Casa Rubio y Larena 1790

 

The Architectural Legacy of Casa Rubio (1790)

Built in 1790, Casa Rubio stood as a premier example of the Bahay na Bato (specifically the Antillan or Balay na Tisa style). Designed by Spanish architect Danilo Castillo-Montegrande and executed by master local carpenters, the residence blended European structural grandeur with Filipino craftsmanship. It was originally commissioned by Don José Antonio Zoilo Rubio y Abilla as a gift for his second wife, Doña Ma. Lourdes “Canuta” Villacampa Rubio.

I. Structural Composition

·         The Foundation (First Floor): The ground floor was constructed using cut coral stones (known locally as tablea). These thick walls provided a cooling effect and structural resilience against the elements.

·         The Upper Frame (Second Floor): In contrast to the stone base, the second floor utilized heavy native timber, creating a flexible frame that could withstand earthquakes—a hallmark of Filipino-Spanish colonial engineering.

II. Functional Parts of the House

The Ground Floor (The Service Level)

·         The Zaguan: This grand entrance hallway served as the primary artery of the home. It was wide enough to accommodate horse-drawn carriages (carrozas) and led directly to an inner Patio.

·         Storage and Stables: The stone rooms on this level functioned as stables for horses, coach houses, and quarters for the household staff.

·         The Aljibe: A massive stone cistern was integrated into the structure to collect and store rainwater, providing a vital water source for the inhabitants.

The Transition: The Escalera

·         The Grand Staircase: A majestic wooden staircase made of premium hardwoods like narra or molave connected the stone ground floor to the living quarters. It featured a landing where guests were formally received before being escorted into the main halls.

The Second Floor (The Noble Level)

·         Caida (Antesala): This spacious hall at the top of the stairs served as an informal receiving area for casual visitors.

·         Sala Mayor: The central living room was the heart of the home. It featured soaring ceilings and ornate chandeliers, designed to host the elite hacenderos of the Negros sugar boom.

·         Comedor: The formal dining room was a site of immense political and social consequence, hosting banquets for the diplomatic community and national leaders.

Climate Control and Ventilation

·         Capiz Windows & Ventanillas: Large sliding panels made of translucent shells allowed soft light to enter. Below them, ventanillas (small floor-level shutters) were opened to facilitate "passive cooling" through cross-ventilation.

·         Volada: An enclosed gallery or overhanging balcony ran along the exterior, allowing servants to navigate the house discreetly without interrupting the family in the main rooms.

·         Persianas: Louvered wooden shutters were utilized to mitigate the tropical sun while maintaining airflow.

III. A Venue of National History

Casa Rubio was more than a residence; it was a silent witness to the evolution of the Philippine government. The house hosted a legendary roster of guests, including:

·         Philippine Presidents: Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña.

·         American Officials: U.S. President William Howard Taft, Governor-General Leonard Wood, and Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera.

·         Silliman Founders: Dr. David and Laura Hibbard.

Furthermore, the house held deep spiritual significance as the site of the first Bible services for the Northern Negros Local UCCP Protestant Church, which the family helped found in 1909.

IV. The Lineage of Ownership

The house was passed down through generations of the Rubio-Larena lineage, following the five children of Don Rodrigo:

1.      Braulio Rubio: Local councilor of Bais.

2.      Carmen Rubio-Saavedra: Wife of Juanito Saavedra, a prominent political leader under Spanish and American rule.

3.      Josefina Rubio-Larena: A famed haciendara and wife of Don Demetrio Larena, the first Civil Governor of Negros Oriental and co-founder of Silliman University.

4.      Maria Rubio-Montenegro: Wife of Don Juan Vera Montenegro, who served as Vice Governor and Acting Governor.

5.      Faustina Rubio-Gonzales: Wife of sugar planter Manuel Gonzales who served as Vice Mayor of Dumaguete and  Local Councilor of Bais

Following World War II, the property was inherited by Doña Milagros S. Perequit vda de Valdevia, and it continues to be preserved today by Demetrio “Puroroy” Larena III and his family.

 

Source : Prof. Penn T. Larena




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