Months ago, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s white house was tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte as a mansion. Controversial politics aside, Iloilo City is truly a haven of beautiful heritage and ancestral houses which used to be the mansions of immensely rich Ilonggos.
Below are some of the Iloilo mansions open for visitors for photographs and sometimes, for events.
1. Lizares Mansion
Address: McArthur Drive, Tabuc Suba, Jaro, Iloilo City
Public Transport: Taxi, Jaro Liko NFA; Jaro Liko Tagbak Terminal, Leganes; SM Hi-Way, Leganes-Lapaz
The Lizares Mansion is the Spanish-American white house of Iloilo.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Built in 1937, Lizares Mansion is a Spanish-American inspired house that is considered as one of the beautiful heritage and ancestral houses in Iloilo. It is a testament of the hard work of Don Emiliano Lizares of Jaro, who was a sugar baron. The mansion was sold to the Dominican Order and was converted to a school. It now serves as the grounds of Angelicum School Iloilo, a private Catholic school.
The best time to go there is during Christmas. Aside from it being open for simbang gabi (dawn mass), it is also converted to a Christmas attraction, with the school administration putting up lights and decorations.
2. Yusay-Consing Mansion (Molo Mansion)
Address: Molo, Iloilo City
Public Transport: Taxi, Villa, Molo, Baluarte, Oton
The newest renovated mansion in Iloilo is now a place for history and food.
Built in the 1920s, the Yusay-Consing Mansion across St. Anne Parish Church in Molo, Iloilo City is one of the most beautiful houses ever built in the City of Love. For about a century now, it has continuously stunned locals and tourists. In 2015, it was renovated to cater to visitors during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meetings.
Whenever tourists and locals visit the place, they can also get a taste of blue ternate (butterfly pea) flower ice cream at Table Matters.
3. Nelly’s Garden
Address: E. Lopez Street, Jaro, Iloilo City
Public Transport: Taxi, Jaro CPU, Jaro Liko NFA
Nelly’s Garden is a popular choice for garden weddings.
Image: Nelly Garden & Tours Services
The Beaux-Arts mansion owned by Hofileña-Lopez family which was built in 1928 is one of the first heritage houses in the city. Don Vicente Lopez and Donya Elena Hofileña’s house is now open to the public for photoshoots, receptions, and even tourism events.
If you are planning to hold a scenic and historic event in Iloilo, Nelly’s Garden can accommodate around 100 people in the main house and about 150 to 500 people at the estate. The Hofileña -Lopez Mansion is accessible 24/7 and is located just along the main street of Jaro district.
Tour Fee: PhP200.00/head minimum of five people, inclusive of tour guide. Booking should be made at least three days before date of visit.
4. Ledesma Mansion
Ledesma Mansion, the forgotten palace of Iloilo City.
Image: Iloilo City the Heart of the Philippines
If only this building was restored, Ledesma Mansion might be the most beautiful to ever exist in Iloilo City.
A few have entered this old mansion by Don Joaquin Ledesma and Donya Pilar Arguelles. That’s because many have utilized the palatial house as a venue for horror video shoots.
The Ledesma Mansion is located at the corner of Seminario Street, Jaro, Iloilo City. It is within walking distance of Jaro Cathedral, one of the notable churches in Iloilo to visit. Also known as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles, it houses the Jaro Cathedral belfry.
5. Casa Mariquit
Address: Jaro, Iloilo City
Public Transport: Taxi, Leganes-SM Hi-Way, Leganes-La Paz, Jaro Liko NFA, Jaro CPU, Jaro Liko Tagbak Terminal
People can have their family portraits and pre-nuptial photos taken at Casa Mariquit.
Image: Constantine Agustin
Jaro is one of the oldest districts in Iloilo City. Thus, this 200-year-old house owned by the wife of former Vice President Fernando Lopez has now become one of the main tourist attractions in Iloilo. Built in 1803, it known by its popular name Casa Mariquit. It is flanked by a banyan tree at the entrance which makes the place a bit magical and intriguing.
Today, the place has almost become a museum because most of the memorabilia of Vice President Lopez are contained there.
6. Camiña Balay nga Bato
Address: 20 Osmeña Street, Sta. Felomina, Arevalo, Iloilo City
Public Transport: Taxi, Arevalo, Oton Derecho, Bus
One can experience Ilonggo culture and tradition at Camiña Balay nga Bato
Image: IloiloNetPh
Camiña Balay nga Bato (Stone House) has been turned into a museum which contains antiques and memorabilia reflective of Ilonggo traditions and culture. Its difference from the other refurbished old heritage houses is that it also caters to the gastronomic needs of its visitors.
Today when you get to visit the house, you won’t only enjoy parcels of Iloilo’s rich history. You will also get to experience the affluent culture and tradition of the Ilonggos which were somehow left behind because of modernization. When you visit the place, you can see where the Ilonggos dined long ago, and even touch the utensils they used.
You may not get the liberty to visit all the mansions listed above. Nevertheless, even if you only get to see two or three, you would already know how people lived when there was no WiFi, internet, high-rise buildings, flyovers, traffic, and shopping malls in Iloilo City.
Make sure to visit Yoorekka to learn and find out more about the best places to visit in Iloilo city.
Lizares Mansion photo credit: By Celine7ee (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
