151-year-old heritage home in Negros gets historical marker

BACOLOD CITY – The 151-year-old Balay Ni Tana Dicang (House of Tana Dicang) in Talisay City, Negros Occidental has earned a historical marker to highlight its stature as an important cultural property as declared by the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP).

Third District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, who highlighted the importance of the observance of History Month this August on Thursday, congratulated the city government led by Mayor Nilo Jesus Antonio “Neil” Lizares III on the official declaration.

“This is a testament to the hard work and long planning the City of Talisay has done to ensure that its heritage and history continue to the future and remains of benefit for all of us, not only for us in the Third District, not only for Negros, but for the Philippines as a whole,” the lawmaker said.

The unveiling of historical marker was held on Monday in rites led by Lizares, NMP Director-General Jeremy Barns and Visayas National Museums Director II Ma. Cecilia Tirol, in the presence of Benitez, Secretary General Ivan Anthony Henares of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization National Commission of the Philippines, Third District Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko, and Balay ni Tana Dicang Inc. chairman Adrian Lizares.

Opened as a lifestyle museum with an art gallery in 2008, the Balay ni Tana Dicang, a “bahay na bato” (house of stone) built in 1872, was named after sugar baroness Enrica Alunan Lizares.

She was referred to as “Tana”, a shortened version of “Kapitana”, for being a leader in the community. (PNA)