Pre-War Lifestyle of a Sugar Baron

Don Angel Mascuñana & Family
Talisay, Negros Occidental, Philippines 1936
This was filmed by an American family friend using an 8mm Bell & Howell movie camera. It was during a town fiesta of Talisay sometime in 1936. The narrator is Indalecio or "Dodoy" one of the younger sons of Don Angel, who was one of the little boys in the film.
This rare film shows the life of a sugar baron in the island of Negros, particularly from the town of Talisay during the U.S. Commonwealth Period - old folks call peace time, just a few years prior to the Japanese invasion and subsequent occupation.
The Film Highlights:
The Art Deco mansion of Don Simplicio Lizares under construction designed by architect Juan F. Nakpil.
The old town plaza of Talisay with its bandstand and the old town church.
The luxury vintage cars -
The people’s way of dressing - the elite and the townsfolk
The lavish lifestyle of the Spanish-mestizo Don Angel Mascuñana and his family in his turn-of-the century mansion, that unfortunately no longer exists today. It was burned down by the guerillas in 1945 shortly before Liberation (So the Japanese could not occupy the house), like many of the other houses in Talisay. According to family accounts, the women were divested of all their jewelries, including those who sought refuge there. The mansion, including all its furniture and furnishings burned for three days. Only three of the grand houses remain intact today.

[@cocoyalano]

Thank you very much for your sharing manong..I stayed in Bacolod for 17 years from 1969-1986 work in Bureau of Labor in 1976 and assigned in Talisay and Silay

[@LLoydL]

3 years more and the carnage begins..so sad..but still this a gem to watch i've always felt strongly for this era..it feels like home

[@rachelmanalac1256]

I just came across this video today after reading an article in Esquire with the same title. Surprisingly, after seeing the name "Don Angel Mascuñana", I instantly knew he was an ancestor. If I am correct, his brother is Jesus which makes Ramon Regis Mascuñana his nephew---my grandfather. I have never met my grandfather because he died when my mother was about 2 or 3 years old. However, I have met some of his siblings: Eva, Renee and Jose Maria (Pepito). *My full name is: Rachel Anne Mascuñana Mañalac

[@jcgg41790]

Are you also from Talisay City, Negros Occidental?

[@keboyelectrofix]

thanks for uploading of this rare footage of Talisay city history

[@carlomartinez2571]

Imagine how formal and ethical Filipinos were before. The Hispanic culture was evident. Very dignified and honored. Everyone were wearing pants and long sleeves.

[@MeowMeow202]

This is American style of clothing in the 1930s lol not Spanish

[@solotraveller888]

It’s not Filipino culture if it’s Hispanic.

[@DaPiviotMavrick]

Dam pinoy back in da days go to church with style

[@lex4422]

These are Sugar Barons

[@johnnyvillacorta3831]

Very nostalgic....beautiful old stories and memories

[@rafaelamatorio2065]

Ang Ganda Ng buhay noon sana Hindi nasunog Ang bahay, sayang.

[@patrickformentos5489]

Thanks for sharing this, what a beautiful ancestral house

[@uncleruckus4060]

Priceless Thanks upload

[@donluffysenpai7019]

Thankyou for uploading this video. Godbless and mabuhay negros.

[@rosannagilongo7925]

Highly appreciated....

[@user-nn6is4gu9p]

Little did they know, a catastrophe will come in a span of 4 years😢 Glad to know that there are still clipses like this (pre-war), just atleast to give an idea for future generations about the life of our ancestors before the great tribulation.

[@bluemarshall6180]

Lots of poor Peasants. Only for the Rich. Nice Film Tough. All that Fruit Bearing Trees. a Window Fronting the Sea and Watching the Sunset. Reciting the Oracion Every six PM Wich Most People do not do anymore. Life was so Simple. 😇

[@uncleruckus5121]

yes but even the poor peasants dress better in 1930s than the millions of beggars today !

[@rholeelee8884]

Tama

[@pipoy1141]

If you don't come home for Oracion before 6pm, luhod sa munggo while reciting angelus in Hiligaynon

[@bernaldelcastillo1768]

This hacenderos like so many in the Bisayas became rich exploiting the myriads of poor sugar cane labourers, in a way of life very close to a feudal society

[@manangc]

Thank you for sharing this. Being an adopted child, I'm just recently finding out my biological family's history. Turns out, My great granpa is Don Angel's brother, Susing. So nice to get a glimpse of great great granma, Lola Ceria.

[@yonek328]

my great grandpa is Paeng... brother of Ange, Susing, Charing, Carmen

[@rachelmanalac1256]

Hello there, I just read your comment. Apparently, we have the same great-grandfather, Jesus (Susing). His son, Ramon is my grandfather :)

[@manangc]

oh wow! my grandmother is Susing's daughter, Carmen 😄

[@rachelmanalac1256]

@@manangc that makes us second cousins 😊 do you have facebook?

[@manangc]

@@rachelmanalac1256 sure, I think this is my link, facebook.com/ria.santos1 😀 see you there!

[@TheSweetnessDoctor]

Most sugar haciendas were controlled by Filipinos with Spanish heritage because of their connection with the church that got their authority from the king of Spain which were allowed to continue until the 1960 when land reform was initiated by Diosdado Macapagal.

[@delftbrown75]

Thank you Raymond for this footage from the 20s

[@timdella92]

Brian Concepcion this is from 1936.

[@jithunder827]

a beautiful look back at the past.

[@gracel9873]

Reminds me of that opening scene from Oro, Plata, Mata.

[@DONTcareAnymore000]

The opening scene of Oro, Plata, Mata was patterned from Hollywood's Gone With The Wind film adaptation

[@JS-im1gh]

4:50 Muy Hermosa

[@baconkulit1513]

Are this the Mascunana family related to the Ramos Clan as well? Everybody looks and dress well during those times...

[@t9noraaunor]

The women are alumnas of LA CONSOLACION COLLEGE OF BACOLOD CITY

[@kristinejoylobaton8768]

*Alumnae

[@user-dx5bn4yk4f]

Kristine Joy Lobaton *alumon

[@homeromorante8835]

Wow

[@carlocarino9736]

Nice video. By the way do you have a waiter or butler? It seemed one of the food servers was male

[@fathimaalthahiri377]

Better they preserved this video for so long

[@forsetifamiliaran9759]

The Boy Following thé Camera made me Laugh , he is Funny . Meling

[@HoleHunter9001]

Time Travelling from 2020 here

[@dearmingsacayanan]

Very nice raw documentary. Hopefully nothing bad happened to the family and the people on the video during the japanese invasion.

[@paulmatters2641]

Most of the big landowners in the Philippines were collaborators and traitors. The poor people suffered and fought the Japanese

[@timdella92]

Paul Matters not all of them. Many rich mestizo families in Manila got masaacred when they established a secret society and got discovered.

[@cristinaf5099]

Saan nyo po ang nakuha ang clips na ito?

[@reyrodriguezfjr7537]

I noticed you said your neighber was Granada ,what a coincidence I just asked if you knew a granada,do you know ,Ernesto Granada the younger one?

[@novarich007]

Amazing to see those in formal white coat and tie didn't even look that they were bothered by the heat. Could it be a case that every one was used to their fashion at the time?

[@monique4240]

during those times global warming was not bad as it is now since vehicles are just starting to be invented and didn't cause much pollution so the heat is not too hot even in a sunny day.

[@forsetifamiliaran9759]

In the Late 60’S it is Not Advisable to go out early morning , fog covers the visibility . And it is cold.

[@MeowMeow202]

The difference in temp 100 years ago is only 1-2 degrees Celsius. It’s still hot. People back then are more conservative.

[@jcgg41790]

I think they'd stink... 🤢🤮

[@m2worldly]

Hi Raymund! Would you know who is narrating this video?

[@m2worldly]

Acck... I need to read more thoroughly. Doy Mascunana is narrating as noted in your write-up. Thanks cuz! BTW, I sent you an FB message. =)

[@erwindelrosario1325]

i looking my grandfather photos in la carlotta baolod city umbas family

[@lesterjohntalde296]

I was here.

[@klintislefuentes17]

wow! diin di ang carmella dpit mn?hehe

[@joserizal1158]

i like the American Car wonder what happen did it survived?....if you have that all original and good running condition it can worth at less 100K dollars in the US.

[@hotmama7775]

Mga alta sang negos, bacolod silay talisay mga alta sang una.

[@denissemascunana]

I'm currently tracing my ancestry; my grandfather Arthur Mascuñana is the son of Manuel Mascuñana. By any chance, would you know if Indalecio (Dodoy) Mascuñana, the narrator of this video, is still alive? He's supposedly the older brother of my great grandfather Manuel.

[@rachelmanalac1256]

Hello, I believe your great-grandfather and my grandfather are first cousins.

[@denissemascunana]

@@rachelmanalac1256 hi there! I just got word from my aunt that my great-grandfather Manuel Mascunana was fully a Spaniard, a seafarer who was stationed in Batanes where he met my great grandmother, so he might not be the sibling of Indalecio Mascunana. Who's your grandfather by the way? 😊

[@Anthony11qq]

What island is this located? I'm visiting Hawaii this month

[@VioletDragonborn.]

This is in the Philippines. Talisay City in Negros Occidental (Negros Island)

[@vaselineagiolax3162]

It is still in right hand drive

[@robertovicente937]

año?

[@carlocarino9736]

Is it common during this time that all members of the family lived in one house even though they are already married and have children already?

[@HDPersonal777]

#researchtartaria

[@elprincep582]

¡Muy elitista y glamorosa!!!

[@perfectlyanarmy7430]

I͙ v͙i͙s͙i͙t͙e͙d͙ t͙h͙e͙r͙e͙ c͙a͙s͙t͙l͙e͙ y͙e͙s͙t͙e͙r͙d͙a͙y͙

[@fumi3717]

Sml