Vega House, Misamis Oriental | Balingasag’s Wooden Atlases

July 29, 2022July 30, 2022 Rex Lim Lim 2022, BLOG, GUIDE, HOW TO, ITINERARY, TOURIST SPOTS, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL GUIDE

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Balingasag, Misamis Oriental: The Vega Ancestral House is one of the oldest and most prominent ancestral houses I visited during my Northern Mindanao backpacking last June 2022.

Baling-kasag

Table of Contents

From Cagayan De Oro City, the quaint municipality of Balingasag welcomed me with rows of still-inhabited ancestral houses. This is unique for a place since these types of houses are more common in Luzon, particularly in Vigan, Taal, Bulacan, and many more.

Balingasag is the largest and oldest pre-hispanic town in the province of Misamis Oriental.

The name of this modest municipality came from the word “Baling” (fish net) and “Kasag” (Crabs). Walking along the streets will transport you back in time. Even more interesting is that many of these houses are still inhabited by their owners.

Oti-ot

Then at the corner of Rizal and Regalado Streets lie the 1^st transition Bahay-na-Bato style heritage house in Balingasag, the Vega Ancestral House.

Said to be 200 years old, the house is made from “Molave”, “Balayong”, and “Tugas” which attests to the fact that Philippine hardwood can actually withstand the test of time. Moreover, only the roofing seems to be renovated as the nipa and cogon roof are covered in net to avoid further deterioration.

Also, the most notable feature of the house are the three wooden atlases that seemingly support the second-floor structure of the house.

Commonly known in Bisaya as “Oti-ot”, the wooden sculptures represent the three sons of the owner Ignacio Juan Vega, namely Santos, Juan, and Gregorio.

Large beams and pillars support the house. In addition, the second-floor support beams are designed with a chambered nautilus motif.

Notable Ancestral Houses in Balingasag

It is not just Vega House but many more heritage structures around the modest municipality.

THE NEMECIO AND CIRIACA VALMORES – VEGA ANCESTRAL HOUSE

How to Get There

Vega Ancestral House is located in the town proper of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental

From Manila, the nearest airport is the Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan De Oro
At the Laguindingan Airport, transfer to vans or taxis bound for Agora Market Terminal in CDO
Upon arrival at Agora Market Terminal, look for buses bound for Balingoan Port or Butuan City and ask the driver to drop you off at Balingasag Integrated Bus Terminal. (Travel time 1-1.5 hour, depending on traffic conditions, Fare: 110php/pax)
From the bus terminal charter any tricycles to take you to the Vega Ancestral house which sits inside the town proper (1 kilometer away, 5-10 minutes)