A Beaux Arts Victorian mansion stands in the heart of Iloilo’s commercial district, unperturbed by the bustle of Calle Ortiz and the pier nearby. It is the house that Engineers Mariano Cacho and Mariano Salas built for Don Celso Ledesma in 1922. The Japanese imperial forces earmarked it for an important official during World War II. Since the official never arrived in Iloilo, the house and all its furniture were spared. Don Celso bequeathed the house to his nephew, Don Zafiro Ledesma, whose children devotedly maintain their heritage today. Both Don Celso and Don Zafiro were mayors of Iloilo City.
Source: Reynaldo Gamboa Alejandro and Vicente Roman Santos in Estilo Ilonggo: Philippine Southern Lifestyle published by KCC Innovationd in cooperation with DOT (2009)
Memories of a By-gone Lifestyle
Century-old mansions – some still standing, some in ruins – evoke the memories of a bygone lifestyle. Lavish parties, sit-down dinners, precious stones in hairpieces, bracelets, and necklaces lit up the dance floor as men and women danced the rigodón de honor, the waltz, and the polka. Men were garbed in Western fashion, with their dinner jackets and chaquetillas. Women wore Filipina dresses made of hand-woven piña, jusi, or sinamay. The women had carnets on which they listed down the names of the many dance partners who awaited their turn. People moved around formally and with decorum. The food was enough to last the guests at least until dawn when breakfast might be served. (MTL)
Source: Reynaldo Gamboa Alejandro and Vicente Roman Santos in Estilo Ilonggo: Philippine Southern Lifestyle published by KCC Innovations in cooperation with DOT (2009)
Don Celso’s heir, Zafiro (right) and his sister, Farah Remia (left), flank their mother Doña Purificación Jalbuena de Ledesma.
Source: Reynaldo Gamboa Alejandro and Vicente Roman Santos in Estilo Ilonggo: Philippine Southern Lifestyle published by KCC Innovations in cooperation with DOT (2009)
Fierce-eyed, pre-cast eagles on fence posts keep a watchful vigil. A portico with Doric columns leads to the grand staircase of the Celso Ledesma house.
Telon paintings are an antebellum vestige of Iloilo’s golden era when literature and theater flourished when old families lived in monuments mansions and held frequent balls.
A painter himself, Engineer Mariano Salas included the murals in the plans for the Celso Ledesma house and handpicked Vicente de San Miguel to execute them. These are among the very few that de San Miguel signed.
The furniture, all 131 pieces, were made by the Gonzalo Puyat Furniture Company in 1923 for a princely sum of P8,730.
Source: Reynaldo Gamboa Alejandro and Vicente Roman Santos in Estilo Ilonggo: Philippine Southern Lifestyle published by KCC Innovations in cooperation with DOT (2009)
Celso Ledesma House as Heritage House
On May 15, 2025, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled and turned-over the historical marker designating the Celso Ledesma House in Iloilo City a Heritage House.
NHCP Chair Regalado Trota Jose, Jr. led the ceremonies which recognized the famous structure as a heritage house by virtue of Board Resolution No. 27, series of 2024. The marker was turned over to Ms. Vanessa Ledesma Suatengco and Mr. Celso Ledesma, representatives of the Ledesma family. Also present during the turnover ceremonies were NHCP Executive Director Carminda R. Arevalo, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, and Mr. Martin Jamora. Ms. Ledesma Suatengco accepted the marker on behalf of the family.
Source: National Historical Commission of the Philippines
How to Get Here
Celso Ledesma House is located at the corner of Ortiz and Rizal Streets in city proper area. To conveniently reach the place, you can board any of the following:
ROUTE 2 VILLA PLAZA TO CITY PROPER VIA CALUMPANG LOOP
ROUTE 5 FESTIVE WALK TO CITY PROPER VIA B. AQUINO AVE. AND SM CITY LOOP
ROUTE 7 COMPANIA TO CITY PROPER LOOP
ROUTE 8 PAROLA TO SM CITY VIA INFANTE LOOP
ROUTE 9 MOHON TO CITY PROPER LOOP
ROUTE 10 BUNTATALA / TAGBAK TERMINAL TO CITY PROPER LOOP
ROUTE 11 TICUD, LA PAZ TO CITY PROPER LOOP
ROUTE 13 HIBAO-AN TO CITY PROPER VIA TABUCAN HUB LOOP
ROUTE 15 MOLO TO CITY PROPER VIA BALUARTE LOOP
ROUTE 17 VILLA BAYBAY TO CITY PROPER VIA BONIFACIO LOOP
