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written & photographed by: fergus jm ducharme

The Ledesma Family HomeSights & Sounds of Ilo²

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Ledesma Mansion is also known as the "Eagle House“, for obvious reasons.Its built in the Neo-Renaissance style of architecture and is located on OrtizStreet near Plaza Libertad in Ilo².

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This fabulous home was built in 1923 by Don Celso Ledesma he is referred toas a bachelor haciendero…there is very little information of details about DonCelso, indeed the is little or nothing on the entire family.

It was said by Zafito (Zaffy) Ledesma that: “Ah, the Ledesma, they werereclusive, they were eccentric. The windows of their houses were all closed!They retreated to their own worlds.” I can certainly appreciate that because oftheir position in society.

Apparently, the family made its huge fortune in sugar starting in the early1870s and their haciendas were primarily located in Negros. Hence thereference to Don Celso as a Haciendero… He managed various familyproperties in the Iloilo area.

When Celso died, the ‘Estate” passed to his nephew T.S. Zafiro Ledesma and itwas passed to his children when he died. His son, Zafito (Zaffy) Ledesma tookover management of the properties until his untimely death in 2009. It isinteresting to note that it is said that the home and its contents wereimpeccably maintained and the contents were in pristine condition. Don Zaffywas the third generation to hold the family estates. Apparently, the Ledesmaswere the true aristocrats of old Iloilo: refined, cultivated intellectuals andartists. Don Zaffy was, we understand, the epitome of what a Ledesma familymember would be.

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The main entrance is in contrast with the style of the rest of the home. Rather,it is presented in the Art Deco style.

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A Ledesma Commercial Building in downtown Iloilo, builtin 1923 by Celso Ledesma

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You’ll recall a few slides behind us we quoted a statement that: “the Ledesmaswere the true aristocrats of old Iloilo: refined, cultivated intellectuals andartists.”

When you look at this building, you will quickly see what is meant, because ittranslates into the buildings they have built. Note that the facade is composedof five bays (4 symmetrical bays and a central bay). Each bay division isflanked by scrolled pilasters surmounted by urns on draped plinths. Threepanels are defined by smaller pilasters with the same scrolled design furtherdivide a portion of each bay.

Large windows with uncut balusters run the whole length of the 2nd floorfacade. The parapet has a running ribbon and flower motif which are repeatedon the pilasters at the ground level. Pilasters at the ground level flank DoricColumns with scrolled capitals.

Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council

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Jomarie Acallar: friend, navigator, facilitator & assistant discoverer

Nilo Jimeno: friend, pilot, facilitator & assistant discoverer

Thank you!