Iloilo Ancestral Houses: Casa Rizaliana of the Arcenas-Lazaro clan in Molo

The quiet street of San Jose in Molo is home to many ancestral houses and standing out among them is the ancestral house of former governor Don Raymundo Melliza. Now known as the Arcenas-Lazaro ancestral House, this 19th century lavish residence is now being developed into a museum of sorts highlighting its connection with our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

As the late eminent historian Dr. Henry Funtecha writes, “After shopping at the Escolta or Calle Real, Dr. Jose Rizal took a calesa for Parian or Molo to visit Don Raymundo Melliza, a close friend and classmate in Manila and Madrid. Rizal took his lunch at the house of Don Raymundo and they talked about Cuba. Don Raymundo just arrived from Cuba where he served as magistrate in the Supreme Court of that country and knew well the situation in Cuba.”

The road which Jose Rizal took from the vicinity of Calle Real to Molo is now named after him and it traverses the Tanza and Baluarte sections of Molo. The proximity of the Molo Church to this ancestral house (it's just a block away), made Rizal appreciate the district of Molo and its church.

To continue Dr. Funtecha’s writings, “Molo by then had a reputation as a center of learning and home to the Church of St. Anne. Rizal was impressed with the Molo church which was known as the "Women's Church" because all the almost life sized figures of saints were women. He was also impressed by the drawings of young artists in Iloilo of famous Biblical personalities found on the walls of the church that were mostly copies of biblical scenes by the French Alsatian lithographer Gustave Dore. The young artists had the names Mabunay, Respal and Salas. Unfortunately, Jose Rizal never made it to Cuba and died at a public execution by firing squad at six in the morning of December 30, 1896.”

This travel of Rizal made Iloilo a part of Jose Rizal @ 150 trail wherein guests wishing to follow the footsteps of our national hero will go around the country and visit the places he’d been to. In return, their passport will stamp at designated places to confirm their visit. The Iloilo pit stop is at the historic Panaderia de Molo which is another block or two from the Molo Plaza.

To continue the legacy, the Arcenas –Lazaro families are set to open this ancestral house to the public very soon. I got a preview of the tour a few weeks ago and I was impressed how well maintained it looked inside out. The main entrance hall was wide and tall making it well ventilated despite the hot weather then.  It will be showcased as “Casa Rizaliana” to pay tribute to the memories of our national hero whose huge portrait still hangs in a corner of the house.

A small receiving area can be found at the foot of an escalera (ladder like stairs). Just like the layout of the Camiña Balay nga Bato in Arevalo, the escalera brings one up a landing that is a crossroad to three parts of the house. Immediately welcoming the visitors is a niche that can double a sitting area which also showcases antique furniture and memorabilia. In the wall hangs the portrait of Dr Jose Rizal which is a perfect photo op corner. 

And speaking of photos, among the come ons of this house when it opens to the public is that visitors can dress up in vintage, turn of the 19th century garments which is part of the tour.  They can either dress up like the fictitious Maria Clara or if they want one of the loves of Rizal like Josephine Bracken. There are clothes for both men and women who wish travel back in time through fashion and get their photos taken not only in this niche but also around the house.

The grand sala is also a good place to have the shoot as it offers a very wide space complete with antique furniture. Wide windows let the natural light in and give a more sublime setting to come with a realistic photo as well as heritage experience. The hard wood floor plus the furnishing gives an old world charm to the place plus the hush surroundings make time almost to stand still.

You might also want to check out the bedrooms complete with antique four poster beds, hard wooden cabinets and other furniture. This is also part of the tour where guests can use when they dress up their costume/s of choice. 

A heritage cosplay as one may opt to dress up in turn of the century costumes and have their pictures taken throughout the house and look as if they're back a century in time.

These costumes were designed so that they will just be used over the guests clothes and still look regal.

Indeed, its heritage tourism with a touch of modern day flair. Now get those camera out and strike a pose!

This ancestral house which is two blocks away from the Molo church and plaza is now open to the public. It is a good sign that owners are now giving more Ilonggos a chance to look at their past and appreciate it more. It’s beyond what the eyes can see that it important for heritage thrusts like this, it’s a way of preserving the past and with today’s sense of pride and right attitude, a brighter future surely awaits.

See more more photos.

Casa Rizaliana is part of the Molo-Villa tour package to be launched soon 
by Amigo Travels and Tours. Details will be posted as soon as they will be finalized.