The biography of Governor Modesto Castillo who was governor during the years 1922-1930 mentions that it was during his term that the Provincial Capitol as well as the Provincial Hospital now the Batangas Regional Hospital was constructed. The money came from provincial funds, without national aid.
On the inner walls of the MC Hall on the right side after walking up three steps, the marker states that the building was erected in 1926. It mentions the provincial officials at the time: the provincial board with Modesto Castillo as governor, Maximo Sarmiento and Simeon Ylagan, members; J.W. Crow, treasusrer; Isaias Fernando, district engineer; and Manuel G. Palma, contractor.
The marker on the wall on the right stairs reads: Provincial Officials of Batangas on the Inauguration of the Philippine Commonwealth, November 15, 1935. The officials of the provincial board then were Governor Vicente Noble; Quintin B. Castillo and Victorino Fortus, members; Jose S. Ocampo, treasurer; Miguel Y. Garcia, district engineer; Francisco E. Jose, fiscal; A.T. Heidenreich, division superintendent of schools; Aniceto Penalosa, district health officer; and J.L. Villena, auditor.
Entering the MC Hall from the wide entrance where the capitol building faces west there is a marker on the left side very near the entrance and which is above eye level which reads: Philippine War Damage Commission and the words Rebuilt with the Aid of the People of the United States of America under the Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1946.
On the wall on the left side stairs another marker reads: First Elective Provincial Board, January 1, 1948: The officials then were Feliciano Leviste, Governor; Francisco Perez and Maxima Reyes-Recto, members; Marcelo T. Lota, provincial secretary; G.T. Matanguihan, district engineer; L. Evangelista, auditor; Ambrosio Lontok, provincial agricultural supervisor; Saturnino David, treasurer; Domingo Tablan, district health officer; Mateo Alcasid, provincial fiscal; and Gregorio Lardizabal, division superintendent of schools. The plaque was donated by Miranda and Tan Gana, the engineering contractors.
On the right side of the wide entrance opposite the War Damage Commission marker are two recent markers. The small marker above the bigger one reads: Governor Modesto Castillo Hall Dedicated January 28, 1993.
Below this is a larger one which reads: This capitol building was restored and financed by the Batanguenos under the administration of Honorable Vicente A Mayo, Vice governor Guia Perez-Chavez, Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The other officials listed on this wide plaque or marker are: board members for the first district, Lorenzo Bausas and Ricardo Diaz; 2nd District, Eugenio E. Mendoza, Leandro C. Gonda, Marcia Reyes; 3rd district, Nicomedes F. Hernandez, Apolinario A. Macalintal; 4th district, Fernando A. Manguerra, Eva U. Reyes, Lorenzo T. Lojo; Jessie Cantos, treasurer; Augusto Claveria, administrator; Mateo C. Layog, engineer; Arsenio N. Cay Jr. GSO; Lauro Andaya, assessor; Simplicia Maligaya, budget officer.
Reading the data on these markers or plaques is a dizzying experience. A person reading these hops from one time setting to another. There is no chronological order in the way these markers were nailed to the walls.
The architecture itself is neo-classical with the four huge Greek columns in the central structure composite in design. One can see the symmetry in the lines that trace the structure. This symmetry is broken by the supplemental structure on the left wing as one faces the capitol at its entrance. The nipa structure beside it visible as you approach the building is incongruous and an eyesore. In the same manner that huge water tank at the back of the building also mars the view. Why should it be there?
It is interesting to note that in 1962- 64 or thereabouts the MC Hall housed a canteen that catered to the provincial employees right smack on the left side of the hallowed hall. Sanoy Leviste was still the governor. Later the people involved in running the canteen decided that it was not the place to locate it.
Let it be mentioned that Gov. Feliciano Leviste was the longest-serving governor in the province and perhaps in the entire Philippines. He was well-loved by all the people. It was also during his time that the grounds fronting the capitol were planted to citrus trees.
It is noteworthy to mention that the walkway between offices at the back of the building had been beautified by pebble stones and mini border fences. But the marble terrace itself should be the one that should be given a thorough landscaping job. When they planted trees on the soil areas they should have considered short ornamental trees. Imagine when all those narra trees have attained their full height and in full foliage. The magnificent sight of the capitol building would be obliterated because of these trees.
The shooting of a Hollywood movie in the late eighties necessitated the construction of a fence around the building. It was made of card board but made to look like concrete. After the shooting the makeshift fence was not torn down. It was made into the real concrete fence that shields the seat of provincial power. The fencing of the capitol made it look like a fortress which must be defended. Hopefully may those who work in it especially the executives not develop the siege mentality that such a setting may evoke. It was Governor Vicente Mayo's term.
The capitol was once more the setting of the Eddie Garcia movie Gobernador a few years back.
The landscaping and greening of the grounds fronting the provincial capitol now called Laurel Park is credited to former Governor Antonio Leviste. The acacia trees and the grass provide shade and rest to the students and folks who find in it the only park in the city that is far from the hustle and bustle of human and vehicular traffic.
It was said that these grounds up to the Mansion house area used to be a golf course used by the Americans.
Governor Joey Laurel V is credited for the construction of the provincial dormitory and the covered court which serves as sports, social, and seminar venues. Under Governor Hermilando Mandanas the dormitory was scrapped and the building was converted into other provincial offices. The construction of said building and the other long, row of a building on the left side somehow contributed to a change in the overall layout of the garden as envisioned by Leviste.
The Sanggunian is planning the construction of its own legislative building. May they be guided by a sense of aesthetics and locate the building not in the area where the trees and greenery would be disturbed. Somehow there must be a degree of continuity when a predecessor had started something good.
There are at present many environment and conservation groups, not counting cultural and historical government agencies that implement and correct the preservation of historical sites and buildings. May every Batangueno be aware that he has a stake in the upkeep of the Batangas Provincial Capitol because this is his grand heritage worth preserving. During that American Occupation period Governor Castillo and his officials had the vision and audacity to build such a magnificent structure that mirrors the Batanguenos' aspirations.
No other provincial government building in the southern Luzon area and perhaps in the whole of Luzon or the Philippines, barring the national capital region, that can compare to the magnificence of this capitol building. May each Batangueno thus treat it with much respect.
