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| young Ferdinand Marcos |
I used to admire President Marcos when I was a student. All the books and reading materials on social studies published during my elementary years talked about all the good deeds and heroism Marcos did before and during that time. And then the EDSA revolution happened which led to the fall of the Marcoses. I don't understand it then, don't even know what a revolution is. All I remember now is that of Ninoy's slogan (
the Filipino is worth dying for) because I saw it on shirts and caps worn by lots of people during those times, even in the province where I live.
Fast forward 2013 when I was able to visit Ilocos Norte for the first time of which part of the tour is the visit to Batac and Paoay. In Batac, we checked out the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum where lots of Marcos' memorabilia are displayed/stored. It is also the resting place (until the government allowed his remains to be interred in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Marcos' family's demand) of then President Ferdinand Marcos. His said to be remains encased in a glass coffin is displayed in the guarded mausoleum. The mausoleum is quite creepy. It is dim-lighted and there's a low somber piped-in music being played inside. It felt like entering a haunted house, slowly and quietly, on alert as if something unexpected will show up. It made me skittish, gave me an eerie feeling. I was glad I was with several visitors/tourists during that time, otherwise, I think I won't be able to enter the mausoleum and stay there even for a second.
Marcos Museum and Mausoleum
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Marcos Museum - Batac, Ilocos Norte
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Located in Batac, Ilocos Norte, this museum houses memorabilia of the then President Marcos, from his childhood, his education, his stint in the armed forces and his life as elected official up to his rise to presidency. Here are several photos I took from the museum (
I've no photo from the mausoleum though as it's forbidden to take photos in there):
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| red carpet |
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| Ferdinand Marcos' parents |
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| beginning of an achiever |
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| Ferdinand Marcos' as an equestrian?! |
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| more Marcos' memorabilia |
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| a child admiring Ferdinand Marcos' medals?! :P |
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| President Ferdinand Marcos' medals: fact or fiction? |
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| Marcos' 11-Day Romance! |
According to the markers inside the museum, President Marcos' love affair with the first lady Imelda Marcos started when she was introduced by her cousin after one of the plenary sessions at the House of Representatives. This happened after his delivery of his sentiments on national budget of which the former first lady had witnessed. Ferdinand was awestruck by Imelda, a darling and rose of Tacloban during that time. Since then, the chase was on between them and their 11-day whirlwind romance began which eventually led to their marriage. And the rest is history, as most of you who might be reading this may know...
hehe.
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| Imelda Marcos made ternos known worldwide, as she frequently wear them in attending functions and events |
"I was born ostentatious. They will list my name in the dictionary someday. They will use 'imeldific' to mean ostentatious extravagance." ~Imelda Marcos
Paoay Church
After Batac, we went to
Paoay to visit the famous Paoay Church and also the
Malacañang Ti Amianan (Malacañang of the North). Paoay Church, also known as St. Agustin Church, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the late 1600's. The church is famous for its enormous buttresses which serve as highlights of its architecture.
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| Paoay Church' facade |
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| the famous enormous buttresses on the side, used as parking?! :P |
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| inside Paoay Church |
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| St. Agustin Church, more popularly known as Paoay Church - Paoay, Ilocos Norte |
We stayed here only for a while, went inside and prayed for guidance and protection, took some photos and then head on to our final destination before going back to Manila, Malacañang Ti Amianan.
Malacañang Ti Amianan
Malacañang Ti Amianan is one of the rest houses and considered as the official residence of the Marcoses during President Marcos' regime. It is located on a five-hectare property in Suba, Paoay, Ilocos Norte. It is a two-storey grand mansion with several rooms converted into a museum, too, and is available for viewing by the public. Let me tour you to the Malacañang Ti Amianan, thru my photos:
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| Malacañang Ti Amianan |
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| receiving area |
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| dining room |
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| BongBong's room; inset: one of his paintings during his younger years |
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| one of the daughter's room |
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| receiving area at the master's bedroom |
~ oo00oo ~
This will be my last post about my Ilocos Norte escapades last year (you read it right...last year, took me that long to finish this series...hehe). It was a short weekend getaway so there's still a lot more to visit there, haven't been to Pagudpod yet so definitely, I'll be back. I just hope it would be soon but for now, I'm happy I was able to make it to Ilocos Norte, finally. Till then...
My Ilocos Norte posts:
* A Day in Laoag (Accommodation, City Day/Night Walking Tour, Etc...)
* Carrot Cake: My Precious Find at La Preciosa Laoag
* A Tricycle Tour Experience: Kapurpurawan Rock Formations
* A Tricycle Tour Experience: Bangui Windmills
* A Tricycle Tour Experience: Cape Bojeador (Burgos) Lighthouse
* Street Food Trip Up North (Empanada, Longganisa, Pakbet, Etc...)
* Florida Bus: My First (and Probably Last) Sleeper Bus Experience
Ilocos Norte Escapades
Places Visited: Burgos, Bangui, Laoag, Batac, Paoay
Date of Visit: November 16 - 17, 2013
BATAC not BAGAC
ReplyDeleteoh my, what a mixed-up! yep, you're right, should be batac. mixed it up with same-sounding town in bataan. anyway, thank you changa may, thank you for the correction and big thanks for reading. now i know, there's someone out there who really read my post, hehe. thanks again :)
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