A heritage advocate group has formally petitioned to urgently protect the Hilario Sunico Ancestral Residence in Barangay 284, Zone 26, San Nicolas, Manila, following reports that the historic house is being demolished.
Amid public uproar, Manileños for Heritage (M4H) has been coordinating with key officials to stop the dismantling and preserve what remains of the Spanish-period bahay-na-bato.
The group penned a 17-page unified memorandum addressed to the national and local cultural agencies.
“Since yesterday, we have been working through private and direct channels with concerned authorities to halt the demolition and save this irreplaceable structure,” the organization said in a statement.
Through its volunteer network, M4H has documented alarming developments on-site, including the rapid removal of capiz shell windows and the dismantling of the roof in a single day. The structure has been barricaded, and notably, no visible demolition or building permit has been posted, raising concerns about the legality of the activity.
Built in 1891, the Hilario Sunico Ancestral Residence is historically significant as the home of Hilario Sunico Chanuangco, a famed bell maker whose works include the bells of Binondo Church. The house also appeared in the film “Mano Po 1: My Family” (2002), cementing its place in cultural memory.
Architecturally, the group said the residence is a rare example of ornate late Spanish-period bahay-na-bato. Its chamfered corner, apple-green-and-light-yellow bandejas, cut-iron grills, floral motifs, acanthus-shaped brackets, and continuous stone pedestal reflect the work of master craftsmen.
The Ateneo de Manila University Institute of Philippine Culture noted that it retains extant archival plans, further emphasizing its institutional and documentary value.
At around 135 years old, the house qualifies as an Important Cultural Property (ICP) under Republic Act No. 10066, or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, and is registered in the Philippine Registry of Heritage (PRE-PH-IMO-05620).
The law states that structures dating at least 50 years are considered ICP.
M4H said its efforts have produced positive results.
The organization expressed gratitude to local and national agencies, including the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the City Building Official Cristal Bagatsing and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila, for helping stop the demolition.
Support from local officials was also crucial. Manila Councilor Jefferson Lau requested the barangay to intervene due to the absence of proper permit signage.
The organization also recognized partners such as Renacimiento Manila for raising awareness, but emphasized that public vigilance and continued action remain critical.
“Awareness alone is not enough. Continued action, vigilance, and accountability are needed to ensure long-term protection,” M4H said.
Renacimiento Manila on Monday, March 30, joined M4H in raising awareness on the ongoing demolition of the Hilario Sunico House, saying “Manila is once again witnessing the destruction of its built heritage.”
Meanwhile, M4H also addressed suggestions to relocate the structure.
“Proposals to transfer the house to another site may seem practical, but they undermine the core principles of heritage conservation. Removing a structure from its original setting results in the loss of context, and context is essential to cultural value,” M4H said.
“Conservation is not only about preserving materials. It is about protecting the relationship between place, history, and community,” it added.
The organization also stressed that labeling proper conservation as “too ideal” weakens collective responsibility.
“The threats faced by the Hilario Sunico Ancestral Residence, as well as other heritage houses in San Nicolas, are preventable. These are not inevitable losses. They can be addressed through enforcement, coordination, and public support. Defeatist thinking has no place in heritage work,” M4H said.
M4H confirmed that it will continue to monitor developments on-site and remain committed to working with stakeholders to ensure the structure is protected and eventually restored.
“At a time when Manila is working to reclaim its historic core, the protection of structures like the Hilario Sunico Ancestral Residence is both a responsibility and an opportunity. It stands as a vital link to the city’s artistic excellence, industrial history, and cultural identity. It must not be lost,” the organization concluded.