English: Casa Manila[1] (Intramuros Admin, Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Mla.) [2]Casa Manila is the imposing stone-and-wood structure which is the venue of functions meetings, dinners, etc now that Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon has its hands full hands in its “Wow Philippines” project. Casa Manila, circa 1850, one of the grand houses in Barrio San Luis (one of the four original villages) of Intramuros is located across historic San Agustin church and bounded by Calle Real, General Luna, Cabildo and Urdaneta streets. The other two are the Los Hidalgos, circa 1650 and Cuyugan Mansion, circa 1890. After intensive research, Intramuros Administration (IA) in 1980, began constructing Casa Manila complex following what it calls the Intramuros historic architecture. The architect and one of the urban planners of IA was Ramon Faustmann. Casa Manila’s massive door opens into a “zaguan” the passageway for the “caruaje” leading to the “patio.” See how the rich and prominent families of Manila lived during the turn of the century. The Casa Manila is a copy of a 1850’s San Nicolas House that was once located in Calle Jaboneros. At the first floor it is rented out to small businesses, like what they do during the old times. The second and third floor is a museum that exposes the Architecture and the Interior design that was lost when the old families abandoned their old domains in Old Manila. It is shown that the prominent families flaunted their new-found wealth during the turn of the century with lots of hardwoods. Hardwoods are termite resistant and have a good natural polishing. The furnitures, the second floor walls, beams, column, trusses and other wooden decorations are all made of precious Philippine hardwoods that are so scarce right now, blame deforestation and illegal logging. Name it: Narra, Kamagong and Molave.[3]Located in the heart of the city, within the walls of the Intramuros, Casa Manila is both a striking example of Spanish colonial architecture and a working museum dedicated to preserving the history of the Spanish colonial lifestyle in the Philippines. Housed in a beautifully executed reproduction of a traditional Spanish colonial house (at the behest of the infamous Imelda Marcos), Casa Manila is filled with incredible antique furnishings and decorative objects, as well as an impressive collection of artwork from the colonial period. Guided tours are readily available, but whether you choose to join a group or venture on your own, you’re sure to enjoy the terrific splendor on hand. At the end of your visit, refresh yourself with a cup of coffee or iced tea in the outdoor courtyard, which features a lovely fountain.[4][5][6]