Now on its eighth year, the tour was an appealing sampler of our hometown's food, art and heritage that took us around the old District of Malabon where the old churches and some ancestral houses are clustered. We met up at Pescadores Restaurant. There, Leona Nepomuceno, Atty. Monchet Lucas and Archt. Richard Bautista of the Malabon heritage group gave us an overview of the tour. Mr. Ivan Henares, Vice President of the Heritage Conservation Society who had joined the tour before, gave a few remarks.
Ms. Gemma Cruz-Araneta, Chairperson of the Heritage Conservation Society, led a group of its members in doing the tour. Art historian Jack Pilar was also with the group. They were joined by a few locals led by Councilor Maricar Torres and art & antique collector Tony Gutierrez. Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks joined us midway through the tour.
Our tour stops included:
- SAN BARTOLOME CHURCH and CEMETERY - the oldest church in Malabon dating back to the Spanish era with its portico of Ionic columns that remind us of a Greek temple
- The old MUNICIPALES - its adobe remnants are found at the entrance of the Tanong Integrated School
- The roof deck of City Hall for an unrivalled BIRD'S EYE-VIEW OF MALABON
- BETSY'S CAKE CENTER - known for its delicious broas, a take-home must
- PAEZ HOUSE - a Spanish era house with its simple facade but very cozy interior
- BORJA HOUSE- one of the most beautiful and well-preserved heritage houses in Malabon
- Immaculate Conception Parish Church - another church built during the colonial period
- The original site of DOLOR'S KAKANIN - since this is where all the luscious kakanin is cooked, you can sometimes request what particular kinds of kakanin you want on your bilao
- CONCEPCION BAKERY - known for its pianono roll
- The gallery of MR. ANGEL CACNIO, multi-awarded artist of Malabon
- Remnant of the Spanish-era TABACALERA at the Malabon Elementary School
- RIVERA HOUSE - unique for its villa setting and its owners' efforts to preserve their heritage by jacking up the house
- RUFINA PATIS - a proudly Malabon product adding rich flavour to our favorite dishes in its more than one hundred years' existence
- MARTINEZ HOUSE - another one of Malabon's beautiful, well-preserved heritage houses
- RAYMUNDO HOUSE - said to be the oldest house in Malabon with its original stone gateway reminiscent of the portals of Intramuros
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Up to just a year ago, the only heritage houses I knew about in Malabon were the ones in my old neighborhood of Barangay Concepcion and the ones that were along the way going to and from Bayan. So that when I first found Richard Bautista's site (see link posted at the sidebar of this blog), I was amazed at how many heritage houses we have! I didn't even realize that the Immaculate Conception Parish Church of which I was a parishioner for more than 20 years was built during Spanish times. And I certainly didn't know until only late last year, that right on Rizal Avenue where my school was located, there used to be railroad tracks where the historic tranvia used to pass.
Well, I certainly managed to live much of my life blissfully ignorant about such things. After all, I didn't need that kind of information in my day-to-day life as student, then career woman, wife and mother. But having gone around Malabon this past year and in the process discovering/rediscovering her rich history and heritage, food, art and culture -- I now know what I've missed.
I am only now discovering her soul: the different people, places, traditions and events; the objects and structures past and present, that shaped her and gave her character, a unique identity. For me, this is an important endeavor. Why? Because Malabon has changed so much that I often don't recognize her anymore. Whenever I walk her streets I wish I could always say I like how she's changed. But finding these heritage structures, learning Malabon's history, rediscovering her food, immersing in her art and culture -- I am consoled that despite what has become her dowdy exterior, much of her inner beauty remains. An inner beauty trapped within her core by years of apathy and neglect.
Thankfully, all that now appears to be changing. The move to peel away those layers of apathy has begun and Malabon's inner beauty has a chance to shine through. Those tours and the art exhibits organized over the last few years by the Malabon heritage group of Monchet Lucas, Richard Bautista, Leona Nepomuceno and Terry de Jesus started it all, and continue to be an inspiration and a catalyst.
We are seeing a renewed interest in Malabon, not only on the part of those who still live in the city, but also those living elsewhere who call Malabon their hometown and are looking at her with nostalgic hearts. Ancestral house-owners now seem to realize the heritage treasure under their wings, and some have undertaken repair & repainting. Photo hobbyists, food enthusiasts, art lovers and local tourists -- some now add Malabon as a destination that's both interesting, inexpensive, and close by. No, not yet in the league of Manila or Vigan, but, we are heading in a direction that is at the very least, hopeful.
I hope we can continue taking those baby steps, because heritage matters -- it enriches our lives, helps us define who we are, and lets us be proud of ourselves as a people. We can look confidently to our future if we value where we've been.
Just as importantly, preserving our heritage, just like protecting the environment, is good stewardship of a gift. It is a precious legacy that we can pass on to future generations. By giving them faithful glimpses into the past, they, too, can discover their identity, be enriched, and move forward with pride, hope and confidence.
Tara na, LUSUNGIN ANG MALABON..!
