Villa Tortuga

Have you ever imagined yourself living in the 19th century, when the Philippines was still under the Spanish regime? Or just simply want to experience how you will look like if you are in a baro't saya (traditional collarless blouse and long wrap-around skirt)? Be a Don and Doña or just simply relive the past when you visit Villa Tortuga in the heritage town of Taal, Batangas.

Villa Tortuga meaning "Turtle Village" in English derived its name back in the old days when there used to be an abundance of turtles in the banks of the Pansipit River which flows just behind the house. It is a typical bahay na bato (stone and wooden house) which was restored and now converted into a bed and breakfast.

This ancestral house offers the colonial experience with their vast collections of vintage costumes, hats and canes that you can rent for a photo opportunity. The ground floor of the house serves as the studio to those who want to try it.

The costume rental costs P250 each for an unlimited photos in their studio. They do not have a photographer in house so it is best to try and take the photos in a camera with a tripod so you can make sure of the framing, lighting or anything technical that you want and for a chance to include everyone in a single photo. After the session, you may finish the photos in sepia for the complete colonial experience.

Here are some photos that we took while wearing our traditional clothes:

This is us goofing around in our period costumes...

...and here are the photos we edited and finished in sepia:

Unfortunately, the second floor of the house is under restoration when we went there so we were not able to see the interior but I guess this is another reason to be back and experience again not only Villa Tortuga but the heritage town of Taal.

Aside from the costume rental, Villa Tortuga also offers a tour package and lunch strictly for bookings only. You may contact the number below for inquiries.

Villa Tortuga
Calle Marcela Mariño Agoncillo
Taal, Batangas 
Contact: 0927-975-1683
Entrance fee is P50 each (for house visit only)

Pagbilao Church

St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church or more popularly known as Pagbilao Church is located in Pagbilao, Quezon Province just 4-6 hours away from Manila.

Facade of Pagbilao Church

The church was established by the Franciscan Parish of Pagbilao in 1685 and the first chapel made of bamboo and cogon was erected in 1688 under the administration of Fr. Cristobal Mortanchez.

 

The church was transferred to its present location in 1730 with Sta. Catalina de Alexandria as its Patron Saint and Fr. Francisco Xavier de Toledo was named as the Parish Priest. The construction of the stone church began in 1845 under the administration of Fr. Victorino Peralija and it was completed in 1877 together with the two-story convent and belfry.

In the liberation of  1945, the church and convent were destroyed leaving the facade heavily damaged. American warplanes bombed the complex on the report that the Japanese were hiding inside the church. Only the belfry has survived and the church was reconstructed under the supervision of Fr. Vicente Urlanda in 1954 and stood still until now.

How to get here:

•  Ride a bus bound to Lucena in Buendia or Cubao terminal.
• Get off Lucena Grand Terminal and ride a jeep going to Pagbilao.
• Ask the driver to drop you off the Pagbilao Church.

Bahay Tsinoy Museum

Business will always be in their blood.

Bahay Tsinoy (Chinese-Filipino House) is a museum located inside Intramuros, Manila. Housed in Kaisa-Angelo King Heritage Center building, the museum documents the lives and contributions of the Chinese in the Philippines.

The museum is unique for their life-sized exhibits and some are even modeled from rare prints and photographs.

Kaisa-Angelo King Heritage Center's facade.

This three-floor building is fully air-conditioned and was designed by Arch. Rogelio G. Villarosa with an American Colonial Architectural style. The museum is divided into different sections that introduces us to the role that the Chinese played from pre-colonial period up to the present time. The museum opened in 1999 and has been active since then.

Museum's spacious lobby.

Entrance to the museum proper.

Sangley is a term used in the Philippines during the Spanish era to describe a person of pure Chinese ancestry.

Mestizo de Sangley refers to a person of mixed Chinese and Filipino ancestry.

Tsinoy (from the Spanish word Chino, and the word Pinoy) is also used to refer to a person of Chinese and is wildly used today.

Early Contacts

The Chinese entered the Philippines as traders for years prior to Spanish colonization. With the increased in business opportunities and work, many emigrated to the Philippines. They established concentrated communities first in Manila, then in other cities.

 

The Galleon Trade

Ancient Coins

These coins said to be circulated between 7th and 14th century. These specimens were found in Cebu, Leyte, and Bohol.

The Parian

The Parian which is located in Intramuros as well was built by the Spaniards to house Chinese merchants in 16th and 17th century. In 1583, it was burned down and the Chinese community later moved to Binondo, Sta. Cruz and Tondo.

A diorama depicting the 1583 destruction of Parian.

 Colonial Culture

These life-sized exhibits are based on real photographs depicting the occupations of early Chinese - merchants, laborers and artisans.

A Public Reader in Manila.

For a fee, he reads and writes letters for illiterate Chinese.

A Chinese Cobbler.

His kit is in baskets supported by a stick across his shoulders. Shoes can be fixed in the streets, or anywhere convenient.

 A Chinese goldsmith at work.

Facade of San Agustine Church.

A Chinese peddler selling food.

 A Chinese Textile Merchant.

 Carpenters.

Many churches, monasteries, hospitals and stone houses were built by Chinese laborers.

A wealthy Chinese merchant.

Tombstones recovered from Sta. Ana Church.

Life and Economy in the 1800s

  

Example of a typical sari-sari store owned by Chinese.

Typical Mestizo House during 1800s.

Gallery of Rare Prints and Photographs

Chinese in the Philippines have a really rich history that can be traced back in the 16th century and it is evident in Chinese-Filipino communities here in the Philippines. The enthusiasm, the hard work, and the love for businesses to survive without depending to anyone in their family are good traits that we can take as an inspiration in our lives today.

Bahay Tsinoy Museum

32 Anda Cor. Cabido St.

Intramuros, Manila

open Tuesdays to Sunday, 1pm to 5pm

Entrace fee is P100 each (P60 for students)

Sources:

http://www.bahaytsinoy.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahay_Tsinoy