Restoring the past

Being part of the third generation in the Morató family, it is a surprise to many that someone like me would be interested in learning about history and heritage.

Many times I’ve felt like an “old” person trapped in a generation-x body where conversations of the past captured my interest rather than the latest news going around town. So when I came across a photo of my grand father Tomas Morato’s summer house which is now situated in Laguna, I was once again filled with excitement about what I could garner from this new discovery.

Built in 1920, this summer house was originally located in Calauag Quezon, the province where my abuelo Tomas met my grandmother Consuelo Lim. I only knew of stories from my elders on how a full blooded Spaniard met this, as everyone said, beautiful Filipina-Chinese lady right in the middle of a beauty contest which she actually won.

This summer house, as described by its new owner, was frequented by no less than President Manuel Quezon himself where the PNR train made a special stop right in front of the property built on a hilltop and overlooking Calauag Bay. It is certainly interesting to know that its new owners not only gathered essential history from this historical structure but also did everything they could to upgrade and restore it carefully.

To find out from an unknown person that the children of my grandfather himself spent summers playing in such a beautiful home while perhaps, and without much attention, barely thought of how extremely lucky they were to be in the same place as one of our most beloved presidents, is an interesting memory that I can only imagine was fondly shared.

I personally have not yet been to this farm resort just yet, however, I look forward to visiting this place as it further gives me the opportunity to dig deeper into my roots.

While none of my elders ever ventured into the restoration of such a beautiful treasure, I can only be grateful that someone not only bothered to undergo this huge undertaking while bringing with them notable historical facts.

A lover of history like myself will always be moved by such an endeavor. The grandeur of the past, as this new owners describe the summer house can only be fully felt if one understands the real truth behind our history. That is the whole agenda of restoration in the very first place – it is to preserve something of the past while bringing its value into a whole new light.

Restoration entails proper approach wherein one is able to actually depict the character of a site or structure. It’s almost like telling a story where piece by piece everything falls into its rightful place. After all, one cannot restore something that did not have its proper roots to begin with. This therefore is in my opinion something that many of us ought to understand when it comes to restoration.

One cannot restore anything that was never built on the foundation of truth and the reality of what it actually stood for. Restoration undergoes a whole process of validation and careful assessment just like what was accomplished by the new owners of this summer house. It certainly explains why this is their pride and joy.

As part of the third generation who has never stepped foot into this place while it was in Calauag Quezon, thanks to the owners of Sitio de Amor, I now have the chance to enjoy and relive my own heritage and continue to connect my family history.