Keepers of the flame

(Conclusion)

26. Dr. Abraham Sakili of the Dept. of Art Studies at UP-Diliman spoke on the Maranaos of Lanao Torogan, a sultan or datu’s house. The torogan has such elegance befitting the dweller’s social standing such as panolong or end-beams that are placed in front and at the sides of the house, protruding and flaring upwards like sculptured wings carved into fern or dragon motifs. This multi-family dwelling (referring to a couple and several of their married children) has no permanent partitions. The floor space is simply divided into sleeping areas, with each area provided with mats, pillows and cloth partitions. By day, it becomes an all-purpose living area where the families eat or work. This setup follows the traditional longhouses in Borneo and Sumatra.

The torogan also serves as a courthouse where disputes are heard and settled, as well as a hall for community meetings and social gatherings. Its front yard is the ritual area for weddings and coronations. Buntings are hung and sequined cloth drapes the ceiling and walls. Because of the prevalence of earthquakes. Maranao houses used to be built on a "floating" foundation, the massive tree trunks’ house-posts were anchored on rounded boulders, so the structure could rock and roll safely when the earth shook.

27. Jocelyn Quiblat of Taal, Batangas presented her paper on the restoration of their ancestral Villavicencio "Gift" house built in 1870. It was given as a wedding gift to Don Eulalio Villavicencio when he married Doña Gliceria Marella by his parents beside their original bahay na bato overlooking Balayan Bay. Both houses have witnessed the historic struggles of their illustrious owners during the Propaganda Movement, the Philippine Revolution against Spain and the Philippine-American War.

The restoration of the Gift house started in late 1998 and was completed in 2003, with the following objectives: to preserve the architectural design and antique materials, rehabilitate what could still be saved, and replace what had been ravaged by man and nature with materials closest to the original. The exterior color scheme was based on those found in the nooks and crannies of the original woodwork using colors popular in the 1870s and 1880s. The interiors capture the opulence and vibrancy of the Victorian Period when the house was originally built. The walls and ceilings are painted with murals designed by historian Sonny Tinio, many of which were influenced by existing Philippine contemporary examples.

28. Built in 1697, Dauis Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. Its design is largely influenced by Romanesque and Byzantine architecture. The entire ceiling of the church was painted with frescoes in 1916 by Cebuano painter Rey Francia (like most of the other Bohol churches). Dauis of Panglao Island is just three kilometers from Tagbilaran City connected by a bridge.

29. A dramatic setting for the farewell dinner befitting the culmination of the heritage conference was held at the rear of Dauis church facing the Tagbilaran strait. It was hosted by the provincial government of Bohol led by its governor, Erico B. Aumentado.

30. The internationally acclaimed Loboc Children’s Choir gave a heartwarming performance, together with the Pangkat Kawayan, also composed of school children, from Alicia town.

31. Maribojoc church is planned as a cruciform with its simple façade decorated by thin pilasters and niches with images of saints. The interior comes as a surprise because of the three Neo-gothic altars. The main one has an image of the Blessed Trinity and bas relief of the life of Mary Magdalene. Its traceries and finials of gilded hardwood are delicately carved. The church ceiling, especially its dome, is elaborately painted with catechetical and liturgical motifs.

32. Breakfast at Maribojoc served at the convento consisted of assorted native kakanin (biko in photo) and a hot native chocolate drink called sikwate.

33. Holy ukay-ukay! Ecclesiastical finds at the Maribojoc Museum.

34. During the American colonial period, when the first batch of Filipino architect scholars (called pensionados) educated in the United States returned to the country after their studies, they brought with them the worldwide trend of neoclassical and art deco styles, and the growing use of concrete and mortar. The Cloribel house in Panglao is a notable example of that period, although traces of the Spanish period bahay na bato are still evident, notably in the large windows surrounding the second floor with sliding panels of capiz and wood, and the lower ventanillas with wooden balusters. It was built in 1926 by Gaudencio Cloribel, a respected judge and friend to such notable historical figures as former President Carlos P. Garcia, a native Boholano born in Talibon town.

35. The living room of the Cloribel house has a striped narra and tindalo floorboards, while its sala is furnished with an Ambassador narra set, both de rigueur in the 1930s residences. The sala set was patterned after the American upholstered armchairs popularized by Hollywood movie sets, and crept into Philippine households influenced by the Boat style in art deco, steamship deck chairs in particular. The "programmable" piano, powered by rolls of punched-out paper, is a real gem from the last century.

36. Goto queen: Deedee Cloribel Rodriguez, whose original recipe of goto (tripe congee) was used in the popular GoodAh! chain of food outlets, served us a sumptuous spread for her famous goto, complete with recados; her home-baked torta and other breads; fish kinilaw; seaweed salad; rellenong manok; meat loaf wrapped in bacon; spaghetti putanesca; and longanisang bangus or milkfish sausage which she makes herself.