It is an ancestral house turned into a museum that offers a peek into local life a century ago. This unassuming structure may be passed off as a drab old building but inside lies a treasure trove that would float the boat of any archaeological and ethnological geek.
This is the Burgos/Ayala Museum a 19th century structure that used to be the ancestral home of Fr. Jose Burgos whose death ignited the fuse of the revolution against the colonizers from Spain. Inside you will find various artifacts from the neighboring mountains like traditional weapons such as spears and the kalasag or shield.
There are also traditional burial jars and wooden tombs as well as traditional baskets used for carrying vegetables and catching fish. There’s also a fancy horse carriage inside the lobby where guests can board the vehicle for a souvenir photo. As you go up the steps leading to the second floor the strong scent of antique furniture invites you to see what it was like to live during the olden time.
Carefully preserved are some artifacts of the martyr along with dramatic paintings that depict the Basi Revolt which was spurred by the monopoly of local Sugarcane Wine. There are also dioramas that show the history of the whole province as well as a wall showcasing the heroes of the region. What’s really interesting is inside the museum was the garden in the backyard that provided lots of shade even though the sun was almost at its peak.
