Cyberfair Article: Casa Gorordo

One of the finest historical sites in the Queen City of the South is the mid-19th century ancestral house bought by Juan Isidro Gorordo in 1863. Situated along Lopez Jaena Street and very near the Heritage of Cebu monument in Pari-an district, Casa Gorordo (literally, "Gorordo House"), as it is called, represents the period's typical Cebuano architectural style characterized by the prominent use of rock and stone for the lower story and wood for the upper story, as well as the presence of ventanillas and sliding capiz windows. The house itself sits on a 1,410-square-meter parcel of land and occupies about one-fourth of the total area.

It is a low two-story house. The lower floor was intended for a bodega for corn and sugar from the Gorordo farmlands, a garage, and a workplace where usually most of the housework is done. Before entering the upper floor, beside the stairs, is a waiting room for guests who offered gifts (mostly chicken and rice for the family).

The elegance of the house is mostly showcased on the upper floor. The ceilings are intricately designed and show strong European influence, although some Filipino elements also appear. The upper floor consists of the master's bedroom, separate rooms for boys and girls, a prayer room, the kitchen, the dining room, and the comfort room.

The Gorordo home allows one a view of Cebuano culture during the period. For example, in the hallway, there is a place exclusive for courting sessions. The presence of such a so-designated place signifies that the Maria-Clara mentality of women was dominant at that time. The Gorordos were also very religious since they transformed one second-floor room into a chapel, revealing the Cebuanos' religious devotion and piety.

A great view of the gardens outside is best seen from the azotea (terrace or balcony), which is also a typical section of many Cebuano houses during the period.

Though the house is a typical late 19th-century Hispanic construction, most historians and preservationists describe the house as a fusion of different cultures. Chinese architecture is evident on the roof of the house, as well as on decorations. It is a steep, tile-covered roof ending in slightly upturned eaves. The carvings on the ceilings and furniture are European-inspired, but its intricacy is unmistakably Cebuano.

Some of the house's most prominent structural features are as follows:
* The entrance, consisting of a two-paneled wooden door framed by a bas relief of a quasi-classical arch with pillars.* The zaguan or lower floor, a dungeon-like enclosure floored with cut stones (tinabliya) layered with cement. The zaguan is usually used as storage area for farm produce from the Gorordos' farms, for firewood, and for religious images that could not be placed on the family altar.* The decanso (literally, "rest"), a reception area for guests. It usually features a gallinera, a bench made of molave wood and upon which house guests may "rest."* The main stairway, made of tugas (Afzelia rhomboidia) and bayong (Petersianthus quadrialatus) and intricately designed. The size of the stairway reflects the wealth of the household.* The caida or the suitor's corner, situated at the boundary of the sala (and was usually longer) and was customarily the reserved place for young maidens to welcome their suitors. On the opposite side would be a chair for the young lady's chaperone.

Though the house itself was built by Alejandro Reynes y Rosales, the name was taken after Bishop Juan Gorordo, the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu, who was also a resident of the house. In 1863, the house was bought by Juan Isidro Gorordo for only PHP2,000.

Casa Gorordo was a home to four generations of Gorordos. Juan, who married Telesfora Garces had seven children: Marcial, Telesfora, Carmen, Jose, Juan and Maria. Only Maria and Jose had children among the siblings. Maria who married Leoncio Jaen had one daughter named Telesfora. Jose who married Baldomera Galan also had only one daughter named Cesarea who married Margarito Revilles. They had six children: Josefa, Aurora (Yballe), Expedita (Yap), Juan and Gemma (died at ten months) and Alejandro (also deceased).

Today, the ancestral house-turned lifestyle museum is reopened to the public after years of renovation. In his desire to do some studies on the history of Cebu and its role in the country as a whole, Don Eduardo Aboitiz set the museum as the foundation of his studies.

Owing to the historical and cultural significance of the place, the National Historical Institute, in 1991, promulgated Board Resolution No. 4 declaring Casa Gorordo as a National Historical Landmark. The house underwent two major renovations in 1980 and in 2005 to replace aging structures.




*special thanks to the management and staff of Casa Gorordo museum....

*bibliography:

Javellana, R. (2003, June 12). Casa Gorordo. Retrieved November 13, 2006Philippines TodayNewman, J. R. (2006, September 24). A visit to Casa Gorordo. Retrieved November 13, 2006 The Governor’s Magazine. Philippine Copyright ©2006 (YELLOW PAGES) by Directories Philippines CorporationVillalon, A. (2006, September 24). PRIDE OF PLACE Casa Gorordo of Cebu, heritage icon. Retrieved November 13, 2006