Imagine stepping back in time. Picture Lara Hall in Las Piñas not Manila. This isn’t just any house. It’s a time capsule. Built in the 1880s it served as Las Piñas’ first municipal hall. Juan Tiongkiao the first mayor held office here from 1905 to 1913. The Lara family owned it. Don Calixto Lara a remarkable man was among the 95 who assembled for the Philippine Declaration of Independence. He and his brothers even worked on repairing the famed Las Piñas Bamboo Organ a testament to their community spirit.
Francesca Lara Calixto’s daughter was just 16 when the house was built. Her brother Cipriano is an ancestor of Charlene Gonzales the Bb Pilipinas-Universe 1994. Another brother Elioterio worked as a clerk in Intramuros Manila.
The house reflects a unique architectural style. It’s a Post and Lintel construction with wood posts reaching two floors. It blends elements of the Second Transition Post-1860s Bahay na Bato style with galvanized roofing. The ground floor was a silong with concrete flooring. The upper floor with its wooden planks and capiz-shell windows housed the family. Details like wood beveling ventanillas and a capsule-shaped design add to its charm.
Over time Lara Hall’s function evolved. It transitioned from municipal hall to a district hospital and later to a larger facility. Today the ground floor is a mix of residential and commercial use a barber shop operates there. Parts of the house are unfortunately disintegrated.
Lara Hall’s story is a reminder of Las Piñas’ growth. It’s a legacy of a family’s contributions and a reflection of the city’s evolution. The house stands as a silent witness to history a story etched in wood and adobe. It’s a glimpse into the past a treasure waiting to be rediscovered.