Visit These 9 Ancestral Homes That Are Experiencing A New Lease On Life
Steeped in history, these ancestral homes are now accessible to the public as museums, restaurants and inns
Every special place has a story that will take you to its roots. Historical landmarks serve as a point of learning—carrying anecdotes of important people, events, and artifacts that are part of the foundation of our nation from the very beginning.
At present, such spots have been successfully interwoven with the modern world without taking out the traces of the past. Take, for instance, ancestral homes that were converted into museums, restaurants, and bed and breakfasts. By utilizing these spaces to welcome visitors, people can bask, marvel, and enjoy the setting and stories of the olden days.
If you haven’t gone to one, there’s a number of places that are within driving distance from Manila. Whether you have time for a quick lunch and tour or spend a day or two, here are nine ancestral homes to visit for quick exploration of the past.
Check them out in the gallery below:
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
Palacio de Memoria
This pre-war historic mansion, located in Roxas Boulevard in Paranaque City, brims with exquisite and rich cultural and design details—from its architecture to the pieces exhibited in the space. It now serves as an events place, a boutique, and a restaurant.
Photo Credit: Palacio de Memoria Facebook Page
Palacio de Memoria
Photo Credit: Palacio de Memoria Facebook Page
Palacio de Memoria
Photo Credit: Palacio de Memoria Facebook Page
Palacio de Memoria
Photo Credit: Palacio de Memoria Facebook Page
Palacio de Memoria
Photo Credit: Palacio de Memoria Facebook Page
Villavicencio Taal Wedding Gift House
A two- or three-hour drive will take you to Casa Villavicencio, an old Spanish colonial era house in Taal, Batangas owned by Eulalio Villavicencio. Built in the 1800s, it’s one of the bahay na bato properties that line the Taal Heritage Village. Almost two centuries later, the place is now a bed & breakfast as well as a tourist hotspot.
Photo Credit: Villavicencio Taal Wedding Gift House Facebook Page
Villavicencio Taal Wedding Gift House
Photo Credit: Villavicencio Taal Wedding Gift House Facebook Page
Villavicencio Taal Wedding Gift House
Photo Credit: Villavicencio Taal Wedding Gift House Facebook Page
Aurora Filipino Cuisine
If you’ve ever been to Sta. Cruz, Laguna, you may have heard of (or stopped by!) Chef Day Salonga’s ancestral home-turned-restaurant called Aurora Filipino Cuisine. Once a beauty parlor, the house has been preserved and converted into a dining spot that serves delicious Filipino dishes whipped up from the Salonga’s heirloom recipes.
Photo Credit: Aurora Filipino Cuisine Facebook Page
Aurora Filipino Cuisine
Photo Credit: Aurora Filipino Cuisine Facebook Page
Aurora Filipino Cuisine
Photo Credit: Aurora Filipino Cuisine Facebook Page
La Casita Mercedes
This restored pre-war colonial home can be found right in the heart of the city. Located in Poblacion in Makati, this beautiful vacation home is speckled with all locally-sourced furniture and features native Philippine design elements.
Photo Credit: La Casita Mercedes Facebook Page
La Casita Mercedes
Photo Credit: La Casita Mercedes Facebook Page
La Casita Mercedes
Photo Credit: La Casita Mercedes Facebook Page
La Casita Mercedes
Photo Credit: La Casita Mercedes Facebook Page
La Casita Mercedes
Photo Credit: La Casita Mercedes Facebook Page
Bahay Nakpil-Bautista
This 17th century edifice was home to some of the significant names in Philippine history, specifically Julio Nakpil, a music composer who was appointed by Andres Bonifacio as president of the Katipunan's Northern Command. He married Bonfiacio's widow, Gregoria de Jesus after the revolution. Today, this Manila property is a house museum, center of culture where people can view areas and a library.
Photo Credit: Bahay Nakpil Website
Bahay Nakpil-Bautista
Photo Credit: Bahay Nakpil Website
Bahay Nakpil-Bautista
Photo Credit: Bahay Nakpil Website
Casa Manila Museum
Casa Manila Museum was built to showcase what an ilustrado’s home looked like. The three-storey building was a replica of Severino Mendoza’s mansion—a grand stone and wood property that takes you on a trip down the 19th century memory lane.
Photo Credit: Casa Manila Museum Facebook Page
Casa Manila Museum
Photo Credit: Casa Manila Museum Facebook Page
Casa Manila Museum
Photo Credit: Casa Manila Museum Facebook Page
Sulyap Gallery and Cafe
This gem in San Pablo City, Laguna takes you on a cultural heritage tour with their cafe, museum, and bed & breakfast facilities. The popular dining spot has been known for serving great-tasting traditional local cuisine. The museum houses antiques from the colonial era, while their accommodations feature colonial era hotel architecture.
Photo Credit: Sulyap Gallery and Cafe Facebook Page
Sulyap Gallery and Cafe
Photo Credit: Sulyap Gallery and Cafe Facebook Page
Sulyap Gallery and Cafe
Photo Credit: Sulyap Gallery and Cafe Facebook Page
Sulyap Gallery and Cafe
Photo Credit: Sulyap Gallery and Cafe Facebook Page
Sulyap Gallery and Cafe
Photo Credit: Sulyap Gallery and Cafe Facebook Page
Pamintuan Mansion
This historical site, once owned by Florentino Pamintuan, now houses the Museo ng Kasaysayang Panlipunan ng Pilipinas, where one can view our country’s social historical artifacts. It is located in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Photo Credit: National Historical Commission
Pamintuan Mansion
Photo Credit: National Historical Commission
Pamintuan Mansion
Photo Credit: National Historical Commission
Casa de Segunda
Also known as the Luz–Katigbak House, this historical museum was once the residence of our national hero Jose Rizal’s first love, Segunda Katigbak. The house has been passed down to the family’s descendants and serves as their home-slash-tourism site.
Photo Credit: Jar Concengco
Casa de Segunda
Photo Credit: @rapoy81
Casa de Segunda
Photo Credit: @rapoy81
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