On October 14, 2024, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) spearheaded the unveiling of the historical marker at “Bahay ni Don Mariano Balsomo Hamoy” in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte. The event celebrated the historical significance of the house, which holds deep connections to Dr. Jose Rizal during his exile in Dapitan.
NHCP Chair Regalado Trota Jose, Jr. led the ceremony alongside Mr. Peter Dominic Adasa Hamoy and Mrs. Kathlyn Uyehara Hamoy, representing the Hamoy family. Also present were Dapitan City Mayor Seth Frederick Jalosjos, NHCP Executive Director Carminda R. Arevalo, and members of the Dapitan community. The marker blessing and invocation were officiated by Rev. Fr. John Warren B. Maratas from St. James the Greater Parish of Dapitan.
Mrs. Kathlyn Uyehara Hamoy welcomed the guests, followed by remarks from local officials. Chair Jose then formally unveiled the marker and handed it over to Mr. Peter Dominic Adasa Hamoy, who delivered a message of acceptance, honoring the legacy of his family and their historic home.
The Bahay ni Don Mariano Balsomo Hamoy was built in 1893 and became home to Don Mariano Balsomo Hamoy and his wife, Doña Pilar Acaylar Sagario. It holds historical significance due to Dr. Jose Rizal’s frequent visits during his exile from 1892 to 1896. Rizal provided medical assistance to Doña Pilar during the birth of their firstborn, Pablo, in 1894. The house also served as a warehouse for abaca products from the business partnership between Rizal and Don Mariano.
Despite pressure from Spanish authorities, Don Mariano remained loyal to Rizal until the latter’s execution in 1896. The house has since been preserved by the Hamoy family and underwent restoration from 2020 to 2022. It reopened to the public as the Museo Balay Hamoy, showcasing one of the finest examples of Spanish colonial architecture in Dapitan.
As a member-affiliate of the NHCP’s Local Historical Committees Network, Museo Balay Hamoy plays an active role in promoting local history, serving as a reminder of Dapitan’s rich cultural and historical heritage. The newly unveiled historical marker solidifies its place as a significant site in both the city’s and the country’s history.
