Historical marker unveiled at Aquino ancestral house in Tarlac

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino led the other day the unveiling of a marker at the Aquino ancestral house in Concepcion, Tarlac declared a historical site by the National Historical Commission (NHC) in 1987.

The NHC said the government declared the Aquino ancestral house a landmark because of its historical significance being the home of well-known patriots from the Aquino clan.

Three generations of Aquinos lived in the house since it was built in 1939. Then General Servillano Aquino, the great grandfather of the President, lived in the house.

General Aquino was a Katipunero who joined the revolution against the Spaniards. He also fought the Americans during the Filipino-American war.

The President’s grandfather, Benigno Aquino Sr., also lived in the house. Aquino Sr. was the speaker of the national assembly, and became a Tarlac representative, a senator, and secretary of agriculture and commerce.

Also, Benigno Aquino Jr., the father of the President, resided in the ancestral house when he was the mayor of Concepcion town. He then became Tarlac governor and eventually senator. He fought the dictatorial leadership of former President Ferdinand Marcos and was assassinated in August 1983.

The NHC declared the Aquino home a historical landmark in 1987 based on its Board Resolution No. 1 Series of 1987.

Since its building in 1939 with the help of wood craftsmen from Pampanga, the ancestral house was renovated this year so the public could appreciate its historical value.

In his speech during the unveiling ceremony, the President noted the influence his grandmother Aurora Aquino, or “Apung Guindang,” had on the Aquino family.

He said his grandmother’s advice to “live life with others’ has been passed on to three generations of the Aquinos.

“There may be times when some of us choose to cross distinct directions leading to the same destination, but at the end of the day, we still go home to our family to seek strength and guidance,” he said.

Aside from unveiling of the marker, the President was in Concepcion the other day to join other Aquino family members in celebrating the 80th birthday of Maria Aurora Aquino-Lichauco, the President’s aunt.

Aquino-Lichauco is the eldest of all the seven Aquino siblings.

Among those who joined the occasion were Aquino family members, Rep. Jesli Lapus, Concepcion Mayor Noel Villanueva, and Concepcion barangay officials. – With Ding Cervantes