Quema House

In pre-Hispanic times up to the early 16th century, Vigan was a major commercial center in the region, trading directly with China.

With their increasing affluence, they built their residential houses (bahay-na-bato) in the eastern district of the town, previously the Kasanglayan or old Chinese quarters.

[1][2] It is here that Chinese trader Don Enrique Quema built his ancestral house in the early 19th century.

The exterior walls of the upper storey are enclosed by wood-framed, sliding window panels of kapis shells (Placuna placenta, a thin-shelled oyster).

The house was adjudged as most representative of 18th-century architecture unique to the Philippines, a requirement for a Nationality Room.