15/01/2025
On May 14, 2008, the two-storey Gala–Rodriguez house was declared by the National Historical Institute of the Philippines as one of the three heritage houses in Sariaya, due to its notable historical and cultural significance.Designed by Dr. Juan Nakpil in the early 1930s, it was owned by one of the most distinguished couples in Quezon, Dr. Isidro Rodriguez and Doña Gregoria Gala. The house is located in Rizal Street along with other opulent houses owned by the illustrados of old Sariaya.It is listed as one of the Ancestral Houses in the Philippines, under Region IV-A.
The Gala–Rodriguez mansion was built in the 1930s as Dr. Isidro Rodriguez' gift to his ailing wife, Doña Gregoria, who had long wished to have her dream house for their seven children. During the house construction, Sariaya and the Province of Quezon were suffering from a crisis brought by a pest called leaf miners. Most of the coconut plantations which were the primary source of income in Quezon were greatly affected. In this depressing period, Doña Gregoria feared that the house may not be finished in full but the crisis later proved to be beneficial for them because the labor cost went down to 50 centavos per day and P12.00 for the master carpenter. On May 4, 1935, in time for Doña Gregoria's birthday the house was finally completed and the family decided to occupy the place. Unfortunately, two days before her birthday, Doña Gregoria died of her illness.
In 1942, during World War II, Japanese Imperial Officers used the house as their headquarter. Three Japanese Officials occupied the second floor while the family was allowed to stay at the ground floor. According to the current owner of the house, one of the Japanese Officers, General Ashima, fell in love and courted Carmen, the oldest daughter of the owner. To win Carmen's heart, General Ashima would provide the family with supply of foods and clothing materials. He would also serenade Carmen by playing the guitar and by dedicating love songs for the beautiful lady. Nonetheless, the family was doubtful about the real intention of the Japanese officer so they would hide Carmen in the Cellar.
When the guerillas learned that there were Japanese Officers occupying the house, they intentionally informed the Americans who were about to liberate Manila at that time. The guerillas sent a map to the American forces to bomb the whole house. Before the planned destruction took place, residents of Sariaya already fled to the barrios for their safety. They did not inform the owners of the house because they fear that General Ashima might follow Carmen. Luckily a good friend of the family went back to tip them of the planned bombing and on the same day, the whole family evacuated.
Three bombs were dropped in the vicinity of the house. The first one hit the front part of the property and exploded at the gate. The second one was dropped behind the house and created a 20- foot- deep crater. The third one directly hit the house and landed in the stairs but it did not explode.
When the whole town was looted after the bombing, the Gala–Rodriguez House was spared because no one dared to enter the house for the fear that the bomb might explode anytime, not a single piece of furniture was lost. Later, the bomb was moved to the garage with the help of some residents.
A week after the bombing, the house became the venue for a welcome party dedicated to the US Air force. In the midst of the celebration, Exal, the younger sister of Carmen told one American soldier about the bomb that was kept in the garage. Immediately, the party stopped and everyone was alarmed. A bomb disposal unit was called by the American forces to check the bomb and found out that it was live The bomb squad unit successfully removed the bomb and finally the house was out of danger.
Life moved on and Doña Carmen took charge of the house. In 1950's, she married Judge Vicente Arguelles and they had one child, Gladiola, also known as Ineng. It was this time when the family decided that the crater created by the bomb explosion at the back of the house be turned into the biggest and deepest swimming pool but it was later downsized into 15- foot deep pool which is equivalent to a two-storey building.
In 1960's, Sariaya was struck again by another disaster and it was known as the great fire. Doña Carmen had already given instruction to throw the furniture at the pool to save them but another stroke of luck happened. The flames that were about to destroy the house were fanned away by the wind.
The grand daughter of the original owner, Galdiola Arguelles-Cabuñag is now the owner and the one who maintains the historical house.
As quoted from the official brochure of the ancestral house, “The Ancestral home, having survived theses series of both tragic and momentous events cannot simply be attributed to some good luck. It certainly was blessed and preserved for a definite and meaningful purpose.”.
