Do you like to explore old houses and museum? If your a history buff then you're in for a treat!
Come and join me on a mini tour inside one of the oldest houses in Cebu which was built in the 1730s.
The Jesuit House is one of the oldest houses built in the country; it's a neighbor to the Yap Sandiego Ancestral House, built in 1675.
The Museo de Parian is located in Parian, Cebu. It's in the center of the heritage district in the city. The museum is hidden inside a warehouse. You might miss it if you pass by Zulueta St. in Parian because of the warehouse up front, but there is more to the house if you take a closer look.
Discovery by Accident
The current owner of the house is Jaime Sy. His father bought the property in the 1960's. Jaime's father used the house as a family home and as a warehouse where he could work and take breaks. They weren't aware of the historical significance of the house at first.
It's connection to the Jesuit priest was discovered by chance when Jaime Sy was a student at Ateneo in the 1970s. Sy recalled that he saw a book in the Ateneo Library describing and talking about the house. He saw the photo of their property in Cebu in that book. It was written by a Jesuit priest and he was surprised that his ancestral home actually played a big role in the history of Jesuit Evangelization efforts in the country.
Restoration Process and Antiques Onsite
Unfortunately, his father had no interest in the house's history and didn't mind the discovery. It was later on in 2007 when Jaime Sy gave serious thought to opening the house to the public and worked on the restoration process.
They had many accidental finds during the restoration process of the house, which also tied up the property to Chinese heritage. They found ceremonial cups from China, animal bones, shells, and even a coin from the Ming dynasty. This will also explain the Chinese influence on the house architecture.
Most of the artifacts inside the house are no longer the original, but the Sy family has tried its best to source antiques to make the replica look like what it was in the past.
A lot of appliances from the past can also be seen inside the house, from old telephones to the bulky TV and other appliances that are no longer used or frequently seen today.
Gallery on the First Floor
The house has two storeys. The first floor is made out of coral stones and showcases an exhibit showing the old maps of Cebu, including the old face of Parian. It also has a mini gallery showing the artifacts Venetian traders from the Ming dynasty brought into the country. It also shows the history of the Jesuit heritage together with the Chinesse Apostolate and the circumnavigation of the world.
The Second Floor
While the second floor shows the house interior, from the living room, dining room, dirty kitchen, and bedroom.
Some Interesting Facts About the House:
- The house served as a base for the United States Armed Forces during World War
- The house was turned into a night club in the 1950's.
Let the photos do the story telling
The house is full of antiques, and if you love old things, I recommend you go check out Museo de Parian.
Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.From 1 to 5 p.m.Monday through Saturday
Admission Rates: ₱100.00 ($1.74) for Adults and ₱50.00 ($0.87) for Students
Senior citizens and PWDs get a 20% discount.
Are you a history buff like me? Come and visit Cebu City and let's rediscover our heritage and be amazed with all the untold stories behind every place.
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All photos were taken and edited by me unless stated otherwise. Images may have been shared to my social media accounts prior posting to the blog.
