“The Eternal Dwelling”:

Acosta – Pastor Ancestral House

In Batangas City, Batangas

1.1 Introduction

Heritage is the full range of our inherited traditions, monuments, objects, and

culture. Most important, it is the range of contemporary activities, meanings, and

behaviors that we draw from them. Heritage is an essential part of the present we live

in--and of the future we will build. It is the manifestation of our nation’s development

through history and it embodies our unique cultural identity. Philippines, as a union

with rich cultures has been in diverse developments that proved both how we live and

how we preserved our values. It is central in protecting our sense of who we are. It

gives us an irrefutable connection to the past – to certain social values, beliefs,

customs, and traditions, that allows us to identify ourselves with others and deepen our

sense of unity, belonging and national pride.

The history and culture of the Philippines are reflected in its architectural

heritage, in the dwellings of its various peoples, in churches and mosques, and in the

buildings that have risen in response to the demands of progress and the aspirations of

the people. Architecture in the Philippines today is the result of a natural growth

enriched with the absorption of varied influences. It developed from the pre-colonial

influences of our neighboring Malay brothers, continuing to the Spanish colonial

period, the American Commonwealth period, and the modern contemporary times. As

a result, the Philippines has become an architectural melting pot– uniquely Filipino with

a tinge of the occidental. Today, architecture in the Philippines continue to be vibrant

and with the country exposing up to the world, more first-rate architecture is pouring in.

The Acosta – Pastor Ancestral House in Batangas City, as the focal point in this

magazine has been compelling in the evolution of our union. Built in the 19th century

that is still standing in the city. Since 1883, it has been a mute witness to the passage

of time. The best-preserved ancestral house (98 percent of it is still original) in the

Introduction 1 |Page
 “The Eternal Dwelling”:
Acosta – Pastor Ancestral House
In Batangas City, Batangas

whole archipelago. This bahay na bato cuts a commanding image, a portion of its

stone facade covered in fiercely green ivy. From time to time, the younger Pastor

(fourth generation Pastor-Acosta family – Atty. Tony Acosta) invites passersby to

come up, and tell them with stories of his childhood with his eight brothers and only

sister, and his late parents, Dr. Juan A. Pastor and Concha Q. Acosta. It has been

related that William Howard Taft, the Governor General assigned in the Philippines

during the American Occupation, visited this house, and during his visit, his

assassination was attempted by a sniper. To this day, the bullet that would have ended

his life is still lodged in one of the doors of the house. The house has been well

preserved despite the revolution and the wars it experienced. During World War II, it is

one that was left untouched by the Japanese. Natural disasters such as earthquakes,

typhoons, and floods have not caused much damage to it. The Acosta – Pastor

Ancestral House that are deemed of significant importance to the Filipino culture is

declared as a Heritage House by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines

(NHCP), previously known as the National Historical Institute (NHI) of the Philippines.

It is protected by the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 or Republic Act. no. 10066

to further the protection of the cultural treasures of the country which include the

Acosta – Pastor Ancestral House under Built heritage.

The merger of the old and new is definitely; a fine Filipino experience that is

truly gratifying. The Batangueño spirit thrives and is alive — respecting heritage and

identity and welcoming innovations without hesitation. The Pastor y Acosta mansion is

a living legacy of Filipino nationalism, with not only values of respect, heroism, valor

and the fight for liberty and freedom but also a component of the evolution of our nation

by its cultural, architectural and historical significance.

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 “The Eternal Dwelling”:
Acosta – Pastor Ancestral House
In Batangas City, Batangas

1.2 Significance of the Study

A concerted effort to preserve our heritage is a vital link to our cultural,

educational, aesthetics, inspirational, and economic legacies. All the things that quite

literally makes us who we are. - Steve Berry

A documentary of a place where a blast of funkiness, greatness, drama and

success have been present for a long time and ready for everyone to be explored, and

to help explain how preservation and conservation is a significant thing specifically on

buildings. As a further matter, this documentary will supply facts for everyone to

know.

The data to be sought after:

- The data used in this documentary will be pertinent for upcoming dilemma

and research about the heritage.

- Illustrations issued in the documentary is being considered important for

upcoming evolution of the structure. Illustrations in this documentary will aid

professionals that are into preserving and conserving services.

- This documentary will serve as a reference for other students who will

undergo deep research on preserving and conserving architectural treasures.

- It will boost the awareness of the community on how to correctly issue rules

and regulations on preserving the heritage.

- With this documentary a boost in tourism is a given, but for those

professionals it will boost their profession, in a sense of popularizing preserving and

conserving of old structures.

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 “The Eternal Dwelling”:
Acosta – Pastor Ancestral House
In Batangas City, Batangas

1.3 Objectives of the Study

This study aims to have a deeper appreciation of heritage resources and

conservation efforts and to assess and evaluate the heritage values and features of

Acosta – Pastor Ancestral House. The movable and immovable heritage features of

these structures are also analyzed for the sake of these study thus,

The study objectives include:

1.3.1 Increase the level of public knowledge of preservation’s economic,

environmental, and other critical community development benefits.

1.3.1 Recognize conservation’s role in helping communities retain a sense of

place and identity

1.3.1 Prioritize a lifelong appreciation for Acosta – Pastor Ancestral Mansion’s

historic and special places.

1.3.1 Assemble existing preservation and enhance dissemination of

information and guidance of the structure.

1.3.1 Instill best practices in preservation planning activities such as identifying

historical resources and working with preservation laws and regulations.

1.3.1 Enhance the ability of regional, state, and federal agencies to fulfill their

responsibilities under state and federal preservation laws.

1.3.1 The preservation, protection, and improvement for public benefit of

buildings and chattels of national, historic, architectural, or artistic

interests.

1.3.1 To conserve and preserve the built- heritage of C. Tirona Street,

Batangas City, Batangas and to promote the customs and tradition of the

people of the Municipality.

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 “The Eternal Dwelling”:
Acosta – Pastor Ancestral House
In Batangas City, Batangas

1.4 Scope and Limitation

In the conduct of this study, the researcher focused on the heritage houses in

the City of Batangas. The study will also involve all the information’s relevant for the

preservation and conservation of the heritage structure. The study also involves on

how long the time and year of the heritage houses since built and the tools/materials

and techniques used in the heritage house. Analysis of data and transforming it to

relevant information of one of the famous heritage structures in the City of Batangas,

The Acosta-Pastor Ancestral House will be held for the development of the study.

The estimated time or range of years that are qualified in the study is

(100-200). The tools/materials needed and applied in this heritage house are timber

frames, lime, stone, brick, earth/clay. And some other decorative materials such as

capis etc.

Techniques involve performing and applying the correct or proper use and

installment of the materials in building the heritage house for it to withstand the long

years of its existence.

Activities such as on-site evaluation and analysis will be held to assess the

existing conditions of the said structure. This study needs human force from a

minimum number of 4-5 personnel to prepare.

Delimitations

The data collected from on-site evaluations are limited by how accessible the

structures to the researchers. The morphology and fabric analysis of the structures are

limited; examining the inner structure of the materials, thus, the information gathered in

the fabric are based on the observation of the researchers. It is also specified in this

study that the heritage houses that are part of this study must be (50+) years of age. Its

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 “The Eternal Dwelling”:
Acosta – Pastor Ancestral House
In Batangas City, Batangas

limitations are those houses that are not qualified in the years of age or are outside of

the scope of this study.

1.5 Review of Related Literature

Ancestral houses of the Philippines are homes owned and preserved by the

same family for several generations as part of the Filipino family culture. It is the place

of origin of one's extended family which also corresponds to long tradition by Filipino

people of venerating ancestors and elders. In fact, it has long been considered as the

perfect medium that can allow today’s generation to reconnect to their past and know

more about their ancestors. These houses could be the traditional “bahay kubo” or

“bahay na bato”. But most of these ancestral houses are the bahay na bato since it has

more potential to stand the test of time enough for old families to pass them down,

generation after generation.

Bahay na Bato or Stone House is a type of building that rose in popularity

during the Philippines’ Spanish Colonial period. Basically, it is an improved version of

the bahay kubo. It usually has two stories with the ground level made of massive cut

stone or brick walls and the upper level built of hardwood, which emerged from the

17th to the 19th centuries. The home design of Bahay na Bato maintains the concept

behind bahay kubo’s architecture, which addresses the tropical climate, rainy season,

and earthquake-prone environment, and then fuses it with the style and culture

influence of Spanish colonizers and Chinese traders.

In line with this, the Acosta - Pastor Ancestral House – a well-preserved house

of the Spanish Colonial period, is a fine example of the Bahay na Bato. This ancestral

home has become points of interest in Batangas because of its cultural, architectural,

and historical significance. Located in C. Tirona Street, Batangas City.

Introduction 6 |Page
 “The Eternal Dwelling”:
Acosta – Pastor Ancestral House
In Batangas City, Batangas

Built in 1883 by Don Alejo Acosta, a gobernadorcillo and financier of the

revolution under Gen. Miguel Malvar, the bahay na bato is now the residence of the

fourth generation Pastor-Acosta family – Atty. Tony Acosta and his 8 brothers and

sister. Instead of dividing the land they owned among their children, they sold

everything – keeping only the house. This also became known as the house of Dr.

Juan Pastor, husband of Alejo Acosta’s daughter, Concha. As one of only two doctors

at that time in town, he is known as someone who did house calls for patients who

could not be brought to the clinic. Since the house is owned by a family of art patrons,

this house hosts to this day, tertulias, musical program reception on fiestas and the

city’s foundation day. It has also become a cultural center in Batangas, visited by

dozens of visitors almost daily. The lawyer and realtor manage the family home with

the help of his 85-year-old brother, Luis, who also lives in the compound.

Now nestled within a commercial district, this “turn of the century” ancestral

home is still maintained to secure its ageless beauty with its wide capiz windows, shiny

molave floors, ventanillas, graceful calado partitions, chandeliers, vintage furniture and

pieces, photographs of ancestors, impressive entrada principal, entresuelo, escalera

mayor, antesala and main sala, the several cuartos, comedor, balcon interior, oficina,

and outside, the azotea y balcon. The huge antesala served as the venue for

conciertos and tertulias through the generations. An extension was built at the rear of

the house; the second floor of which were a row of bedrooms for the family members

and the ground floor is a spacious garage for the family cars. There is also an earlier

structure built separately behind the house with two bedrooms for two of the sons.

Likewise, the garden has been refurbished with lamp posts and a fountain, creating a

courtyard to the right of the house.

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