MACABEBE, Pampanga—Mayor Annette Flores-Balgan will urge the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to put a “significant marker” on the former distillery of the Zobel de Ayalas established in 1860 in Barangay San Esteban here.
Balgan told Macabebe Tourism Officer Catherine Flores to coordinate with local historians and the NHCP to determine “what’s the rightful historical marker” for the Destilería de Ayala, which produced alcohol and liquor in the mid-19th century at the coastal village.
The Zobel de Ayalas own the country’s largest and oldest conglomerate. Their ancestor—Margarita Roxas de Ayala—was 28 years old when she took over the management of the Destilería de Ayala, a subsidiary of the Ayala y Compañia.
Balgan visited the former distillery plant last week and was “surprised and delighted” to see the area where they used to store liquor before it was put on bottles.
Balgan saw what looked like “swimming pools,” believed to be the storage for liquor and alcohol.
“In Europe tourists flock at ruins of historical areas. We have so much to see here. We must preserve it,” she said.
Balgan was joined by Flores and San Esteban Barangay Captain Jefferson Suing when she inspected the location of the old distillery.
During the second half of the 19th century, Ayala y Compañia acquired 4,000 hectares of land in Pampanga planted with nipa palms. The palms became the source of raw materials for liquor-making by Destilería de Ayala. The company also acquired lands in Barangay Consuelo, also a coastal village here.
Balgan said she would ask the owners of the property to help the municipality preserve the area and allow them to put a marker.
Virgilio Manansala is in charge of the area, which is now a fishpond owned by Hagonoy, Bulacan, Mayor Raulito Manlapaz. Manansala said he would inform the owners about the request and the plans of the two-term mayor.
“They will more likely agree. But we have to wait for their official statement,” he added.
Fernando Guinto of San Esteban said there were attempts to convert the area into a school and later, a public cemetery. All the plans did not push through, he added.
The 2-hectare property was originally owned by one Don Jacobo, a Spaniard. It was later acquired by Don Ramon Santos.
The Ayalas’ court battles with local residents forced the family to sell their plant to La Tondeña Inc. in 1929.
Ayala y Compañia, now known as Ayala Corp., operates the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Ayala Land Inc., Globe Telecom, Manila Water Co. Inc., AC Energy Holdings Inc. and other companies.
Image credits: Leo Villacarlo