Inka Magnaye shares photos of her mother and their link to the family home that is now a museum in Cebu, Philippines. INKA MAGNAYE

For voice talent and social media star Inka Magnaye, a family photo recently unlocked a deeply personal link to Cebu’s rich cultural past. Known for her captivating voiceovers and relatable content, Inka stepped away from the microphone to share something more intimate: her family’s connection to The Jesuit House Museum, one of Cebu City’s most historic landmarks. “Mom’s in Cebu right now with family, and she sent me these photos!” Inka wrote, posting an image of her great-great-grandparents, Paz Webb and Francisco Grosso Espina. Her great-great-grandfather, born in Madrid in 1858, later settled in Cebu, where he became a Juez de Paz—a magistrate responsible for maintaining peace and order. There, he married Paz Nadal Webb, beginning a family line that would become woven into Cebu’s history. “One of their children was my great grandfather, Gabriel Webb Espina. He married Pilar Rosas Alvarez, whose ancestral home still stands today in Zulueta Street in Downtown Cebu. It’s a museum now called The Jesuit House Museum. That ancestral home is actually where my mom took her first steps!” Inka shared. The Jesuit House Museum, often called Cebu’s “time capsule,” is one of the oldest surviving structures in the city, with roots dating back to the 1700s. Over centuries, it served as a trading post, residence, and now, as a museum showcasing Cebu’s colonial past. For Inka, though, the museum isn’t just history—it’s family. “If you’ve been to The Jesuit House Museum in Cebu, then you’ve probably seen this photo of my great grandparents! That’s Gabriel and Pilar Espina, and they’re my mom’s grandparents. The Jesuit House is mom’s family’s ancestral home and still holds so many of their memories,” Inka said. Her reflections turned poetic as she imagined the passage of time through generations. “Mom was there today with some family! Here she is with her cousin Tita Mabette with their abuelito and abuelita. Makes me think about how I will one day have grey hair, holding the wedding portrait of my own grandparents to show to my children.” For Inka, this revelation wasn’t just about ancestry—it was about identity. “It’s a beautiful feeling to connect with our roots. It makes us remember that we are all products of people who have fallen in love,” she said. By tying her family’s narrative to Cebu’s tangible cultural heritage, Inka bridges personal memory with collective history—making the Jesuit House not only a place of learning but also a reminder of enduring family love.

How to explore The Jesuit House Museum in Cebu

• Location: 26 Zulueta Street, Parian, Cebu City (near the Cebu Heritage Monument) • What to expect: A house built in 1730 that served as a Jesuit retreat, later transformed into a trading post and family residence. Visitors can explore preserved architecture, antique furniture, religious artifacts, and rare photographs. • Hours: Open daily, 8am–5pm • Admission fee: ₱50–₱100 (varies for students, locals, and foreign tourists) • Tip: Ask for a guided tour—the caretakers are direct descendants of the Espina family, adding an intimate layer to the storytelling. PIA/Expat Media ALSO READ: Cebu's hidden gem-a 106-year-old ancestral home
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