BALAY SAN NICOLAS

San Nicolas Ilocos Norte Cultural Treasure

The Ilocos Norte Travel Guidebook (2005 Edition) narrates that “San Nicolas plays host to a number of important old houses from the Spanish and American colonial periods.”

It then describes the Balay San Nicolas, formerly Valdes-Lardizabal as follows, “The oldest and most imposing of all stands fittingly in front of the main plaza with an unparalleled view of the town from its volada windows on the second floor supported by brackets. The residence is a “bahay na bato” which can hold its place in Laoag or Vigan given its size and details, and even its refined interiors.”

What was most significant about the lunar voyage was not that man set foot on the Moon but that they set eye on the earth.It adds, “The main entrance is marked with massive engaged pilasters surmounted by a low arch which gives it an extra capital, making the arrangement of its cornices more perplexing. The main door, or the porton, is a set of double doors done in wooden planks into which are inserted two smaller doors, or postigos used by the pedestrian. This leads to the zaguan, the ground floor usually designed as storage space for produce, unused furniture in the second floor and seasonal objects such as andas and carrozas for annual fiestas and processions. A grand staircase leads the visitor to second floor where the first thing to be noticed is its soaring ceilings above the whitewashed walls. The door panels sport the Ilocano motif of oval bandejas in low relief on the tableros.”

The book The History of San Nicolas (2013 Edition) describes the Balay San Nicolas as “It still stands majestically west of the public plaza. The Lardizabal family lived there.”

While there is no record yet as to the exact date of the construction and completion of the house but historical accounts suggest that it was built in early part of 1800s. Through time, however, the value of the bahay na bato gradually diminished because of poor maintenance, fixtures and furnitures have been removed therein, and needed urgent repair.

In 2014, the Cultural Heritage Mapping Project with the help of University of Sto. Tomas Graduate School Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics, Department of Education, and Department of Tourism has deepened the community's appreciation on the cultural value of the property and accepted proposals on how to conserve the property through the principle of adaptive reuse.

The cultural revival program of the Valdez administration paved the way for the negotiation and acquisition of the heritage property by means of Deed of Absolute Sale with the heirs which was finally executed on March 18, 2015. Consultations were sought from the National Museum, Department of Tourism, and cultural heritage specialists including Dr. Joven Cuanang, renowned Neurologist and art patron, for the possible future of the edifice.

In December of 2015, the National Museum declared the Valdes-Lardizabal house and for other San Nicolas built heritages as Important Cultural Properties on account of their exceptional cultural, artistic, and historical significance to the Philippines.

The 2016 Statement of Conservation Report of the National Museum stated the need for immediate repair on several portions of the house.

On August 30, 2018, Dr. Cuanang officially accepted his role to serve us consultant during the stakeholders' consultation. In his acceptance message, he related his fond memories of the house and his vision to make the property as a house museum portraying Ilocano tradition, artistry, and culture.

On December 2018, as the municipality concluded its quadricentennial commemoration as an independent pueblo, for the first time since the start of its conservation opened it to the public followed by a Concert for a Cause at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church. It also marked the community's involvement and assistance for the project.

On February 11, 2019, Municipal Ordinance No. 2019-06 renamed the Valdes-Lardizabal house as Balay San Nicolas. This initiative was approved by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Said municipal ordinance also grants the local chief executive's authority to transact, negotiate, or enter into an agreement or understanding for and on behalf of the municipal government with persons, organizations, or entity for the proper conservation and utilization of the property.

To date, the Balay San Nicolas is under the care of the San Nicolas Express Bin-I Foundation - Ilocos Norte, Inc., a San Nicolas-based foundation, that promotes education, culture, and arts.

Retablo ni San Nicolas de Tolentino at Balay San Nicolas dedicated to the pilgrims and devotees.

Bishop Renato P. Mayugba, D.D. of the Diocese of Laoag has dedicated the Retablo ni San Nicolas de Tolentino located at the patio of the Balay San Nicolas to the pilgrims and devotees. In his blessings, he suggested to the municipal government to have the site open to the pilgrims and devotees and that liturgical rites may be celebrated in this area.

In his response, Mayor Alfredo P. Valdez, Jr., principal petitioner for the elevation of the church into diocesan shrine, said that...

“Allowing devotees and pilgrims to come to the area and celebration of sacred and liturgical rites at the area are welcoming developments as these are the real intentions and spirit of the petition, and part of our calling and mission to emulate the extraordinary life and virtues of our beloved patron saint and dedicate our life to the church as diocesan shrine.”

“This is also a way to lead us into a deeper devotion to our patron saint and protector,” he added.

The design of the retablo is patterned after the facade of the church, its main retablo, and sunburst motif at the back of the church. The patio follows the blend of a typical Ilocano garden that blends to the authenticity and integrity of the Balay San Nicolas having been declared as one of the Important Cultural Properties of the Philippines by the National Museum.

The blessing of the retablo was one of the activities for the celebration of the feast of San Nicolas de Tolentino and the canonical erection of the parish church of San Nicolas de Tolentino as Diocesan Shrine held on September 10, 2020.

Inauguration of the Balay San Nicolas

On December 28, 2021, the Balay San Nicolas was formally inaugurated as part of the 2021 Damili Festival of the municipality. Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat was the guest of honor and speaker, and lauded the municipality's conservation efforts.

Two cultural markers were unveiled - Balay San Nicolas Marker and National Museum Marker. National Museum Director-General, through its representative Mr. Paolo Chan, also graced the occasion, and together with Sec. Puyat led the unveiling of the NM marker.

The event also showcased Abel Collections of Nina Corpuz, Vic Barba, and Edgar Madamba.

The inauguration aimed to promote Balay San Nicolas as a cultural and tourist center. Guided by the principle of adaptive reuse, in the first floor, its rooms and spaces shall be used as a restaurant, souvenir shop, office, and the patio as an outdoor event place; in the second floor, the main rooms or spaces will be called sala mayor, comedor, cuarto, oratorio, azotea, and volada. The second floor also be used for indoor event place. The house has been envisioned as a living museum or gallery.