Pano’s Ancestral House

 Pano’s Ancestral House

Nestled within a generous 850-square-meter property in Brgy. San Gabriel 1st, Pano’s ancestral house quietly stands as a tangible witness to the rhythms of everyday life in mid-20th century rural Philippines. Constructed in the 1960s during the American period, this privately owned heritage house, under the stewardship of Mr. Leopoldo Veloria Pano, embodies the endurance of vernacular architecture shaped by environment, livelihood, and kinship.

At first glance, the house reveals a thoughtful balance between strength and simplicity. Its elevated structure is supported by two distinct hand-hewn timber posts: an inner square post bearing the weight of the raised living space, and the taller outer post that carries the heavy roofing framework. These elements, carved from solid wood, reflect indigenous construction wisdom adapted to local conditions.

The walls are defined by thick wooden panels vertically laid and tightly secured by horizontal beams—creating both enclosure and resilience. While portions of the original roofing have weathered the decades, selective replacements attest to careful maintenance rather than wholesale alteration, allowing the house to retain its original character.

Inside, the warmth of native hardwoods immediately asserts itself. The stairs, floors, and rooms are fashioned from tangile and yakal, woods prized for durability and beauty. The interior flooring rests on rectangular wooden planks laid horizontally above the floor joists, demonstrating practical craftsmanship passed down through generations.

Some windows are adorned with the capiz shell design, adding subtle ornamentation while allowing light and air to circulate freely—an essential feature in the tropical climate.

The house does not exist in isolation. A large mango tree stands prominently in front, its shade sheltering the house and its residents. Various plants surround the dwelling, softening its silhouette, while a nearby house — also owned by the Pano family — reinforces the sense of a shared familial compound. A simple wire fence marks the boundary, modestly defining private space without severing the house from its surroundings.

Historically, Pano’s ancestral house served as the home of Mr. Alipeo Pano and Mrs. Teofila Veloria Pano. Beyond being a domestic space, it was closely tied to livelihood: Mrs. Teofila was a vendor and maker of bagoong, and the house bore witness to the rhythms of production, trade, and family life. These everyday economic activities, often overlooked in grand historical narratives, are precisely what give the house its quiet significance.

Among its most compelling stories is the fact that the house was moved four times due to unexpected events and natural disasters. This remarkable detail underscores a now-rare communal practice—bayanihan. Through collective effort, neighbors and relatives physically lifted and relocated the house, transforming vulnerability into solidarity and reinforcing social bonds that extended beyond bloodlines.

KEY INFORMANT: Mr. Leopoldo Veloria Pano

NAME OF PROFILERS/MAPPERS:

Mrs. Sherry Mae Iglesias

Mrs. Lea Medrano

Gerry Ann D. Dela Cruz

Katrina Jean Jimenez

Karla Joy Sta. Teresa

Faina Angela Mangandi

Lemuel Requilman

Bayambang National High School

ADVISER: Mr. Christopher Gozum

DATE PROFILED: June 8, 2019