It’s been 3 years now since I moved here in Manila particularly in Balic Balic (G. Tuazon) Sampaloc but never wondered about the history of our apartment. Like when was it built? Why was it built? Who owned it? What happened to the people who lived here? What it was used for? Are there any dastardly deeds or dramatic events that went on under its roof? Or, my perennial favourite question as a child, does it have any secret tunnels or cubbyholes? Whether I was forced to do this Research assignment, to look for documentation for historic status or are just plain inquisitive, tracing a property's history and learning about the people who have lived there can be also a fascinating and fulfilling project.
I began searching by looking closely at the building, the type of construction, the materials used in construction, the shape of the roofline, the placement of the windows for clues about its age. But apparently the apartment was obviously a newly build one. No traces of old soul walls. I walked around the property looking for obvious alterations or additions to the building as well as roadways, paths, trees, fences and other features but I got no hint in it.
Then I decided to go to the Barangay Hall to ask some people. I found out that Sampaloc is primarily a residential and educational center. That’s why there are a lot of apartment, dorm and bed spacers edifice here. “Sampaloc” is the native tagalong dialect word which means Tamarind fruit, perhaps tamarind trees used to grow in this area. While the “balic balic” got its name from a version can be called dead end story. The long road Calle Balic balic (G. Tuazon) stretches from the poblacion of Sampaloc and way up to the hills of Sampaloc which was a dead end. People had nowhere else to go back but “Balic balic:” (to go back). There is no certainty when was calle “balic balic” built but the old maps of Manila circa 1890’s shows calle balic balic cemetery on its left side. Back then in 70’s Balic balic was a really a residential place but of course houses are built with rattan and bamboos. And it is hard to track down the address because house numbering only began in the 18th century.
Now to know exactly what can be the past issues of our apartment I made my mind up to go and asked the owner of the building, Mrs. Raquel. The lot was sold to them early in 2006 by the Selgia family who is now living in the Italy. The place and streets was still the same according to them except the apartment they built here and the people that go in and out. By the time they got the lot Mrs. Raquel and her husband decided to build the apartment which I am now residing. It is a four storey building and according to her before we lodge in the 3rd floor some students occupied the place already. But they left it so we were able to dwell in the place in the year 2009. The apartment was occupied by students like us in the first, second and fourth floor. I got also the chance to mingle with them during the acquaintance party throw by Mrs Raquel.
To go deeper in my research I asked them about the place. According to her they really wanted to buy a lot and build an apartment near in the University belt where students always finds a place to stay while studying here in Manila and Balic balic, Sampaloc is the perfect place. With all the research I obtain I can now serenely settle, reside in our apartment without thinking any absurd thoughts about the area.
