It was built in 1861, the same year that our National Hero Jose Rizal was born, and also the year that the San Bartolome Church was completed. Passers-by almost always take a second look at its original stone gateway that's reminiscent of the portals of Intramuros.
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| For one flickering second standing across the street you could almost imagine that you were in Intramuros with its adobe walls and massive wooden gates. But then you see how the street has been so elevated that the portal has "sunk" to half its height -- and you get pulled back to the reality that you're in flood-prone Malabon... |
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Etched on the gateway arch along with the year it was built is a double-headed Hapsburg eagle, an image that was used to represent the European Hapsburg dynasty and appeared on the coat of arms of the kings of Spain. 1/ The house was built by Fernando Raymundo and its present owner is a fifth-generation descendant of his.
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| This photo of the RAYMUNDO HOUSE (c. possibly 1970s) was sent by a friend and added to this posting on Dec. 20, 2010. He recalls having visited the house when he was small. He remembers the gate knocker made of solid brass ("tanso") - a lion's head - that was so heavy, when you pulled it so it would hit the metal plate base, the sound could easily be heard from the house. There was a long piece of string to be pulled in so that the visitor could get in to the front yard. The knocker was installed around 4 feet from the original street level. NOTE: This photo originally labelled as circa late 1950s based on friend's recollection but now adjusted to possibly 1970s due to the replaced roofing. |
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| Framed color image of the house in the late 1970s. |
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| The RAYMUNDO HOUSE during the Concepcion fiesta. The morning pagoda started from their place as the Malabon River is right behind it. Only around seven steps remain of the original stairs leading to the azotea (balcony). The ground floor of the house is no longer usable - the family lives only on the second floor. |
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| Olden-style interior with a few touches of modernity. I love the beautiful wide-planked hardwood floors. |
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| The Spanish-era beginnings of the RAYMUNDO HOUSE is evident in the tree posts that are still standing inside it. |
I went to Barangay Concepcion that fiesta day intending to see only the Pagodas and the Caracol, but I had an unexpected bonus. I got to see a house that had always caught my attention with its unique grand entrance, the likes of which I used to see only within Intramuros.
The RAYMUNDO HOUSE has withstood time and tide to give us -and future generations- a precious glimpse of the past in our hometown. I felt happy, proud and grateful - all in one day!
My thanks to Mr. Hilarion Corvera, Jr. and his wife Susan, and to Jamie Corvera.
1/ Website of Universidad Francisco Marroquin.
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