For many years, I have always wondered about that house at the southwestern end of the Roxas Boulevard that seems to have been forgotten by time. It stood desolate for many years as far as I can remember. But I have always dreamed of climbing up to the mirador of that house and look out towards the sea. That area of Tambo, Paranaque and further down towards Cavite was the resort area of yore. The "irasan" salt beds were located there as well as "baklad" (make-shift bamboo rafts with extended poles where fishing nets were attached) could be seen along the shoreline and estuaries.
And then after a few years the reclamation happened. The ocean was pushed back a few hundred hectares more and urban development came up in that area. It spurred more recreational activities of a different kind. Casinos, hotels, shopping malls mushroomed in Baclaran (a derivative of baklad) and Paranaque while an expressway was built towards Cavite. No one knows exactly who owned the two-storey Spanish colonial revival house that sits on a three hectare plot of land. It had miraculously survived World War II. After the war, the house was acquired by the Villaroman Family.
The Villaroman's patriarch was Don Francisco who was a physician, surgeon, and professor at the University of Sto. Tomas' College of Medicine. It was at this time when the home was renovated and added upon. Washrooms were added near the foyer on the ground floor. Another staircase was installed for Dr Villaroman's patients. And an elevator was installed much later for Dr. Villaroman who had suffered a stroke in his later years. All in all, five more floors rose up over the original house to accommodate the children and their families including a mirador (view tower). The interiors were given a fresh touch with Filipiniana motiff. The terrazzo tiles of tinikling dancers are outstanding! And supporting pillars were included for added support of the upper floors.
I met a former occupant of the house through my good friend, June Recto, who had this very sociable matron client. She was a very gracious lady... very generous with praise and quite unassuming despite her stature. I called her Tita Cora. It never occurred to me that she was a Villaroman. In any case, I lost contact with her over the years. I have no clue as to her whereabouts But I remembered her on a recent visit to Palacio de Memoria (Palace of Memories) which they once owned.
Eventually this jewel of a mansion was acquired by the Lhuiller Family who lovingly restored the mansion to its former glory (if not better; as no one exactly knows how it looked like prior to its acquisition). Plans are afoot to make Palacio de Memoria an art hub/events place/swank cafe. For now, it is home to Casa de Memoria - an auction house of select objects' art. The glorious Murano chandelier at the foyer with blooming roses is an eye-catcher. Even the toilets had valuable antiques.
We marveled at the collection to be auctioned off on the 9th of March, 2019. It is a motley collection of silver ware, religious statuary, furniture, fine china, paintings and curios. The Titos N Titas group took time poring over each and every item; taking selfies and groufies at certain spots and posing for pictures whenever we felt the urge to just click the shutters of our cameras. We were at 95 Bayview Drive, Tamarao Village at ten in the morning. By the time we loaded up for our lunch stop, it was way past lunch time.
One word describes the collection - astounding! I fell in love with a few choice pieces which I would have wanted to acquire. But guess what? If you have to ask... You can't afford it!
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| my favorite pieces |
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