During our visit to Taal, Batangas, we explored the historic Apacible House. The Leon and Galicano Apacible Museum, an 18th-century residence, underwent renovation in the 1930s, adopting an art deco design. Subsequently transformed into a museum in the early 1970s, it was generously donated to the government in 1976. As the first museum and the sole art deco house in Taal, Batangas, it offers insights into the lives and contributions of the Apacible brothers—Leon and Galicano—and their roles during the struggle for Philippine independence in the late 19th century.

Leon Apacible was a lawyer who played a crucial role in the revolution, serving as a right-hand man to Gen. Miguel Malvar. He led the revolutionaries in reclaiming the town of Batangas from Spain. Following the Philippines’ attainment of independence, he represented Lepanto, now Bontoc, Mt. Province, in Bulacan. Apacible participated in the Malolos Congress and was one of the signatories of the inaugural Constitution of the Philippines.

Galicano Apacible, in contrast, pursued a career in medicine as a physician. Alongside Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, and others, he advocated for reforms for the Philippines while in Spain. He sailed to Barcelona to further his medical studies and was instrumental in founding La Solidaridad, where he served as its inaugural president. As the Philippines transitioned to a republic, Apacible was appointed as a diplomat and represented the country in various nations abroad.

In addition to showcasing the story of the two brothers, the Museum also boasts an extensive collection of relics, including a wealth of antique furniture, numerous pieces of dinnerware dating back to the 17th-19th century from China, France, and Italy, family photographs and paintings, vintage mirrors, antique chandeliers, figurines, and jewelry owned by the Apacible family.