Spanish revival styled villa
Home to Casa De Memoria
Passersby of this site would be familiar of this three-hectare property in Bayview Avenue in Tambo, Parañaque along the stretch of Roxas Boulevard facing Manila Bay of the once historically known as Dewey in its day. Millennials, take note.
15 years ago, or even before the Lhuilliers acquired the property, the originally two-story mansion previously owned by the Villaromans was closed to the public except, maybe for family visitors. With a dark and haunting atmosphere enveloping the mansion, people would rather stay away from the property as it was filled with eerie stories of the Japanese occupation during the World War II.
Dr. Francisco Villaroman, Sr., a physician and surgeon, Assistant Professor at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) College of Medicine & Surgery, and founder of the Francisco Villaroman Foundation School in Malate, was not the first owner of the mansion, now known as the Palacio de Memoria. The Villaromans acquired the estate post-war and immediately did renovations starting with the ground floor lobby redone in terrazzo with rural folk images depicting the dancing of the tinikling, a traditional Philippine folk dance. During the Villaromans period of stay, five more floors were added subsequently.
The mansion was unoccupied for decades after the Japanese invasion. It was right after Philippine Ambassador to Spain Philippe Lhuillier and his family acquired the place that several attempts were made to renovate the property. The restoration began only when design and decorative expert Miguel Rosales became its creative consultant and rebuilt it as a Spanish Revival styled villa to perfectly house Casa de Memoria, the Lhuillier-managed auction house devoted to European antiquities, furniture, and objet d’arts.
Palacio de Memoria greets visitors with a grand foyer leading the eyes to a grandeur 18-light, six-foot-tall Murano chandelier adorned with red rosettes, arched doorways, marbled pots, and the terrazzo flooring. A vast lawn with two vintage planes adorned the scenery of an era gone by. One was an old Cebu Pacific and the other was said to be where Elvis Presley was once a passenger.
Camille Lhuillier, daughter of the Ambassador and the marketing manager of the family-owned auction house graciously walks us through the inside of Palacio de Memoria while she tells us tidbits of the origin of the property. The ground floor lobby showcases prime and marvelous collections housed inside The Red Room and The Gray Room for visitors to see.
The second floor will be the regular venue for the themed auction slated to premiere on March 9, celebrating Casa de Memoria’s 15th auction for 2019 season under The Casa Open catalog. With more than 170 items ranging from Flemish cabinetry, Chinese porcelain, distinctive Italian oil paintings, and unique neoclassical silver make up the catalog. You wouldn’t miss the stuffed tiger on the staircase as you go up the second floor.
The pre-war seaside estate will now be home to the annual five themed auctions, beginning this March. The remaining four auctions will be expanded in the restored seven-story mansion, with scheduled events in May, July, September, and November. The Spanish Revival styled villa is envisioned to be an art space and living museum – housing the collection, providing a venue for lectures and a dining experience.
“My sister, Angie and I are committed to telling a story of a great Filipino past. The Palacio harkens to a time in our history where Manila, and the Philippines was the true Pearl of the Orient. This home, and its grounds will provide collectors and lovers of history a vignette of an era gone by,” emphasizes Camille.
In addition, the spacious property will introduce events and performance venue and a restaurant bar to welcome guests and visitors.
Casa de Memoria: The Casa Open
Highlights of the auction begin with Bolivian Episcopalian Chair. This piece, from the ninth century sets the tone for the over 170 lots. The detailed high-back armchair in wood with silver overlay is stunning. The upholstered set back in crimson red fabric is surrounded by detailed reliefs showing motifs: birds, lions, flowers, fruits, scallop, foliage’s, sogueado, as well as images of angels, Saint Michael, and the Immaculate Conception. Equally a feast for the eyes will be the recent addition of Tiffany China, and Ivory Cristo, and a Galle Vasse.
Another piece of note is a Spanish 17th to 18th century coin cabinet made of exotic woods veneer done in geometric wood inlay, ivory insets depicting hunting scenes, ormulo mounts.
These and other unique pieces will be available for viewing beginning February 18 to March 8 from 10 am to 6 pm at the Palacio de Memoria located at 95 Bayview Drive, Los Tamaraos Village, Barangay Tambo in Parañaque City. Should you be having difficultyin locating the venue, simply type in ‘Villaroman Mansion’ on Waze and it will lead you right straight to the beautiful, pre-war seaside mansion.
For more information, the catalog will be available online at www.casadememoria.com, and on Instagram @casadememoria. You may call 7720414 or send an email at info@casadememoria.com for your inquiries.