Bahay Nakpil-Bautista: Bahay ng mga Katipunero

I was enticed to visit the Bahay Nakpil-Bautista in Quiapo upon seeing the original "Parisian Life" painting of Juan Luna in the National Museum. I am a fan of Juan Luna, because the female subjects of his paintings are very much alive.

The Bahay Nakpil-Bautista can easily be found. It's a well maintained ancestral house with Katipunan flags in its facade. A tour guide will welcome you as you enter the house. The entrance fee is only minimal. 

As I toured the house, I learned so many things about Quiapo, Katipunan, Gregoria de Jesus, and the Nakpil-Baustista family. 

Below are the pictures I took in the house. If only its walls can talk, then we get more information from them about our history. 

Facade of Bahay Nakpil-Bautista

The National Historical Commission marker at Bahay Nakpil-Bautista.

CCTV in those days - a mirror in the ceiling to see the person knocking outside.

I was surprised to have learned that there was a tram in Quiapo 
in those days. It was owned by the Zobel family.

The statue of Nazareno symbolizes the house's connection with 
Quiapo's patron. The original statue of the Black Nazarene was 
kept in Bahay-Nakpil Bautista during World War II. 

The sofa which witnessed the meeting of La Liga Filipina. 

A life-size depiction of "Parisian Life."

The wall where Juan Luna's "Parisian Life" used to hang.

A group picture of the Nakpil-Bautista's and their friends 
showing where the "Parisian Life" used to hang.

A musical composition of Julio Nakpil.

Manuscript detailing the order of Katipunan for weapons from Japan. 
This debunks the claim in many history books that the 
Katipuneros used primitive weapons.  

Another manuscript saying that the Katipuneros used advanced 
weapons when they fought against the Spaniards.

A portrait of Gregoria de Jesus (a.k.a. Oriang), the widow of Andres Bonifacio.

The morcon recipe of Oriang.

The morcon recipe translated into English.

A depiction of Oriang telling her grandchildren of stories from "Mga Kwento 
ni Lola Basyang" published in the Liwayway Magazine.

The azotea where Oriang would tell her grandchildren stories from 
"Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang" published in Liwayway Magazine.

The sad state of the estero behind the Bahay Nakpil-Bautista. In those 
days, influential people own houses with estero at the back. 

A painting of Ateneo Anthropology Professor Fernando Nakpil-Zialcita, a 
scion of the house owners.

The waterlily figure in the wall was inspired by a waterlily species for 
which the name Quiapo was derived.

I am always amazed by the design of furnitures made in those days. It 
is at par with the ornate Italian furniture designs which commands 
very high price. Sadly, we did not sustain or improve on this craft. 

To me, there is no better way to understand the Katipunan than visiting the Bahay Nakpil-Bautista. It will shed light on frequently misconceived notion of Andres Bonifacio and his illustrious organization.