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Enlightened:
Architecture and Legacy
of a Filipino Ancestral House
Casa de Segunda is an ancestral house completed in 1880 that holds significant memories of the Spanish Colonial Era and the Second World War in Lipa, the wealthiest town in the Philippines in the 1800s. The coffee barons of the Luz-Katigbak clan were among the largest suppliers of coffee in the world and built several mansions in the center of town. Only a few mansions remain after the devastation of war including the home of Doña Segunda Katigbak-Luz and Don Manuel Luz, which the family has opened to the public as a museum.
The Filipino ancestral house captures the nostalgia of the Golden Age of the Filipino Ilustrados (the enlightened ones), whose stories continue to inspire generations of Filipinos to come home to and be proud of their intellectual, artistic and cultural heritage. Natural elements and historical architectural details allow the home to be comfortably sunlit by day and glow from within at night. The property's grounds are still surrounded by heritage trees and the residences of the living descendants of Doña Segunda Katigbak-Luz, who is known as the first love of Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal. Exhibition photos taken by family historian Renz Marion Katigbak and photographer Jeremy Mendoza, both members of the Luz-Katigbak clan and Alexis Santiago.
An arched gateway welcomes visitors to the grounds of Casa de Segunda. Coffee heiress Segunda Katigbak is known as the first love of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal who described Segunda as "alluring and beguiling".
A historical marker from the National Historical Institute was unveiled in 1996 when the Luz-Katigbak descendants of Don Manuel Luz and Doña Segunda Katigbak opened their ancestral home as a museum in order to share the inspiring story of their hometown's genteel and glorious past with future generations.
A courtyard fountain is surrounded by heritage trees including a coffee tree which stands as a reminder of the agricultural roots of the Luz-Katigbak clan. Coffee was first cultivated in the Philippines in the late 1700s and in 1880 Lipa was the leading exporter of coffee. Residents and esteemed guests would arrive in horse-drawn carriages that would be stored in the first floor of the home. Gold and diamonds would adorn ladies from head to toe.
Upon arrival, guests would wait on the first floor and once they were ready to be received, the hosts would invite them to proceed to the formal living room on the second floor. The main staircase leading to the formal living room has an array of beautiful ornate carved balusters. Prized Philippine hardwood known for its exceptional durability was used extensively in the home.
The high ceilings and sliding capiz shell windows in the entire second floor allow gentle sunlight and cool breezes inside living spaces of the home. Additional decorative vent openings below the large sliding windows bring in even more fresh air through the living spaces. Family and friends would enjoy sharing stories or a game of chess. The nine children of Don Manuel Luz and Doña Segunda Katigbak would play musical instruments together as if in an orchestra in this space and filled the entire home with music and memories.
A painting by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo of the formidable couple, Doña Segunda Katigbak-Luz and Don Manuel Luz is cherished by the family. The couple were both members of the Ilustrados or "Enlightened" class of Filipinos who were well-educated and lived with the highest of virtues of courage and philanthropy contributing to the eventual independence of the Philippines from Spanish and American colonizers. The descendants of the couple were known as artists and business professionals including National Artist for Visual Arts Arturo Luz and Philippine business community leader Guillermo "Bill" Luz.
A studio portrait of a young Segunda Katigbak by Manila-based Dutch photographer Francisco Van Camp is displayed beside her bedroom vanity. In National hero Jose Rizal's published diary, Segunda was the only woman he wrote about, according to Rizal "an indescribable allure radiated from her whole being".
The intricately carved four-poster bed of Segunda Katigbak-Luz has a durable woven surface underneath a crochet bed cover creating a cooling, breathable design perfect for sleeping comfortably in a tropical climate. A mirrored two-door wardrobe would contain meticulously hand-embroidered traditional Filipino clothing made of pineapple fiber.
The original black and white tile in the stairs landing and entryway are still intact after the Second World War. The structural design of the home is a traditional Spanish colonial design with a thick adobe stone-walled first floor as security for possessions and protection from floods and earthquakes in contrast to the open and airy wooden living spaces on the second floor.
The Casa de Segunda central courtyard and fountain at night is just as alluring and beguiling as its namesake Doña Segunda Katigbak-Luz. The ancestral home has remained beloved, strong and magnificent throughout the years.
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