This 1920s Valenzuela House Is Being Turned Into a Film Heritage Museum

(SPOT.ph) Even outside history buffs and architecture enthusiasts, there’s something uniquely appealing about visiting ancestral houses. Old, worn residences serve as both a window to a bygone era and an intimate look at the lives that once bustled inside them. In Valenzuela, a century-old home holds an extra layer of nostalgia tied to the golden years of Philippine cinema: the Tancinco House.

Built in 1925, the historic house belonged to the prominent Tancinco family, and later the Acuña family, before time took its toll and it was eventually donated to the local government. Now, Arc Lico, the architectural design and heritage conservation firm behind projects like Villa Floro in San Juan, is spearheading its careful restoration. Even better, the team is planning to go beyond just saving the 1920s structure. Instead, the house is envisioned to take on new life as a film heritage museum celebrating Valenzuela C54ity’s surprisingly rich cinematic history.

Located in Barangay Pasolo, the ancestral house is a beautiful example of early 20th-century Filipino craftsmanship. Even in its current weathered state, it is easy to see its old bahay-na-bato grandeur, from the heavy stone pillars and sweeping exterior staircase to the capiz windows and ornate fretwork.

Rather than completely rebuilding the home, Arc Lico is planning to preserve the features that make it especially valuable. The firm explained on Facebook that they aim “to retain its material character, its proportions, craftsmanship, patina, and unmistakable domestic presence, while preparing it for a new civic life.”

This transformation is a fitting tribute, given the family home’s impressive history with the film industry. Local cinephiles may recognize it from cult classics like Supergirl (1973) starring Pinky Montilla and Daniel Bartolo ng Sapang Bato (1982) starring National Artist Fernando Poe Jr.

There’s bound to be plenty of archival material, thanks to the city’s own brush with silver-screen history. Long before Valenzuela became the ever-bustling city it is today, it had an important role in Philippine cinema. Back when it was still the picturesque town of Polo, it was a frequent shooting location of mid-century film studios and production houses, including Premiere Productions, People's Picture Inc., Tamaraw Studios, and Larry Santiago Productions.

One century after the Tancinco House was first built in Valenzuela, it will find a new purpose as a landmark for local architecture and cinema. Details on the timeframe and even gallery exhibits are still under wraps, but Arc Lico’s vision offers a promising glimpse into the site's future. Concept renderings on their website even include a light-filled space labeled the “Tancinco Cafe.”

Tancinco Ancestral House is located in Barangay Pasolo, Valenzuela. For updates, visit the official Arc Lico Facebook page.

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