Cover Doña Sisang’s ancestral home was transformed into Villa Bridgerton in 2022 (Photo: Netflix)
Doña Sisang’s ancestral home was transformed into Villa Bridgerton in 2022 (Photo: Netflix)
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Besides Escolta and Malate’s architectural gems that we still see today, here are some of the longstanding houses around Quezon City that we could appreciate
A different kind of history stands quietly amid the metro’s busy streets. Inspired by several foreign cultures, art deco mansions dotting New Manila, Quezon City, and mid-century modern houses, as well as Fifties-styled homes in other parts of the city, remain understated remnants of a time when the city embraced turn-of-the-century designs with utmost fervour. These mansions, with their clean lines, intricate patterns, and commanding façades, reflect a period of architectural innovation and cultural optimism.
As the city evolves, these homes serve as a reminder of Manila’s rich architectural heritage, blending past and present in a unique urban setting. We look at three of the numerous mansions that have survived through time.
More from Tatler: Home tour: Inside Daku Balay, an art deco mansion in Bacolod City with a treasured past
MiraNila
Above The MiraNila mansion still stands today as a celebration of the past (Photo: Facebook / MiraNila Heritage House & Library)
The MiraNila mansion still stands today as a celebration of the past (Photo: Facebook / MiraNila Heritage House & Library)
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There is nothing better than being transported back in time. The Henry Hotel knows this well, allowing guests to marvel at history up close within the spaces of MiraNila in Quezon City through Henry Suites.
Completed in 1929, a decade before the Charter of Quezon City was passed, MiraNila is a treasure trove of Philippine art and history. It is now a heritage site and library.
This Florentine villa-inspired mansion was built for Conrado Francia Benitez and his wife, Francisca Tirona-Benitez. It stands as a testament to their successful lives, filled with memoirs showcasing their achievements in politics, education, social, civic action, and cultural promotion. Ownership eventually passed to Senator Helena Benitez, who was the source of the home’s name. “Mira a Manila,” she cried to her family when she was merely 18, witnessing a fire in the distance.
Above A peek inside the MiraNila mansion (Photo: Franz Sorilla IV)
Above A large bookcase packed with books and paintings above catches attention (Photo: Franz Sorilla IV)
A peek inside the MiraNila mansion (Photo: Franz Sorilla IV)
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The highlight of the home is its living room, which boasts a grand staircase adjacent to paintings by Mexico’s Diego Rivera and Filipino National Artists such as Fernando Amorsolo, Botong Francisco, and Victorio Edades. Also in the area is a selection of heirloom pieces, from the finely carved bookcases to the grand piano and centuries-old East Asian ceramics.
Did you know? MiraNila has hosted Philippine presidents, members of Congress, the diplomatic corps, and the cultural scene. Today, the grounds are open for guests and special occasions.
Casa Juico
National Artist Pablo S Antonio, Sr designed Casa Juico in the 1960s, creating a mid-century modern house in the suburbs of San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City. Felipe Juico and his family, pioneers in the travel agency industry in the Philippines, owned the mansion for 50 years until it was acquired by Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in 2016. The mansion has since been refurbished and is now open for guests and events.
Above Casa Juico’s interiors are filled with elements that exude nostalgia (Photo: Las Casas Quezon City / Facebook)
Casa Juico’s interiors are filled with elements that exude nostalgia (Photo: Las Casas Quezon City / Facebook)
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One of its many selling points is the preservation of its roots. The main dining room and exteriors—including the trees surrounding the venue—have been retained. A closer look at the dining room reveals a marvellous view of the alabaster-hued carvings on the ceiling, complementing the hardwood tables and chairs. Rooms inside the mansion also boast trinkets from the past, such as plates, figurines, and artworks like the Fernando Amorsolo portrait of the former lady of the house.
Above The staircase in Casa Juico’s main halls boasts a floral motif (Photo: Las Casas Quezon City / Facebook)
The staircase in Casa Juico’s main halls boasts a floral motif (Photo: Las Casas Quezon City / Facebook)
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Perhaps Casa Juico’s most striking feature is the staircase in the main hall. Wooden steps are supported by curved metal balustrades, and the other side boasts vertical wooden beams etched with mosaic patterns. The floral-themed ceiling reminds us of the rich tradition of Spanish colonial interior design.
Read more: The timeless charm of Matwood: Elevating Filipino homes with natural elegance
Doña Sisang’s ancestral home
Like Casa Juico, the late film producer Doña Narcisa “Sisang” Buencamino-de Leon’s residence is one of Antonio’s earliest works as well. Production houses have used the venue for several shows and films, like the Philippine noontime show Eat Bulaga for one of their past segments.
Above Doña Sisang’s ancestral home was transformed into Villa Bridgerton in 2022 (Photo: Netflix)
Doña Sisang’s ancestral home was transformed into Villa Bridgerton in 2022 (Photo: Netflix)
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In 2022, the first-class abode in Broadway, New Manila, transformed into Villa Bridgerton, transporting guests to 1800s England as part of Netflix’s Bridgerton promotions. Though renovated, it has preserved the original furnishings that have adorned its interiors since its inception. The rooms and layout have remained true to their original design. Although the Netflix event appropriated the house to echo 1800s England elements, its design actually follows the Spanish Mediterranean style.
Above A symmetrical view of the dining area inside the renovated home (Photo: Netflix)
A symmetrical view of the dining area inside the renovated home (Photo: Netflix)
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The mansion can be compared to Antonio’s other pre-war-styled works, including his own residence on Zamora Street in Pasay. Designed nearly two decades later, the Pablo S Antonio Residence showcases the then-newer trends of the prairie style, reflecting the evolution of the National Artist’s architectural career.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
