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| trying to picture how it looked like back then is kinda hard with the banners on it's entrance :P |
Filipino horror flick aficionados, "ghost hunters" and those whose curiosity over the years have been piqued by the alleged mysterious goings on in the city may have heard of #4 Laperal a.k.a. The White House (movie linked
here).
The Laperal house was built in the 1930's, a fusion of Spanish and
American architecture incorporating Art Deco Elements.
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| the living room ceiling. I'm guessing a chandelier once hung in the center rather than the conspicuous energy saving bulb |
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| beautifully maintained Spanish styled hardwood staircases take you to the 2nd floor and the attic |
It was formerly
owned by the family of Tarcila Laperal-Mendoza; the 93-year old
matriarch belongs to a landed family which had properties in Mendiola,
Manila, and in Baguio City.(the same owners of the
controversial Arlegui St. home near Malacanang, where President Cory and Ramos resided in.)
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| the bamboo exhibit is housed in the dining room |
The White house is currently owned by tycoon Lucio Tan; the property is approximately 3,500sq.m. and is currently being used to house a bamboo carving exhibit.
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| bamboo art |
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| ...and the skilled carvers who make it in house |
I have always wanted to see the interior of this house. Not to see if there are restless spirits hovering behind it's walls, but to admire it's construction.
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| the brightest spot in the home is surprisingly the attic. This would have made a perfect sunroom (typical 1930's house characteristic) or a children's playroom (if not for the widow's walk surrounding the room, 3 floors up from street level) |
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| looking down from the attic/sunroom |
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| the narrow stairs going down from the 3rd floor |
They seriously do not build houses this way anymore. While I do appreciate a modern, minimalist look, the appeal of this Colonial revival home was just too good to pass up.
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| MAX explores the 2nd floor |
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| a look at the pasilio (hallway) |
Similarly, our old family house in Malabon was built around the 18th century(older than this house). To even get a chance to glimpse, even for a minute, what the walls have seen through the years would've been priceless.
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| art deco iron works cover the windows |
For all the talks about the lady in white who allegedly haunts the entrance, all I could see was the somewhat whimsical geometric patterns on the wood and iron works that is common with art deco.
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| my kids Kix and MAX felt surprisingly at home in this place |
Upon entering the home, the typical gloom of lacquered hardwood floors, ceiling and walls was what caught my eye.
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| wonder how it looked with it's original furnishings... |
Thoughts of cocktail parties and family gatherings by the living room or it's occupants glancing outside what seemed to be three casement windows were impressions left in my mind's eye.
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| beautiful light from the living room windows bask what seems to be a Rococo Revival canape and it's matching hardwood coffee table |
The second floor had spacious rooms, huge bathrooms and small closets. There were even fireplaces that may be found in some of the rooms, perfect for those old Baguio nights.
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| MAX, crashing on the bed in the master's bedroom |
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| feeling like a peeping tom :P looking into one of the many bathrooms of the place |
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| small closet space..who would've thought that in a big place like this? |
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| Kix doing ghoul impersonations in one of the fireplaces :p |
If you've got time on your hands to spare, make a quick stop to see the Bamboo Art and a gem on it's own, #4 Laperal (Leonard Wood Road). Admission is 50 PHP.
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| "mumu" (ghost) ready with a cross on his shirt :p |
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| the master's bedroom, complete with a fireplace and it's own balcony |
From
TMW, may all your wanderings be better than ours!
