Beneath the bright lights of the modern city lies the beautiful history of Cebu City. I couldn't point out the exact reason why, but I always find myself asking what's the story behind almost every old building erected in the city I'm living in. It's as if they are just waiting for me to listen to them, to listen to each of their glorious tales.
Ever since I was a little girl, a certain old structure located in Zulueta St. never fail to catch my attention. Eyeing at it by the limited view in a jeepney's window, it looks like an old, unattended granary. But, I always know there is something wonderful inside that plain structure. Years pass by the curiousness within me just grew. It was only a year ago that I've found out that that granary looking is 200-year-old Jesuit House in Cebu.
The Jesuit House in Cebu is now considered as one of the most prominent heritage houses in the Philippines. It is still debatable whether the house was built in 1730, but recent historical facts support that the house was built way before 1730.
I love the fact that even if I visited the museum alone, a tour guide was available to guide and inform me of the significant facts about the museum.
The Jesuit House has a miniature of the old structures erected in T.Padillla St., Cebu City.
My tour guide told me that before, houses used to have the first and second floor of their houses in concrete, but it was later forbidden mainly because of safety purposes.
An old map of Parian before.
The museum posted a number of tarpaulins that contain relevant information about its history. Perfect for visitors to take down notes, but I'm a lazy one so I just took a photo of them. Feel free to read!
The fire department shown above stands still today. It also serves as a fire department as of this moment too. If you visit Parian, you'll see the fire department.
Above is a photo of a miniature of what the Chinese galleons before looked like. You can spot the difference between a Chinese and a Spanish galleon by looking at the photograph below. Photographed below is a Spanish galleon.
The miniature in the photo above is a model of San Diego. (info. in the photo below)
When the renovation in the Jesuit House started, archaeologists found several animal bones, porcelain wares and even a number of perfume bottles. I'm glad they didn't found any human bones. That would be nasty
lol.
Most of the perfume bottles found were perfume bottles of the ones made in France.
so that means sosyal ang naninirahan sa house, bongga!
My tour guide told me that if someone who doesn't have a high rank in the society visits the house, they have to wait in the bench photographed above. Notice how its lower art resembles a cage? that's for those who are bringing chickens with them. They are not allowed to bring their animals inside the house so they have to leave them in the bench. Pretty cool right?
Carved in the house was the symbol of the Jesuits. I do not know much about the Jesuits so I look up to them over the internet and learn some from this
website. You're welcome!
An old cart used by the house workers before.
This is the staircase leading to the back portion of the house.
The house is pretty big. A house like this is my type of house!
Carving in the wall above the main door of the house that indicates the year when the house was built. Año in Spanish means year, that means the house was built sometime in the year 1730.
My tour guide then left to give me time to roam around the house and take photos. Of course, I wouldn't let the day pass by without checking out the dope bedrooms in the house!
Check out this beautiful antique bed!
Frames, furniture and other belongings from the respective owners of the house were displayed in the bedrooms.
By the way, if you are curious, yes, it's a little creepy roaming around the house alone, especially in the bedroom area. Even though I went to the house in broad daylight, the deafening silence of the house freaks me out a bit.
I don't know why but the antique things inside the house seem to have their own life with them making me feel like someone was with me the whole time while I was roaming around the house. Also, as you've noticed the photos aren't bright because it's really quite dim inside the bedrooms. It was only the light from the windows and the small lamp that gave light to the room. Moreover, there are so many mirrors in the room. Check out the photos below. Took them in the same room.
People who lived in the house before must love to make themselves looked pleasant because of the mirrors. I also found bottles of perfume in the room. Those are really old perfume so I didn't dare open the bottle and smell it no matter how curious I am about its smell. Who knows what will happen to me after smelling the perfume.
Even the chairs in the bedroom looked really creepy. P.S I didn't dare sit on those too because I was scared it might move or worst I might break them because of my weight.
I was in the bedroom for quite a long time checking out the stuff in there and then suddenly I heard the piano outside the room playing! My heart went gaga so I hurriedly rushed out of the bedroom only to find out that one of the house's caretaker was playing the piano!
I really thought I was in a horror film and that time because he was also playing a very sad tune. And then he was like
"hehehe" when he saw me. He might have noticed the fear in my face when I hurriedly rush outside the room.
The bride and the perfume.
A photo of a bride was also in the room. I love how dramatic this photo is. The bride also looks very beautiful and mysterious in her long gown. She must have looked ethereal on her wedding day. I wish they had her gown in the house, so It tried looking for it in the cabinets but the cabinets were empty so I guess it's lost with time.
So much drama in the bedroom because of its serene silence and decors.
After checking out the house' bedroom, I went to the other side of the house that stores a collection of vintage cameras and appliances like an old television set and that thing below. I don't know exactly what is that. Tell me on the comment section below if you do :)
The house also houses old and antique statues of God and saints just like the ones photographed above.
Here's another interesting thing about the house, when they removed the ceiling of the second floor for renovations, they found out that there are some carvings in it. Some of the carvings are Chinese characters. They are not so sure though why and who carved those.
The dining area of the house. So big, so elegant!
Saw some dope old bottles of soda and beer produced and sold before. Check out that old Royal and 7-Up bottle. Some of the drinks contained in the other bottles aren't used and sold these days anymore. Like what's Teem and the one with a Japanese character at the back? I wish someone could tell me what exactly are those and how they taste.
An afternoon spent at the house was a wonderful learning opportunity for me. It didn't only gave me so much time to learn more about my city's history and culture, it also gave me the time to rewind and relax. Yes, I do find it very relaxing to visit museums and so it is refreshing for me to learn something new too.
If you wish to visit the 280-year-old Jesuit House in Cebu, here are some relevant information for your future visit. I do hope you'll get to spend a great time in the place as I did.
1730 Jesuit House (Cebu) is located at Zulueta Street Parian, Cebu City, Philippines
You may reach the house' personnel with this number: 0935 998 4966
For the price of 50php (a dollar), you get the chance to visit the whole house/museum with a very informative tour guide who will accompany you.
I shall end this post with a brilliant from a brilliant piece in Philippine literature which I have recently read. here it goes:
"A Filipino is one who is distinguished not only by one’s knowledge of the
world’s progress but also and more importantly by one’s understanding of one’s race,
people and country – the ideals and morals that are cherished herein. How can a
Filipino claim to call himself educated when he has conquered the world yet he is
ignorant of his own culture and origin?"
- What Is An Educated Filipino? by Francisco Benitez
love lots,
Tin
