TARLAC CITY, Philippines — President Benigno S. Aquino III, along with his family, led the unveiling of historical markers at the 72-year-old Aquino ancestral house in Concepcion, Tarlac on Saturday.

The ancestral house of the Aquino clan was built in 1939 and declared historical site in 1987 by the National Historical Commission (NHC).

The President was accompanied by third generation members of the Aquino clan, among them National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chairperson Maria Serena Diokno and Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV.

Other government officials and representatives of the NHC were also on hand at the unveiling ceremony.

Diokno said the government declared the Aquino ancestral house as a landmark because of its historical significance being the home of well-known patriots from the Aquino clan.

Three generations of Aquinos lived in the house since it was built by the late General Servillano Aquino, the great grandfather of the present President.

The NHC described Gen. Aquino as a Filipino “katipunero” and patriot for having joined the revolution against the Spaniards. He also fought the Americans during the Filipino-American war.

The President’s grandfather, Benigno Aquino Sr., also lived in the ancestral house. He became Speaker of the National Assembly, a congressional representative of Tarlac, a senator, and a secretary of agriculture and commerce.

Benigno Aquino Jr., the father of the President, resided in the ancestral house when he was the mayor of Concepcion town. He became Tarlac governor and then senator. He fought the dictatorial leadership of former President Ferdinand Marcos and was assassinated on Aug. 21, 1983.

NHC declared the Aquino home historical landmark in 1987 based on its board resolution 1 series of 1987.

Since its building in 1939 with the help of wood craftsmen from Pampanga, the surviving Aquino family members decided to renovate the house this year so the public could appreciate its historical value.

Aside from unveiling of the marker, the President was in Concepcion on Saturday to join other family members in celebrating the 80th birthday of Maria Aurora Aquino Lichauco, the President’s aunt. Aquino-Lichauco is the eldest of the seven Aquino siblings.

Among those who joined the occasion were Aquino family members, Rep. Jesli Lapuz (Tarlac District III), Concepcion Mayor Noel Villanueva, and Concepcion barangay officials.

The Chief Executive mentioned the influence on him by his grandmother, the late Doña Aurora “Apung Guindang” Aquino (the late Senator Ninoy’s mother).

The President said his “Lola Apung Guindang” touched the lives not only of her children and immediate family but even that of ordinary people.