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The new 2015 HP concept presentation

written & photographed by: fergus jm ducharme

The Eusebio Villanueva MansionSights & Sounds of Ilo²

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You simply can’t get a decent photograph of an important site or building in Ilo²because of what I’ll call the spaghetti of electrical wires obstructing absolutelyevery view point of importance anywhere in this city. Why? Is that? Why is thatalmost every city electrical utility in the world has figured out how to safelybury their wires under roadways and parklands while we here in Ilo² arereminded by our electrical utility how dangerous that practise is! Sheersilliness!

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This heritage house, located on Bonifacio Drive in Iloilo City, was built in 1928by its original owner Julio Ledesma.

The engineer on the project was Eusebio Canto Villanueva who is the currentowner.

The house is a two-storey building made of narra wood, galvanized iron andconcrete.

The story goes that Ledesma’s family owned a large sum of money to aSpaniard by the name of Manuel Galalas. When they prospered, they gave thehouse to Galalas in gratitude. It didn’t take long for Galalas to sell the house.

Villanueva, the engineer, was interested and was able to buy the house at areasonable price.

An interesting aside is that during the Occupation of the 2nd World War theJapanese used the home as their headquarters and apparently the basementwas their ”torture chamber” and prison.

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The grounds surrounding this beautiful oldmansion are very well kept, the hedges and thegrass are perfectly trimmed and the buildingitself appears to be well maintained.

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The first thing I’d do is to replacethat fluorescent light fixture with onethat would be more appropriate forthe locale.

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It is also interesting to note that EusebioVillanueva owns several other buildings inthe Iloilo area.

One of his better known properties is theEusebio Villanueva Building also known asthe International Hotel at the corner of JMBasa Street and Aldeguer Street in Iloilo’scentral Calle Real district. You will recallthat Calle Real has recently beencompletely renovated and rehabilitated. Itis hoped that the area will become a primetourist area in the city.

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Jomarie Acallar: friend, navigator, facilitator & assistant discoverer

Nilo Jimeno: friend, pilot, facilitator & assistant discoverer

Thank you!