The Lizares Mansion

 he Lizares–Gamboa Mansion, also known as Lizares Mansion or Villa Lizares, is a Beaux-Arts heritage house located in the district of Jaro in Iloilo City, Philippines. Built in 1937, it now serves as the chapel of Angelicum School Iloilo. Our tour guide was a graduating senior with excellent English.

The house had been bought by the Dominicans. The downstairs dining room was converted into a chapel. There were all kinds of secret passages in the house. The maids weren't allowed through the main house. Instead they had stairs hidden in the walls. The stairs used to revolve. However, the blue prints were lost so they can't restore them.

There is also supposedly a tunel that goes from under the stairs to the Jaro church a few blocks away. We didn't test that, either.

The school was practicing for a celebration later that night. These two girls were practicing the Bala nga Sawa (or something like that) dance. They balance a cup of water on their head and have a cup of water in each hand. During the dance, they will lie on their belly and roll around without spilling any water or dropping the cup. It is very impressive. Here's a link to watch that video. https://photos.google.com/partner/AF1QipPYxXFERuTyQG8yTiCIHeYdXpsh/photo/AF1QipN21VCiljeJvrtlDdAUjj2bM4Ffl4MHCOecdpdB


We stayed to watch a dance showcasing their hertiage from traditional outfits to Spanish style outfits. The natives in their loincloth to priests in blue robes. The women in grass skirts similar to Tahiti to Spanish style dresses. It was interesting to see.

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