House Deputy Speaker and Antique lone District Rep. Loren Legarda has sought the "adaptive use and restoration” of her home province’s Old Capitol Building to promote more in-depth understanding of Antique’s rich culture and tradition among her constituents.
The House leader cited the need to restore the Old Capitol Building following its historical significance. The heritage structure is currently located in Antique’s capital town of San Jose de Buenavista.
“The Old Capitol Building was considered a presidencia, a colonial building that was refurbished, renovated and reconstructed during the American Colonial Period. Most colonial buildings were destroyed during World War II, but the Old Capitol stood the test of time and is one of the remaining few presidencias that is still structurally sound,” Legarda, advocate of arts and culture preservation, said in a statement.
“Its restoration will bring more appreciation to the young generation of Antiqueños, knowing that their province has a significant role in Philippine history and has a vibrant culture to offer, ” she added.
Legarda led the efforts to restore the Old Capitol Building, which is expected to house a textile gallery, archival materials and a library to promote Antique’s rich cultural heritage.
With the restoration of the Old Capitol Building as a haven for Antique’s archival and historical materials, Antiqueños will be "more knowledgeable” of their own province, will have a "more in-depth understanding" of its rich culture and tradition, and will appreciate the importance of preserving heritage structures, the former senator said.
“The complete restoration of the Old Capitol Building is a dream come true. It is the epitome of how historically rich my province of Antique is, and through its preservation, we are able to ensure that our present and future generations will have something to be proud of,” Legarda said.
The former senator also earlier pushed for the restoration of the Gella Azurin House, which is the only remaining Balai nga Bato or “stone house” in Antique.
Legarda said the restored house, which is estimated to be around 194 to 211 years old, "will be unveiled soon through the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.”
“The Gella Azurin House is a product of Filipino architecture, a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. Having witnessed the history of our province by serving as quarters for the Japanese when they took over Antique and the rest of Panay, and by serving as a hospital for the wounded during the Second World War, it continues to play a significant role in our historical and cultural landscape. Even the families that stayed in this house had many stories to tell about the unfolding of events during their lifetime. It is only fitting therefore to restore it back to its former glory,” she said in an earlier statement.
According to her, the Gella Azurin House is co-owned by the seven children of Dr. Reymundo Azurin and Consuelo Gella, who purchased the house from a Spanish family named Vital in 1936. Consuelo Gella is the eldest daughter of former Antique Governor Vicente Gella.
Legarda said the house, which is located along Gobierno Street, in San Jose de Buenavista, was built of old matured hardwood lumber, coral stones, and heavy tiles and its roofing was originally made of tiles, but had been changed to galvanized iron.
Its main wooden structure was made of first-class hardwood such as molave and narra, while its walls and flooring on the first floor were made of mostly coral stones, she said.