Haunted.
This will be the passer-bys' first impression of Claudia Garcia's residence in Borol 2nd, Balagtas, Bulacan.
The house, which was originally built almost eighty years ago, is boasting of a white concrete exterior with detailed and mixed traditional Filipino and Spanish designs. Perhaps, one good reason why the locals who have not yet been inside often conclude that the ancestral home is a "haunted house."
However, it was not really a haunted house, after all.
This will be the passer-bys' first impression of Claudia Garcia's residence in Borol 2nd, Balagtas, Bulacan.
The house, which was originally built almost eighty years ago, is boasting of a white concrete exterior with detailed and mixed traditional Filipino and Spanish designs. Perhaps, one good reason why the locals who have not yet been inside often conclude that the ancestral home is a "haunted house."
However, it was not really a haunted house, after all.
MORE OF LIKE, A HAPPY HOUSE
Luzviminda R. Mendoza, one of the caretakers of Garcia's home, described the house as a meeting place of the whole Garcia clan, especially when there is a special occassion and on holidays.
"Dito po sila nagkikita-kita, nagkakasiyahan, ganun," said Mendoza. "Lalo na po pag Todos los Santos at pag Pasko. Dito po sila nagpapalipas ng mga holidays."
The remains of the parents of Claudia Garcia and her siblings were transferred from Krus sa Wawa cemetery to the backyard of her home, for the convenience of the family every All Souls’ Day.
“Reason na din daw po ‘yun para madali nalang silang magkita-kita at magsalu-salo,” detailed Mendoza.
Luzviminda R. Mendoza, one of the caretakers of Garcia's home, described the house as a meeting place of the whole Garcia clan, especially when there is a special occassion and on holidays.
"Dito po sila nagkikita-kita, nagkakasiyahan, ganun," said Mendoza. "Lalo na po pag Todos los Santos at pag Pasko. Dito po sila nagpapalipas ng mga holidays."
The remains of the parents of Claudia Garcia and her siblings were transferred from Krus sa Wawa cemetery to the backyard of her home, for the convenience of the family every All Souls’ Day.
“Reason na din daw po ‘yun para madali nalang silang magkita-kita at magsalu-salo,” detailed Mendoza.
The 20-year old caretaker said that the reason why people would always assume that the house is haunted is its garden.
"Marami kasing puno, masyadong masukal talaga 'pag nakita mo sa labas," said Mendoza. “Pero hindi naman, matanda lang kasi ‘yung itsura ng bahay sa labas pero ilang taon na akong naglilinis rito, wala naming nakakatakot na nangyayari.”
"Marami kasing puno, masyadong masukal talaga 'pag nakita mo sa labas," said Mendoza. “Pero hindi naman, matanda lang kasi ‘yung itsura ng bahay sa labas pero ilang taon na akong naglilinis rito, wala naming nakakatakot na nangyayari.”
Mendoza also said that sometimes, Ms. Garcia would let her sleep inside the house to guard it.
“Masarap pong matulog dito kasi malamig. Pinakabitan siya ng aircon pero ‘di rin nagagamit kasi nga malamig,” said Mendoza. “Kahoy po kasi saka bato ‘to, pero mostly kahoy lalo na ‘yung hagdan saka lahat ng mga furnitures.”
The caretaker was talking about the numerous furniture in the house that was made of Narra, starting from the bed to the dining tables, chairs and even the living room set.
“Masarap pong matulog dito kasi malamig. Pinakabitan siya ng aircon pero ‘di rin nagagamit kasi nga malamig,” said Mendoza. “Kahoy po kasi saka bato ‘to, pero mostly kahoy lalo na ‘yung hagdan saka lahat ng mga furnitures.”
The caretaker was talking about the numerous furniture in the house that was made of Narra, starting from the bed to the dining tables, chairs and even the living room set.
A USUAL SHOOTING/TAPING LOCATION
The Garcia residence had been an accustomed taping location of several taping location of several shows ever since it has been minimally-restored 20 years ago, including ABS-CBN’s Maid in Heaven way back in 2004.
“Dati nga po halos araw-araw sila nun dito kasi ito ‘yung pinaka-bahay na ginamit nila for the show,” recalled Mendoza.
Even indie movies have been filmed and still filming in the said house, according to the caretaker.
“This month lang po nag-shoot na dito sila Jasmine Curtis-Smith at Nora Aunor for indie film Dementia po,” said Mendoza. “On-going po ang shooting kaya bago matapos ang buwan palagi po sila dito siguro.”
Mendoza also said that before certain production teams hold their filming inside the house, they will first seek the permission of Ms. Garcia, who currently lives in Manila, for security purposes.
“Mapamalaki o maliit na production teams po dapat eh magpapaalam muna po,” stated Mendoza. “Basta po papasukin ‘yung bahay. Pero papayagan naman po ni Ma’am Claudia ‘yun, ang gusto niya lang po eh magpapaalam lang talaga muna.”
A RESORT ON THE SIDE
A few meters away from where the house is located is a private resort named Golden Heir Garden Resort boasting of a single pool, a remarkable landscape and a two-room hotel, managed by the niece of Garcia.
“Private po ‘yan, for reservations para sa mga parties or meetings,” Mendoza said. “Pero minsan ‘yung mga nagrerent po, nacucurious sa bahay kaya pinapapasok rin namin.”
The Garcia residence had been an accustomed taping location of several taping location of several shows ever since it has been minimally-restored 20 years ago, including ABS-CBN’s Maid in Heaven way back in 2004.
“Dati nga po halos araw-araw sila nun dito kasi ito ‘yung pinaka-bahay na ginamit nila for the show,” recalled Mendoza.
Even indie movies have been filmed and still filming in the said house, according to the caretaker.
“This month lang po nag-shoot na dito sila Jasmine Curtis-Smith at Nora Aunor for indie film Dementia po,” said Mendoza. “On-going po ang shooting kaya bago matapos ang buwan palagi po sila dito siguro.”
Mendoza also said that before certain production teams hold their filming inside the house, they will first seek the permission of Ms. Garcia, who currently lives in Manila, for security purposes.
“Mapamalaki o maliit na production teams po dapat eh magpapaalam muna po,” stated Mendoza. “Basta po papasukin ‘yung bahay. Pero papayagan naman po ni Ma’am Claudia ‘yun, ang gusto niya lang po eh magpapaalam lang talaga muna.”
A RESORT ON THE SIDE
A few meters away from where the house is located is a private resort named Golden Heir Garden Resort boasting of a single pool, a remarkable landscape and a two-room hotel, managed by the niece of Garcia.
“Private po ‘yan, for reservations para sa mga parties or meetings,” Mendoza said. “Pero minsan ‘yung mga nagrerent po, nacucurious sa bahay kaya pinapapasok rin namin.”
The creepy undertone and appearance of the house, in Mendoza’s opinion, does not affect the way the people would view the private resort.
Sa akin, ‘di naman siguro,” said Mendoza. “Parang mas nakakaganda nga kasi maraming gusting makita kung ano talaga itsura ng bahay na ito sa personal, hindi lang sa TV o ano, kaya minsan gusto rin nila i-rent ‘yung resort.”
For appointments, visitations and inquiries, Claudia Garcia can be reachable by contacting 09063212019.
Sa akin, ‘di naman siguro,” said Mendoza. “Parang mas nakakaganda nga kasi maraming gusting makita kung ano talaga itsura ng bahay na ito sa personal, hindi lang sa TV o ano, kaya minsan gusto rin nila i-rent ‘yung resort.”
For appointments, visitations and inquiries, Claudia Garcia can be reachable by contacting 09063212019.