Yap-San Diego Ancestral Home: A Review

(about Cebu City, Philippines, added on May 16, 2009)

This is a review of Yap-San Diego Ancestral Home.

Place:

It was situated in a very odd area, a street with full of concrete buildings and houses. The house is near to a busy street where jeepneys, cars, and taxis always pass through.

House:

The gate was not renovated. The gate can only fit one person, it is made out steel and hollow blocks. The entry of passage is through the ground floor, it was left opened for the public to pass who want to tour around the house.

The ground floor is not well-lighted the antiques can't shine and glow. It was full of antiques and small space to walk around. 

The upper floor, the Image of Mama Mary will welcome the visitors and then full of decoration, flowers made out of fish scales. Which kinda overpowering, it made the visitor confused which is the highlight of that area the image of Mama Mary or the flowers made out fish scales.

There were 2 rooms there, the other room near the busy street was filled with antiques but not as the same as the  ground floor. 

The bedroom, there was a refrigerator there which was sort of out of place.

The house was okay, it showcased the history of the clan through the different antiques collected which were the original items used during those Spanish years.

Tour Guide:

He discussed and narrated to us, everything he knew about the family, the neighborhood during the Spanish times and the house itself. He did a good job on that one. 

Overall:

The experience of having to tour inside and outside the "bahay na bato" (house of stone) was worth it. To transcend from 2009 back to 1600s-1700s through the house itself was quite amazing.

Looking back on how rich people lived during those days and the lifestyle they had.

Suggestions:

Since the house was opened to the public last Dec. 2008, it has more to improve. The gate it needs renovation, the antiques should not overcrowd the different areas of the house. Putting labes of every piece or important items there would be one thing for the visitors to see.