History

Where it all started

In 2012, a group of seven young Filipino adults incidentally gathered together and visited the Bahay Nakpil-Bautista Museum, along A. Baustista Street, Quiapo, Manila. As their bond and common interest in cultural heritage grew, they also learned about the benefits, issues, and challenges of the subject. They eventually developed an urge to do something to show love and contribute to the sustainability of the things they discovered.

The Founders

They are: (1) Teresita Obusan, (2) Michelle Ting, (3) Melinda Gabuya, (4) Ceciel Rosqueta, (5) Mark Honrado, (6) Allan Martinez, and (7) Nicanor Legaspi.

Forming a Group Identity

To help in fostering solidarity of their group and clarity for those who are asking about them, they eventually worked ways on labeling themselves as a group identity, thus the formation of Kapitbahayan sa Kalye Bautista (KKB). The name was coined by Mr. Reimon Cosare, a former volunteer in the area, who has also been involved in other non-profit groups or NGOs such as Peacemaker's Circle Foundation Inc., and Sanghabi Inc., a group teaching and sharing Filipino culture through music and the arts.

They initiated discussions to spark interest in others and share of what they have learned. They commemorated and celebrated national cultural events by organizing small gatherings with friends. They invited people to see places, walk around, and discover the beauty in the neighborhood.

One of the major motivating factors for forming the group is the old house beside the museum. There are only two distinct houses of its kind along the A. Baustista street. The museum and the old house, now coined as Kasa Boix, beside it. They saw the house as needing of much attention for rehabilitation and thus, their initial mission to make efforts and do some improvements for house.

Kasa Boix Redux Campaign

The Kasa Boix, an architectural and heritage jewel at the heart of Manila, was constructed 119 years ago by Don Marciano Teotico. Records imply that by August 25, 1895, Don Marciano, as what was the law during those times, submitted to the government a plan to build a house of strong materials on Barbosa—now Bautista Street. Indeed, the strength of the house is still evident, as seen from the fact that the house, robed with all its neo-renaissance majesty and unparalleled intricacy, still manages to stand like an old monarch in the midst of all the tides of decades of neglect and urban decadence. Known for its Bulaklak sa Trellis (Flowers in the Trellis) style, it is one of the few remaining structures of its kind—a 19th Century residue that continues to implant a sense of awe on anyone who pass by it. As one enters the house, one can still feel the eerie echoes of the past century. The aura of grandeur may be fading but not forgotten.**

The house have undergone several renovations when it was converted into a dormitory. It has been said the late President Manuel L. Quezon used to be a boarder of this dormitory during his time in Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines also know as University of Santo Tomás.

Inheritance issues has prevented the Jesuits in claiming the house. Thus, it has come into disrepair and neglect until in 2008 when the 2nd floor of the house was abandoned. The ground floor is still occupied by more than 30-40 families, most of them were Muslims. The house is set to celebrate it's 121th year on Aug. 25, 2016.

Through KKB, a campaign for architectural heritage conservation was initiated through the case of Kasa Boix. The group took actions in researching about the details of the house, and knowing about its latest settlement status. They organized house cleaning activities with public participation and building documentation through partnership with colleges with related courses, such as architecture, engineering, and interior design. They went on public speaking engagements to share about the opportunities for sustainability and also issues that call for public awareness.

Kapitbahayan sa Kalye Bautista at Iba Pang Lugar

Such campaign paved way to inquiries from the neighborhood beyond A. Bautista Street about their own homes and properties under similar conditions. Two of which were the Burke Accessoria along Bilibid Viejo Street, and Iturralde House along San Sebastian Street. It was found out that there are many homes that had fallen under similar conditions due failure to adapt to the modern urban environment not only by the residents and home owners but also due to the consequence of our general local policy and administration on the issue not updated for the contemporary needs. They have found out that this issue in building and cultural heritage is not familiar for majority of the Philippines and is relatively a new issue in the local settings. The discovery and existence of KKB has empowered many concerned Filipinos to review the issues and seek solutions for the benefit of the future generation. It's influence of its cause has extended not only to a street but across the region.

Redefining Lakbay Lakaran

Among the many initiated programs of the group, the community neighborhood awareness walk named Lakbay Lakaran has been the most popular and a public favorite. Lakbay Lakaran, inspired by Hermano Pule from our local history, has been redefined in this campaign to highlight cultural heritage preservation and contemporary community development initiatives. This platform gives the public an opportunity to see underrated but significant places and appreciate its beauty and relevance for the next generation. This also attracts interested stakeholders that help enable the group to give opportunity to lesser privileged locals to visit their national heritage, through the MAHAL Project. The MAHAL project is coordinated with the local barangay to select less privileged families and have the opportunity to see their national cultural heritage and gain perspective about pride of place towards a higher standard of orderly and cleaner community.

World Monument Watch 2016

In 2015, the group tried to raise their advocacy on a global level by applying to enlist in the World Monument Watch, an international program by the World Monument Fund, an international community concerned about the accelerating destruction of the artistic treasures in the World. Fortunately, it made the list in 2016 and has supported a Watch day celebration the year after to raise awareness in the importance of our cultural heritage. More than twenty groups participated in this one-day Watch day celebration in such as small street!

Building Partnership with Other Related Communities

Efforts has not been in vain and recognition is continuous as they have been continually given an opportunity to share the advocacy with other concerned groups such as Bakas Pilipinas, Escuella Taller de Filipinas Foundation, Inc. (ETFFI), United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), Taguig Heritage Society (THS), and Advocates for Heritage Perservation (AHP). As the community grows, we invite and encourage everyone to work hand in hand, align partnership goals, and make things happen for our better future!