Captivating Capiz: MANUEL ROXAS ANCENTRAL HOUSE

Manuel Roxas Ancestral House

Birthplace of Manuel Roxas (Roxas City) Located in the city proper, corner Rizal and Zamora Streets, Roxas City, Philippines. A two-story hardwood and stone house of First Philippine President Manuel Roxas, now a historical shrine.

It was well preserved by Atty. Mike Albar, a cousin of President Manuel Roxas. Hopefully his daughter, Emily will continue to carry on the tradition to allow people to see the historical house.

Corner Rizal and Zamora Streets, Roxas City, Philippines

Manuel A. Roxas
1st President of the Philippines

Manuel Acuña Roxas (January 1, 1892 – April 15, 1948) was the first president of the independent Third Republic of the Philippines and fifth president overall. He served as president from the granting of independence in 1946 until his abrupt death in 1948. His term as president of the Philippines was also the third shortest, lasting 1 year 10 months and 18 days.

The house is a typical stone house, which was quite common during the Spanish era. Its basement, which used to serve as a garage and storeroom, is made of stone, while the upper floor is made of wood. Today the ground floor houses a law office and an antique shop. Upstairs, there is really not much to see. The original furniture is gone and some of the rooms have been restructured. There is a big sala, the room where Pres. Roxas was born, a family dining room, a wash room, etc. The windows are all made of wood with panes made of capiz.

Given the small size of the place, it would take you only about 15-20 minutes to visit the entire house ... just enough for some selfies and quick shots of the house's interior. The house, by the way, was declared as a national historical site and a historical marker.