Casa Villavicencio, Colonial residence in Taal, Philippines.
Casa Villavicencio is a two-story residence in Taal featuring hand-pressed tin ceiling panels, Art Nouveau wallpaper, and Philippine hardwood throughout the second floor. The structure displays the room arrangement of a wealthy household with living, dining, and bedroom areas along with servant quarters.
The house was built in 1850 and belonged to Eulalio and Gliceria Marella Villavicencio, who owned extensive shipping and sugar businesses across Batangas province. This economic power allowed them to construct such a notable residence.
The residence reveals how affluent families lived during the 1800s, with its refined rooms and furnishings reflecting the owners' social standing. The Art Nouveau wallpaper and hand-pressed tin ceiling panels were marks of wealth and taste at that time.
The site is easily accessible on foot and visitors can explore the rooms at their own pace. It is wise to wear comfortable shoes and allow enough time to appreciate the details of the furnishings and decoration.
A hidden secret of the house is a trapdoor in the dining area that leads to a concealed meeting room where Filipino revolutionaries gathered during the independence struggle. This space connects the family's private story with the history of the national movement.
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