Cebu Series: Yap San Diego Ancestral Home - A Home that Withstood the Test of Time

 

can't deny how old it is...

I'm always, always fascinated and curious with vintage stuffs (but not vintage people haha) and Cebu has a lot to offer.  With limited time (work as a priority), I opted to just check some tourist spots within the city.  Fortunately, there are some ancestral homes in Parian (15 mins. from our hotel).

 

I have seen this ancestral home in some FB posts and I have been curious to see it eversince.  So when I was finally assigned in Cebu for a few days, I wasted no time in researching and blog stalking for this place.  I just have to see it.

as per written on the sign board, this was built during the 17th century

Since our return flight is at 10PM, we have a lot of time to wander around the city and for some last minute shopping. 

We were picked-up by B's friend at around 10:30AM for lunch.  We ate in a very inexpensive buffet restaurant.  The food is just ok for the hungry stomach.  I can't complain with a free lunch anyway.

 

After lunch, her friend has volunteered to take us anywhere we want to go before our flight.  It's a surprise however that he didn't know about Yap-San Diego Ancestral home.  Thanks for Google that we were able to find it.  It is located very near the fire department and the famous landmark.  Entrance fee is Php50.00.  It is now being maintained by the owners' help.  The owners has just decided to make it as a museum but still sleep in here occasionally.  Well, with the dusts around the house, I don't think that sleeping here is highly recommended.

 

We learned that Cebu during the Spanish time, has been divided into church municipalities.  One of them is Parian.  Sadly, not much of the old times has been preserved. 

 

Back to the ancestral home - it is amazing to learn that there is no major restoration made yet for this home.  It has withstood all the wars, weather changes and human abuse to think that not a single nail has been used to construct it.  It has witnessed a lot of events, history and occasions.  If its walls can talk, I'm sure a day is not enough to learn all those stories.  However, this house is not yet registered with the National Heritage club so it's not yet authenticated on its age and profile.  Maintenance is solely being shouldered by the owners.
 

The ground floor, which during those times should have been the garage has been converted to a show room of all their furniture and memorabilia.

 

The second floor where the bedrooms and living and dining areas are located has been a show room also of their tables, chairs, kitchenwares and other things that have been previously used by their ancestors.  It's a surprise to learn that they already have a semi-automatic beater at that time.  I kept on wondering how hard it is to be a female of the house then.  You have no choice but to learn some skills since women just stayed at home and there are no gadgets to tinker at that time.

 

 

 I love their simple garden which still houses the century old well and still is functional.

check the centuries old wooden sink

 

  

I have high respect for the owners for preserving this home when most people wanted modern things.  It's just great to see history unfolds in front of my eyes through this home.