By Abigail Ko
Volunteer
Kapitbahayan sa Kalye Bautista (KKB)
Paul Rainer Sacristan Iturralde lived in Calle San Sebastian, Quiapo, Manila behind the San Sebastian Basilica in a two-storey wooden house built in 1920s which is considered a heritage house in the neighborhood. The house typifies the architectural style of Bandehadong Bahay na Bato that was common during the 1920s in the Philippines.
Adding to the significance of the building style is the purpose of the house which was the Consulate of Monaco in the Philippines from 1950’s to late 1960’s. The son of its owners, Augusto Alvaro Iturralde was appointed as Honorary Consul of the Principality of Monaco to the Philippines, and converted the house as his office and as the Consulate House of Monaco in the Philippines. Mr. Paul Iturralde was one of the descendants. KKB Volunteer, John Arcilla helped in researching the history of the house, eventually leading to the name “Casa Consulado”.
Until he passed away in 2019 at age 60, Paul Iturralde was an indefatigable and respected kagawad and chairman for the senior citizen group of Barangay 390, Zone 40. He had high hopes to care for the people in his neighborhood. He offered free acupuncture sessions. He also tried to raise heritage awareness in his barangay.
Kapitbahayan sa Kalye Bautista Inc. (KKB) was a youth volunteer group introduced to Mr. Iturralde to assist in what could be done with house. Part of KKB’s mission was to share awareness about cultural heritage preservation in the neighborhood. At that time, KKB was also looking for an office, and Mr. Iturralde offered a space in the house as temporary office. In turn, KKB offered assistance to do some cleaning and documentation of the house as an activity for heritage conservation.
KKB Volunteer Architect Michelle Ting led the architecture as-built documentation of the house with assistance from the neighboring schools, architecture students from the National University (NU) helped under the class of Architect Roy de Guzman, while for the FEU, it was from the class of Architect Alpher de Vera.
Aside from student group tours, Casa Consulado had some engaging activities, an independence day (June 12) children’s activity in the house, a discussion activity for Buwan ng Wika, (August 2016) with Sulyap sa Quiapo theme, a Baybayin workshop.
Mr. Iturralde took joy in the youth having interest in their family heritage. He was an eager learner and enthusiastic, he enjoyed having student visitors and he would ask the students to sit in a circle and each would have a chance to share a few words about their visit. For him, the house became lively and purposeful again.
These were our happy memories with Mr. Iturralde who brought smiles and joy both to old and young.
Rest in Peace Mr. Iturralde, you are missed.
♦
the Baybayin Workshop with curiosity and enthusiasm to learn.
Activity Photos for the As-built architectural documentation of the heritage house, 2016