Quick QC Quest: Presidential Cars and Tombs

- Nov. 19, 2021, Friday.

- I've studied and worked at Quezon City for more than 10 years now, and surprisingly I haven't really explored the biggest city of Metro Manila. Perhaps I associated it with school and work so much that I just avoided it whenever I didn't have any reason to go to Quezon City. 

-  Quezon City, or QC for short, was founded in 1939 and was named after the second president of the Philippines, Manuel L. Quezon. Out of all the places to visit in QC, the most iconic of them all is the Quezon Memorial Circle. The Circle is recognizable because of its tower with three angels, and the Elliptical Road that goes around the Circle. I've passed by the Circle since I started studying in QC, but it was only recently when I found out that there was actually a huge park around the tower. (More on the tower later.)

- I took a Grab from my house to the Circle since it was the most convenient way to reach it especially during the pandemic. I recently found out that aside from the park, there are museums within the premises of the Circle! This reminded me a lot of Rizal Park in Manila, which I am very familiar with, since some of the National Museums can be found on the grounds of the Rizal Park. 

- My first stop was the Presidential Car Museum, which I've been meaning to visit a while back if not for the pandemic. The museum opened its doors in 2018, and as the name of the museum suggests, has a permanent exhibit of the cars used by presidents and related individuals. Walk in visitors are normally allowed, but due to the pandemic, it is highly advisable to let them know that you're arriving. Their contact details are in their Facebook page (click here). They can only let a limited number of people per half hour, so it's best to secure your slot. Although I reserved my slot on the morning of the day of my afternoon visit, I felt happy that I was given a slot since museums usually prefer reservations being done at least a day in advance. I guess it wasn't a problem for me because I was the museum's only visitor in my slot! (Usual perks of going during a weekday.) Entrance was free by the way.

Entrance.

Reception.

- The museum was pretty straightforward. It was a giant room that had all the cars there, arranged in sequence from President Emilio Aguinaldo to President Gloria Arroyo. To be honest I am not really much of a car person, but anything related to history does pique my interest.

Aguinaldo's car, 1924 Packard. (I know nothing about cars, I just got the information from the information cards beside the cars. All I know is that they're fancy cars of their time!!)

Manila L. Quezon's car, 1937 Chrysler.

The main hall, showing Aguinaldo's and Quirino's cars.

Ramon Magsaysay's car, 1955 Cadillac. I took a picture of this not only because the car looks nice, but I also learned that this was the same car model owned by Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek. He was the first president of the Republic of China (ROC, aka "Taiwan"). - Also because my alma mater was named after him heehee.

With Elpidio Quirino's car (right), 1953 Chrysler.

- One thing I noticed about older cars was that they were so huge, and cars seemed to just become smaller and smaller as the years went by. Since they were presidents after all, they normally had luxury cars like Cadillac and Chrysler cars. Latter cars would normally be made by Mercedes-Benz. Although some cars looked simpler, they were probably equipped with the latest security technology at that time. I also felt that the kind of cars that the presidents owned also said a lot about their character, or the kind of image they wanted to project.

Ferdinand Marcos' car, 1980 Lincoln. It was the only limo-looking car there.

Corazon C. Aquino's car, Mercedes-Benz.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's car, Mercedes Benz. It was also a larger model compared to some of the predecessors.

- Another interesting section of the museum was the collection of four cars that were not really owned by presidents but were used by significant historical figures who worked closely with one of the previous presidents.

This carriage or "kalesa" was used by Leon Apacible's family from the early 1900s until the 1940s. Leon Apacible was part of the commission that drafted the Malolos Constitution, which was the constitution used by the First Philippine Republic. 

The car first owned by Manuel L. Quezon before being used by Douglas MacArthur; a 1935 Cadillac.

1943 Willy's Jeep initially used by Douglas MacArthur, and later used by Ramon Magsaysay.

Had to take a seat after absorbing so much car history.

Just checking out them carssss.

- After leaving the museum, I headed over to the Quezon Memorial Shrine. I was surprised (though as its name suggest, I really shouldn't have,) to know that the monument was called as such because Manuel L. Quezon's actual tomb can be found inside. However, before seeing the tomb, visitors are first led to the Museum of Manuel Quezon (Museo ni Manuel Quezon). It is a small museum depicting the life and achievements of Manuel L. Quezon, as well as things that he and his family used to own.

Running for QC mayor. (I'm kidding I'm kidding!! - I'm not even from QC!!) By the way, if you see the little door at the base of the monument/shrine, that's where you enter to see the museum and tomb.

Manuel Quezon's diploma.

The museum (and yes, the pillars are preventing me from taking a nice photo of the museum's first gallery.)

Aurora Quezon's bed, clothes, and furniture. (In case you didn't know, she's the wife of Manuel Quezon.)

A replica of Manuel Quezon's office.

The 1935 Constitution and its tiny cabinet.

Manuel Quezon's tomb.

Aurora Quezon's tomb, located in the same room as Manuel Quezon's.

If you walk to the side of the tomb, you'll see a statue of Manuel Quezon at the second floor (note: the upper floors are not accessible to the public.)

- I later went around the park, trying to make sure that I wasn't in very crowded areas, I saw the World Peace Bell, and the musical fountain show, among a few. At around 3:30pm, I attempted to visit the Quezon Heritage House but it wasn't open for some reason. I think special booking are needed to see the inside. Well, at least I got to see what it from the outside. The Quezon Heritage House, which was one of Manuel Quezon's houses, was originally built along Gilmore Street. The house in the Quezon Memorial Circle is a reconstruction.

Statue of Manuel Quezon outside the shrine.

Musical fountain. At certain times of the day, music will play and the fountains are programmed to shoot water based on the song's rhythm. 

World Peace Bell, roughly as big as a person's torso. This is the first World Peace Bell in Southeast Asia, and it was installed in Quezon City in 1994.

So many peopleeeeee. Physical distancing pleaseeeeeee. (I was standing far away, and I had to zoom in to take this photo. As much as I enjoy colorful crowds, there is still a pandemic.)

Quezon Heritage House (from the outside.)

- I ended my afternoon with a small meal at Tropical Hut at the restaurants area near the Heritage House. I guess a small feast was a nice way to celebrate the fact that I finally explored something that has been so familiar yet never bothered to learn more about. I guess one of the nice things brought about by the pandemic (not necessarily saying that I like the pandemic or wanted it to happen) was that I had the chance to explore "my backyard" once more instead of flying off elsewhere as I normally did pre-pandemic. Still, I am hoping that the pandemic will end really soon so everyone can explore places without fears and worries!