July 2018 - Scoot In-flight Magazine

CEBU
There’s no doubting
Cebu’s ever-kinetic
appeal—and it is
collectively thought of as a
place similar to other big, busy
cities of Asia. Perhaps this is
why most adventure seekers
see it as a quick stopover
before heading to well-known
beach destinations like Oslob,
Moalboal, Malapascua, and
Bantayan.
As the metropolis
continuously develops,
evidently demonstrated by
numerous construction sites
and towering buildings,
Cebu strives to preserve
its heritage and history.
And since this city is
the Spaniards’ first
settlement in the
archipelago back
in the 16th
century, Cebu
holds a distinct
old-fashioned
Catholic character
that makes it
different from other
major hubs of
Southeast Asia.
WELCOME HOME
Gaining attention among tourists
is Museo Parian: 1730 Jesuit
House, touted as one of the
most important heritage sites in
the Philippines because it is the
oldest dated house in the
country.
And how does it live up to
such a claim? It boasts of a
colonial low-relief marker that
reads “Año 1730,” which
translates to “Year 1730.” One
should also note that the
288-year-old structure has
remarkably withstood numerous
natural calamities and almost
three centuries of wear and tear.
All of its neighbouring
establishments built during the
beginning of Spain’s occupation
until the early 1700s are now
gone—they were either
destroyed because of the war or
were pressed to be demolished
due to political and economic
reasons, as was the case with
the Parian Church and other
ancestral houses.
Aside from the main attraction,
which is the house itself, 1730
Jesuit House is also home to a
two-gallery museum that features
tales about old Cebu and the
heritage site’s history. There is a
quaint café, too, where guests
usually hang out after the tour.
However, it is understandable
that finding the old house is
quite challenging, even though
it is located just a few metres
away from the unmistakable
Heritage of Cebu Monument.
The house is erected along
the street of Zulueta, and is
hidden behind the tall
concrete walls of Ho Tong
Hardware’s warehouse. But
this is perhaps what makes this
understated attraction more
fascinating—that it can keep
itself shrouded in its serene
space despite the hustle and
bustle happening around it.
ABOVE:
An old altar and
religious figures
are displayed in
the second
floor which
signifies the
strong
influence of the
Catholic
Church inside
the house.
CIRCLE:
Teacups found
during the
restoration
process of the
museum.
SCOOT
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