Cultural Mapping of Ancestral Houses in Lucena City

Abstract

This study traced the surviving ancestral houses in Lucena City through cultural mapping. The participants were limited to the houses that were built during the Spanish and American period. The ancestral houses gathered are the Gabatin Ancestral House, Queblar Ancestral House, Aquilino and Laureana Daleon Ancestral House, Zaballero Ancestral House, Mauro Salvacion Ancestral House, Dr. Eufemio Jara Ancestral House, and the Villanueva Ancestral House. By utilizing the historical analysis approach, the researchers used the historical thinking standards which helped analyze the identifiable similarities among the houses based on the descriptions and short narratives associated with them. Upon interviewing the owners/heirs/representatives of the seven ancestral houses, the study found most ancestral houses were built during the American Occupation and mainly situated in the población areas, which are at the heart of the city. Furthermore, most of the ancestral houses were primarily built from wood and have a two-storey design. With this, owners were led to convert the house into commercial use for the financial consideration of the family and sustain the maintenance of the house. This study suggests a travel magazine to be developed not just feature each house but also promote the remaining ancestral houses in the City of Lucena. These historical tourism sites must be acknowledged by the people especially the residents of the city.