Josefa Segovia Student Center
(The following is the last installment of the series of feature articles on the three houses given citation by the Iloilo City Heritage Conservation Council (ICHCC) for preserving the historical significance of their architecture and for observing the ICHCC guidelines in conservation and preservation--Ed.)
It stands in quiet dignity along the bustling General Luna St., Iloilo City. Its clean and well-maintained façade camouflages the years of its serene existence.
It was built by the Arroyo family in the 1920s and also served as the family residence. The Archdiocese of Jaro under Monsignor Cuenco leased it in the 1950s.
Institucion Teresiana , a Catholic lay women's association came to Iloilo in 1955 to spread the gospel and promote human development through education and culture. The group moved into the Arroyo residence in 1956 and converted the place into a university residence and student center. Since then, the place reverberated with youthful laughter as it accommodated up to 40 female students.
The year 2000 saw Architect Maripaz Villanueva, a member of the Teresian Association redesigned the residence into a student center for 70 ladies and a residence for up to 14 association members at the site of the original structure.
Today, its homey atmosphere shows on its façade – formal and strong but warm and friendly.
(Reprinted from Iloilo Yearbook 2005)