1730 Jesuit House : Historical Artifacts in Cebu!

I've never been to museum before that's why when I went to Cebu City after the renewal of my "teachers license", I have the guts to explore one of the historical artifacts in Cebu. After a little research of my own, I instantly catch a motorcycle to take me there. My feet brought me to an old house, lonely and quiet place. Yet, when you dig in, you'll find treasure for sure!

So come with me as we together witness what's the hidden inside on this old heritage house!

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At first glance, you'll never notice the sign because it's too small and you'll never think that there's a hidden treasure within! Along it's alley is a quiet place as well as the ambiance is not inviting. So when I came here, I even used google map so I could not be lost! How ironic it was, the house was just few meters away from my first itinerary! They're neighborhood! You'll know what I mean when I share this to you the next time.

As I set foot in the entrance, I approached the guard, then he asked me to pay 100 pesos or 1.74 USD for the entrance fee with a tourist guide. Ohh this is interesting! So when I move forward in the inside, some cables, tubes, irons were there. "I think this is a hardware". True enough, according to the tour guide. Basically, it's a hardware with a historical background inside.

1730 Jesuit House

_{Used my own picture and edited via Doc scanner for better and clearer vision}

1730 Jesuit House located at Zulueta St, Parian, Cebu City. Parian is a barangay connotes "some priests/Jesuits" or "many priests live here before". Most of the streets here named after the first settlers in Cebu. We were colonized by Spaniards for few decades that's why it can't be denied that they fall and later on marry to Cebuanas then make a family of their own.

It is one of the home of old artifacts kept in Cebu and the oldest house in the city. The house made from 1730, except the furniture inside. There are many antiques, relics, replicas and other old items from the past. They have kept them for a long time for this is valuable in the future. The house has been built in the said year. As soon as it's known to many, it became one of the tourist spot and part of Museo Parian sa Sugbo already.

The house had been built by the Jesuits. It has House A and House B for this was both huge houses. By the time the foreign people go back to their country, they sold the house to the Alvarez family and then sold it to the Sy family whose the current owner. Initially, the house bought by the father named Nicanor Sy, it's because of their business which is hardware. The lower part of the house serves as the storehouse of the metals and other materials. However, his son named Jaime Sy studied at University of the Philippines accidentally pulled a book about history and came to a page where it talks about old houses in Cebu. He could merely see their house on a book which was part of the history already.

So, he went to back home to save the house and told his father what he had discovered. At first, his father wont agree his plea but later on allow him to make it an attraction.

The Past and the Artifacts

The first phase of the house was the gallery of the past. The guide showed me the history of Cebu, what was their life before, the old map, and the history of the house, too.

This is the replica of the ship of Chinese traders. "Kalakalan" or Trading has been their means of needing something in exchange of their products that they have. Cebuano has a small ship called "Casco" where they use it to as cargo from trading.

A replica of the houses during 1730 were of great figures. It has been fenced with pure cement to be secured. However, other houses was demolished and sold it to buyers and only this Jesuit house remained today.

These artifacts found in the house after the son (Jaime Sy) discovered the house through reading a book at the University. It has been recovered and kept for his plan to make the house into a museum. Bottle of perfumes, bones from domestic animals, porcelain plates, and even Molave wood had recovered. The pillars of the house was made of Molave wood so when they were about to renovate the posts, they slowly get the wood to preserve it. Only the pillars been renovated so far, also to remain the beauty of the house.

Settlers History

Jesuits were the first owner of this house and has been posted here. Next was the Alvarez family who were Spaniards, also posted here and current owners were in the blood of Chinese. Even the scriptures of the Chinese were here too. Those valuable things they have kept for a long time where you can see here.

Collections and Furniture

_{The wooden stairs were of great shape as well!}

When we exit from backdoor, the tour guide showed me the "original fence" (as showed in the replica). As I scrutinized it's originality, it's truly amazing it has made. Seems I couldn't find just like how they polished them. The above, there were tubes and irons been supporting the house so that it won't collapse when there's calamity happen.

This part of the room is their collections, bedrooms, and dining. The hanging lantern symbolizes the Chinese era.

The collections of the owner such like cameras, telephones, filming cameras, type writers, and others. It has been kept in a rectangular shape clear glass.

The bedroom has vintage style and designs, it is called "Ah Tay bed". However, it has metaphoric meaning in our dialect, it's a curse!. Why does it became a curse? Because a person who's in ill and nearly to die confined in Ah Tay bed. So when you call "a-tay" to someone, it's hurting us especially here in Visayas, you're cursing someone to die. Oh nooo.

Guess what, are they the same chair? No, because the right side is a rocking chair and the other one is a birthing chair (I never think that there's a birthing chair before). Hehehe, amazing,huh.

Old television, I have seen like this in a movie scene.

Cash register before.

Still functional electric fun.

Telephone.

_{What a coincidence that there were students filming on their project and they wore costumes appropriate on the movie they made}

In the dining hall, they have long table made of ironwood or lignum vitae. It has sturdy and an extraordinary kind of table.

Furniture inspired by Chinese.

Family pictures of the Sy family.

The roof is made of tisa, (it is made of clay with leg molder). The ceiling is made of wood with white paintings however it's now faded due to years. Now, it's been covered with trapal, or blue sack tarp, because of typhoon Odette been ruined them. Also, they put water sprinkler and fire detector for fire prevention, most especially today marks heat index.

One of the medallions stuck on the above door to prove that this house built on 1730.

They called this spacious part of the house as Azotea or a place to gather together with the guests and visitors or even family and friends, or in short a social hall.

In the kitchen part, many of the materials present here were very useful during my time. Like the clay jar, wooden ladle, clay pot, and others.

And the last part where the tour guide took me was in their office of the owners. Perfect timing, I have the model here as he agreed to get him a photo . I don't know what he's portraying but best of luck of your movie sir!

After a satisfying learning today, I was gaining knowledge and felt proud to myself that I was brave to conquer alone.

That's it for today Hivers. Thanks and be safe. Toodles🫡.

🖊️@jobeliever

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