This story is another Silay family secret. Sometime in the 50's an affluent family in Silay put a "maldicion" or curse on one of their daughters for marrying a man they did not approved of. It is said that the father placed a big handwritten notice in front of their house stating the name of the daughter and that she is "cursed and will never be allowed to come back and step inside the house for as long as she lives". This happened so long ago but the story never really died. It would come up in conversations but somehow as the years past, people forgot which of the old houses in Silay put up this "maldicion". Of course, the elders who saw it for themselves still remember the story vividly. In fact my mother was one of those who saw and asked about it when she first came to Silay, but was left wondering till today because nobody really told her anything except to say that a father was displeased with the marriage of his daughter. I myself don't remember this story and became curious after some people mentioned it. After a little sleuthing, I found out the names of the maligned daughter and what happened to her. She settled in Manila and from what I heard led a comfortable and happy life. Indeed the daughter never came back to Silay although she and her family would occasionally visit Bacolod where her husband has relatives. I don't know if she ever reconciled with her parents. My version only tells the simple facts. I really do not know the complete story and if ever there was anyone who does, it would be the relatives of the family and present owners of the house. However, they are very private persons and would not be the type to talk about family secrets. The people of the stories are long gone and the house itself has long been empty and recently, it was sold to a Chinese businessman who bought it for it's hardwood. The owners of the house did not sign the MOA with the NHI and NCCA and therefore is not listed among the protected heritage homes of the city. The last family who lived there (pro bono according to stories) were known tikoy makers until the mother died and they too left the place. Although I used to pass by this house everyday going to work, I never really paid much attention to it. Now that it is almost gone, I suddenly had this urge to immortalize it, even if only on paper.
 |
| photo above courtesy of Maricar Dabao |
 | |
| photo taken last week |
 |
| going....(taken today) |
Update: As of this morning, the second floor has been taken down.
Addendum:
Someone informed me that the signage had the word "Kamatayan" written before the maldicion...that's scary!
According to a reliable source, the daughter is still alive, albeit elderly and yes, she was eventually forgiven but only after the husband died.
Someone informed me that the signage had the word "Kamatayan" written before the maldicion...that's scary!
According to a reliable source, the daughter is still alive, albeit elderly and yes, she was eventually forgiven but only after the husband died.
Wow, what a story! I'm into family secrets like that. Part of being chismoso, I guess. I could only imagine why the father hated his son-in-law so much, but I'm glad the daughter wasn't wrong in following her heart.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to the house though. It would've contributed to the history and beauty of Silay as a heritage city, especially with that family "secret" (more like open secret anyway) that went with it. I like houses that tell stories. Really heartrending to see the photos of its demolition. :=(
did you read my post on the woman who never spoke again? there are more, but I am practicing prudence here lest I be branded persona non grata in family reunions. hahahaha
DeleteI got curious with the story and read it very slowly.The signage is scary and or the whole house itself.I hope that the ghost(if there is)of the dead owner did not go with the lumber. Anyway, the story of disowning a family member still exists.it is good to know that the daughter had a happy and comfortable life.
ReplyDeleteI was hooked on the story and also read the other posts on Silay City. It had my interest up in visiting the place which is very rich when it comes to heritage. The story felt like a back drop to a book or a movie or even a horror story. =>
ReplyDeletecome and visit!
DeletePlease do come and visit our city...
DeleteI know this house, a classmate of my brother once lived there. We use to passed this house everyday on our way to Silay South Elementry School.
ReplyDeleteThe house really looks so creepy! I used to pass rhis house on my to school. I felt sad when the house was being demolished because i really want the house to be restored and preserved. I believe the Ancestral houses found in Silay is one of the ultimate treasure of the city.
ReplyDeleteI remember this house..
ReplyDeleteAhay kasayang no? Tsk tsk..and kaluoy sang family.
ReplyDeleteSo the 'maldicion' of the father is a myth and their daughter that was being cursed live happily ever after.
ReplyDeleteYes :) I remember this house. My grandma brought me with her to pick up some orders (tikoy-which was made by the old woman) for a birthday party I think. That was 5 years ago. My grandma knocked and the old woman opened it slightly revealing the inside of the house. There was no electricity inside they are using lamp gas or you call that king-ki to provide light. The house is also not in good condition.Im amazed when I first stepped in those staircase. Its like magic occuring to you like a story telling you, like you are in there with them in the past. Hayyy I wish that house was preserved well. But the tikoy (puto tikoy) was very delicious! :) God Bless!
ReplyDeleteYes :) I remember this house. My grandma brought me with her to pick up some orders (tikoy-which was made by the old woman) for a birthday party I think. That was 5 years ago. My grandma knocked and the old woman opened it slightly revealing the inside of the house. There was no electricity inside they are using lamp gas or you call that king-ki to provide light. The house is also not in good condition.Im amazed when I first stepped in those staircase. Its like magic occuring to you like a story telling you, like you are in there with them in the past. Hayyy I wish that house was preserved well. But the tikoy (puto tikoy) was very delicious! :) God Bless!
ReplyDeleteSo there was another interesting story about this house of long time ago...am a true blue silaynon and i really never had an idea about the story.i passed by this house since i was a kid and never bothered to look at it even twice..but at the back of my mind i asked why the owner never repaired it...the house was once occupied by a schoolmste in silay institute but he transferred to mla with his family when his mom died..now my interest about the story is rising..got to ask mom and dad about it...chizmosa me!
ReplyDeleteI know this house..we used to buy tikoy(delicacy) there all the time..creepy house i must say..but sad that it's being torn down..
ReplyDeleteHello miss, Im one of the great grand apo of the owner, the story is quite diffrent thou. the tikoy maker is very available and is still making tikoy. :)
ReplyDeleteI lived upstairs from infancy until 7 years old in the 1960s. I did not know about the story perhaps because I was only a child then. It kinda hurts seeing it dilapidated, sold, and torn down. But life goes on... ~BA
ReplyDeleteMy cousins and relatives live in the house beside/behind it! As a kid we used to go to family reunions and pass by that house and my cousins and I would keep looking at the windows to see if there were any ghosts hahaha :) I have not been home for a while but I am sad that the house that was part of our childhood memories is gone. :(
ReplyDelete