Our campaign doesn’t come from resisting economic growth. Indeed, we believe in the significance and benefits of revenue generation in Gumaca. Our plea is for a thoughtful and careful consideration of our heritage and culture - the balance between progress and heritage preservation. 

A Heritage House and More

The Mariano Tañada House is one of the two most historically significant heritage houses in Gumaca. It is over a century old and was the former residence of Mariano Tañada, the brother of Senator Lorenzo Tañada. This structure is the largest heritage house in town in terms of floor area and one of the most preserved from its original form. It was the town’s first high school building, formerly known as Quezon East High School. It became the gathering place for the pioneer young students from different towns eager to learn. This site was pivotal in shaping the region's educational landscape as the first public secondary school in East Quezon. During the American Period, the house was a function hall where the community came together for various social activities and gatherings. The house witnessed both the American and Japanese occupation. Timeless memories and moments were created here.

The house is made out of high-quality woods and indigenous materials; combined with Gumaqueños ingenuity, creativity, and hard work, it has become a symbol of strength and the enduring resilience of the people. It is now 114 years old and still standing, elegant, beautiful, and strong. If it’s a person, it deserves a paggalang and pagpipitagan given to our lolo, lola, and matatanda. Do your “mano po” and it will give you the “pagpalain at kaawaan ka ng Diyos” blessing.

The Demolition Plan

The Quezon Capital Rural Bank, Gumaca Branch (QCRB-Gumaca) is buying the house and appealing to the Gumaca Local Government Unit, specifically Mayor Webster Letargo, the Sangguniang Bayan, and Municipal Engineer Aireen Ubas, to issue them a demolition permit. QCRB-Gumaca intends to demolish Gumaquenos’ cherished Mariano Tañada house to build walang kaluluwa (soulless) and generic bank building.

The Alternative and Best Option

Such action of QCRB-Gumaca would show a social, cultural, heritage, and community irresponsibility and insensitivity. Demolishing a perfectly sound heritage house is not the best option. Demolition will be a grim disrespect of the memories or alaala of our ninuno. There are alternatives wherein QCRB-Gumaca can do their business while still caring for what Gumaqueño’s hold dear in their heart: Adaptive reuse, wherein the heritage house will be transformed and repurposed to fit their need. Making money doesn’t have to be abusive and exploitative. 

Together, We Stand

The success of this fight is the success of all Filipinos. The loss of this fight is the loss of us all too. If Gumaca permits the demolition of the most historical heritage house, yours might be next. And if they can demolish Gumaca’s most historical heritage house, what fight is left for the town’s other heritage houses? 

Approximately 3-5 heritage houses are being demolished in the town yearly. Many more heritage houses are neglected. Count 10-15 years from now, and if we don’t act now, such as saving our dear Mariano Tañada House, all our heritage houses will be beyond saving. The demolition of our heritage houses is the destruction of our cultural identity and social memory. It is the destruction of the alaala and kwento of mga ninuno. The destruction of these houses will prove an irreparable and irreversible loss of our cultural heritage.

Call for Action

Join us in saving the Mariano Tañada House by:

1. Signing this petition.
2. Sharing this campaign on your social media.
3. Expressing your objection directly to QCRB-Gumaca: clgcabangon@qcrblive.com, Carla Lavides-Cabangon, Sales and Relationship Manager.
4. Express your support for adaptive reuse, not demolition, to Mayor Webster Letargo & Sangguniang Bayan at welovegumaca@gmail.com.