On the DOT
By Atty. Helen J. Camarista

Adaptive reuse

The Iloilo City Heritage Conservation Council (ICHCC) headed by Archt . Antonio Sangrador   cited last Friday, March 4, three old houses in Iloilo City and their owners for the conservation efforts they have exerted so present day Ilonggos can still appreciate the legacy of a bygone era while putting these houses in the state of adaptive reuse.   This writer was requested to compose the background for the three awardees which she willingly did with the help of some data provided by Mrs. Lutt Camiña and Mr. Eugene Jamerlan , both active ICHCC members. These houses-awardees are:

AVANCEÑA HOUSE

The Avanceña House (now known as Camiña Balay nga Bato ) stands in all simple majesty at # 20 Osmeña St. , Arevalo , Iloilo City .

The house, built around 1860s, was originally owned by Don Fernando Avanceña , uncle of former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ramon Avaceña . Records show that this house played a major role in the history of Iloilo as it served as general headquarters of the Filipino revolutionaries who fought against the Spanish government and American government.

The balay nga bato is characterized by its Geometric style that stands out mainly due to its simplicity of form and understated elegance. As the house ages, its original colors have become faded but the feeling of warmth remains even as its capiz windows soften the otherwise hardy and reserved brick and rubble wall of the first floor and piedra china slabs that cover the first floor.

Today, the Avanceña House is known as Camiña   Balay nga Bato and serves a dual purpose: it houses the Mother Teresa North Learning Center on the ground floor and residence of the Camiña family on the second floor.

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JOSEFA SEGOVIA STUDENT CENTER

It stands in quiet dignity along the bustling General Luna St. , Iloilo City . Its clean and well-maintained façade camouflages the years of its serene existence.

It was built by the Arroyo family in the 1920s and also served as the family residence. The Archdiocese of Jaro under Monsignor Cuenco leased it in the 1950s.

Institucion Teresiana , a Catholic lay women's association came to Iloilo in 1955 to spread the gospel and promote human development through education and culture. The group moved into the Arroyo residence in 1956 and converted the place into a university residence and student center. Since then, the place reverberated with youthful laughter as it accommodated up to 40 female students.

The year 2000 saw Architect Maripaz Villanueva, a member of the Teresian Association redesigned the residence into a student center for 70 ladies and a residence for up to 14 association members at the site of the original structure.

Today, its homey atmosphere shows on its façade – formal and strong but warm and ever friendly.

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MACAVINTA HOUSE

It looks like a modified European castle amidst modern edifices facing Gen. Hughes St., Iloilo City.

In 1945, after World War II, the Ferraris Family bought the lot and built the house on it. The year after, the same family sold the house to a certain Mrs. Mirasol who commissioned architect Luis Dichupa to do some renovations on it.

It was in 1977 when Esperanza Mirasol and husband Pedro Macavinta acquired the rights from the other Mirasol siblings and, with sons Howard and Glenn, made the house the family residence. The second floor was then leased by and housed the offices of the Bureau of Forestry and Office of Civil Defense.

In 1994, the Macavinta Family leased the first floor of the house to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. From 1995 to 2002, the house was vacant but it was maintained by the family to keep it in good condition.

In 2003, entrepreneur Louise Jardeleza -Cordova and son Miguel leased and transformed the Macavinta House into Afrique's Restaurant, its length of stay thereat only time can tell.