The Parian District from the Old Cebu World

PARIAN DISTRICT. One of the oldest and most historic places in the country, Parian started as small community of Chinese traders in the sixteenth century and grew into a residential center of eminent entrepreneurs of Cebu and became the genteel district where resided the wealthiest families of the city.

The physical boundaries of Parian have fluctuated in its known history. But through all this time, it gravitated around a center constituted of the small, triangular Parian Plaza, and adjoining it, the Parian church. In the succeeding years, this area remained a public place and variously the site of schoolhouses, a firehouse and local library. Parian formally existed as a parish from 1614 to 1828 and became a separate pueblo or municipal unit from 1755 to 1849.

CASA GORORDO. Situated in the middle of the Parian district, Casa Gorordo (photo right) is named after the owner of the house, Msgr. Juan Gorordo, Cebu's first bishop. It is built of pure tugas {molave), narra, and bayong (mahogany). A historical landmark, it is a two-story building depicting 1860 architecture and the owner's distinct lifestyle. In 1980, Don Ramon Aboitiz acquired the house and turned it into a museum, as maintained by the Don Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.

CASINO ESPANOL. Seventy-five years ago, Casino Espanol de Cebu was just a pretty green chalet on Legaspi St. esquina Zamora St. where its few members sought refuge after a full day's work. The idea for the delightful end-of-the-day gathering actually stemmed from the likes of businessmen brothers Don Vidal and Don Ramon Aboitiz, Manuel Moraza and a few others who reportedly contributed P10.000 pesos each (a tremendous sum in the twenties) to get it going. In 1920, the historical club posed quite a different scenario compared to what one would experience today. Spanish chatter filled the air as members donned their usual all-white formal suits to lounge around during balmy afternoons. Dining and recreational activities have been added for those in the community that are still attracted to the old world. The For Members Only club is undergoing some improvements, while maintaining the tradition imposed by its founding members.