The "fiery" month of March had me start with a breakfast at the Rosend Mejica Museum in Balaurte in Molo. It was in celebration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of the Father of Ilonggo Printing Industry - Rosendo Mejica. At the same time, it was for the forthcoming 100th anniversary of Makinaugalingon Printers, in 2 months.
It was my first time to set foot inside the museum though I passed by the area many times and it was an area near my Lola's house which was just a few steps across the street. Opened as a museum in 1998, the 19th century wooden residence also houses early 20th century printing machinery. The fact is, these equipment are part of the oldest printing press in Iloilo, the Makinaugalingon Press.
Started in May 1, 1913 by Rosendo Mejica (1873-1956), original printing machines such as the minerva, letterpress, proof press, edger and cutter are evidently still functional in this 21st century. These machines were built to last.
Aside from the treasures that the archives house, the residence itself holds equally fascinating objects such as a rare early marca damang sewing machine; a 1954 telephone directory for the few Ilonggos who already had phones then and when telephone numbers were only three or four-digit affairs; some wooden washbasins, one a meter wide, that were carved out of whole tree trunks; a three-burner kerosene stove; and a hat and cane rack for the gentlemen. Read More about the Rosendo Mejica Museum. (Text in italics Are from the article published by SUNSTAR about the museum)
It was a late breakfast but I sure did enjoy the fare with puto Manapla, Guimaras mangoes, pancit bihon, fresh lumpia, pancit Molo, assorted biscuits and a lot more.
