Heritage significances of ancestral houses at the plaza complex of Pototan, Iloilo

Abstract

Tourism promotion of heritage sites and cultural properties is an important subset of tourist campaign in our country. There is a sizable number of tourists who travel to marvel at things that are vintage and belonging to the past. This study aimed to culturally map the ancestral houses that survived war and times along the Plaza Complex of Pototan, Iloilo with the aimed of promoting these structures as the town’s tourist attraction. This historic town of Pototan which had its share of heroine and visionary leaders boasts of a number of well-preserved pre-war structures and ancestral houses. These ancestral houses are owned by the local elite of Pototan who made a mark in the socio-economic and political life of the town and province. The study showed, that indeed, Pototan possessed such mansions and elaborate houses that had survived through time. While no structures remained intact, the fagade that survived and were rehabilitated by their owners still mirrors the greatness of what was originally built. Each house had a unique story worthy of being told. This study can be a starting point for further detailed study of other researchers who want to explore further.