Yap-San Diego House
| Yap-San Diego House | |
|---|---|
Balay nga Bato ug Kahoy | |
The Yap-San Diego House | |
| General information | |
| Type | Residential house and museum |
| Location | Mabini St, Cebu City, Philippines |
| Owner | Yap-San Diego Family |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Coral stone and wood |
| Floor count | 2 |
The Yap-San Diego House is a heritage house located in Cebu City, Philippines. It is considered to be among the oldest surviving Chinese houses outside of China. It is also among the oldest residential structures in the Philippines.[1][2][3]
History
The house is estimated to have been built sometime between 1675 and 1700 by Don Juan Yap, a Chinese merchant from Fujian, China, together with his wife Doña Maria Florido. It is located in the historical Parián in Cebu City where Chinese were required to live during the Philippines' Spanish colonial era.[4][5]
The house is protected by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and was opened to the public in 2008. Today, the house continues to be maintained by the original family's descendant Val Mancao San Diego.[5]
Features
The house is a two-story structure constructed out of coral stone and wood. It follows the Bahay na bato Philippine architectural style seen among wealtheir residents during the Spanish colonial era. There is an open-air garden on the first level, windows on the second level, and a downward sloping roof. A variety of historical artifacts are displayed inside.[3]
References
- ^ "Community Mall: Reclaiming the Heart of the Barangay Hippodromo, Ceby City, Philippines" (PDF). Politecnico Di Milano. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
- ^ "Yap-Sandiego ancestral home: Soul of old Cebu". MyCebu.ph. December 15, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ^ a b "The Yap Sandiego Ancestral House Takes You For A Walk Back In Time". June 4, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ^ "Information about Yap-San Diego Ancestral House". Guide to the Philippines. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
- ^ a b Lago, Amanda (March 21, 2022). "IN PHOTOS: The Yap-San Diego ancestral house, a Cebu City relic from the 1600s". RAPPLER. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
External links
- Media related to Yap-San Diego Ancestral House at Wikimedia Commons