MOLO MANSION: A NEGLECTED MANSION TO ILOILO’S RESTORED GEM

Molo Mansion was once known as Yusay-Consing Mansion. It is a significant and historic
house in Molo, Iloilo.
The ground floor of the Molo Mansion is made of concrete while the upper floor is made of
wood. Aside from the graceful arches of semi-circular portico, other ornamental features that characterize
the mansion's ornate facade are the neoclassical balustrade, the dentil strip molding around the portico,
and the wooden double swing-out windows with textured glass panels protected by wrought iron window
cages with filigree patterns.
The Yusay-Consing Mansion was built in the 1920s. The first resident was Doña Petra Lacson
who married Manila’s judge of the Court of First Instance, Estanislao Yusay. They had a big family with
10 children: Jose, Ramon, Vicenta, Enrique, Rosario, Trinidad, Mariano, Manuela, Manuel and Soledad.
The family was said to possess and have power over the Molo district. The mansion was later passed on
to Timoteo Consing Sr. and his family. He served as Iloilo’s governor in 1935 to 1937. The mansion was
believed to have hosted and accommodated two Philippine Presidents, Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio
Osmeña, during their visit in Iloilo. Unfortunately, the Mansion was neglected for several years and was
thought to be good for demolition because of its very poor state. One of the gems of Western Visayas
once, a private developer rescued and restored the mansion. When word was finally out that the Yusay-
Consing Mansion property was bought by the SM Group, many Ilonggos feared for that the stunning
mansion would soon just exist in photos. But this development across Molo Plaza will usher in what is
currently being done in most parts of Iloilo's Calle Real. Within a year, SM indeed restored the abandoned
and dilapidated house to its pristine condition. Following the plan of conservation architects Augusto
Villalon of the Cultural Heritage Resource Associates and Melvin Patawaran of Tropiks Design Studio,
the developer rehabilitated the deteriorating walls, replaced all broken architectural details, and repainted
the structure. A garden was planted outside, the interiors were refurbished, and the building retrofitted
with new electrical and sanitary systems. It was officially restored last September 28, 2015.
The Mansion is located in front of the town plaza and the St. Anne Parish Church. Back in the
days, once a house is located or facing the town plaza, it is said to be owned by wealthy families.
Why is it considered as Contemporary Art?
Once a beat-up mansion that was thought to be gone for good and couldn’t be restored, the Molo
Mansion is one example of an imperishable architectural beauty that has stood the test of time. Originally
built in the 1920’s, the mansion now stands in all its glory facing the Molo district plaza and the Molo
Church. Molo mansion, one of the famous mansion in Iloilo City. It is not just a simple mansion but it
also marks as a landmark to know that you are in one of the districts in the city, Molo district. The
mansion is merely located in the center and was renovated last 2015. The mansion is not just a home for
the Consing Family but it is also considered as an artwork. The Molo Mansion was modernized with the
help of SM Corporation. It became livelier at the present because of the restaurants around it. The
mansion is considered as contemporary art because has all the qualities of a modern artwork since it was
re-created in the 20th century. The pillars of the mansion earmark the experiences of the mansion through
the years and is inspired by the pillars of neoclassical time. The Molo Mansion features classic Philippine
colonial architecture, with graceful arches, high ceilings, and intricate decorative carvings, which is
impressively graceful from all angles. Molo Mansion is considered an artwork that every Ilonggos are
proud of in this Contemporary time.