ILOILO City – As the country celebrates National Heritage Month this May, one of Iloilo City’s most beloved ancestral homes, the Celso Ledesma House — fondly known as the “Eagle House” — has been officially declared a heritage house by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
The recognition was formalized during a marker unveiling and turnover ceremony on May 15, held as part of the month-long nationwide observance that honors Filipino heritage and the preservation of historic spaces.
NHCP chair Regalado Trota Jose Jr., whose roots trace back to Tigbauan, Iloilo, led the ceremonies, underscoring the importance of safeguarding historic homes that are rich in cultural and personal memory.
The commemorative plaque was formally turned over to members of the Ledesma family, including Vanessa Ledesma Suatengco, Celso Ledesma, and Martin and Patrick Jamora, in the presence of NHCP executive director Carminda Arevalo and Mayor Jerry Treñas.
In her speech, Suatengco reflected on the deep familial significance of the 1922-built home.
“The house has never been just a structure,” she said. “It is where we laughed, learned, loved, grieved, and grew… Never did we imagine that these walls — watched over by eagles on Ortiz Street — weathered by time, war, and all the seasons of life — would one day be recognized as a treasure of heritage.”
The Celso Ledesma House, designed in the Beaux-Arts style by engineers Mariano Cacho and Mariano Salas, is one of Iloilo City’s architectural gems. It features a unique fusion of neoclassical, Art Nouveau, and early Art Deco elements, with stained glass, hand-painted murals by Vicente San Miguel, grand arches, and a signature horseshoe-shaped dining table.
Locals affectionately call it the “Eagle House,” owing to the sculpted eagles that sit atop the gate posts — a symbolic sentinel of the family’s strength and enduring presence in the heart of Calle Real Heritage Zone.
The declaration of the house as a heritage site adds to Iloilo’s growing list of protected historical structures, joining the ranks of Casa Mariquit, Nellie’s Garden, Camiña Balay na Bato, Loreto Ledesma House, and the Lopez Boathouse.
Mayor Treñas welcomed the NHCP’s declaration as a significant addition to Iloilo’s cultural tourism appeal and as a reminder of the city’s rich architectural heritage.
The event was part of the NHCP’s ongoing efforts to recognize and promote heritage conservation during National Heritage Month, which carries the 2025 theme “Pamana para sa Lahat” — emphasizing inclusivity in the preservation of Filipino identity.
A traditional merienda-cena followed the ceremony, featuring heirloom dishes including paella, croquetas, chorizos, pasta, and other Ilonggo delicacies — blending culinary and cultural heritage in one elegant tribute.
The Celso Ledesma House, featured in two major coffee table books — “Estilo Ilonggo” and “Houses That Sugar Built” — now stands not only as a symbol of a family’s enduring legacy but as a shared heritage for the nation./PN
