iSee Bahay Nakpil-Bautista

Home of artists and revolutionaries

The house was built by Doctor Ariston Bautista, one of the renowned doctors of Manila, the 1914. The Nakpil/Bautista Family, which still owns the house, comes from a long line of Filipino patriots. The most famous is Gen. Julio Nakpil who was not only a great military commander but also a well-known musician. He wrote the ‘Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan’, anthem of the Revolutionary Movement. His son Juan became one the Philippines most famous architects. The clean and symmetrical lines make Nakpil house quite different from the fancy embellishments so fashionable at other properties in the street. The house is a unique example of early art deco in the country.

Refuge of the Nazarene

It was at the height of the Battle of Manila and Quiapo Church needed a safe place for its most prized possession: the life-size image of the Black Nazarene. Where did they go? They brought the statue to Nakpil House where it was kept safe until the fighting and looting ended. The replica of the church altar on the house’s patio is a silent reminder of its most famous guest.

Hidden treasures

The house is now a lovely small museum dedicated to Quiapo and the Nakpil-Bautista family history and a home for Filipino art and culture. Nakpil house is also home to two other gems:

• In the back patio is Malagqui, one of Manila’s oldest woodcarving workshops. Here they handcraft some of the best wood sculptures of religious images in town.
• In the De Jesus room, on the mezzanine floor, you can find an ancient Singer Machine, quite possibly the oldest sewing machine in Manila