Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, Cebu City

Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House
The Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House was originally owned by Chinese merchant, Don Juan Yap and Doña Maria Florido. It is one of the oldest residential house in the Philippines. It was built between 1675-1700 and was made from Coral stones, used egg whites as glue and "Tigas" or clay for the roof. The wooden pats of the house were made of "balayong" and "tugas" or molave which is the hardest woods in the country.




What's Inside: Display, Exhibit, Antiques, Paintings

Photos above show that almost everything in this house were all antiques, except the fridge and the air conditioner. From the kitchen wares, living rooms cabinets, and etc. According to the guide, the 8th generation family are now the owner of this old house. Beside the house, I found a mini garden (photo above) with gorgeous bonsai and earthen wares, of course with me. There is a 14 feet well filled with fresh water, but not potable. There is also an old banca or a boat that serves as a flower pot underneath the window frame.

Also, the guide added, this house is situated few meters (at the back) from the river, that's the use of the banca before. I also noticed that some of the antiques are located on the second floor, maybe because they were afraid on the flood. This is just few meters from Cebu Heritage Monument.