The heir to the Yap – San Diego Ancestral House has some big dreams to make this colonial residential house a truly Cebuano and Filipino Heritage Site.
Yap San Diego Ancestral House and Museum: Heritage Site
The Old Parian District where this ancestral house is located used to be a community where the Chinese merchants, Filipino entrepreneurs and generally where the wealthier Cebuanos lived during the Spanish era. Original residents here can typically trace Chinese ancestry in their lineage. Lots of the old houses and structures in Parian have been lost with the progress of years but it’s a great thing that the Yap – San Diego Ancestral House remains standing today.
Cebuanos and all Filipinos can have a glimpse of the past not only by the artifacts and museum pieces that you can see inside the San Diego – Yap house but also by very structure of this Bahay na Bato house which is a typical Chinese – Mestizo house of the old colonial era.
Something to look forward to is visiting this Cebu heritage site during the Christmas season. This ancestral house that is part of our Cebu Heritage Walk Tour is usually transform to a house that welcomes in Christmas in a special way. Val San Diego, the current owner prepares the house for the Christmas season by displaying very Pinoy decorations and pinoy entertainment like Pastores, a group who sings about the true meaning of Christmas and that is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. No, don’t expect to hear “Jingle Bells” or “Rudolph” to be sang here hehehe
I hope the San Diegos will continue on this tradition of decorating their Yap – San Diego Ancestral House and Museum in the true spirit of Filipino Christmas this coming Christmas 2018 as I will surely visit the place again.
But even during ordinary days, you can visit this heritage museum as part of your walking tour of downtown Cebu and you will leave it enrich with more knowledge and greater appreciation of the Old Cebu.
By the way there is an entrance fee of P50; this is for the maintenance of the Yap-San Diego Museum. Opening time is 9am and the museum closes at 6pm.
It’s close proximity to the Colon obelisk marker as well as the Cebu Heritage Monument makes this Cebu ancestral house and museum a must stop. Even if you don’t plan on entering this old colonial designed house, you can still take pictures of its façade.
Personally I prefer visiting during the night when the lights are on and the house looks more alive, prettier and dramatic with the play of lights and shadows =)
But if you come at night, you will miss capturing most of the Cebu Heritage Monument because it’ll be so dark to take pictures of the darkly colored statues and sculpture tableaus unless you are bringing with you powerful cameras.
How to go to Yap – San Diego Ancestral House?
This house and museum is the 3rd stop on our Cebu Heritage Walk Tour wherein you’ll discover Cebu on a travel budget. =)
If you reached the Colon Street Marker and facing the Obelisk, you only have to turn left and see the house just a few steps away (or maybe 40 steps).
For the list of sites on Penfires recommended Cebu Heritage Walking Tour itinerary, please click this link: Start your cheap, affordable, budget friendly Cebu Heritage Walk Tour with the Philippines’ Oldest Street – Colon!
NEW POST: 2018 Places to explore Cebu City Tour!
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