Camiguin's ancestral house

By Chef Ed Dychauco Of Pots & Pans

EVERY time I go to Camiguin Island lately, I always look forward to visiting & meeting "old" acquaintances and checking out places I enjoyed as a kid. Be it classmates (I spent three years studying at the Sisters of Mercy's Fatima College of Camiguin), neighbors (in Mambajao) or family friends.

Sad to say, many of my friends have left this beautiful tiny island to look for greener pastures outside of Camiguin or abroad and has since married and raised their families elsewhere. However, I understand that they continue to visit their "hometown" if they get the chance, which is usually during fiestas, summer or Christmas vacations.

Aside from the picturesque & magnificent sceneries and natural wonders this charming island has to offer, I also marvel at the exquisite and attractive man-made creations and structures which has withstood the test of time, like the volcanic eruption in 1949. There are still a lot of grand "old" houses around the island, which we should visit, preserve and maintain for this and the future generations to appreciate & admire. A piece of history of what our ancestors have made and created for us to see and wonder.

One particular magnificent & splendid house was built in Agoho, Mambajao, Camiguin. Constructed by their Great-grandfather, "Instik" Mateo Chan (I guessed that makes him the original "Probinsyanong Instik"!) in 1901, it was a huge house considering that he had only one son with his wife, Cristina Ranoa, a Boholana. Named Catalino Chan, he married Zosima Dagondon of Kuguita and was blessed with 5 kids namely: Caridad, Ceferino, Timoteo, Catalino Jr and Cesar. One can just imagine what goes on around this gigantic house during the early 1900's till the late 1940's. Lolo Talino (as he is fondly called) threw a lot of lavish parties for his kids. It was an honor to be invited, to be a part and to be seen in those activities at that house. In fact, if one gets to check the spacious living room, one would notice the presence of small "stage", where singing and introductions of guests were done during that era.

Century old
Aside from the fact that this mansion is more than a hundred years old, it is still functional for the 3rd generation Chan Clan. Being favored to Timoteo Chan who is married to Laureta Toledo (nee Salcedo) also from Agoho, they were fortunate to have three sons, Silverio, Tomas and Nerio. Incidentally, they just celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary recently. Both Timoteo and Laureta still look youthful for their age and were very accommodating to my visit.

Upon entering the grand stairways that leads to the spacious living room of the second floor, I was amazed at the antique furniture that is still in good working condition! I just have to sit at that grandiose three-seater Vienna Sofa, which was once used by Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain when she visited Camiguin Island in 2002. There is also an old working mini piano in one corner and a hand-activated phonograph complete with a record! I am sure there was lots of dancing in the sala where everyone would be at their best! The flooring is made of a hard wood called "Bayong" and is so shiny that one can even see their reflections.

The louvered windows are big with "ventanillas" below, which is to promote better ventilation and sunshine. Now I can just imagine when "harana" use to be in fashion then, where the lovely ladies would listen & admire their suitors at those huge windows! From the outside, one can marvel at the "Okilart" (from the word "Okit", to carve) that is done on the "ceiling", which is done to give better ventilation and of course, to highlight the beauty of its craft!

There are four big rooms in the house. The owners continue to use the century-old four post-bed. I was astonished at the Tres Lunas (three moons) Aparador, which was standing proudly at one spot in one of the rooms. Being devout Roman Catholics, I am not surprised to see antiquated statues and sculptures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Crucifix and the like. But what caught my attention was the beautiful ivory Nativity Set from Spain, which was encased in glass. Truly impressive!

The expansive kitchen also accommodated old "artifacts" like stone grinders for rice and the like, a stunning complete hand-painted dinner set from China, vast jars, and of course, the old dining table and chairs. Many dishes & foods were prepared and served from this airy kitchen since the 1900's till today and I wouldn't mind going back to the basics of cooking & preparing foods done the "old" way!

Another added attraction to this charming old house is the presence of "soda" water within the perimeter of their property. A faucet is clearly visible outside and can be cherished by anyone who wants to try it. It is said to have some medicinal and therapeutic effects on indigestions and the like. It has been noticed that the water is getting mysteriously warmer lately and neighboring areas have a slightly less "soda" taste in their water compared to the one that is found in this house.

Several prominent personalities have since visited the house and include: Ms. Universe Margie Moran-Florendo (for her Margie on Mindanao TV show), Ado Escudero (of Villa Escudero in Quezon Province), Mieta Pardo de Taverna, then Secretary of DSWD, Randy David and wife, GMA correspondent Sandra Aguinaldo and many others. They are all surprised to see everything to be intact and in good working condition! As a matter of fact, the National Commission for Culture & Arts (NCCA) has been requesting the family to make this into a Heritage House. However, the Chans hasn't decided on this matter yet.

This ancestral house of the Chan Clan is not officially opened to the public but can be viewed from the main highway. However, if you get to meet & convince the good-looking and friendly Nerio Chan, who knows, you might be lucky to have a tour inside this opulent and palatial house!

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/cag/2008/02/28/life/camiguin.s.ancestral.house.html