Hofilena Heritage House
Hofilena Heritage House
Hofilena Heritage House
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
62 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
15
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
joeydaninja
Makati, Philippines60 contributions
Jul 2022
Went to the Hofilena House quite serendipitously because we happened to be eating at the nearby 1898 Restaurant, and what a treat it was! Rene Hofilena is in charge now, but the tour doesn't skip a step. He will personally guide you through the house and his brother's impressive collection of all things artistic and historical. Rene is a dancer by profession but is now also a historian by heart.
Written July 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
New_YLOO
Philippines7,569 contributions
Sept 2012 • Friends
The Hofilena hose is one of the 3 houses - turned - museums in Silay. It is also the only one which is still lived-in by the owner (Yes - we got to see his room! Filipinos will be familiar with him - he is a famous artist)
We traced our steps along Cinco novembre street - still looking for the Hofilena house, when there it was - with a big signboard. A beautiful cream coloured two storeyed wooden structure - with a boy outside welcoming us in.
We were given a guided tour of the house - both lower and upper floors. The tour lasted about an hour, but I think we could easily have spent another hour just gazing at the artifacts. There are a myriad of toys from all over the world (part of their family collection) including a tiny grain of rice with inscriptions, a tiny train engine, etc! There are lots more photos on the blog mentioned below.
The dining room and bar appear ready to serve (nope - they do not serve food! he he!). But they DID show us how the printing machine is used (I know I am using the wrong term here... ) to make authorised re-prints of paintings by painters.
There is a small museum / art gallery containing some priceless paintings by the most acclaimed painters of Philippines (Yep - including one by Ben Cab) - and even a sketch made by Dr. Jose Rizal when he still was a student!
The caretakers were sweet enough to give us a fan looking at us sweating (it was a pretty Spanish style folding fan). They also sweetly took the entrance fee only AFTER the tour was completed.
Other than this, there were lots of family heirlooms, books, etc. A fascinating place to enjoy a bit of Silay's popular artist family's history. The guide especially pointed out some interesting facets of architecture of the building that made it pretty interesting. (Like the fact that the vertical beams are INSIDE the house - not outside!). I have tried to put some photos here on TA - but you can find many more photos on the below blog.
They also have some good souvenirs and hand made goods for sale.
If you wish to read more about the history of this building and other buildings in Silay, see "The Heritage Houses of Silay Blog" - http://heritagesilay.blogspot.com
We traced our steps along Cinco novembre street - still looking for the Hofilena house, when there it was - with a big signboard. A beautiful cream coloured two storeyed wooden structure - with a boy outside welcoming us in.
We were given a guided tour of the house - both lower and upper floors. The tour lasted about an hour, but I think we could easily have spent another hour just gazing at the artifacts. There are a myriad of toys from all over the world (part of their family collection) including a tiny grain of rice with inscriptions, a tiny train engine, etc! There are lots more photos on the blog mentioned below.
The dining room and bar appear ready to serve (nope - they do not serve food! he he!). But they DID show us how the printing machine is used (I know I am using the wrong term here... ) to make authorised re-prints of paintings by painters.
There is a small museum / art gallery containing some priceless paintings by the most acclaimed painters of Philippines (Yep - including one by Ben Cab) - and even a sketch made by Dr. Jose Rizal when he still was a student!
The caretakers were sweet enough to give us a fan looking at us sweating (it was a pretty Spanish style folding fan). They also sweetly took the entrance fee only AFTER the tour was completed.
Other than this, there were lots of family heirlooms, books, etc. A fascinating place to enjoy a bit of Silay's popular artist family's history. The guide especially pointed out some interesting facets of architecture of the building that made it pretty interesting. (Like the fact that the vertical beams are INSIDE the house - not outside!). I have tried to put some photos here on TA - but you can find many more photos on the below blog.
They also have some good souvenirs and hand made goods for sale.
If you wish to read more about the history of this building and other buildings in Silay, see "The Heritage Houses of Silay Blog" - http://heritagesilay.blogspot.com
Written November 22, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joshua L
24 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
Lots of beautiful art pieces on the second floor including a nice collection of national artists' works! Manansalas, Joya, Amorsolo, Abueva, even a small piece by Rizal
Written February 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Victorianlad
Melbourne, Australia17,938 contributions
Mar 2013 • Friends
This double storey weatherboard is extremely well maintained and dates from 1934.
Owner Ramon still resides there. We were fortunate that he was in when we visited.
The house has all the typical a features of the Spanish area but a bonus is three rooms full of paintings and drawings by famous Filipino masters including a drawing by Jose Rizal, the national hero as well as eight works by current national artist BenCab whose eponymous Baguio museum is well worth a visit.
The entrance fee was a modest P50. A small range if souvenirs is available including T shirts.
Owner Ramon still resides there. We were fortunate that he was in when we visited.
The house has all the typical a features of the Spanish area but a bonus is three rooms full of paintings and drawings by famous Filipino masters including a drawing by Jose Rizal, the national hero as well as eight works by current national artist BenCab whose eponymous Baguio museum is well worth a visit.
The entrance fee was a modest P50. A small range if souvenirs is available including T shirts.
Written March 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Faithy18
Luzon, Philippines252 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
I was mesmerized and starstrucked by one of the best storyteller, Ramon Hofilena. Everything in the house has a story to tell. I was not expecting that i would get anything relevant in visiting the place but i went out of it proud and grateful to have met a legend in his own right. The tour can be quick or slow depending on how you interact with the host, the entrance fee is nothing compared to the entertainment and trivia you would bring home with you. This is highly recommended. May his legacy continue.
Written May 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lerom A
30 contributions
May 2018 • Family
Everything comes alive in this museum through the stories of Ramon Hofileña, the owner and tour guide of the museum.
Tell him if you only have an hour or less to spare so that he could tailor-fit his lecture/tour.
Tell him if you only have an hour or less to spare so that he could tailor-fit his lecture/tour.
Written May 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
artistahun
Singapore, Singapore113 contributions
Apr 2016 • Solo
Silay is Paris of Negros and a lot of ancestral houses can be seen standing around the city, one of these is the Hofilena Ancestral House owned by the late Manuel Severino Hofilena. Survived by his wife, Gilda Ledesma Hojilla and nine children whom were inclined to arts. At present, one of his son, Ramon Hofilena resides in this house and even tours the guests around the house.
The house is just a walk away from Balay Negrense which you need to go there once you're in Silay. The house is a repository of art finds from the smallest artwork to works of Fernando Amorsolo, Jose Rizal, Juan Luna and BenCab.
The house is just a walk away from Balay Negrense which you need to go there once you're in Silay. The house is a repository of art finds from the smallest artwork to works of Fernando Amorsolo, Jose Rizal, Juan Luna and BenCab.
Written October 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
parisrome2008
san francisco18 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
We went to see this in our visit because it was recommended by friends. We did not have much time which we communicated to the owner who was also our guide. We had been to Balay Negrense and wanted to see other houses. The tour took a very long time because the owner talked a lot about himself instead of the house and the history. When a few in our group went ahead of the tour- he was not happy and started making snide remarks saying we were demoralizing the group. This after he had said in the beginning that it was ok to go ahead if we wanted to. We ended up not even seeing the second floor as we felt we were being forced to listen to him and his life story. If he had done it in moderation- this would have been more enjoyable. It took an hour to go through 2 rooms in the first floor and these were small rooms.the Balay Negrense tour is so much better.
Written October 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mikautada
manila68 contributions
I was thankful that I was able to visit this house on my second try. On my first day in Silay the museum was closed, good thing my friends and I came back. It was an honor for us to personally meet and talk with the owner himself, Mr. Ramon Hofilena. He was the best guide, he shared the most interesting stories and insights about his collections and the history of his house and family. His collection was astonishing! From that miniature doll from Japan to that sketch of Jose Rizal to the paintings of the unknown Silay artist. I can spend a day gazing at the paintings alone. Too bad we had limited time but sure it was all worth it. Please visit this heritage house. It is a must. Take note of that tektite stones as well.
Written October 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lcar89
Dasmarinas City, Philippines150 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
When in Silay, you have to visit the Hofilena Heritage House. The owner is super duper nice and you will really learn a lot from him. Make sure to book or come here early as 1 hour is not enough to visit this living heritage house. You will enjoy everything that is inside this house and warm company of Mr. Hofilena :) Such a charming and funny guy.
You can also buy souvenir items insider :). Truly worth the visit.
You can also buy souvenir items insider :). Truly worth the visit.
Written September 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm not exactly sure if you actually need to reserve. We just went there and the guide started touring us. There was another group waiting after our turn, and he immediately accommodated them after our tour ended. Hope this helps :)
Written September 26, 2016
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