Known today as the Sanson-Montinola House, this house was built around the turn of the 20th century for Don Gregorio Montinola y Lozada and Doña Matilde Jalandoni y Habana. Their daughter, also named Matilde, became Mrs Alfredo Sanson y Araneta. Gregorio Sanson is the third-generation owner of the house, which he maintains with his wife, Marilou Tirol.
The playful colors of the balcony’s windows break the the formality of the Sanson-Montinola House and create a the congenial atmosphere for tertulias.
Tertulia
Between the seasons of planting and harvesting sugar cane, there was little to do but wait. Sugar planters killed time by visiting with one another on late afternoons or evenings for tertulias. Music, art, poetry, short stories, dance, and games amidst delicate food and drink characterized this genteel socio-cultural gathering of Iberian origin.
One type of music to while away a tertulia was the kundiman, such as “Ahay Kalisud” of Jovita Fuentes.
Source: Reynaldo Gamboa Alejandro and Vicente Roman Santos in Estilo Ilonggo: Philippine Southern Lifestyle published by KCC Innovations in cooperation with DOT (2009)
Read also: List of Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Sites
