Tales from La Sampaguita Mansion

La Sampaguita Mansion is another ancestral house that is located within in poblacion area. It had a strategic location which is near the Saint Micheal of Archangel church and few meters away from the municipal town hall.

La Sampaguita mansion

 The original owner is Dr. Mendoza around 1908. The current mansion had several commercial stalls located in front of the old house. One cannot clearly see the details of the house unless one enters the premises.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Gilbert Diño

It was in 1925 when Ms. Lydia Paulino opened the famous Sampaguita Bakery was named after her favorite flower and she had several planted at her properties in Barangay Salangan. Another feature of the house were the sampaguita designs at the eves of the house.

Certificate of award from Manila Carnival 1930

Another piece of document of the Philippine Food (Bread) History – a diploma of award of the Manila Carnival of 1930 from the Philippine Carnival Association conferred to E. Paulino for the SINAMPALOK BREAD as grand prize winner. SINAMPALOK BREAD is a cylindrical log about 6 inch that reveals a yum-like sweet tamarind filling. On the otherhand, Sampaguita Bakery was named by the owner after its famous and best selling biscuit SAMPAGUITA – a white six-sided, flower-shaped biscuit from the same family as the uraro cookies. It has a firm and creamy texture that crumbles in one bite….well, those were the days for San Miguelenyo. -Jimmy Corpus-

Mrs. Lydia Paulino viyuda Del Rosario ( courtesy of Sir Gilbert Diño)

Old magazines and newspaper clippings would show that she is a philanthropist, entrepreneur, devoted mother and greatly loved by the community.

commercial stalls in front of  La Sampaguita mansion

She use to be Propagation of Faith ( president) which sponsors free communion services to children.

door leading to the grand staircase

The architectural styles and furniture inside the ancestral house is a combination of bahay na bato, neo classical, art deco and modern elements. The most notable are the iron grill works, wooden calado, altar pieces and period furnitures inside.

mini altar

We were greeted by the current owner upon entering the house, despite last minute arrangement. Although this is my 5th time entering the ancestral mansion.

grand staircase

old photos with wooden calado

Christ the King inside urna

art deco style lighting fixture inside the main living room

sala set and colored windows

Saint Micheal of Archangel church

The window also overlooks the historic Saint Micheal of Archangel church and other ancestral houses within the town.

painting and plateria cabinet

Mrs. Lydia Paulino died in 1996 leaving the old La Sampaguita bakery without anyone to manage. The ancestral house and some of her properties were assigned to her caretakers.

old bedroom with furniture and fixtures

wooden calado allows the circulation of air inside the house

a side room where old photos, certificate and period religious statues were kept.

religious statues

certificate of recognition

There are many juicy stories and tales behind the four corners of this ancestral house. The ancestral house is well kept by the current owners.

The current owner of the ancestral house is the family of Mr. Mark Adduru

Note: We would like to “Thank” Mr. Ervin Garcia, Adduru family and San Miguel municipal town tourism officers for arrangement and facilitating the tour inside the ancestral house.

References and Sources:

Personal interview with Mr. Gilbert Diño, Mr. Ervin Garcia, San Miguel municipal hall employees and current owner of the ancestral house.

SMDMKATKKK : https://smdmkatkkk.wordpress.com/

Advertisement