Camiña Balay na Bato: History and Gastronomy of Iloilo

Standing still at Osmeña Street, Villa Arevalo Iloilo City, a grandeur well-preserved heritage house influenced with European touches – Camiña Balay na Bato. The ancestral house was built in 1860s and the 4th generation of the original owners still lives in the house.

The architectural design of the 150 year-old ancestral house are original features like the Victorian-era board, Narra and Ivory flooring, and large wood posts. Its structure was based and built after a ‘bahay kubo’. For strong foundation, 24 tree trunk pillars (haligis) supports the entire house. Restoration of the house was worked by Eugene Jamerlan back in 19th century. Long ago, ceilings had bamboo weavings but, for fire hazardous protection, it was replaced with pressed tin sheets.

Not just a heritage museum but the house also offers you a prestige dining experience with vintage setting. You can basically experience both heritage and gastronomy in one place. Homemade Tsokolate tablea (chocolate tablets) was the most popular the house offers its guests.

Ground floor showcases its heritage store and souvenir shop selling cooking utensils, hablon (weaving cloth) and other accessories. They also sell suka, homemade sinamak, tsokolate tablea, and the famous batirol or kettle for chocolate making. Second floor is originally the living room turned into a dining area for visitors who wanted to indulge home-made dishes like pancit molo, kalkag rice (fried rice made with dried shrimp), Bino-ug nga baboy (charcoal grilled pork) and Ilonggo fresh lumpia.  Your dining experience will be worthwhile because the entire second floor has natural ventilation. 

Rates:

• Php150 per pax – House Tour with Tsokolate (No minimum)
• Php200 per pax – House Tour with Tsokolate and Pancit Molo (Minimum of 5 persons)
• Php500 per pax – House Tour with Lunch,  Tsokolate and Pancit Molo (Minimum of 10 persons)

For inquiries, you can visit their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Cami%C3%B1a-Balay-nga-Bato-in-Iloilo-168040663293755/

Don’t just learn more about Iloilo’s history, but discover and taste the finest dishes of Iloilo at Camiña Balay na Bato!