Rellin House
Kidapawan City, North Cotabato
Philippines
Description of the Site
Kidapawan City is located at the foot of Mount Apo in the Cotabato province of the Philippines. Records show that this city can trace its roots to the pre-colonial settlements of the Obo Monuvu peoples. Other tribes lived in the area as well and intermarriage happened frequently. These settlements remained independent throughout the Spanish colonial period. From 1914 and into the 1960s, settlers from other islands in the Philippines such as Luzon and Visayas, migrated to the area. These waves of migration can be attributed to the establishment of Kidapawan as a Municipal District. The Rellin House is tied to these migrations of settlers into the area. Around 50 years old, this house was the home of an old settler family in the city whose patriarch was a doctor. The house served as his informal clinic and was a prominent landmark in the city. This building is the tallest wooden house in the city and was built in an elegant vernacular style, which has few extant examples today. The Rellin House is not only significant due to its architectural style or age, but also for the stories it tells about the past. It is a part of the oral history of the city.
The Threat
A developer, JS Gaisano, has plans to build a mall on its location, but these plans do not incorporate the house in the mall’s design. Due to the developer’s financial problems, recent earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction of the mall has been delayed. However, the house is still in danger as its status is in limbo until further notice.
Efforts to Save Rellin House
Online social media posts were shared to raise awareness of the building and its significance. While this did get the attention of the local government and led to intervention in the developer’s plans, they were not able to put a stop to it. Recently, the house has gained some local attention when it remained standing as newer buildings crumbled during the earthquakes.
Who Should Be Held Accountable
The local government of Kidapawan
Photo Gallery
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