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Monday, May 22, 2006
Looking through Iloilo's glorious heritage
By Roilo Vincent G. Laguna
HOW magnificent it is to live in a house full of beautiful memories shared by our forefathers passed through our own generation. A house where we can see wide living room, wherein joyful celebrations are being held. While there are convenient rooms where true love were shared and siblings were raised. Further a place where intricately designed furniture and kitchenware were used.
These are the heritage houses of respected families way back the Spanish regime. These are the living witnesses of the struggles and triumphs of Iloilo City. In the celebration of Iloilo's Cultural Heritage Month, Sun.Star Iloilo Weekend joins the proud Ilonggos in taking pride of the city's glorious heritage.
In 1990s Iloilo was known as the "Queen City of the South" until the Second World War. Way back to these times, the city enjoyed the prestige and honor of being a home to some of the respected and well-to-do families of the country. Big and beautiful mansions were built as symbol of their status in the locality.
Time may run so fast and civilization may conquer the human race, still these illustrious architectures remained its strength to stand still amidst the turbulence of time.
We invite you to travel with us as we enter the doors of history through some of the heritage houses in the city. Experience the breath of the glorious past and witness the evolution of time as pictured in the four corners of these houses.
The Macavinta House
More than the delicious foods served in this house, one could ever love and enjoy the ambiance it could give to every costumer.
This European Castle along Gen. Hughes St., Iloilo City, invites every passerby's eyes to glance and take a peep amidst its busy location.
Before this house turned into a popular restaurant, it dwelled into many stories and to begin:
After World War II, in 1945, the Ferraris Family bought the lot and built the 'Villa' style on it. Then, the house has undergone several renovations when the family sold the house to a certain Mrs. Mirasol and commissioned architect Luis Dichupa to help her. While in 1977, Esperanza Mirasol and husband Pedro Macavinta acquired the rights from the other Mirasol siblings, and with sons Howard and Glenn, they made the house as their residence. The second floor was then leased and housed the offices of the Bureau of Forestry and Office of Civil Defense.
In 1994, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics leased the first floor of the house. The house remained vacant in the year 1995-2002 but it was maintained by the family to keep it in good condition.
Came 2003 when entrepreneur Louise Jardeleza-Cardova and son Miguel leased the house. Today, the Macavinta House is popularly known as Afrique's Restaurant.
Time may pass and change, but the Macavinta House remained steadfast in showing to the people its beautiful designed and serve the people to the best it can show.
Josefa Segovia Student Center
Iloilo truly has proved its worth as a premiere place for education; thus one house conspired in this title.
Surely you can spot this house along General Luna St., Iloilo City. Though it has an old faįade but the house remained its dignity as it was maintained clean.
We can trace the history of this house way back in 1920s when the Arroyo family built it and served as their family residence. For years, the Arroyo Family used it.
In 1950s, the Archdiocese of Jaro under Monsignor Cuenco leased it. While in 1955, the Institucion Teresiana, a Catholic lay women's association came to spread the gospel and promote human development through education and culture.
Here the educational system came to conquer the house when the group moved into the Arroyo residence in 1956. The group converted it into a university residence and student center. This was the beginning when youthful aura reverberates the whole house with their laughter, stories and excitements. It accommodates up to 40 female students.
And yes, years passed by and the wooden walls have grown weak. Since the association has also grown, they needed more space for 70 ladies. Thus, in 2000, Architect Maripaz Villanueva, a member of the Teresian Assiciation redesigned the residence into a student center for 70 ladies and a residence for up to 14 association members at the site of the original structure.
The rest is history. Education at its best was practiced in this house.
Today, the house still exists to beat the new world packed with its experiences years ago.
Jalandoni's Old House
Another precious gem we could add to the glorious crown of Iloilo is a majestic house with superb beauty and design- the Jalandoni's Old House.
Located at the flip side of Jaro Plaza, Rizal street, the house was a private residence building of the late Doņa Agatona Argulles Jalandoni and presently owned by Mr. Carlos Jalandoni.
It was built on January 10, 1927 with a certain Cacho as engineer/ contactor. However, the house was so big for the family; thus, Doņa Agatona allowed the first floor to be rented by a Chinese businessman and the latter used it for commercial purposes.
The house has also played a vital role in history since it was used as a Japanese headquarter in 1945. As an effect of war, the house was partially damaged as it was hit by a bomb on February 22, 1945.
The taste of Eclectic Renaissance was applied in the reinforced concrete house. Such designs were emphasized in their pilasters, arches of the arcade, balustrade corbel balconies, multi-colored window gazing and ornate parapet of the three- sided faįade.
On how magnificent is the external structure, the interior design also expresses its majestic appeal. Classical European style was exemplified in the house. To note, there are high parallel ceilings, spatial arrangements for natural lights, cross clestilates and grouping of living quarters on the second floor. Filipino antique designs were greatly emphasized.
Inside the house are altars for holy figures, large family portraits, paintings, decorative artifacts and large spaces for cooking, eating, and sleeping which proves the values for closed family ties.
Today, the house still stands with honor and excellence. One could ever appreciate the formation of this house amidst the thorough history Jalandoni's Old House has passed.
Avanceņa House
This is now known as Camiņa Balay nga Bato.
The Avanceņa House stands along Osmena St., Arevalo, Iloilo City. It was built around 1860s and was originally owned by Don Fernando Avanceņa, uncle of former Chief Justice Ramon Avanceņa.
The house is not just a simple heritage house with its majestic features but it played a vital role during wartime. It served as a general headquarters of the Filipino revolutionaries against the Spanish government and American government.
Simple but elegance- this is the main feature of the balay nga bato. Through time, its original color has faded, the capiz windows have softened but the strong atmosphere of braveness of the house remained.
Presently, the Avanceņa House serves a dual purpose as it houses the Mother Theresa Learning Center on the ground floor and the serves as residence of the Camiņa family.
These are some of the many heritage houses in Iloilo. We can feel how blessed we are in terms of history and important structures in the country. This, we pay tribute to the lessons and experiences it shared in the development of Iloilo.
Time may run so fast but it cannot tarnish the memories shared by our forefathers; though the physical built up are now slightly damage, the history is priceless.
At the same time, we salute the efforts of Councilor Merci Garcia, chair of the Committee on Tourism, Culture, and Historical Affairs for working hard in preserving these century-old houses.
The efforts shown by the Iloilo City Heritage Conservation Council is worth an appreciation in saving and preserving the glorious history of our town.
As we look back through Iloilo's glorious heritage, may it will serve as an inspiration to us all in our continuous search for fulfillment now and in the coming years. We expect nothing but the best.
Sources: Historical Landmarks of Iloilo (Visayan Studies Program, UP in the Visayas)
Special Thanks to: Henry Fuentecha, Wein P. Gadian, Councilor Merci Garcia and lawyer Helen Camarista
(May 22, 2006 issue)
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