Summary
Highlights
The video introduces Mira Nila Heritage House and Library, explaining its name, which means 'look at Manila.' The name was chosen through a contest among the family's children, specifically Helena, who saw what she thought was Manila burning from the third floor in 1934 (which was actually Ateneo de Manila in Intramuros). The house was built in 1929 and inaugurated in 1932 by Conrado and Francisca, the speaker's grandparents, who moved in with their three children. The family grew up visiting their grandparents here daily.
After Helena passed away in 2017, a foundation she established in 2005 took over the responsibility of preserving Mira Nila. To ensure sustainability, part of the property, previously a bungalow/garage and event space, was converted into suites in partnership with Henry Hotel. The compound, almost a hectare large, also includes a water pump from the original construction and a chapel built in the same California mission Revival style as the main house.
The video describes how the property developed, with an initial lack of roads, requiring materials to be portaged up the hill. Over time, neighboring families, related to the owners, established their homes, creating a compound. Mira Nila is the only Heritage House in Quezon City aside from Quezon's house. During the Japanese occupation (1941-1945), a Japanese gardener revealed himself as a lieutenant and advised Francisca to take her family to PWU for safety, as the officers would take over the house. Surprisingly, the Japanese officers and their companions respected the house, even caring for the Nara floors. After the war, 16 mines were found planted around the house by the Japanese.
In 2011, Helena sought to get the house recognized with a plaque from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to ensure its preservation. This designation would prevent more than 30% of the house from being altered, effectively safeguarding its original state. The application was approved remarkably quickly due to Helena's firsthand account of the house's history. This historical status and the income from tours help the foundation maintain the property sustainably.
The tour continues with stories about the family, starting with Soledad Francia, the speaker's great-grandmother, and her marriage to Benitez. Soledad came from an illustrado family in Pagsanjan, Laguna. The artwork of Soledad Francia is a reproduction of an original by Antonio Malantic, a prominent 19th-century master painter known for detailed portraits. Another key figure is Francisca, who, along with her husband Conrado, built the house. She was a co-founder and the second president of the Philippine Women's University (PWU). The house's architect was Gregorio Paredes, Francisca's cousin, who, like Juan Arellano, studied architecture in the US as a pensionado. Paredes also worked on the interiors of important Manila landmarks like the post office and Metropolitan Theater, establishing him as a significant yet unsung partner to Arellano.
The library contains three types of furniture: original pieces from Pagsanjan, contemporary pieces, and furniture made from the old Bilibid Prison. Jose Santos, as Secretary of Justice, implemented reforms in the prison, introducing master carpenters who produced high-quality hardwood furniture, some of which are found in the house. The library primarily houses books belonging to a family member, Iginia, mostly in Spanish or Latin, reflecting his collection of dictionaries, encyclopedias, and travel books. The design elements of the house, including pillars and twisted bars, show a harmonious design vision attributed to Gregorio Paredes, who also excelled as an interior designer.
The discussion shifts to prominent men in the family, starting with Iginia Benitez, who married Soledad Francia. His portrait, painted in 1899 by Simon Flores, depicts him in his legal robes upon becoming a judge. Conrado, Iginia's son, built the house and was a representative from Laguna. He was one of the 'Seven Wise Men' who drafted the 1935 Philippine Constitution, specializing in business and economics. The 1935 Constitution was largely based on the U.S. Constitution.
Helena, known for her love of shopping and collecting, filled the house with Chinese and Asian-inspired furniture and decor after her parents passed away. She acquired many pieces from Aling Biding in Little Baguio during the 1970s when there was an influx of furniture from mainland China. An interesting feature is a covered window adorned with six panels depicting 49 women engaged in various tasks within a noble house, which Helena found appealing. The house also features touches of Art Deco, visible in the bathrooms.
Helena's passion for the Girl Scouts is evident through her uniforms displayed in the house. She was part of the young group of Josefa Llanes Escoda, a key figure in the Girl Scouts movement in the Philippines. The house also showcases international collections, reflecting the family's travels and penchant for collecting. This includes Czechoslovak Bohemian glass, Murano and Burano glass from Venice, Wedgwood ceramics (some surprisingly made in Japan due to outsourcing), French Baccarat crystal, Limoges porcelain, and souvenir plates from various museums and Masonic houses. A significant recovery was a Baccarat item found in the air raid shelter, carefully preserved by the housekeeper.
The tour concludes with an object demonstrating the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi or kintsugi. This is a broken ceramic piece held together by brass basketry, illustrating the beauty of imperfection and how a mended object can become more precious due to its 'brokenness.' This philosophy was applied to various vessels and jars, making them treasured artifacts with stories of repair.