The Baclayon Ancestral Home Organization, also known as BAHANDI (meaning treasure in Visayan), is a neighborhood association comprised of the owners of 67 Spanish colonial houses in Baclayon. In 2002, BAHANDI formed to rally against a provincial road-widening program which set the houses for demolition. However, with considerable community organizing, protest, and support from the Ayala Foundation, the homes were spared from destruction.
To provide funds for the preservation of the heritage homes, some of which date back to 1853, and to maintain their stature against future infrastructure programs, many of the ancestral homes have opened themselves up as a homestay. The homestays provide guests not only with bed and breakfast, but also the rare opportunity to live amongst the Baclayon community and soak up the local culture.
Participating homestay houses are:
- Balay Kahayag
- Bohol Narra Homestay
- Caballo House
- Grace Budiongan House
- Homestay de Bai
- Malon House
- Villamor House
(Text and photo: baclayontourism.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment