From Vigan to Dapitan: 9 Filipino heritage houses you need to visit

Unlike its counterparts in Manila, the homes near Iloilo City blend the neoclassical and art deco styles. They are firmly situated in the colonial architecture style but with the added element of high ceilings, neoclassical balustrades, and intricate rosette carvings all over the ceilings. 

Molo Mansion was built in the 1920s for Doña Petra Lacson and her husband Estanislao Yusay. The house underwent a restoration in 2014. It is currently a heritage museum with a collection of delightful souvenirs. 

Built in the 1820s, this bahay-na-bato (house of stone) was commissioned by the Chinese trader Don Enrique Quema in the old Chinese quarters. In line with Chinese architecture, the roof slopes downwards. The ground floor also has room for kalesas (horse-drawn carriages), with space on the upper floor for the family’s living quarters. The windows are encased in traditional capiz shells. With the original furniture laid out, it is easy for a visitor to imagine what life was like in the colonial era. 

Built in 1929, Japanese officials stayed here during the Second World War. What sets this house apart is its collection of artworks. While touring the home, you will see the paintings of national artist Dr Abdul Mari Asia Imao and an entire room dedicated to pulileño artist Demetrio Diego. The Laxamana House is a typical bahay-na-bato with stairs ushering guests into the living room, especially during the yearly Mandala Art Festival. 

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Over its 200 years of existence, the Vega Ancestral House has witnessed key moments in Philippine colonial history. Its exteriors are made of oti-ot, or sculpted wooden atlases that support the second floor. The home’s exterior also features sculpted wooden men, representing the three sons of homeowner Faustino Vega. The roof and walls are made of woven grass. The Vega ancestral home was made with the highest-quality material, allowing it to stay open to visitors today. The first floor is now open as a restaurant. 

The Adasa ancestral house gives us a glimpse of early American architecture in the Philippines. Similar to other heritage homes, its first floor is mainly a storage area, with the family’s rooms on the second floor. An extended balcony, called a volada, wraps around the southwestern and southeastern parts of the home. The volada displays intricate lyre-shaped openings, as well. Throughout the house, visitors will also see whole wooden trunks supporting the roof, which can also be accessed by a walkway. 

This home is one of the last art deco structures in the Philippines. Featuring large stained glass windows and a fan-shaped front terrace, it spares no expense in its attention to detail. The interior is decorated in the French provincial style with rich green curtains and chairs. Rooms are coloured in refreshing pastels with repeating sunburst motifs. 

The Hizon House is another example of American colonial-style architecture. It features a winding staircase lined with colourful Machuca tiles that display lively Mediterranean designs. This home blends elements of Victorian design with the bahay-na-bato structure.   

This eye-catching mansion, painted Mediterranean blue by the Mercado family, was originally a one-story home built in the 1880s. The second floor, made of hardwood, was added in 1906. Situated by the town’s main highway, this house immediately stands out to visitors and townspeople alike.

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