A decaying home, with peeling paint and clear signs of neglect, has reignited a story that many young Cubans might not know: the so-called “Colgate houses” in Cuba.
Felipe Álvarez shared a photo on Facebook depicting the remnants of one of these homes, which, many years ago, stood as a symbol of prosperity and were the grand prizes in brand promotions run by companies like Colgate and Candado.
“There's a ‘Colgate house’ in our city. Do you know where it is?” Álvarez wrote, sparking a flurry of comments and memories.
Many users recounted that these houses were won through promotional campaigns by Colgate. Inside some toothpaste packages, there was a special coupon or winning token—fondly remembered as the “golden rooster”—and whoever found it would receive a house as a prize.
Aristalia Isabel Benítez Bellaire noted that the home in the post, located across from the pediatric hospital in Santiago de Cuba, belonged to Dolores Govea.
“My parents told me that you could win a house by purchasing Colgate toothpaste. The one with the golden rooster inside awarded a house,” she said. Others confirmed that Santiago de Cuba is home to several houses acquired through this contest.
Leonardo Busto Almarales also recalled the prize being awarded via coupons hidden in toothpaste, a marketing strategy that left a mark on an entire generation.
The Legacy of Promotional Homes in Cuba
The discussion also brought up memories of the “Candado houses,” linked to promotions by the soap brand of the same name.
Users claimed there were such homes in Santiago de Cuba, Palma Soriano, Marianao (Havana), Matanzas, Las Tunas, and Contramaestre. They even referenced a “Villa Jabón Candado” in El Cristo.
Once vibrant and eye-catching—some painted red with distinctive white letters—these villas now show the toll of time, neglect, and the structural decay that plagues much of Cuba’s housing stock.
The original post revealed more than just nostalgia: it highlighted a period when foreign commercial brands held significant promotions on the island, a stark contrast to today’s economic reality.
Understanding the History of Colgate Houses in Cuba
What were the Colgate houses in Cuba?
The Colgate houses were homes awarded as prizes in promotional contests by the Colgate brand in Cuba. Participants who found a special winning token, known as the “golden rooster,” inside toothpaste packages won these houses.
Where can Colgate houses still be found in Cuba?
Several Colgate houses are still present in Santiago de Cuba, as well as in other locations like Palma Soriano, Marianao, Matanzas, Las Tunas, and Contramaestre.
How were the Candado houses related to Colgate houses?
The Candado houses were similar promotional prizes offered by the soap brand Candado. Like the Colgate houses, they were part of marketing campaigns that awarded homes as grand prizes.