Before the rise of the manufacturing giants and the world-class attractions, Santa Rosa City was once a small dot in the map yet rich in history and culture.
Once called Barrio Bukol and previously part of the municipality of Binan, Santa Rosa played a vital role during the Spanish revolution. 117 years after the country’s freedom, the only remnants and witnesses of the bloody battle were the old houses that once became the home of the city’s local heroes and big clans.
Arambulo House
Standing since 1898 and owned by Francisco Arambulo, the first delegate of the Malolos constitution, it housed the former Mayor of the city, Francisco Arambulo Jr.
Gonzales House
Located in Barangay Malusak, this was the house of Col. Basilio Gonzales, the local hero who led the city’s Katipuneros against the Spaniards. He was also a former mayor of the city.
Zavalla House
Situated in Barangay Kanluran just near the Santa Rosa de Lima Parish Church, the Zavalla ancestral house or known as Andres B. Zavalla house has been the home of Andres Barroma, a former gobernadorcillo.
Gomez Residence (former)
It also served as the location of Santa Rosa Educational Institution.
Lacerna Ancestral House
It now houses the Union Bank.
Tiongco Ancestral House
Lijauco – Zavalla Ancestral House
What’s good with these ancestral houses and other picturesque spots are their proximity within the city’s plaza. Just a few hundred steps from the plaza, one can visit these centenarian houses up close. For a more informative tour, one can visit the city museum just beside the city square.
Aside from centenarian houses, the city also has structures that are as picturesque as the ancestral homes.
City Plaza
City Museum
Santa Rosa de Lima Parish Church
A Baroque-style church erected in 1792.
Bantayan
The Santa Rosa Arch, or Bantayan, was modeled after the Arch de Triumph of Paris.
There are so much more to see in Santa Rosa aside from the houses and structures of the past. For more information, you can visit the city’s official website.
Ink & Minds 
It is amazing that those houses are still preserved and maintained. 🙂
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thanks for dropping by Cristine 🙂
actually these are only a few of those ancient houses. Visitors need to have a signed document from the tourism office before entering one of them. This is to ensure their preservation.
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I hope that I could visit one of those houses someday 😊
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it’s never too late I would say 😉
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I could possibly do that with the permission of my parents haha 😂 they are so strict but I understand them 😁
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i see 😀 you can always bring them with you to make your trip ‘valid’.
Anyway, are you that far from Santa Rosa that you can’t go alone?
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Yes, I think our place is far from Santa Rosa . 🙂
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I see. Then it’s hard indeed to bring them with you :p
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haha indeed 😀
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Very interesting article re: heritage houses which if preserved & maintained will match Vigan’s calle Crisologo & Bataan’s Las casas de Acuzar. Not a cheap project but once accomplished will trancend from generation to generation and really highlight’s Sta. Rosa’s ultimate part in our history. If the Phil business tycoon’s will give million of dollars just to held Ms. Universe in the Phil. Why can’t we ask the same to our local Mfg giants to sponsor for this projects? Just an opinion
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same thoughts here. In the same way, I hope the heritage houses can be opened to the public as well (just like Rizal’s house in Calamba). This will give more glimpse to the people on how our city looks like before. Of course, this needs hardcore preparation.
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Hello who ever made this article. Im Jean Nicolle Dumaguit. Im conducting a Research now about ancestral Houses here in Sta. Rosa Laguna. Favor? Can you help me with these topics? Please. Thankyou. This is my Email zxcvbnicolle@gmail.com if you want to help me. And it’s okay with me if not. Thank you! Godbless!
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Hi Jean, thanks for dropping by!
As much as I would love to help you but time constraint is really a challenge for me right now.
I would suggest you to go to the city museum (beside Maybank) and ask the staff there. Also provide a request letter if you want a curator to tour you in and out of the houses.
But given this time of the year, don’t expect to have your request granted immediately.
Sent you an email as well.
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