What remains of the Colgate houses in Cuba

A moldy house, with worn-out paint and visible signs of deterioration, has brought back into public discourse a little-known story for new generations: the so-called "Colgate houses" in Cuba.

The image, shared on Facebook by user Felipe Álvarez, shows what remains of one of these homes that, decades ago, were symbols of prosperity and the grand prize in promotional contests from brands like Colgate and Candado.

"In our city, there is a 'COLGATE house.' Do you know where?" wrote the author of the post, generating dozens of comments and memories.

According to several users, these homes were won through promotions organized by the Colgate brand. Inside some toothpaste tubes, there was a coupon or prize voucher—commonly referred to as the "golden rooster"—and those lucky enough to find it were awarded a house as a gift.

Aristalia Isabel Benítez Bellaire explained that the house mentioned in the publication, located in front of the pediatric hospital in Santiago de Cuba, belonged to Dolores Govea.

"My parents told me that you could win by buying Colgate toothpaste and that the one with the golden rooster inside would win you a house," she commented. Other users confirmed that in Santiago de Cuba, there are several houses purchased through that contest.

Leonardo Busto Almarales also recalled that the prize was obtained through coupons included in the toothpaste, a marketing strategy that influenced an entire generation.

The debate also recalled the so-called "Candado houses," linked to promotions for the soap brand of the same name.

Users assured that there were homes of this type in Santiago de Cuba, Palma Soriano, Marianao (Havana), Matanzas, Las Tunas, and Contramaestre. They even mentioned a “Villa Jabón Candado” in El Cristo.

What were once striking villas —some painted red with distinctive white letters— now show the passage of time, a lack of maintenance, and the impact of structural deterioration affecting a significant portion of Cuba's housing stock.

The original publication revealed something beyond nostalgia: it brought to the forefront the memory of a time when foreign brands held major promotions on the Island, a stark contrast to the current economic reality.