Christmas at Casa Tetangco

Originally Published: December 19, 2018
Last Updated: November 30, 2019

PHOTO & TEXT: Kaycie Gayle

Brimming with lights, this old house stood out from the rest of the houses in the street that we were trudging. We have arrived quarter before seven and the people were already standing outside the gate waiting for their chance to see the old abode inside. We have been told to wait for a few minutes and after snapping some pictures on its facade, we have been called to enter.

Casa’s Entrance

Back Story

This Christmas museum is owned by the Tetangco Family. Re-purposing it to become a Christmas Museum was conceptualized after the owners wanted to revive the liveliness of the house which it has slowly lost in the passing of time. Headed by the youngest child in the family, Von Tetangco, it was launched in 2015.

Casa’s Receiving Area

This house is still being inhabited by the family. During my visit the host shared that it has been their tradition to design the house yearly with a different motif and share it with the townspeople who are curious.

Family enjoying the white Christmas themed decors

Museum’s Structure

The house has been said to be built in the 1940s and was renovated from being a typical ancestral house to a Christmas decor museum. From the outside, you would notice that it is constructed using concrete, wood, and bricks. Meanwhile, the highlights of the house like ventanillas, window awning fretwork, “calado” (fretwork on the wall), wooden lintel ceiling, and transom window indicate that it is an old house. Interestingly, their old capiz window has been re-purposed and used as a part of their ceiling and wall. On the other side, you will see wooden stairs leading to the second floor which has bookshelves that is used as a wall.

An alcove and other seats are available when you enter the house

The Collection

Upon entering the main door, you will be welcomed by festive and colorful ornaments. The entire ground floor has been designed with Christmas decors. Ensuring that no corner has been overlooked, every nook and cranny has been detailed. The collection ranges from Santa Claus dolls, Christmas trees and Christmas village. It also include mechanical displays, Coca-cola collectibles, M&M’s toys, and toy cars. There are also family photographs and positive quotes displays. The numerous knick-knacks and rare decors were gathered from the travels of the family. When the collection grew, they organized it for public viewing.

Should you want to know more about the casa and the collection, you can ask the guides around. Every area has at least one person assigned to oversee, extend assistance and remind guests to observe proper decorum.

M&M Toy Collection

Coco-Cola Collectibles

Toy cars collection

Family photographs and memorabilia

Good to know

Guests who come here range from family, couples, students, and group of friends. When entering the house, they allow 30 persons per batch to avoid being overcrowded and to enable guests to take pictures properly.

The unstinting family shares their Christmas themed casa for free. You can visit them from December to January from 6:30 to 9 pm.