Ruins of Spanish-era fort in Laguna police camp now among PH’s important cultural properties.
STA. ROSA CITY—In recent decades, Cuartel de Sto. Domingo, or Fort Sto. Domingo, in this city in Laguna province came to be known as a detention facility for high-profile crime suspects in the country.
Janet Lim-Napoles, alleged pork barrel scam mastermind, was held inside the 8-hectare compound in 2013. Before her were former President Joseph Estrada, Sen. Gringo Honasan, and Moro National Liberation Front founder Nur Misuari.
“Not anymore,” said Gemma Batino of Kilusan Cuartel de Sto. Domingo.
Batino and her group serve as the city government’s “partners” in repurposing the Spanish-era ruins, which currently serve as the training camp of the elite Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police.
In 2013, Mayor Danilo Fernandez, who was then representing Sta. Rosa in Congress, opposed moving in inmates to the Cuartel, saying this created a negative “perception” of the city.
Fernandez proposed a separate detention facility and the transfer of Cuartel ownership to the local government.
The planned shift of ownership is still “in the process” and has drawn support from historians and cultural workers, Batino said in a telephone interview.
On Jan. 14, the National Museum named the Cuartel an important cultural property.
“There’s now a double declaration. This is rare [for any historical] landmark,” Batino said.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP, or formerly the National Historical Institute) declared the old facility a national historical landmark on July 21, 2005.
Built by the Spaniards in 1877 on the sprawling Dominican hacienda, the two-story adobe building served as an outpost of the Guardia Civil to protect Sta. Rosa from bandits.
Sta. Rosa was once the “rice granary of the South,” a strategic location during wartime as it was also known for its steady source and supply of water, according to Batino.
The Cuartel also served as the depository of cannon balls, ammunition and provisions of Gen. Jose Lachambre, a Spanish governor general, when he launched an attack against Filipino revolutionaries at Silang and Dasmariñas in Cavite province in February 1897, the NHCP resolution read.
From 1957 to 1990, it was used to store the ammunition of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and since 1992, by the PNP.
“We cannot change what’s already part of history but we want to put emphasis on the glory of what [the Cuartel] was all about, [its] significance, and good architecture,” Batino said.
Kilusan helps arrange visits to the Cuartel, mostly by students on educational trips.
With the recent declaration, Batino said she hoped more people would come to visit the historic ruins.
She said it was an opportune time to “reminisce” Sta. Rosa’s history, way before the rise of modern theme parks and shopping malls in the city.
The municipalities of Babak, Samal and Kaputian were merged to become the Island Garden City of Samal by virtue of Republic Act No. 8471 signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos. Located in Davao del Norte province, the city is composed of a main island and seven islets. About 90 percent of the city’s 30,130 hectares of land is allotted for the production of coconut, corn, rice and other crops. The city is also known for its production of mango, its “One Town, One Product.” Its population in 2015 was 104,123.
The provincial government of Ifugao mounted a series of tourism projects aimed at drawing tourists who may want to volunteer work or resources in helping repair the world-famous rice terraces, which were damaged by typhoons. The P36.25- million restoration plan includes rehabilitating damaged and abandoned rice terraces, building protection walls, constructing cobblestone solar dryers, installing hydraulic ram pump and establishing community seed banks. The rice terraces, declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1995, were damaged during the onslaught of Typhoons “Pedring” (international name: Nesat) and “Quiel” (international name: Nalgae) in 2011.
Panagbenga (Baguio Flower Festival) kickoff The flower festival in Baguio City, known as Panagbenga, opens with a series of activities such as Baguio Blooms Exposition and Exhibition, which will run until March 10, and children’s drum and lyre competition. About P20 million is allocated for the festival, which is expected to draw thousands of participants.
Candelaria Festival The Blessed VirginMary “Nuestra Señora de Candelaria” and the patron saint of Candelaria in Quezon province, St. Peter Baptist, are honored for 10 days in this religious festival. DailyMasses are held at San Pedro Bautista Parish. A float parade, “balikbayan” night and medical mission will be held as part of the festival activities.
Kannawidan Ylocos Festival The rich heritage, tradition and culture of Ilocos Sur province take center stage in Kannawidan, which is a local term for traditional practice. The festival features street dancing, beauty pageant, concerts, food fair and livelihood training.