I was seven years old when I heard ghost stories surrounding Lizares Mansion what we call today Angelicum School at Tabuc Suba, Jaro. I was rather curious as to what the interiors look like. Was it haunted, begrimed? All I know was that Lizares Mansion was a sight to behold during Christmas because of its lights display. Little me would be so happy to know I was graced with a tour by Cafe Año and Leganes SB Member Allen D. Españo. Well, this was what I saw and learned during the tour.
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Old photos of Lizares Mansion were taken during the tour, and many were given to me by Leganes SB Member Allen D. Españo. I want to thank Cafe Año and the Angelicum School of Iloilo for this opportunity.
A timeless treasure trove of history
Looming over the city of Iloilo stands the Lizares Mansion. It’s a magnificent Beaux-theme edifice that has stood the test of time and witnessed the history of Iloilo. Once the private residence of the affluent Lizares family, this three-story mansion has seen several transformations over the years. It became a Japanese front during World War II to a casino in the 50s. It was taken care of by Tio Doroy Finolan and his wife, until it was bought by the Dominicans in the 60s as a formation house. Eventually, it became its current iteration as the Angelicum School Iloilo.
Built in 1937 by Talisay-born (many said he was Jaro-born, but this is incorrect according to research and file documents) baron Don Emiliano Lizares as a gift to his wife Conchita Gamboa, the mansion was designed by Andres Luna, the son of the famous Filipino painter Juan Luna. SB Españo said the Lizares family spared no expense creating a luxurious home befitting their status.
The mansion has 59 doors and 24 glass doors. The house has a spiraling staircase, a large lawn, a swimming pool, and a garage for their limousines. AND AIR-CONDITIONED.
What happened: Lizares Mansion and WWII
The mansion also has a dark and haunting history. During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II, the Lizares Mansion was used as a Japanese military front where Filipino soldiers were tortured, and their bodies were dumped on the estate grounds.
During the war, the family fled to Pototan to a safe house until it was over. Some stories say they fled through the tunnels underground, which led them to many points in Iloilo (one of these points leads to Iloilo Memorial Park, according to legends). I might verify these tunnels with the owner of Iloilo Memorial Park.
Hours before the declaration of Panay Liberation, the Japanese soldiers here also committed seppuku. Many locals still whisper that the ghostly remnants of those tragic souls still linger within the mansion’s walls to this day.
After WWII and the death of Don Emiliano Lizares in 1950, Conchita put the mansion up for sale and left for Manila. A businessman bought the place and turned it into a casino in the 1950s. However, the city mayor closed it at the time because all the gambling activities “corrupted” the Ilonggos.
The custody went to Tio Doroy Finolan, who took care of the house, which later became the House of Formation for Dominicans, ultimately transforming into the Angelicum School with the help of the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
Visitors to the mansion can explore its many rooms (Dominical priests and school administrators still use some), climb the spiraling staircase, and see the swimming pool that remains.
Lizares’ family background
The Lizares family in Negros has been one of the most influential and affluent clans. Many became successful businessmen, landed aristocrats, and hacienderos, known for their vast sugar plantations and iconic mansions.
During our discussions, one of the most prominent members of the Lizares family is Don Emiliano Lizares (eighth child out of 17 children), who is often confused with being from Jaro, despite being a true-blue son of Bacolod. Many streets and schools in Bacolod bear his name as a tribute to his contributions to the development of the city and the region of Negros Occidental – not Jaro.
Don Emiliano was married to Conchita, who came from a prominent Ilonggo family with possible links to the Ledesma and Concepcion clans.
This really means to say that Emiliano Lizares is unequivocably from Negros.
Here’s what’s more of the Lizares Clan
To delve more into the Lizares family history, we discussed their family tree with the help of Angelicum School and an old article in BluPrint from writer Jennifer Cristobal.
Efigenio Lizares and Enrica Alunan’s marriage in 1872 began a legacy that would eventually shape Negros’ sugar industry. They were among the first to establish mechanized sugar mills, producing vast amounts of sugar and accumulating considerable land.
Their success was passed down through their 17 children, with many owning Art Deco estates and magnificent mansions designed by renowned architects. Notably, Juan Nakpil, the country’s first National Artist for Architecture in Manila, was responsible for many of their houses’ designs.
But Emiliano commissioned Andres Luna, Juan Luna’s son, to design his home.
Journey through Lizares Mansion
As you enter the property, you’re greeted by a marker that tells the story of the estate’s past.
One remarkable fact about the mansion is the old road pavement that you can still witness remains the same as when the family roamed the estate. The bumpy cement road leads to the mansion, which now is the road leading to a school on the right.
The mansion’s lawns
The estate’s sprawling lawns are expansive and well-manicured. However, looking closely, you’ll notice an oblong shape in the center, where the grass doesn’t grow much. According to SB Member Españo, this used to be the site of a fountain. When he was still a student at Angelicum, he said he and his friends were playing ball when they felt the uneven ground. They might have dug up and felt something that could be remnants of the old fountain.
If you’ve reached the house, facing it, you’ll find some gold-leaf mosaics on the wall, which are still intact after 86 years. At the top center of the mansion is the Dominican insignia (cross), painted when the Dominican order bought the school.
To the left, you could find a statue of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Patron Saint of Angelicum. Further, you could find the playground and the gymnasium at the back.
Enter the Lizares Mansion – Ground Floor
The entrance of Lizares Mansion is located on the left side of the estate. It boasts a beautiful archway with Roman-designed columns.
Straight ahead, one can find the mansion’s old sala room, which had then turned into a chapel – painted with a large Dominican cross at the ceiling.
On the right side of the hall, visitors will see an old piano and the staircase leading to the mansion’s upper floors.
On the left is an old bedroom used for special occasions, such as photo opportunities or events for visitors.
Lizares Mansion Chapel
The old sala room of the Lizares family was transformed into a chapel, complete with a somewhat Roman-style atrium and large windows that allow natural light to fill the room.
The round room offers a clear view of the second floor with its open-concept design.
Your eyes are immediately drawn to the beautiful beaux design leaves (repainted) on the high walls.
Immediately below the design is a richly adorned mural of the 14 stations of the cross of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. The wooden floor is quite old and creaks a little bit.
Holding room
The holding bedroom is located on the left side of the house. You’ll be greeted by a bare room with a bed, sala chairs, and old photos adorning the walls.
The room’s doors lead to a CR (Comfort Room) and changing rooms, which makes it ideal for events, pictorials, and even overnight stays for guests.
The spiral staircase and the tower
The mansion’s grandeur is evident from its stunning facade, marked by a conical tower on the right side that houses the staircase that leads to the upper floor and the attic. The tower’s curved design adds to the mansion’s vintage charm.
Two old pianos greet visitors at the top of the stairs.
However, the staircase’s age shows through the creaking steps, making it seem frightening for faint-hearted people. I find holding on to the rails and window panes is necessary to avoid mishaps. The staircase tower is quite steep. I find it scary going up, and yes, I was shaking.
As you climb the tower, note the birds flying overhead. High up in the tower, rustic elements of the mansion’s structure are evident. However, the staircase windows can no longer be opened due to rust and age.
Second floor of Lizares Mansion
The round open concept of the floor is an amalgamation of classic and modern design. The large windows surrounding the second floor allow a plethora of natural light to filter into the room.
One particularly special feature of the second floor is the veranda and patio. It’s the perfect place to relax while viewing the lush green lawns, beautiful gardens, and bustling streets of Jaro. Take caution when opening the veranda, as it can get quite breezy.
Walking around the second floor, you’ll find a reproduced painting of Juan Luna’s masterpieces, including The Parisian Life, which displays the lady connoting the Philippines.
There’s another bedroom on this floor, but it’s currently used and occupied. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to see it, because we’re not allowed to.
If you’re feeling brave, peek below at the mansion’s chapel. Warning! It can be quite scary, especially if you’re scared of heights!
To the attic of Lizares Mansion
The last stairwell of the house leads you to the attic. Once you’re inside, you’ll find another room opening to a narrow storage space with a mirror inside.
As you explore the attic further, you’ll cross a threshold leading to an A-shaped room with a circular window. This room was believed to be a bathroom during its heyday,
The last room was another A-shaped room with a door leading to the attic balcony. Here you can see the top conical shape of the tower, the mansion windows, and the overall scenery.
I saw another door, which also led to a small and narrow balcony – but it was solid shut.
The attics always serve as a storage place, but given this one had a bathroom, who knows, it could be used as another guestroom or study.
The grounds of the mansion
I’m in awe of the original swimming pool of the Lizares family, which has been rebuilt higher and is still used today. As you explore the back area of the mansion, you’ll also discover two more 2nd-floor patios and balconies. There’s also a bridge that connects the mansion to the school as well.
Further, you can find the alleged secret tunnel that connects it to the Iloilo Memorial Park.
The alleged pathway to the secret tunnel that connects to Iloilo Memorial Park. Many prominent families built secret passageways in case of emergencies – in this case – WWII.
Or, this could be a normal storage place. Or, an entrance to the basement. It’s been shut for too long – nobody knows.
If I can remember after this, I’ll interview the owner of the cemetery soon.
Unfortunately, the kitchen was unavailable for the public during my tour. However, I did see the current garage of the mansion, where the Lizares family used to store their limos.
Interestingly, the priests dug up the basement to see if human bones or remains were left on the property. Although none were found, prayers and masses were still offered to the departed out of respect.
After the tour
We also had the opportunity to meet Fr. JS Besa, the principal of Angelicum School.
After the mansion tour, we talked about Angelicum School and its order. Will it become UST? Is UST still actively assisting the school? The University of Santo Tomas (UST) collaborates with Angelicum to advance its educational offerings.
UST has been known for its excellent academic reputation, and it has been sharing its expertise with Angelicum through various collaborative initiatives. The university has been providing access to its professors and researchers, providing guidance and training for Angelicum teachers. Also, UST has been providing Angelicum with access to its research facilities, which have been instrumental in boosting the quality of research conducted by students and teachers.
Relax at Cafe Año
Located inside the historical Lizares Mansion, Cafe Año offers a cozy atmosphere to indulge in yummy coffee blends. They have a menu of delicious pastries and non-coffee, as well. Visitors can sit back, relax, and enjoy the obstructed view of the magnificent Lizares Mansion.
For Php140, the choco mint drink is a must-try for those who love chocolate and mint. It’s perfectly balanced with just the right sweetness and refreshing hints of mint.
If you’re looking for something more filling, their Mango Pineapple Walnut Pizza is the perfect choice. For only Php125, pizza lovers can enjoy the unique combination of sweet and tangy flavors with a delicious crunch of nuts.
While enjoying your cup of coffee or pizza, you can also take a tour of the historical Lizares Mansion. Cafe Año is a DOT-accredited tour operator to the Lizares mansion.
With a starting price of just Php200/pax for 1-2 persons, and Php150/pax for groups of 3-5 persons, visitors can explore the rich history and heritage of the mansion of one of Negros’ most prominent families.
