LOVERBOYZ AVENUE: Gumaca's Triumphs in Restoration

That face book group Titos of Manila has been so fun to read and participate

that I have missed writing and updating my blog for 2 wks. wow! so I need to

catch up. probably write a few more stories before the year ends...

one day, I chatted with my friend Allan Martinez and he told me of a big

project in Gumaca wherein a museum will be built just around the area where

we had dinner with LAKAD PAMANA group last summer.

I told him, wow! this would be an interesting story to share. because at a young

age, he has made a name and had accomplished so much. I am proud of him..

the town of Gumaca is leading a series of initiatives to make the World Heritage

Convention more effective and relevant to global conservation. this is a big leap,

compared to other cities which remove open spaces and build commercial structures

instead of rebuilding and restoring a part of history.

Formerly known as Bumaka ("to fight"), the present town of Gumaca was

a settlement founded at the southern bank of Palanas River in the 14th century by a

group of settlers from Borneo and the Malay Peninsula. It is in fact only 11 years

younger than Manila

Spanish introduced Christianity to the people with San Diego de Alcala being proclaimed

as the pueblo’s patron saint. In 1582, the first “visita” was erected and 1686 marked the

establishment of a full-pledged town with independent government, the earlier ones

headed by the friars. The municipality boasts of a still complete line-up of chief executives

from 1574 to the present.

Allan documents research in the historical and artistic knowledge of cultural heritage
focused on the history, diagnosis, restoration, maintenance, conservation, and
prevention aspects of cultures and historical context.

with unique cultural heritage, the town has decided to build a municipal museum.
headed by Architect Joel Rico supported by mayor Engr. Erwin P. Caralian
this museum shall serve as a permanent institution that do research, conserve,
and exhibit the material evidence of humans for education.

this project shall boost tourism with more tourist arrival.

the location of this museum shall be in the historical site at Lakan Bugtali Blvd.
barangay San Diego Poblacion overseeing Lamon Bay.

with the construction of the museum students, residents and more tourist from
neighboring towns and cities will surely appreciated this project.
here are some pictures taken by Allan P. Martinez

here are the pictures of the ground breaking ceremony

Recognized by the National Historical Commission as a national treasure since 1981,
this fortress was constructed by the Spaniards under the leadership of Franciscan
priest Fray Francisco Coste. It was erected to help guard the town against pirates
attacking from Lamon Bay, as well as from Dutch intruders during the 1700s. One
can see some of the cannons still intact at the fort. According to some accounts,there
used to be an existing tunnel between said fortress and the San Diego de Alcala
Church, now a cathedral. Access was through a well located at the fort's platform,
which is now covered. There are four fortresses constructed by the Spaniards, but
only this one survived. It is a well-loved and famous landmark; it is included in the
town's seal. Locals call the fortress kastilyo.

From 1574 to 1670 the town of Gumaca was ruled by Spanish friars. Then from
1671 to 1893 the town was ruled by Spanish and Filipino Gobernadorcillos. From 1893
to 1900 the town executives came to be known as Capitan Municipal and from 1901
the head of the town was elected by the people and came to be known as Presidente
Municipal. Later in 1936 this title was changed to Municipal Mayor.