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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Casa de España de Iloilo celebrates centennial

Casa de España de Iloilo celebrates centennial

Published Jun 14, 2026 03:26 pm
TERESA Chan and Enrique Chan Sola at the reconstructed Casa de España de Iloilo in Iloilo City. (Tara Yap)
TERESA Chan and Enrique Chan Sola at the reconstructed Casa de España de Iloilo in Iloilo City. (Tara Yap)
ILOILO CITY – Casa de España de Iloilo that once housed one of the Spanish clubhouses in the country celebrated its centennial year recently.
The celebration last June 8 was marked with a time capsule ceremony attended by key officials, civic, and religious leaders in Iloilo City. The event unearthed contents from the time capsule from 100 years ago.
The neoclassical structure designed by architect Tomás Mapúa was built in 1926 by H. O’Leary as Casino Español, the permanent clubhouse by the remaining Spanish community during the American period.
Before World War II, Casino Español hosted weddings, balls, and other prominent social events attended by key political and social figures, including President Manuel Quezon.
The Japanese Imperial Army would occupy Casino Español during the war while it served as a recreational center for Americans after the war.
Over the years, the prominence of Casino Español faded. The property would later be purchased by Antonio Chan – the father of renowned singer José Mari Chan – from the Doran family.
In 2023, the family’s A. Chan Realty & Development Inc. redeveloped the property.
With the original structure no longer standing, Casa de España de Iloilo underwent faithful reconstruction and was opened to the public last November.
The current Casa de España de Iloilo has a museum and is open to the public as a venue for social functions.
Teresa “Nene” Chan, Jose Mari’s sister, said the reconstruction of Casa de España de Iloilo is their tribute to their parents and Iloilo, where their father Antonio migrated from China and established key businesses.
During the centennial celebration, Nene and Enrique Chan Sola welcomed guests, including former Ilonggo Sen. Frank Drilon, Archbishop Midyphil Billones, Mayor Raisa Treñas here, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, Mikel Cacho Afzelius, Emmanuel Gemora, and a Department of Education (DepEd) representative.
A message by Ambassador Miguel Utray of Spain was read by Afzelius, whose mother Rose Cacho is the honorary consul of Spain in Western Visayas.

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Iloilo Casa de España de Iloilo Iloilo City
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