Yugyugan para sa Kultura ng Bayan collaboration with NCCA and Ballet Manila

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), led by its chairman, Prof. Felipe M. De Leon Jr., and OIC-executive director Adelina M. Suemith, will lead the entire nation in a “dance rally” in numerous parts of the country to celebrate International Dance Day and National Dance Week as well as to drum up awareness on cultural heritage.

The Yugyugan para sa Kultura ng Bayan is organized by the NCCA’s National Committee on Dance (NCD) headed by Josefina Guillen, and it will happen on April 29, 2015, simultaneously in various sites that include Angeles City in Pampanga,  Cebu City, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro City,  and Manila among others.

PISTAHAN: 120 to 120

Let's have a chill gathering and jamming inside the house as we look forward to its upcoming 120th anniversary and launch some exciting projects and activities. We will also start counting down 120 days on April 26 before Boix's big birthday celebration. Bring some friends, pika-pikas for sharing, and probably bring your own musical instruments or prepare some songs as we sing our hearts out and celebrate for the love of heritage!

Arch. Ting Elected New President of KKB Board

Manila: Former KKB Corporate Secretary Arch. Michelle Ting has been elected by the Board of Trustees as the new president of the Kapitbahayan sa Kalye Bautista atbp. Lugar, Inc. (KKB) during its First Regular Meeting on 19 April 2015 in Makati.
The previous presidency was held by socio-anthropologist and social worker Dr. Teresita Obusan, who held the post since 2012.

Michelle Ting is an architect specializing in heritage conservation and restoration, and a fellow of the United Architects of the Philippines. She earned her B.A.in Architecture from the University of Santo Tomas, and is presently engaged in the restoration of paintings.

The other elected officers of the board are the following: Allan Martinez, Vice President; Ceciel Rosqueta, Corporate Secretary; Dionne Esteban Caytiles, Treasurer; and Dr. Teresita Obusan and Mark Honrado Trustees.

Aklatan sa Kapitbahayan

The 1,200 to 120 project is a book drive launched by the Kapitbahayan sa Kalye Bautista as the main feature of the 120th anniversary of the 1895 Spanish-period Boix House in Quiapo, Manila. The project will run for 4 months, or for a total of 120 days from 26 April to the anniversary date on 24 August. The ultimate deliverable of the project is a library which will be known as the "AKLATAN NG KAPITBATAHAN."
As what the name of the project suggests, 1,200 book titles are targeted.

The New Look of Villaroman Mansion

The Villaroman Mansion is one of the most interesting heritage mansions along Roxas Boulevard and it is now being restored.

Rumour has it that this house was formerly owned by the Lopezes, according to the article "Lopez Ruby Wedding Anniversary".

Here is a look at the new Villaroman Mansion, courtesy of JC Contapay.

  This is the back view of the Villaroman Mansion

According to the Manila Nostalgia (Facebook Group) this Villaroman Mansion is owned by Dr. Francisco Villaroman, and according to great grandson of  Dr. Francisco Villaroman, Mr.Gilbert Villaroman, "This was not Eugenio Lopez, Sr.'s home. This was our ancestral home which was built by my late (great?) grandfather Dr. Francisco Villaroman, Sr. The left side faces Roxas Blvd. Our property wall used to be where the Manila Bay was until the reclamation project which created the road which is now Roxas Blvd... There was [an elevator] on the property and it was placed to assist my grandfather who in his later years had difficulty walking due to a stroke."

The aerial shoot of Villaroman Mansion.

Unknow date of shoot
(c) Page Osorio

Here one night shot from Darwin Cayetano of the Villaroman Mansion

The majestic beauty of the mansion during night

Another look inside the Villaroman Mansion photo courtesy of Camila Lhullier 

Currently this mansion is owned by the Lhullier family according to Carlos Celdran post in facebook account.

If you have any information regarding the Villaroman Mansion along Coastal Road, please care to share with us.

Written by : Axl Guinto

Edited by : Charmaine Yves Chong

Artist's Rendition of the Proposed Rizal Cultural Shrine Manila, 1963

Photo shows the completed artist rendition of the proposed Rizal Cultural Shrine that was supposed to be constructed in 1963 during the centennial of the birth of Jose Rizal. Seen here is the Rizal Monument with its aluminum pylon and brilliantly-lit area; the National Library (left), the National Theater (middle) and the National Museum. Of the three building, only the National Library was constructed with much delay.

Artist's Rendition of the Proposed Rizal Cultural Shrine Manila, 1963

Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) Building, ca. early 20th century

The YMCA came to the Philippines in 1898. When the American Army in Manila moved to Fort William McKinley in February, 1905, an independent association for Manila was organized under the direction of the Army and Navy departments made a formal request to the YMCA International Committee in New York City for assistance. In 1907, John R. Mott, general secretary of the foreign department, visited Manila and met with the directors and interested friends where it decided to conduct a campaign for funds for an adequate and permanent association. Mott guaranteed P170,000 for the construction of a building on condition that friends in the Philippines secure the site and adequately furnish the building. The campaign for funds was begun here on February 15, 1907, and, by the 15th of March following, P83,000 was subscribed, nearly one thousand different persons contributing. Thereupon the Young Men’s Christian Association of Manila was incorporated under the law of the Philippine Islands and received its character in June, 1907. A site for the new building was selected on Calle Concepcion, Ermita, and the building contract was let on the 8th of January following. The cornerstone was laid with appropriate ceremonies on July 10, 1908, and the building was formally dedicated on October 20, 1909.

Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) Building, ca. early 20th century. Concepcion St. (now Natividad Lopez-Almeda St.), Ermita, Manila

A Very Short History Of The Colegio De San Jose

In 1601, the Rector of the Colegio de Manila i, Fr. Pedro Chirino, organized the Colegio de San Jose to
serve as the former’s extension school.ii The Colegioiii, aside from being an extension college, also served
as a grammar school where latin and Catholic morals were taught.iv In 1768, the Society of Jesus was expelled and their properties in the colonies, including San Jose, were taken from them.v After the Jesuit expulsion, the administration was given to the secular clergy.vi It was during this secular administration that Paciano, the brother of Jose Rizal, studied Segunda Enseñanza and graduated with a Bachiller en Artes from San Jose.vii

Image 01: The main entrance to the building of the Facultades de Medicina y Farmacia, Colegio de San 

Jose, Universidad de Santo Tomas, 1887.xvi

Heritage Alert : St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church an on-going obstruction

St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church popularly know as  San Luis Gonzaga Church is one of the oldest churches you will find in the culinary capital of the Philippines, Pampanga.

St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church

 St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church was no information exists as to when the church was built, but it must have been completed in the late 18th century. In 1883, the church was restored by Fr. Isidro Bernardo, which then had the following dimensions: 56 meters long, 13 meters wide and 11 meters high. The church convent was expanded by Fr. Francisco Diaz in 1877. Today, San Luis Church is one of the few churches in the province that retains its old-world authenticity, even after assiduous restorations, one as recent as 1984 done on the retablo mayor, undertaken by Fr. Jacobo David.