When you talk about heritage towns in Cebu, Carcar and Argao normally come to mind. Both Carcar and Argao have a good number of heritage structures that made them among the must-visit places for culture enthusiasts. But, the southern town of Boljoon also has its own share of heritage structures. These structures have gradually attracted the attention of local and foreign visitors. One of these heritage structures is the Balay Cirilo Sestoso.
Balay Cirilo Sestoso – image source: boljoon.myguide.ph
Balay Cirilo Sestoso
The book, Boljoon: Cebu Heritage Frontier, indicated that the Balay Cirilo Sestoso may be the last 19th century house in Boljoon. In fact, it is probably the oldest ancestral house in Boljoon. It was built by Cirilo Sestoso in the 1880s. Sestoso was a former gobernadorcillo of Boljoon during the Spanish period.
The book, Boljoon: Cebu Heritage Frontier, indicated that the Balay Cirilo Sestoso may be the last 19th century house in Boljoon. In fact, it is probably the oldest ancestral house in Boljoon. It was built by Cirilo Sestoso in the 1880s. Sestoso was a former gobernadorcillo of Boljoon during the Spanish period.
Balay Cirilo Sestoso – image source: flickr.com
The structure has a rectangular shape and featured a detailed ornamentation on the gutter. One description indicated that the building had a “patched geometrical outer wall” situated in between the window panels that featured “fretted ventanillas”. The floor panels and posts of the house used tugas or hardwood. The staircase is also made of hardwood. The encased posts reflect the typical Spanish interior design.
Balay Cirilo Sestoso – image source: ponderingpaodaolei.net
Getting to the Balay Cirilo Sestoso
The Balay Cirilo Sestoso is located close to the parish complex in Boljoon. You need to get on a bus headed for the town. Once you reach the town proper, you can simply walk to the ancestral house. But, the owners of the place are not allowing visitors to enter the house anymore since it is costly to maintain it.
The Balay Cirilo Sestoso is located close to the parish complex in Boljoon. You need to get on a bus headed for the town. Once you reach the town proper, you can simply walk to the ancestral house. But, the owners of the place are not allowing visitors to enter the house anymore since it is costly to maintain it.
Balay Cirilo Sestoso – image source: poeticisolation.blogspot.com
The Balay Cirilo Sestoso of Boljoon is just one of the many heritage structures in the town of Boljoon. Due to this, Boljoon is considered as one of the many heritage towns located in the southern part of the island.
Have you visited the Balay Cirilo Sestoso in Boljoon already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.
Have you visited the Balay Cirilo Sestoso in Boljoon already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.
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