Daily Tribune
The Molo Mansion, venue for the launching of Gina Consing McAdam and photographer Siobhan Doran's book, "Houses that Sugar Built" last Saturday, 27 January 2024, fronts the magnificent Molo Plaza and St. Anne Parish Church in Molo, Iloilo City.
Gina Consing McAdam signs a copy of her book, "Houses that Sugar Built: An Intimate Portrait of Philippine Ancestral Houses", for her cousin, Ramon Consing Locsin who traveled from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental along with many other relatives and members of McAdam's family who came from other places, including the U.S. to be present at the launch of her book at the Molo Mansion in Iloilo City on Saturday, 27 January 2024.
Multi-awarded London-based international photographer Siobhan Doran signs a copy of "Houses that Sugar Built: An Intimate Portrait of Philippine Ancestral Homes" whose photographs she took. Her work has been shown in the UK and Europe, including at MAST Foundation for Photography n Bologna and London's Royal Academy of Arts. Written by author Gina Consing McAdam, the beautifully photographed book comprises of 200 pages of grand mansions belonging to old prominent families in Western Visayas and Pampanga rarely seen by the public. The book, published by ORO Editions, was launched at the SM Group's Molo Mansion last Saturday, 27 January 2024.
"The Houses that Sugar Built: Intimate Portraits of Philippine Ancestral Homes," written by both London-based Gina McAdams and international photographer Siobhan Doran, was five years in the making. It had a successful launch at the Molo Mansionon 27 January 2024.
The book, with over 250 pages of photos and stories that takes the readers back during the prime of these houses, celebrates the legacy of the three main sugar producing provinces in the Philippines -- Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Pampanga.
One of Doran's images in the book was selected for the 2023 Royal Academy of Arts Summer Show in London and she was named Architecture Photographer of the Year at the Prix de la Photographie Paris Exhibition for her "Sala Mayor" series from the same book.
The book, sponsored by SM Prime Chairman Hans Sy, was launched at McAdam's family ancestral mansion in Molo, Iloilo City which was purchased by the SM Group.
The launched was attended by the families and heirs of the owners of these houses along with invited guests led by Raisa Treñas- Chu, representing Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, and SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.
The Filipino Fashion Fair 2024 exhibit at the Molo Mansion and a fashion show added color to the event, featuring the designs of Arnel Papa, Jor-el Espina, Lin-ay by Binky Pitogo, Louis Claparols, Orias by Vin Orias, PQLA by Puey Quiñones, and Satren and Zarah Juan.
