Casa Manila | Virtual Tour

Summary

Explore Casa Manila, a cultural museum that showcases the lifestyle of the Filipino upper class during the Spanish colonial period. Built in 1981, it replicates an ancestral home from Calle Habaneros. Visitors are guided through different sections, such as the courtyard, dining rooms, the prayer room, and the master's bedroom, each highlighting the affluence and traditions of the time. Learn about various cultural elements, including furniture, architecture, and the importance of hospitality. This immersive experience offers a rich glimpse into the past, combining history with Filipino heritage.

Takeaways

• 😀 Casa Manila, built in 1981, is a lifestyle museum that showcases the domestic lifestyle of a native principalía during the Spanish colonial period.
• 😀 The Antillean door knocker is used to inform servants of incoming guests.
• 😀 The ground floor walls of the house are made of Adobe and volcanic tuff, similar to the walls of Intramuros.
• 😀 The patio flooring, called Piedra China, was used to cool the rooms of the house and also served as a garden.
• 😀 The mezzanine (entresuelo) was reserved for extended family and could sometimes accommodate guests.
• 😀 The capilla (chapel) and bachelorette's room, including a notable 19th-century Chinese-carved bed, symbolize the high status of the family.
• 😀 Wealth during the colonial era was primarily derived from haciendas, with some families profiting from the galleon trade.
• 😀 The despacho (office) is where the house owner conducted business transactions, often involving clerks and accountants.
• 😀 The Casa Manila features a space known as the Kassala, where families entertained close friends or enjoyed afternoon snacks.
• 😀 The oratorio (prayer room) reflects the affluence of the family and serves as a space for nightly rosary prayers.
• 😀 The traditional Filipino hospitality is reflected in the custom where the master of the house would give up their room for important guests.

Q & A

What is the purpose of Casa Manila?

Casa Manila is a lifestyle museum built to showcase the domestic lifestyle of the native principalía during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines.

Why is the door knocker important at Casa Manila?

The Antillean door knocker is used to inform servants that guests are arriving, reflecting the traditional practices of the time.

What was the purpose of the 'zagwan' in the house?

The 'zagwan' or corridor was where carriages (karo) entered and dropped off passengers by the stairs, serving as the entrance to the house.

What materials were used in the construction of the ground floor walls?

The ground floor walls were made of adobe and volcanic tuff, similar to the construction materials used in Intramuros.

What was the purpose of the patio in Casa Manila?

The patio served to cool the rooms of the house and also functioned as a garden.

What is the 'entre-suelo' or mezzanine?

The 'entre-suelo' or mezzanine was a space between floors, typically used by extended family, though guests could sometimes be accommodated there.

Who was the Chinese carver that created the bed in the bachelorette's room?

The bed in the bachelorette's room was created by a famous 19th-century Chinese carver named A. Thai.

What was the main source of wealth during the colonial era?

During the colonial era, wealth was mainly derived from haciendas (land estates) and the galleon trade. Many of the principalía were landowners called 'hacenderos'.

What is the 'sala' in the context of Casa Manila?

The 'sala' was a room used for entertaining very important guests. It was decorated to reflect one's status in society and used for gatherings, dances, and political discussions.

What is unique about the children's room in Casa Manila?

The children's room features a carousel-designed ceiling, making it more appealing and playful for young children.

What can be found in the 'cocina' or kitchen of Casa Manila?

The 'cocina' is the traditional kitchen of the house and includes a bangerra (a dish rack for air-drying tableware) and cookie molds made of hardwood. It also features an altar for the patron saint of bakers, San Nicolas de Tolentino.

How were toilets and bathrooms designed in the colonial era?

In the colonial era, the latrina or toilet was shared by the family. It was flushed by drawing large buckets of water, and the bathroom contained two sizes of bathtubs, with servants helping the master of the house bathe.