Casa Gamboa Museum: Four months after the showroom was opened on the ground floor of the historical landmark, Tinukib Foundation, Inc. (TFI) opened the Casa Gamboa Jaro Museum. The Casa Gamboa was named by the said foundation to honor Patrocino Gamboa or popularly called ‘Tia Patron’, the revolutionary heroine of Jaro. Patrocino Gamboa was among the first to join the revolution against Spain in Panay Island and also among the Ilonggo revolutionaries responsible for forming the Comite Central Revolucionario Visayas.
The Ilonggo Revolutionary Heroine. Tia Patron exercised her revolutionary role by nursing the wounded and sick soldiers on the battlefield, collecting contributions from donors like the Chinese in Iloilo, and gathering food, medical supplies, arms, and ammunition for the revolutionary forces. She is responsible for successfully preparing the replica of the Philippine Flag in time for the inauguration of the revolutionary government of the Visayas on November 17, 1898, at the headquarters of General Martin Delgado in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, popularly known as the ‘Cry of Santa Barbara’. The momentous event symbolized freedom for the Ilonggos.
On December 21, 1980, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) established a historical marker in honor and recognition of Patrocino Gamboa, as daughter and heroine of Jaro, at the Jaro Plaza. On April 30, 2015, and in celebration of her 150th birthday anniversary, the NHCP placed another historical marker at the entrance of Gamboa’s house, a historical landmark at Jaro District.
Casa Gamboa has likewise been under guardianship by different owners who contributed to its preservation. It was the Bedia family that acquired the property in 1958 and consequently by Microensure Philippines in 2011. In 2017, Taytay sa Kauswagan, Inc. (KSI) purchased the property and named the ancestral house ‘Casa Gamboa’, to honor Patrocino Gamboa and preserve its historical significance.
The Casa Gamboa was designed to become a multi-purpose structure with restoration and preservation of its historical significance in mind. It serves as offices of TSKI Jaro Branch and of Tinukib Foundation, Inc. and Tinukib Cafe and Souvenir Shop on the ground floor.
“Jaro was the richest municipality in its time…it is a rich town of mestizo who owns great fortune..” as per Hon. Demy P. Sonza, Board of Trustee, TSKI, and TFI. The second floor is now Casa Gamboa Jaro Museum which features 19th Century Jaro and the works, historical mementos, and materials about Patrocino Gamboa to underscore her life and contribution to Jaro’s rich history and culture, in particular, and to Panay, in general. Patrocino Gamboa died on November 24, 1953, and was buried at the Balantang Veterans’ Cemetery, Jaro, Iloilo City, with full military honors.
Exhibitions: Patrocino Gamboa – revisiting the life story of the Ilonggo revolutionary heroine and a proud daughter of Iloilo. Exposicion Regional De Filipinas – showcasing Iloilo’s prominence as the ‘Textile Capital of the Philippines’. It features the first regional exposition organized by the ruling Bourbons outside Spain. The Jaro District and the Huebesan – featuring the old Jaro and its famous Huebesan or weekly market that attracted people all over the province and some parts of Panay.
Casa Gamboa Jaro Museum is located at Casa Gamboa Cor. Commission Civil – Jayme Streets, Benedicto, Jaro, Iloilo City. Museum hours are from: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, also open for reservations beyond museum hours. Museum fees are as follows: Students – Php 100, Professionals – Php 200, consumable at Tinukib Cafe and Souvenirs. Audio Visual Room is also available for rentals, good for 20 to 30 people, perfect for small meetings and seminars.
‘Casa Gamboa’ – Patrocino Gamboa Heritage House in Jaro
Textile Section, 1895; Exposicion Regional de Filipinas
Mujer Filipina – ‘Filipino Woman’
