Sunday, January 27, 2013

Batangas | Agoncillo Heritage House (White House)


BATANGAS | Agoncillo Heritage House (White House)
Taal Heritage Town Photowalk


A few minutes walk from the Minor Basilica, this Agoncillo Heritage House was our 2nd location to visit. This is the Casa or House of Don Gregorio Agoncillo, one of the Agoncillo's great patriach and an illustrious Batangueno. This one is being referred to as the white house. Being impeccably painted in white, it stands on a busy corner of an intersection proudly and very prominently.



The caretaker was not very accommodating, though he did answer a few questions that some of the bloggers I was with were hurling at him. I was more interested with the house as I came here not knowing what to expect. Walking the streets of Taal on the way here was the first hundred meter photo walk is looking through amalgamation of old and new architectural houses. We can't help but ogle at the Antillean houses that lined up the streets. There are also a few modern one's that stand in contrast and other worldly to old houses. Here we are, in a true blue heritage town of Taal. One has to make an appointment before entering this house, our guide has secured the time for us. So although most of us are tired from a long drive coming from Manila, its already past noon time, and most of us are eager to take our lunch.

Compared to other heritage houses we visited for this day, this White House is the one that felt more personal. Once we got past the door, we were greeted by bust sculptures of Lord and Lady of the house. The bust of Maria de Aguinaldo, sister of Gregorio and 2nd wife of Emilio Aguinaldo, also on another corner is the bust of Corazon Agoncillo which is Gregorio's daughter, not to miss is the wife of Gregorio, Mariquita Agoncillo.


History
Not much is written about the history of the house, but of the prominent people who had resided in it. From outside, stood in the garden is the prominent statue of the lawyer Felipe Agoncillo known to have taken part in the treaty of Paris that lead to the sale of the Philippines by Spain to America. The house is adorned for the abundance of Edwardian and Spanish inspired furniture's. Don Gregorio Agoncillo left his own signature in this house. As I mentioned above, this house felt more personal as I explored it. Portraits of the late Don and glamour shots of his family still adorned the walls in sepia and black white. His old things, shoes, his made out bed, decaying hats hung in furniture's, even old photo albums I found in one of the many intricately carved bauls (wooden boxes), canes, old umbrellas, old china wares, I've never seen any old heritage houses with its old adornments more intact and well preserved. 

Don Gregorio Agoncillo had been a prominent and important man himself so its no wonder his legacy lives on in this house. He was a supporter of Philippine revolution against Spain in 1896 and was a member of revolutionary council established by General Emilio Aguinaldo. He's known all over the province as the one responsible for the modernization of the sugar industry and was the first President of 'Associacion de Agricultores de Oeste Batangas'. He also served as director of Philippine National Bank and The Manila Hotel.


The White House is well preserved, maintained by the Villavicencio's and administered by Gregorio Agoncillo Foundation. A visit is done by appointment so it's better to get in touch with Taal's Dept Of Tourism office, with a guide to assist, a photo in this heritage town would be more seamless and educating than photographing these old houses from the outside.




Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, Faithful lover, True Explorer...

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29 comments:

  1. Iba na ang header title mo?

    Hindi namin napuntahan eto when we went there years back. Closed on a weekend. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Yup Ding, ina update ko tong page para sa domain.

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  3. I'm from Batangas blood-wise but I've never been here. It's always just the beaches. Thanks for sharing this!

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  4. Hi Shnappy, you have a very lovely province.
    I'm overwhelmed by the sheer size of Batangas ang the rich culture.:)

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  5. Is this White House supposed to be a real tourist spot or site for foreign visitors to come visit? If yes, then the caretaker should be more accommodating and friendlier to guests to retain or improve their image.

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  6. Wow! The white house actually reminded me of the Crisologo house/museum in Vigan. It definitely has the vintage-ish and historic vibe to it. Oh, and one more question... was that Dennis in one of your photos? :)

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  7. @Mai Flores - yes its Dennis - Love Mindanao himself in the flesh.. glad to meet him on this trip.

    @Rochkirstin Santos - Yup! its not called a heritage house for nothing. This White House is actually one of the major Casa's (houses) to be visited when in town of Taal, Batangas.
    I have to agree with you, the caretaker should be more accomodating. but then I understand that we may be disturbing his sweet peaceful Saturday!

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  8. Am the goshy goshy element of the house @Mai.... hahaha .. love to be part of this trip .. thanks Francis...

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  9. I like visiting heritage houses and I just could imagine the era where this wooden houses had uniform look in terms of interiors and furnishing.

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  10. hahaha hanggang sa role na pang third eye kasama ba si Love mIndanao??? I am also a great fan of heritage houses/structures. Just today galing kami sa Binan en sad to say sirnag sira na pala dun yung Jose Alberto Mansion :(

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  11. looks one good place to drop by when in batangas :)thanks

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  12. Wow! another great heritage house, Malapit lang sa cavite yan. Marami talagang magaganda at na preserved na heritage house sa Batangas.

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  13. That one looks like a great heritage house, as far as I can remember I've only been to a few heritage houses I'll keep this in mind when I visit another heritage house.

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  14. It's great that the house is so well-preserved even after all these years. Many ancestral homes in Manila have been torn down; improper care plus development just makes them... die. Very sad. Good to see a home like this one :)

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  15. I would love to visit this place.. amazed at how they preserved everything.. shows the way of living before.. great for architecture students like me.. :)

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  16. ....memories coming back... yup! I think we had a field trip there when we were in high school!

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  17. This kind of house is my dream vacation house. Old and historic with all antique furnitures.

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  18. That house is rich in history. The walls and furniture speak of stories both happy and sad. A very interesting place to visit, I must say.

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  19. Truly amazing place to visit Batangas. They still have the combs.hehehehehe..but honestly I feel that eery feeling at the white cabinet.

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  20. Great to know that this heritage house is well-preserved. Sana makapunta rin ako riyan.

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  21. how i wish i could have stayed a little bit longer here and use their bedroom lol... seriously am a fan of such heritage houses and it feeds my curiousity how these people lived before ... i want to go back here .

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  22. Actually, I feel weird and creepy when I see old ancestral residences. The furniture and the surrounding environment give me goosebumps but It's great to know that there are still concerned individuals that keep preserving such historic sites.

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  23. Never been into this place. Hope to see it and spend some time around it when we hit Batangas soon.

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  24. By looking at the furnitures, they really must be rich during their time.. I hope i can visit this place too.Yahweh bless

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  25. This kinda looks the same with the Aguinaldo Heritage House in Cavite. It's amazing it has been preserved and taken cared of for years! :)

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  26. thanks for information share.

    http://www.crystaltravel.co.uk/cheap-flights/far-east/flights-to-manila.aspx

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  27. Hi,great for this post to know about Philippines.Book your Cheap Tickets to Manila and enjoy with us

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  28. Really cool! This is one of the reasons why I want to have a house in Batangas - because of the rich culture!

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  29. May bayad po ba ang pag visit jan and close po sya pag weekend? thankyou in advance po :)

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