Bahay Rene Santos

A lot has happened since the last time i posted here in my blog. I took my medicine course more seriously, I've met new friends and got along old ones, attended seminars and hearings; and now i find myself posting new content in a term when time is precious.

This 2015, i mustered enough guts to come close with heritage houses that i usually pass by, but afraid to know more about them due to the neighborhood. The Rene Santos was one of the houses i'll never forget meeting. I always pass the Bahay Rene Santos when riding a jeepney to school and going home.It just so happens that on a Thursday i had one class in the morning and the whole afternoon for myself. I decided to finally approach this old bahay na bato that I've been ignoring for the last 3 years.  At first, I didn't know how to approach the residents since it was my second time doing it; the first was another house at Loyola st. It was a good thing i met a friendly food stall owner posted outside of what seem to be the garage. I told her my business, about being a student in FEU and my passion for old houses and heritage. She gladly told me a bit of the history and that the owner was at home asleep. I asked when the owner will wake up. She replied that the owner just got home after a long day of drinking; apparently a retired man.

While she advised me to wait for the owner to wake up at 5pm, i couldn't help myself but be fascinated by the good state of the house. Its definitely the first heritage house without a marker ive entered thats tidy, clean and not chopped into a dormitory of different rooms for various families. As i see myself staring at blank space for a few minutes, a man with bushy hair and tattered clothes appeared at the door and descended down the stairs, looking well rested.



The food-stall lady shouted "Rene! May estudyanteng naghahanap sayo!" I was shocked what to say next, but excited that im finally going to meet the owner. As he approached me, i started gathering words in my mind on what to say to him. I need to have a good impression on this guy if im gonna earn his trust.. So finally when he asked, i introduced myself the same way i introduced to the food-stall lady. I even spoke straight tagalog in chances he might not understand english. The funny thing about that is, when it was his turn to introduce to me... He spoke in fluent english! Only sluttered by his deep old voice... Thank goodness i didn't had to put the trouble to speak straight tagalog or else my tongue would have eventually knot itself a neck-tie..

He told me that he knows the history of the neighborhood, especially his house. He also mentioned that he was a "Heritage Buff" like me, that he appreciates and collects old furniture from relatives. Sir Rene mentions that he saves the money he gets from tenants in his house to restore those wooden relics and various areas of his house. (How awesome is that?! :D) That's unconditional love right there girls!

Unofficial History:

The Bahay Rene Santos was bought by Rene Santos's great grand parents when their house was bought by the colonial government at quiapo to make way for the contruction of Quezon Boulevard back in the 1930s. They presume the house was built around the 1800s. Over the years, they made several modifications in the house but nothing too major. Sir Rene told me that the stairs we just stepped on used to be inside the house facing the master bedroom, and the walls have been newly covered but the original still remains underneath.

But thats not where the story ends. According to Rene Santos; right after World War II, the Philippine Senate moved to the house beside Bahay Rene Santos. That became the first House of Representatives. Due to Bahay Rene Santos' closeness to the House of Representative building, it became a favorite hangout spot of various officials of both the Philippines and the Americans to drink and eat.

Eventually the Senate had to move to another building, so the next owner to establish in that building was the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Back then, PUP was known as PSC, the Philippine School of Commerce. In PSC's history the school transfered from various buildings all over Manila; some of which were located at Lepanto st. (currently S.Y. Loyola st). Sir Rene says that PUP once stayed at the house next his home before moving to anyone nearby that currently houses now the University of Manila then before moving to another building in manila.

Well this claim has yet to be proven, but there are some truth to it..

Sir Rene said this long table was the same table the House of Representatives used when they were staying at the house beside his' 

Also; a relative of the junior family of the Nakpil-Bautista lives here; his name is Chito Lim. I enjoyed our conversation about his family roots. I'll be posting it some time when i get a chance to meet him again.

These are pictures are just some of his wooden collections that were restored in his expenses.

This experience made me realize that you'll never find the greater things in life if you're not willing to leave your comfort zone. Seize the opportunity when it presents itself, or regret never seizing it again. I see hope for these good people that amidst all the temptation to sell their property to those who don't appreciate them, they still stood their ground hoping one day a new generation would lift them from their despair and give both their old bones and moldy floors a breath of life to enjoy.

Thank you guys for taking the time to read my blog, and i'll see you in the next expedition