORDOÑEZ-CALMA HOUSE (Luciano St., Sta. Cruz)

This multi-story house was built in 1929 by carpenters and artisans from Betis, commissioned by Hilariona Ordonez Calma. The house was commandeered by the Japanese military  during the war. A post-war bakery was put below and its cooking facilities are still operational to this day.  The house retains its original decorative grills and capiz windows. The historic house in a busy commercial of Magalang is now under the care of Juliet Calma Dizon.

RIVERA HOUSE (Ayuyao St. San Nicolas I)

This house with distinctive Spanish influences was built around 1893, by the couple Don Cayetano Rivera and Doña Julia Rita Dizon. The house has rich woodcarvings that feature a signature star motif, that is revealing of  Don Cayetano’s affiliation with masonry and later, with the  Katipunan. Don Cayetano’s played a key role in the early formation of the First Republic of the Philippines, being one of the signatories of Pact of Biak –na-Bato. After the Revolution, he returned to farming, and acquired vast tracts of land in Concepcion, Tarlac. He also founded one of the first sugar mills in Tarlac—the Azucarera de Rivera. In the Commonwealth years, Don Cayetano’s friend, President Manuel L. Quezon was a regular visitor to this Magalang home. During World War II, the house was made into Japanese Military Headquarters, along with the neighboring Magalang Elementary School, which was converted into a Japanese military garrison and later,  execution grounds. When the Japanese occupied the house, they looted and destroyed much of the valuables. After Don’s death, he passed on the house to his nephew, Eliseo Rivera. At present, the house is under the care of  Eliseo’s daughter-in-law, Nimfa Rivera.

LACSON HOUSE (Lacson St., San Nicolas I)

Behind the majestic San Bartolome Church, stands an ancestral house with an architectural style reminiscent of old Spanish homes. This is the Lacson House, constructed in 1923 by the couple, Don Daniel O. Lacson and Doña Lucia David. The craftsmanship of the house reflects the high level of artistry of Kapampangan artisans who worked on this fine structure. During World War II, this house served as one of the Japanese military garrisons. When Don Daniel passed away in 1948, the house was inherited by his  two daughters, Lucila and Rosario Lacson, both spinsters. When Rosario passed away in 1991, she bequeathed the house to her sister-in-law, Evangelina Hilario Lacson, the  well-known Kapampangan academician and writer. In 1995, National Historical Institute (now National Historical Commission of the Philippines), placed a historical marker in front of the house for its cultural and historical significance. After Evangelina’s death in  2008, his son, Ariel H. Lacson became the new owner, but in 2014, he, too, passed away, leaving the house to nephew, Eduard V. Lacson. The house was acquired by Mayor Maria Lourdes P. Lacson, now the present owner.

AYUYAO HOUSE (San Nicolas I)

This house that is just a next-door neighbor of the  Magalang Municipal Hall, was built in 1915 by the couple, Isidoro Ayuyao, Sr., Municipal Secretary during the American regime  and his wife, Ana David, one of the pioneers of Magalang’s sweets industry. Its  flooring or “lande” was originally made of bamboo slats, and the house topped with a roof of nipa.  In later years, it was reconstructed and made entirely of wood with ornamental carvings, galvanized roofing and concrete foundations. When Ana passed away, her son, Dr. Claro Ayuyao inherited the house, which he later expanded to include his dental clinic. During 1950s, this house was visited by prominent personalities who were invited as guest speakers during the closing exercises of Magalang Institute, founded by Atty. Isidoro Ayuyao. Among these  are future Philippine president Diosdado P. Macapagal, and brother-in-law, movie actor Rogelio de la Rosa. In 1965, the house underwent minor repairs. At present, this house is owned and maintained by the children of Dr. Claro Ayuyao.

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ABOUT OUR CONTRIBUTOR: LOUIE ALDRIN LACSON BARTOLO. Teacher, Writer, Historian and a Magaleño, Bartolo is the author of “The Magalang Book: The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town 1605-2015”, published in 2015 by Center for Tarlaqueño Studies of Tarlac State University, made possible through an NCCA grant. He also keeps a blog,”Amlat Magaleño”, that aims to promote the local history of Magalang. Bartolo finished his Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Social Studies at Holy Angel University (HAU)

SOURCES:

INTERVIEWS:

Luciano House; interview with Mrs. Teresita Suba, one of the former caretakers of Luciano house, June 25, 2019.

Rivera House: interview with Mr. Sean Rivera, a descendant of Don Cayetano Rivera, June 26, 2019.

Ayuyao House: interview with Dr. Nunilon G. Ayuyao and Mr. Amante M. Ayuyao; both grandchildren of Isidoro Ayuyao, Sr. and Ana David, June 26, 2019.

Lacson House: interview with the late Mr. Ariel H. Lacson (way back August 4, 2012); grandson of spouses, Don Daniel O. Lacson and Doña Lucia David.

BOOK SOURCES:

Bartolo, Louie Aldrin L. and Dizon, Lino L. (2016), The Magalang Book: The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town (1605-2015), National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

PHOTOS: All photos from wikimedia commons, unless otherwise noted. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Old_houses_in_Magalang,_Pampanga

110. 10 KAPAMPANGAN MOVIE ACTRESSES AND THEIR ORIGINAL NAMES, part II

1. ROSA DEL ROSARIO

The pre-war Queen of the Philippine Movies was born in Bacolor (b. 15 Dec. 1919) as Rosa Stagner, the daughter of Agustina Del Rosario and American Frank Stagner. Her discovery was purely accidental. Rosa accompanied a foreign film director to Malayan Motion Pictures who was looking to work with a local  movie production  outfit. The wife of the owner of Malayan —Mrs. Jose Nepomuceno—saw her and convinced her husband to cast her in “Ligaw na Bulaklak”. She took her mother’s surname and was billed as Rosa del Rosario. Thus began her long, and successful career.  She starred with the major leading men of her time, but she is best known for her role as “Darna”, a comics super heroine created by Mars Ravelo that was made into a movie in 1951, and directed by Fernando Poe Sr.

2. LILIA DIZON

Born in 1931 as Claire Strauss, the only child of German-Jew Abraham Strauss with Kapampangan  Regina Dizon, Lilia Dizon began her showbiz career at age 15 as a singer at Lotus Theater. She was discovered for the movies by writer-director Susana de Guzman and was cast in her first lead role in  “Kaaway ng Babae,” (1948). At 17, she married director Gil de Leon, sixteen years her senior. She made her mark portraying strong woman roles in movies like “Sandra Wong,” “Kandilerong Pilak” (Asia’s Best Actress award in 1954), and "Bathaluman” with Mario Montenegro. After her 18 year-marriage ended, Lilia left for the U.S. in 1966 to join her father in California. She resurfaced in 1974 as the reel-and-real life mother of Christopher de Leon in the award-winning Brocka film, “Tinimbang Ka, Nguni’t Kulang”.

3. CHERIE GIL

Evangeline Rose Gil Eigenmann (b. 21 Jun. 1963), known in the movie world as  Cherie Gil was born to a showbiz family. Her mother, Rosemarie Gil, comes from the old Spanish family of Gils who settled in Porac. Cherie's father is 60s matinee idol, Eddie Mesa. She started her  career as actress-singer at age 9. As a singer, she scored a hit song with “(I Love You) Boy”, later covered by the Nailclippers. In films, she may be best known as Lavinia Arguelles in “Bituing Walang Ningning” (1985), Sharon Cuneta’s tormentor. She often appears as a movie villainess and still makes appearances in TV soaps, movies and in reality TV programs.

4. HILDA KORONEL

Born in Plaridel, Angeles City (b. 17 Jan. 1957) to Marina Higum and David Reid, Hilda was launched at age 13 in the movie “Haydee” (1970). Her acting skills were honed by renowned director Lino Brocka who transformed the teen sensation into to an actress of international repute. She was the youngest recipient of the FAMAS Best Supporting Actress award when she won for “Santiago” that same year. She took Cannes by storm with her intense portrayal of a daughter scorned in the 1975 movie, "Insiang". Formerly married to actor Jay Ilagan, Koronel now resides in the U.S.with second husband Ralph Moore.

5. LIZA LORENA

The Kapampangan actress who rose to stardom via a beauty pageant was born Elizabeth Ann Jolene Winsett y Luciano (b. 31 Oct. 1949) to American George Winsett and Magaleña, Josefina Luciano. She had been the first runner-up in the 1966 Bb. Pilipinas. This paved the way for movie offers. Nepomuceno Productions gave her a screen test, which she passed. She was cast as Esperanza in a major film headlined by  Charito Solis and Ric Rodrigo.  As Liza Lorena, she appeared in the critically acclaimed ”Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak” (1967),  the first Philippine movie in color by De Luxe. Her career spans 4 decades, with more than 185 movies and television shows to her credit. Her son with Eddie Gutierrez,Ton-Ton Gutierrez, is also an actor.

6. LYDIA MONTAÑEZ

Tatiana Korionoff (b. 1933) was the daughter of Russian Victor Paul Korionoff and Marcelina Simbulan of Arayat, Her father had fled his country at the height of Bolshevik revolution. From China, Korionoff  moved to the Philippines where, in 1926,  he found work as an engineer at the Arayat Sugar Central. He married the 18-year old Simbulan and settled in Arayat permanently. Tatiana was the eldest girl in a brood of 9. She was discovered for the movies by Leopoldo Salcedo. She took the screen name Lydia Montanez from her foster aunt named Lydia, and Montanez--from the mountain town where she was born. Lydia became a contract star for Fernando Poe Sr.'s Royal Productions, doing movies like "Lihim ni Bathala"."Maria Bonita", "Isinanlang Pagibig" and "Mona Lisa".

7. ALMA MORENO

Moreno (b. 25 May 1959) was the child of Frank Laxamana of Macabebe, with Jean Moreno. Named Vanessa (or Venesa) Moreno Laxamana, she shortened her name to Alma Moreno for her first movie, ”Urduja”. Her first starring role was in Ishmael Bernal’s “Ligaw na Bulaklak” Part 2 (1976), which turned her into a star. For portraying sexy, Lolita-type girls on screen, she was dubbed the  "Sex Goddess of Philippine Movies" of the 1970s-80s. Other noteworthy films: ” Eva Fonda, 16” (1976), “ City After Dark”(1980), and “Mga Bilanggong Birhen”. On TV, she was famous for her dance moves in The Other Side of Alma and LoveliNess.  She had relationships and children with Rudy Fernandez and  Dolphy. Moreno was also previously married  to Joey Marquez and Sultan Fahad Salic of Marawi. 

8. ROSITA NOBLE

The bedimpled Rosita Costenoble (b. 1934)  was the  first-born of  German immigrant, Herman von Costenoble, who a married local girl from Floridablanca, Maria Panlaqui. In 1951, at age 17, she was cast in the epic movie “Sta. Cristina”, under Premiere Productions. Before long, she became one of the hottest stars on the silver screen, known for her costumed action movies like “Ibong Adarna”, “Siete Infantes de Lara” and “Prinsipe Amante”.  She had the distinction of being the first leading lady to be paired with an up-and-coming young star—Fernando Poe Jr.—in “Anak ni Palaris” (1955). Rosita married Turkish-Filipino Antonio Basmayor Tani from Albay, with whom she had 5 children.

9. PATSY

The loveable, laughable Patsy Patsotsay was born (b. 12 Apr. 1916) as Pastora Mateo. Her father hails from Lubao. She started as a bodabil song-and-dance girl who performed alongside such veterans as Katy de la Cruz, Tugo, Pugo and Amanding Montes. Patsy was also part of the celebrated group of seven bungling househelps ( with Aruray, Chichay, Menggay, Elizabeth Ramsey, Dely Atay-Atayan, Metring David) in the blockbuster movie “Pitong Atsay” (1962). But she is perhaps most well-known as a co-host (with Lopito) of the greatest talent search in Philippine TV history--Tawag ng Tanghalan.

10. ROSA ROSAL

Florence Danon y Lansang  (b. 16 Oct. 1931) of  Sta. Rita, Pampanga, was discovered by film producer Luis Nolasco and was introduced in “ Fort Santiago” (1946). She became an  LVN Pictures star, most famous for her role as a vamp with the heart of gold in the award-winning “Anak Dalita” (1956) directed by Lamberto Avellana. Other notable movies: "Sonny Boy" (1955) for which she won a FAMAS Best Actress award), "Badjao"(1956) and "Biyaya ng Lupa" (1959) .Rosal is also well-known for her charitable and humanitarian  work with “Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko”, and the Red Cross. For her selfless efforts, she received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service. Married to Walter Gayda with whom she has a daughter,  Toni Rose.