IT'S breath-taking scenery lifted
straight from the movies - bright lights hanging gracefully from tree branches,
swaying ever so slightly with the wind; a little coffee shop in the corner that
serves the best cups of tablea, with tables in the garden so you can eat and
drink your coffee near the balete trees; and at the center of it all an ornate
mansion standing tall and beautiful, its decades of history radiating through
its doors.
The Molo Mansion is a worth-while
destination especially for the upcoming holidays. Truly, you can still be a tourist in your own home city.
New
Beginnings
Built in the 1920s, the Molo Mansion
also known as the Yusay-Consing Mansion, was owned by Don Estanislao Yusay, a
prominent judge from Molo, and his wife Doña Petra Lacson-Yusay.
Facing the famous Sta. Ana Church and
the Molo Plaza, the mansion had a unique vantage point, its windows and balcony
treating visitors to views of Molo’s central hub of activity. Many historical
figures are said to have stayed at the mansion during their Iloilo visits,
among them former presidents Manuel Quezon and Sergio Osmeña.
But recent years saw the decay of the
mansion. Falling into disrepair, shopping mall developer SM Land Inc. acquired the
property; the Molo Mansion was thought to be slated for demolition. But with
SM’s commitment to cultural preservation, the Mansion was renovated and
restored to its former glory, reopened during the 2015 APEC Meetings held here
in Iloilo last October as a heritage museum.
Rediscovering
Molo Mansion
Now the Yusay-Consing Mansion is a
stunning view to behold especially at night - with Its ornate details echoing
to days of the past, its hanging lights and brightly illuminated façade evoking
thoughts of a brighter tomorrow.
The mansion is well-suited for groups of
friends or families who wish to revisit the past. Be awestruck by the Mansion’s
beauty and have your pictures taken at one of the many Instagrammable angles.
Step inside the mansion and marvel at its interiors and hard-wood floors, while
shopping for Philippine products at SM’s Kultura store. After, you can enjoy a
cup of hot tablea at Café Panay on the left side of the Mansion. I also recommend
the Chorizo Recado Pan de sal sandwiches. You can opt to eat outside near the
balete trees for a unique experience. Best of all, enjoy the Mansion’s lights
at night, the picturesque views, inspiring and nostalgic.
The
Molo Mansion, with its new life and lights is one of our city’s newest tourist
destinations. This just proves the many unexpected gems our city has yet to
reveal, Iloilo with its overabundance of beauty still unfolding before our
eyes. Truly, you can still be a tourist in your own home city.
