Alden Richards was receiving criticism on social media from some Ancestral Homes enthusiasts after it was reported that a heritage home was reportedly set to be demolished to give way for his McDonald’s branch.
According to the reports, the restaurant would be built in the heritage house owned by the Zavalla-Rivera family in Sta. Rosa City was located.
Some historians, like Kristoffer Pasion, said it would be against the law if Alden demolished the house without asking for a permit from the National Historical Commission.
“May proseso tayo ayon sa batas. Maaaring magpetisyon sa NHCP na tanggalin ang presumption of imporant cultural property sa paggiba. Ang proseso na ito ay nariyan upang protektahan ang mga natitira nating pamanang pangkultura (cultural heritage) at bakas ng kasaysayan sa lugar,” he said.
“Ang basta-bastang paggiba ng mga lansangan at istrukturang pangkasaysayan ay pambabastos di lamang sa pambansang pamana natin, ngunit pati na rin sa kasaysayan at identidad natin,” he added.
Napakatindi ng pagiging panatiko ng ibang tagahanga ni Alden. Ito lang naman. Ang paggiba ng heritage structure (private-owned man o public) na walang abiso mula sa National Historical Commission of the Philippines ay lantarang paglabag sa batas (Art III, Sec. 5, RA 10066). https://t.co/K2r610V3hB
— Kristoffer Pasion (@indiohistorian) July 29, 2024
Other netizens who were fans of old houses said they would also boycott Alden’s restaurant if the demolition ever happens.
As of writing, McDonald’s Philippines and Alden have yet to give a statement on whether they would demolish the house or repurpose it to preserve its structures.