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The country’s first Museum of Philippine Economic History has recently opened in what was once the Ynchausti Commercial House in Calle Real, Iloilo. |
The
country’s first Museum of Philippine Economic History has recently opened in
what was once the Ynchausti Commercial House in Calle Real in Iloilo, home of
the company that started what will eventually become the world’s number one Rhum, Tanduay.
Before the
National Historical Commission restored the building into an economic history
museum, it was used as the provincial offices of the Commission on Audit. For
the longest time, however, it was known as the Elizalde building.
In 1854,
according to local historians, the building was home to a conglomerate
Ynchausti y Compania (also Ynchausti y Cia), whose founders were the basques
José Joaquin Ynchausti, Joaquin Elizalde and Valentin Teus. They consolidated
their companies’ assets including Tanduay. When the Elizaldes bought the
Ynchausti shares in 1934, they renamed the company to Elizalde Y Cia.
Other than
historical data, the museum showcases many of the important artifacts of
companies that thrived in Iloilo, especially during the golden days of the
sugar industry. Aside from being one of the oldest companies established in the
country, the Tanduay Distillery was featured in the museum because of its huge
contribution to the sugarcane industry.
There's a
display of an old Tanduay dama juana;
early advertising print ads of Tanduay; tools from the haciendas of
Western Visayas' sugar plantations; looms from the oldest weavers in Miagao,
Iloilo; and t'nalak cloth from South Cotabato, among many
others.
It is
appropriate that these items are housed at the Ynchausti Commercial House,
which was built in 1905 and used as a trading store. Like most
Spanish colonial houses in the country, it is the typical bahay-na-bato with
solid red-brick walls on the first floor and wood panels on the second
floor. It also has wide Capiz-shell windows that are a distinct
design of old Spanish houses.
“Tanduay has
a rich history that started in the island of Negros. As we celebrate the 165th
year of Tanduay Distillers this year, we would like to ensure that Tanduay
will always be remembered, especially by
the next of generations of Filipinos,” said Lucio K. Tan, Jr., president and
chief operating officer, Tanduay Distillers, Inc.
Incidentally, as part
of its anniversary celebration, the Lucio Tan Group-owned Tanduay Distillers,
Inc has embarked on the conversion of its distillery in Manila into a museum
that will showcase its rich and colorful history. It will likewise give its
visitors a multi-sensory experience on how its products are made.
“The Tanduay
Museum will be housed at our old office in Quiapo, where Ynchausti Y Cia
operated their liquor facility. We plan to restore part of the original
building, but since it will be a brand museum, expect that it will have a
modern façade and will utilize technology at par with the world’s contemporary
museums,” Tan, Jr. revealed.
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