ANOTHER structure of historical significance in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga was given a heritage marker by the city government on May 28, 2021, in celebration of the Pyestang Fernandino.
This was the Dayrit-Galang House, a more than a century-old house along A. Consunji Street, Barangay San Jose, owned by the late Fernandino couple, Florentino Singian Dayrit and Juana Gatchalian Galang.
Leading the unveiling of the marker was Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago, who said he had personal moments in the said house, as he and one of the family’s descendants, Edwin Dayrit, shared a good friendship during their younger years.
Santiago was joined by Dayrit and City Tourism Officer Ching Pangilinan during the unveiling rites.
“Ang pinagmanahan ng bahay na ito ay aking kababata, kaklase, at kaibigang matalik. Noong nasa high school pa kami, dito kami bumibisita. Natatandaan ko noong kabataan ko, isa ito sa mga pinakamagandang bahay sa Siyudad at kung ano ang nakikita dati dito, ay ganoon pa rin ngayon,” Santiago said.
According to Dayrit, since the house was built in the 1900s up to now, only a minimal part of the two-story wooden house had been remodeled.
“Ang halos lahat ng nakikita sa bahay ay orihinal na parte nito. Pinagawa lang namin yung mga dingding ng taas na parte nito noon pero halos lahat, maging ang sa baba ay maayos siya,” he explained.
Dayrit said the house will still undergo restoration projects once the community quarantine guidelines are eased so their family will be able to open the house to more tourists.
Three members of the family who lived here, namely, Armando, Marina, and Fernando, were notable Fernandinos who served their countrymen using their respective skills.
Armando was involved in journalistic works under The Tribune newspaper; Marina in library services under several government institutions; and, Fernando in conchology (study of mollusk shells) and malacology (study of mollusks) under the National Museum of the Philippines.
Santiago, during his message, also lauded the family for their initiatives in the preservation of the house.
“Ang pamilya mismo ang nakipag-ugnayan sa atin upang mapreserba ang property na ito kaya malaki ang pasasalamat natin sa kanila. Patunay lamang ito na minamahal at inaalagaan nila ang kasaysayan ng San Fernando,” he said.
As of this writing, the house was part of the City’s “Heritage Pass,” a passport-like booklet that compiles the addresses and history of heritage sites and structures of the City of San Fernando which tourists can refer to when visiting the city. (SunStar Philippines)