Pillars of Arayat
-Ever lasting beauty.
Hundred years ago Philippines was under the influenced of the Spanish. We were colonized by the Spaniards for about 300 years and with that our culture is blended with their traditions. Houses were one of the influences of Spaniards that we still have up to present. Like in Vigan they were able to preserve the Spaniard houses in their place. Here in Arayat we’re lucky because we have some old houses too.
The first one is the ancestral house of Atty. Mariano E. Samia in Paralaya. He is one of the most famous and wealthy persons in Arayat way back in 1800-1900’s. Now only care takers of their family are the ones who live in Mariano’s ancestral home. According to them the house is enchanted and hunted. As I hear their stories ghosts in that house are present during daytime and night time. In the sala, while they are sweeping the floor there are some souls roaming around. In the kitchen, in the cr’s, in the bedroom’s almost everywhere they are present. Care takers are used to it. They don’t mind them since they do not hurt them anyway. For them those souls serve as also the guards of the old house. To keep it safe from some persons who have dark motives. One more scary story about this house is during the Japanese occupation Samia’s body were found dead in his house with full of blood and his money were scattered along the road. The Japanese soldiers also made his house as their resting place.
The second one is the ancestral house of Dr. Alberto Goquingco Sr. Like Atty. Mariano one of the most wealthy persons in Arayat. He’s house is few steps away from the church. I’m amaze how this house survived after the World War I and II. Now the house is the office of Department of Agrarian Reform in Pampanga.
Third the ancestral house of Juan Medina also in Paralaya. He is one of the hacienderos during the Spanish periods. It is two story building and has a tennis court. His family now migrated in United State of America. Now, only care takers look after this vintage house. Until now the court is functional.
Last one is the ancestral house of Gen. Alejandrino who was the classmate of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in Spain and one of the persons who supported Dr. Rizal in publishing “Noli Me Tangere”. I’m lucky I’m part of his clan. Now my mother side’s family, the de Rivera’s, live in the ancestral home. Over hundred years, after all the tragedies and calamities the house is still erected.
These four houses are only few of the most previous and vintage ancestral home in Pampanga. There are still a lot of ancestral houses around the Philippines and hopefully we can preserve them as long as we can. They are not just simple buildings like what we see around us but they are part of the history that we should treasure.
