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!

  

Frozen in Time?: Las Casas de Acuzar Quezon City

- November 12, 2021, Friday.

- I like going to a lot of places, but ones that fascinate me the most are often those that seem to bring you back to a different time. In Metro Manila, places like Intramuros or Chinatown often come to mind, and they indeed have stood the test of time. However, one place that had been on my mind for a long while was Las Casas de Acuzar in Quezon City.

- People know about Las Casas de Acuzar in Bataan (click here), which has been open since 2010. However, not a lot of people know about it's smaller and younger "sibling" in urban heart of Quezon City, which opened in 2018. Specifically, it is located along Roosevelt Avenue. Las Casas de Acuzar was founded by Jose Acuzar, whose goal was to restore historical houses and buildings. In Bataan, the houses are now museums, lodging, restaurants, or events venues. The one in Quezon City, however, is only open for dining and events.

- I reserved my "tour and dine" package via text, but can also be done through their website (click here). The tour-and-dine package is currently worth Php300 and allows you to enter the premises and have a merienda or snack of your choice (depending on what's available). The snack is usually Philippine rice cakes like bibingka or puto bumbong, plus a glass of freshly made gulaman. For those dining in their restaurants, visitors only need to pay a Php100 entrance fee (per head), and whatever you order in their restaurant. (Best to reserve if you have plans to dine, since there are days when the restaurant is packed.)

- Since I went on a weekday, and on a dead hour, the Las Casas wasn't crowded. What surprised me the most was the size of the place. Perhaps, I kept thinking of the vastness of Las Casas in Bataan, or maybe the photos in its website and photos of friends who have gone prior made the are look wide and spacious. In reality, Las Casas QC was quite compact, with a small plaza surrounded by the houses.

Mabuhay and welcome to Las Casas QC!! (It was a good idea to wear my guayabera for that Hispanic-Filipino look. Also got to bring out my T'Boli brass necklace.)

This is it.

The pink one is Casa Palanca, owned by none other than Carlos Palanca originally built in Binondo in1891. Palanca was one of the earliest prominent Chinoys. The "Palanca Awards," which is sometimes dubbed as the Philippines' Pulitzer Prize, was named after him. On the right, the green one, is Casa Castillo, originally from Pangasinan in the 1910s.

- I took some photos before having my bibingka and gulaman for merienda. The bibingka was also made fresh by the way. While it looked small, the bibingka was packed and made a filling afternoon meal. (And I'm saying this as someone who normally eats a lot.) I ate at the lower level of Casa Castillo.  

Good morning peasants. (I'm kidding I'm kidding!!)

My rich and tasty bibingka!! Both the bibingka and gulaman were not too sweet; perfect for me!

They make the rice cakes fresh!

- I changed into a fresh shirt after having my meal and went crazy taking photos of the nice houses. I took a liking to Casa Monroy, which look like a small mansion ornamented with phoenix motifs. It was owned by Roque Monroy in the 1890s, and was built in Quiapo.

Casa Monroy.

Details!!

- The centerpiece of the whole area was definitely the chapel (which, can be used as an actual chapel.) What I find interesting about this chapel is that, while the other houses are restored or replicas of original houses, the chapel of Las Casas QC was neither restored nor replicated. However, it was inspired from the Pinaglabanan Church in San Juan City, formally known as Saint John the Baptist Parish Church. (The church is called "Pinaglabanan" since the area near the church was where the Katipunan fought against the Spanish in 1896.)     

Chapel interior. There's normally a cross in the middle, at least based on past photos. Not sure what happened to the cross. If you look at the flooring of the aisle, it's a long series of wooden carvings depicting scenes of 

Chapel from the outside.

It does remind me of the many many many churches in Europe.

Saw this outside the chapel. A kindhearted soul wanted to feed the child. LOL.

- You'll notice that I've been pretty much taking pictures of the house facades. What about their interiors? Unfortunately, most of the houses are just mere facades. The interiors are currently being built as they plan to provide lodging just like Las Casas in Bataan. The houses I mentioned earlier, although their lower areas are currently used for dining, their upper floors are actually empty.

This reminds me of the song "Belle" in Beauty and the Beast. By the way, the house behind me is the Casa Garchitorena, owned by Mariano Garchitorena, a former Filipino politician. The house was built in 1833 along today's Recto Avenue.

A nice window from the undated and Victorian-style Casa Arroyave, formerly located along Yuchengco Street in Binondo (also known by its long-time name, Calle Nueva). 

- The main house of Las Casas QC, which is also its most contemporary house, is called Casa Juico. This is where all visitors pass through when entering the premises of Las Casas QC. Built in the 1960s, the house was owned by Felipe Sangil Juico and his family for around 50 years. Felipe Juico was a businessman in the field of travel and tourism. The house was sold to the Acuzars in 2016 to be one of the "casas" of Las Casas de Acuzar. Because of the well-preserved Art Deco design of the house and the old trees in the yard, the house was not torn down and instead was transformed into Las Casas QC. Today, the ground floor houses the main restaurant of Las Casas, called Kusina ni Maria. the second floor of Casa Juico now has several function halls for events.

A replica of Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss" made by Filipino artisans. I finally "saw" it, since I wasn't able to see the actual one in Vienna.

An Amorsolo painting of Lily Juico, the wife of Felipe juico.

The Art Deco stairs that screams The Great Gatsby.

Despite the bad lighting, I'm kind of OK with this semi-silhouette shot.

Stairs to the function halls upstairs.

The restaurant at the ground floor.

Do come visit!

- Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Quezon City is a remarkable escape from today's fast-paced modernity. The place isn't as "authentic" as Intramuros or Chinatown since majority of the houses were built/brought to serve as neighbors of Casas Juico. However, Las Casas QC does give the curious wanderer a taste of Philippine history during a time of changes, with majority of houses being built towards the end of Spanish rule to the start of American rule in the Philippines. I can't wait to see what Las Casas QC has in store in the near future. Will definitely have to go back to try the food, and perhaps see the houses' interiors once they're done!