Molo Mansion lights up the night
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 shopping mall developer SM Land eat and drink your coffee near the Inc. acquired the property; the
trees; and at the center of it Molo Mansion was thought to be all an ornate mansion standing tall slated for demolition. But with SM’s balete and beautiful, its decades of history commitment to cultural preservation, radiating through its doors. the Mansion was renovated and
The Molo Mansion is a worth- restored to its former glory, reopened while destination. Truly, you can still during the 2015 APEC Meetings held be a tourist in your own home city. here in Iloilo as a heritage museum. Built in the 1920s, the Molo Now the Yusay-Consing Mansion
NEW BEGINNINGS REDISCOVERING MOLO MANSION Mansion also known as the Yusay- i s a stunning view to behold Consing Mansion, was owned by Don especially at night - with Its ornate Estanislao Yusay, a prominent judge details echoing to days of the past, from Molo, and his wife Doña Petra its hanging lights and brightly Lacson-Yusay. illuminated façade evoking thoughts
Facing the famous Sta. Ana Church of a brighter tomorrow. and the Molo Plaza, the mansion had The mansion is well- suited for a unique vantage point, its windows groups of friends or families who and balcony treating visitors to views wish to revisit the past. Be awestruck of Molo’s central hub of activity. Many by the Mansion’s beauty and have historical figures are said to have your pictures taken at one of the stayed at the mansion during their many Instagrammable angles. Step Iloilo visits, among them former inside the mansion and marvel at its presidents Manuel Quezon and interiors and hard-wood floors, while Sergio Osmeña. shopping for Philippine products at
But recent years saw the decay of SM’s Kultura store. the mansion. Falling into disrepair, After, you can enjoy a cup of hot at Café Panay on the left side of the Mansion. I also
tablea recommend the Chorizo Recado Pan de sal sandwiches. You can opt to eat outside, near the trees for a unique experience with
balete Table Matters that serves the most peculiar blue ternate ( yes, the blue flower in your lola’s garden) and dragon fruit ice cream. 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. com/ PN)
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