The Prosperity of Lipa

The Palatial Residences of Lipa

The streets of Lipa during its heyday were a stunning tableau of opulence. About 40 to 60 houses (some were three-story high), with tiled roofs, wrought-iron balconies, and thick stone walls occupied the town’s thoroughfares. Many of these structures featured wide entrances, colorful stained-glass windows, and spacious rooftops (azoteas) adorned with vases and potted plants. Gardens bursting with jasmine and roses surrounded these homes, adding idyllic beauty to the townscape. According to the article Donde Florecieron Los Cafetos (Where Coffee Plants Bloomed, written in 1911), these “houses were so numerous and grand that they overshadowed the humble nipa huts still found in the barrios.” This architectural renaissance was born out of necessity as much as ambition. After the devastating fire incidents in the years 1868 and 1869, the residents of Lipa banned the use of nipa and cogon grass in construction, opting instead for fire-resistant materials such as stone and galvanized iron roofs. The result was a townscape that resembled a first-class city.

Luxurious Interiors and Furnishings

The wealth of Lipa’s gentry was not confined to the exteriors of their homes. Inside, these residences were showcases of lavish taste and global influence. Lending an air of timeless elegance, the interiors featured marble-topped tables, gilded mirrors, Vienna bentwood chairs, ivory statues of saints, and oil paintings—many imported at great expense from Europe. Furniture made from fine hardwoods like narra, often painted black or adorned with intricate carvings. An existing photo of the interior of the Olaguivel-Solis home featured blackamoors, wide narra floors, and a bedroom entrance door with an intricate latticework called calado. Dr. José Lozada and Doña Germana Solis' house was particularly famous for its artistic treasures. Among its many attractions was a display of Juan Luna's iconic painting, The Spoliarium, prominently placed in their living room, and a set of Satsuma vases, gifted by the Luna brothers for the spouses’ financial contributions to the late 19th-century Propaganda movement. The dining rooms of Lipa’s grandest houses were spectacles in themselves. For instance, the residence of Doña Catalina Solis Vda. de Aguilera, reputedly the largest in Lipa and later became the Bishop’s residence, boasted a dining table that could seat 80 guests. The entire tableware, from plates to platters, was made of solid silver, while the cutlery was crafted from gold.

Centers of Hospitality and Social Activity

These homes were more than private residences; they also served as centers of social, cultural, and political life. During his student years at Ateneo, our national hero José Rizal spent his summer vacations in the home of his close friend, Don Mariano Katigbak. The Olaguivel-Solís mansion, renowned for its hospitality, welcomed an array of distinguished guests, including Spanish generals Lachambre and Aguirre, provincial governors Uría, Zapata, and Sastrón, as well as the eminent Filipinologist Wenceslao Retana. During the Philippine Revolution of 1898–1900, some of these grand houses sheltered Spanish prisoners of war. Similarly, the residence of Don Toribio Katigbak hosted notable figures such as Governor-General William Howard Taft and his entourage during the grand Lipa Fiesta of 1903. These gatherings provided an opportunity for the town's elite to showcase their affluence and sophistication, often featuring performances on grand pianos, operatic recitals, and elegant balls that lasted until dawn. Another significant home in Lipa was the three-story mansion of Don Bernardo Solís, which later became the Casa Presidencia or the town’s Municipal Hall before World War II.