The Philippine archipelago, famous worldwide for its many beautiful beaches if it was not for Vigan, would be virtually unknown for its colonial architecture. Many beautifully century years old houses are scattered today in many regions of the Phillipines, often restoration effort undertook with private funding.
This blog post will give you a taste of some 100 + years homes which can be found in Cebu (negros oriental) and in Silay few kilometers away from Bacolod (Negros Oriental).
If you are in Cebu two ancestral houses can be found within walking distance of each other in the Parian district and worth the visit.
Yap Sadiengo ancestral house, Cebu
Location: Mabini Street, Cebu city. GPS coordinates (10.299410, 123,903958). Open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Entrance fee: 50 PHP per person.
Yap Sadiengo ancestral house, allegedly built in the 17th century (around 1680), escaped the bombings of WWII and the earthquake in 2013. It is said that it is possibly the oldest Chinese house outside China. The house is in a very good condition with thick coral stone walls and its roof made of wood and terracota. It is under the care of the Sadiengo family and they make point to sleep there every week. The house is on two-stories and filled with ancient and modern artwork, statues and furnitures
Jesuit House, Cebu
Few footsteps from Yap Sandiego house, behind a busy metal workshop you can find The Jesuit house. A relief plaque Ano 1730 above the main entrance of the house
The city of Silay, few kilometers west of Bacolod, became a prosperous town at the turn of the 20th century thanks to its sugar cane plantations and mills. The Don and Donas (also called hacenderos) became quite wealthy and constructed beautiful houses at the beginning of the 20 th century.
About 30 of them are still standing in the heritage portion and three of them have been changed into museums.
Balay Negrense, Silay
Location: Cinco de Noviembre street, Silay. 10.7996695,122.9745508. Opening hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Entrance fees: 60 PHP per person.
Balay Negrense, built in 1897 by the sugar baron Victor Gaston. His father Yves Leopold Germain Gaston from France is credited to have built the first sugar mill in 1846 that started sugar cane cultivation in a commercial scale in the region.
Interior of one of the six bedrooms of Balay Negrense mansion
Kitchen of Balay Negrense mansion with one of the first Electrolux refrigerator
Access to the second floor of Balay Negrense
Interior of one of the six bedrooms of Balay Negrense mansion
Bernardino Jalandoni Museum, Silay
Rizal street, Silay. 10.8019506, 122.97734 From 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. 60 PHP per person.
Bernardino Jalandoni Museum also known as the pink house
Another well preserved two-stories ancestral mansion worth visiting in Silay which according to the resident guide is 90% in its original state. The house shares similar features with Balay Negrense: high ceilings and many openings above the bedrooms on the second floor
Many decorations were imported from Germany including a 100 years old Steinway piano.
In the kitchen, no fridge but an ice box where ice blocks shipped from USA which can tell abou the opulent live in these mansions back then.
