LINGAYEN–The newly restored Casa Real (Royal House), the first seat of the provincial government of Pangasinan built in1840, is set for inauguration on September 30 during the culminating activity of the ongoing Tourism Month.

Luisa A. Elduayan, chief of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office, said that during the inauguration of the edifice, its historical marker from the National Historical Commission (NHC) designating it as a national landmark will also be unveiled.

She told the Talakayan sa Kapitolyo at Urduja House last week that the restored Casa Real will become the repository of important items and artifacts of significance to all the people of Pangasinan, including their next generations.

However, while no museum can be viewed during the inauguration, the conceptual framework of the future museum will be presented.

“We will take the opportunity to also start a rigorous campaign calling on collectors of important items and artifacts of significance to the Pangasinenses to donate or lend their collections to the future museum.” Elduayan said.   

Built by the Spaniards to serve as the seat of the provincial government of Pangasinan during the Spanish colonial era where the Alcalde Mayor held office as governor and judge, the Casa Real was mute testimony to the many important saga that unfolded in Pangasinan.  

It continued its role as the seat of the provincial government during the American regime and it was in that era when the old Casa Real was then called the Provincial Capitol.

When William Howard Taff became the civil-military governor of the Philippines, he and his Commissioners visited Pangasinan on February 16, 1901 and were given a reception at the Casa Real.

When a new Provincial Capitol was built near the beach in Lingayen, Casa Real served as the municipal building of Lingayen. When Lingayen built its own administration building beside Casa Real, it was occupied by the Courts of First Instance.

When the courts vacated the site, it was used to host some offices of Lingayen and when not already used, it eventually deteriorated due to long exposure to the elements.    

Both then Governor Amado Espino Jr. and then Second District Congressman Leopoldo Bataoil worked for its restoration to become a repository of Pangasinan artifacts, materials and all things that represented Panagsinan’s past. (Leonardo Micua)   

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