(This is Telesfora, the lady who is often tagged as "ghost of Casa Gorordo" and this is her story.)
How long are you willing to wait for the love of your life to make true of his promise of returning? But what if that love never returns? This is the tale of Telesfora, the ghost of Casa Gorordo.
Casa Gorordo Museum is one of the most popular Spanish-era houses in Cebu built in the 1850s. It is currently owned and managed by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI). It has been renovated, enhanced, and opened to the public as a museum in 1983. The National Historical Institute (National Historical Commission of the Philippines) conferred the title National Historical Landmark on Casa Gorordo Museum, too.
(Before the pandemic the museum also served snacks in their small cafe.)
One of the historical houses in the Parian District that stands today, the museum’s most notable resident is Juan Gorordo, the first Filipino bishop of Cebu.
(My sister and I truly enjoyed wearing the baro't says that the museum offers as part of their tour.)
For a hopeless romantic like me though, the most beautiful story of Casa Gorordo is not of Juan’s or the previous owners but of Telesfora – one of the daughters of Isidro Gorordo.
This beautiful mestiza woman is known for being the spinster sister. She was a well-loved aunt whose storytelling skills are commendable. She also loves to sew dresses. Her nieces and nephews loved her dearly. But despite these though, she carried with her a painful story of a love lost and gone.
Telesfora was not meant to be a spinster as she was betrothed to a guy, a merchant. The wedding was set to happen after her fiancé returned from a business trip. The sad thing is, he never came back.
(Casa Gorordo Museum is a well-preserved house with beautiful antique furniture.)
Telesfora waited for days, weeks, months, and years on end at the terrace but her love is nowhere in sight. This has become her routine up until she took her last breath.
(This is the terrace where some people claim to have seen Telesfora.)
According to the guide we had during one of our visits, Telesfora is known for being the ghost of Casa Gorordo. She would tell workers to buy more flowers because she is not satisfied with the look of the karo (float for procession). Other accounts of her “presence” entail seeing a beautiful elderly woman manning the house. But if there is an account of her that breaks my heart most, it is that of when visitors of the museum would say that they see a woman sitting on the terrace, looking outside as if waiting for someone.
