Machuca Tile

Machuca Tile Inc., originally known as Mosaicos Machuca, holds the distinction of being the oldest tile ^[1] manufacturing business in the Philippines, with a history dating back to the early 1900s.

Baldozas Mosaicos was the correct term used to describe the Mediterranean cement tiles, but they are now more commonly referred to as Machuca tiles, named after Don Pepe, the son of the renowned producer of Baldozas Mosaicos in the Philippines, Don Jose Machuca by Romero.^[2]

History

During the early 1900s, Don Jose Machuca y Romeo was the foremost producer of Mediterranean tiles in the Philippines. His son, Don Pepe, an Audencia, established Mosaicos Machuca in an ancestral house located on Calle Tanduay in San Miguel, Manila, while the tile factory itself was situated beside the Pasig River. They were pioneers in implementing both wet and dry processes for manufacturing Mediterranean-designed cement tiles in the Philippines.^[2]

Machuca Tiles Inc. is presently under the management of Arch. Luis P. Machuca Jr., a fourth-generation^[3] member of the Machuca family.

Location

In 1993, the Machuca Tile Inc. showroom was relocated to its current address on the ground floor of J y J Condominium, #867 General Solano Street, San Miguel, Manila. Meanwhile, their factory is situated at Lot 17 Marian Park, Road I, East Service Road, South Superhighway, Parañaque.^[2]

Machuca Tiles

Machuca Tiles Inc. employs a traditional tile-making method that does not involve baking. They also utilize Lansco powder imported from Spain to achieve a traditional earth-tone color palette. The tiles exhibit a rustic appearance characterized by intricate border motifs and muted colors, showcasing hand-brushed quality and sophisticated palettes.^[4]

The standard size of the tiles is 8 inches by 8 inches (200 mm by 200 mm).

The tiles can be designed in three different ways:

Continuous ribbon-like bands
Enclosed spaces (panels)
Unlimited flat patterns

Projects

Religious and institutional

San Vicente de Paul by Andres Luna de San Pedro
San Sebastian Church Sacristy
San Beda Church
Colegio San Agustin

Commercial

Alabang Town Center
Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort
Cabalen Chain of Restaurants
Hacienda Luisita
Jai Alai
Gingersnaps stores
O Banh mi Vietnamese Sandwich Restaurant (Gateway Cubao)
The Pavilion Restaurant, Alegre Beach Resort, Cebu - a collaboration between Architect Augusto Villalon and Interior designer Josephine Labrador Hermano

^[4]

Residential

Atelier of Patis Tesoro
Ancestral residence of former President Jose Laurel
Residence of former Cultural Center of the Philippines Artistic Director, Nicanor Tiongson
Residence of Lulu Tan Gan, a fashion designer

References

^ Martelino, Ashley (9 April 2022). "The Story Behind the Century-Old Machuca Tile". www.spot.ph/. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Machuca Tile Inc". 31 October 2014.
^ Tayao-Juego, Annelle (2017-03-12). "4th generation keeps Machuca tile-making tradition alive". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
^ ^a ^b "A Millennial Centennial". D & A Magazine. 2000.

[1] Martelino, Ashley (9 April 2022). "The Story Behind the Century-Old Machuca Tile". www.spot.ph/. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2022.

[MTI-2] "Machuca Tile Inc". 31 October 2014.

[3] Tayao-Juego, Annelle (2017-03-12). "4th generation keeps Machuca tile-making tradition alive". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-12-04.

[DA-4] "A Millennial Centennial". D & A Magazine. 2000.

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