''CASA GORORDO MUSEUM''

The Casa Gorordo Museum is a 19th century lifestyle museum

 owned and managed by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

(RAFI) through its Culture & Heritage unit.
The house was built in the 1850’s and originally owned by

Alejandro Reynes y Rosales. It was bought by Juan Isidro

 Gorordo, a Spanish merchant, in 1863. Four generations

of the Gorordo family have lived in this house including

Bishop Juan Gorordo, the first Cebuano bishop.

The girth of the structure of the museum is evidenced by

the massive stone walls in the lower portion of the house.

Made of coral, they are good protection from fire and typhoon.

Huge posts of molave (tugas) extend from the basement to

 support the clay tile roof. Wide windows with sliding panels

are fitted with translucent capiz shells.
After it was acquired by RAFI, the house was first renovated

between 1980 and 1981. It was officially opened to

the public on December 15, 1983.

In 2005, a major second renovation was undertaken to replace

 aging elements. In recognition of the historical and social

significance of the house, the National Historical Institute

 (NHI) conferred on the Casa Gorordo Museum the title

“National Historical Landmark” in 1991.

RAFI continues to observe the house traditions of the

Gorordo family at the Casa Gorordo Museum,

which includes Belen sa Casa Gorordo where the Gorordo

family’s priceless 19th century collection of figurines that

depict ten scenes from Christ’s nativity to early childhood

 are showcased; Sinug sa Casa Gorordo where the original

sinug dance is rendered as an offering to the Holy

Child and to the souls the day after the Feast of the

Sto. Niño; Semana Santa when the century-old images

of the Nazareno and Veronica are displayed in century-old

 caros are included in the procession; and Pista ni

San Juan when the century-old image of John the

 Baptist baptizing Jesus is exhibited in a century-old

carosa included in the Pista sa Parian every June 24 .

Through these house traditions, preserved century-old

images and carosa are showcased and used in processions.