Stopover in Casa Gorordo, Cebu
Posted by on April 21, 2010
During my recent adventure in Cebu City Philippines, I got the chance to explore the interiors of Casa Gorordo.Probably one of the important heritage houses in Cebu. The mansion is a showcase of how the Cebuanos lived during the turn of the century.
Check out the text below, lifted from Panubli-on:
Casa Gorordo, built in the mid-19th century, was bought by Juan Isidro de Gorordo in 1863. Now under the Aboitiz Foundation, the house has been restored and outfitted as a house museum that showcases the elegant lifestyle at the turn of the century.
Heritage Features: The house’s lower floor or zaguan, which traditionally served as a storage space, now houses the offices of the house museum, a small store and an area for art exhibitions. It is built of bituka tabliya (coral stone blocks) and roofed with tile. It has all the typical features of a bahay na bato (balay nga bato): wooden upper story, ventanillas, sliding capiz windows, etc. The second story is furnished with antique furniture and has a collection of costumes, books and memorabilia from the past. Worth noting is the master’s bedroom which displays a collection of sayas. A room in the residence was outfitted to become a chapel because a scion of the Gorordos, Juan (1862-1934), became first Filipino bishop of Cebu (1910-32). The bishop would use the chapel whenever he visited home. The chapel displays a pasyon manuscript in Cebuano. Another item in the house collection is an antique nativity set.
The dining room of the house is separated from the landing or caida and living room by an arch ornately carved with plants and birds. The kitchen at the end of the dining room or comedor is typical of the period. Atypical is the wide balcony or azotea, that runs the whole length of the dining room and kitchen. A trellis supports a bougainvillea plant, that is so large it is almost a tree.
The garden has been landscaped and a new service building, inspired by 19th century architecture, has been built beside Casa Gorordo.
Open Mondays to Saturdays from 9:00 – 12:00; 2:00 – 5:00.
Wow the house is so beautiful. It’s a good thing that it’s preserved and coming generations can still get to see and visit it.
im a native cebuano, but i swear i havent been to casa gorordo. and now that ive seen it in your blog, ill better book myself to pay a visit to that place someday
Whoa! Cool house! \m/
Wow, that’s one well-preserved house.
ay walang pics yung loob ng house.
photography is not allowed inside the museum
Mukhang well preserved ung bahay sayang wlang picture showing ung loob ng bahay.
oo nga di natin nakita yung loob, siguro kaya bawal para puntahan natin ng personal.
swerte mo talaga dami no napupuntahan.
kung maganda sa labas, i’m sure mas mas maganda sa loob ng house.