Anna

Pros

- In 2010, word spread like wildfire that the 600 square-meter Alberto House was to be sold and
transferred to Bagac, Bataan. The 200-year-old ancestral house of Teodora Alonso, Dr. Jose Rizal’s
mother, sits right at the heart of Biñan, fronting the city’s Rotonda and plaza, with the old
municipal building and Iglesia on its left. It is where our national hero’s mother lived before she
got married.

- The AlbertoMansion must be saved because it is not only the home of Jose Rizal’s mother but
also considered as a historical treasure because national treasures and memories are housed in
the mansion. It must be saved in order to preserve the historical memories of Rizal and his
mother who played a big role in his life.

- It is the only remaining heritage site in the area, therefore it must be preserved since Calamba is
the hometown of our national hero. There must be a historical site that highlights Rizal’s
memory and legacy in that area to commemorate him. Finally, restoring and saving the Alberto
Mansion helps in the restoration of the old Binan, thus, helping reconstruct a lost culture of a
town.

https://www.change.org/p/project-save-alberto-mansion-home-of-rizal-s-mother
https://www.wheninmanila.com/binan-reclaims-house-of-jose-rizals-mother-after-10-year-
battle/

Cons

- Biñan is one of the richest towns in the province of Laguna during the time of Rizal and until
now. Alberto House which is known to be Teodora Alonso’s residence is located at the center of
the Poblacion. Teodora Alonso is said to be an adopted child of her family. Alberto family
believes that she is illegitimate and she has no connection to this heritage house. These may be
the reason why it’s very easy for them to sell this 200 year-old ancestral house.

- According to De AnDA (2012), “Gerry, the owner, laments that “there’s no money to fix it”. He
did sold the house to Acuzar of Bataan later on, convinced that the millionaire’s resort project
would give the house a new lease of life – in Bagac.” According to Gerry Alberto, he did sell it to
Acuzar because he believes that the government will not take good care of it.

- It has also been very controversial because of its plan to be demolished for the reason that it
was planed to be transferred in Bagac, Bataan. Even if the citizens don’t want it to be
demolished, the demolition started inside the house where the foundation was dug and the
ceiling and things inside the house is already taken.

https://albertohouse.wordpress.com/demolition-issue/
 Blezy

Pros( public ad perspective)

Firstly, Don Jose Alberto's mansion may have cultural and historical value. Preservationof the mansion
can help maintain a tangible link to the oast, providing insight into the architectural, social, and cultural
heritage of the region. It can serve as a valuable educational resource for the public and future
generations. Next; Tourism and Economic Benefits: Preserving the mansion can attract tourists and
visitors, contributing to the local economy. Historic sites often draw tourists interested in heritage
tourism, generating revenue for local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops. This
can create employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth. Third; Community Identity and
Pride: The preservation of a prominent historical structure like Don Jose Alberto's mansion can instill a
sense of pride and identity within the local community. It becomes a symbol of their heritage and can
strengthen community ties. People may feel a stronger connection to their roots and develop a greater
appreciation for their history. Lastly;Environmental Considerations: Retrofitting and preserving an
existing structure can be more environmentally friendly than building a new one. By reusing materials
and conserving resources, the mansion's preservation can contribute to sustainability goals and reduce
the carbon footprint associated with new construction.

These are some general pros to consider when evaluating the preservation of Don Jose Alberto's
mansion from a public administration perspective. The specific context, condition of the mansion, and
community dynamics will play a crucial role in determining the feasibility and desirability of the
preservation efforts.

article and cultural signficance:

Cultural Heritage: The mansion represents the cultural heritage of the region, serving as a reminder of
the traditional Filipino lifestyle and values during the Spanish colonial period. It provides insights into
the social structure, lifestyle, and tastes of the affluent families of that time which also represents the
rich history of Biñan, Laguna.

https://mikeegungon.wixsite.com/welcome/post/history-reborn-the-alberto-mansion-in-bi%C3%B1an

https://virtual.reality.travel/tour/the-alberto-mansion/

Oliver

Because the Historic Alberto Mansion is the maternal ancestral house of Rizal and is the only original
structure in the Philippines that has a connection with the national hero. A 200-year-old Bahay na Bato
withstanding ravages brought by time and nature; up until the year 2010 when the house was sold to a
real estate developer. The property was illegally dismantled for transfer to a heritage resort in Bagac,
Bataan. Left in Biñan are ruins of what used to be one of Laguna’s Grand ancestral houses. Through the
efforts of the local government and heritage advocates, the grand house risen on its original site last
December 6, 2019. Unfortunately, because of a land dispute with the Dominican friars, the Rizal family
was evicted from their home in 1890 and the house soon after fell into disrepair and was demolished.
The present structure was reconstructed in 1950 by National Artist Juan F. Nakpil from funds donated by
schoolchildren. This House is actually just a replica from the original house where Jose Rizal lived
because it was destroyed during the WW2 era. So the Rizal house was reproduced during the 1950’s and
turned it into a museum where all the things Rizal did and what are the remains he had left us. The
structure is 2-storey house inspired by the Spanish Colonial Period so since the Philippines was
conquered over a 377 years our culture is influenced mixed and part Spanish. I could say that during the
Spanish colonial period is where our culture is mostly molded since the Spaniards have settled for 337
years long. So in visiting the Rizal house or Rizal shrine it is filled with really heavy cultural traditions.
And It should be a world heritage site because Jose Rizal is our national hero with that he reminds us of
what a true Filipino should be. In the house since all of his works as a writer were displayed there, it’ll
always remind us people of the things he did for the Filipinos. The fact that he had the bravery to defend
and have justice for his people. He also awakened our senses that we Filipinos must have hope for the
country’s freedom from the Spaniards.

Mary Grace

Status Completed Architectural style Bahay na bato Town or city Biñan, Laguna Country
Philippines Coordinates 14°20′20.8″N 121°05′04.0″E Completed 1800s The house was built
around the 1800s and was owned by Jose Alberto Alonzo. The house is noted for its connection
to the family of José Rizal. Alonzo is the father of Rizal's mother Teodora Alonso Realonda.
Biñan is where Realonda would spend her teenage years and where she would meet Rizal's
father Francisco Mercado lived in a house nearby. The property would later be passed down
through several generations. The house also had other tenants such as Cipriano Alberto, who
was Biñan mayor in 1790 and 1802; his son Lorenzo, who was also mayor in 1844; and grandson
Jose, who was the Philippines' representative to the Spanish cortes. In 2009 or 2010, the house
was reportedly sold to Gerry Acuzar by Gerardo Alberto, a fifth-generation descendant of the
Jose Alberto Alonzo. Acuzar is the owner of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, a resort in Bagac,
Bataan known for incorporating heritage structures from other parts of the country. The Alonzo
clan allowed for the house's full relocation to the Bataan resort but the move was opposed by
the city government of Biñan. The Biñan government also offered to buy the property for ₱20
million but the owner reportedly declined the offer of the local government. The Biñan city
government also issued an ordinance in 2011 declaring the Alberto Mansion a heritage site. On
October 21, 2012, the roof of the building collapsed, which is suspected to be as a result of
dismantling the interior for transfer to the Acuzar resort in Bataan.The Biñan council also
sought for the National Historical Commission of the Philippines to declare the building a
National Historical Landmark to allow for its expropriation. Along with the Biñan local
government, the United Artists for Cultural Conservation and Development, City of Biñan Inc.
(UACCD) has advocated for the restoration of the house. The expropriation process was
delayed as the house owners negotiated with the Biñan government. The city government later
alleged that owners were also having talks to another party to have the property leased for a
Jollibee fast food outlet. The Biñan government then filed a expropriation case in May 2017.
The expropriation was granted by the local court in the same year. The house was later
restored; to as close as the original design as possible by the same construction firm which
developed the Acuzar resort.