For our next tour, we visited two museums in Vigan, but both museums are closed for the almost a week due to repair and renovation of the museum. Its one bad luck for us because we failed to check out the memorabilia's, antiques and also historical items from the past. But the strike of luck came when we arrived here in Syquia Manson, it’s the mansion owned by Dona Alicia Quirino, the wife of President Elpidio Quirino.
The Syquia Mansion houses lots of memorabilia, artwork, antiques and also a story from the past. It’s a treasure inside the Syquia mansion, and I’m glad that its well guarded and the curator and care taker are very strict, there are items that are not available to be photographed, because some items are rare and they don’t want it to be replicated by antique smugglers. Wow! that’s an interesting news, I thought that it happens only in movies.
Im not sure if my memory is correct that back in the past, the family of the wife gives gifts to the husband, and I’m not sure if this house was given to Pres. Quirino. I’ll update this blog soon after I finished my research about this mansion.
The entrance here is Free, but it will be good if you give donation to the caretaker of the mansion.
Here’s the entrance of the Syquia Mansion, perfectly preserved and well maintained.
I like the idea that they repaint the exterior of the house to protect it to be weather tear.
A vintage automobile is parked inside the house, this is the ground floor, you’ll see this when you enter the gate, the main living room is located at the 2nd floor.
Here’s a vintage feeling striking to my heart again.
A vintage bathroom
This painting is so huge!!!! it’s the Spolarium art painting by Juan Luna, but its not the real painting from Juan Luna, but it’s a replica painting - a study painting by Juan Luna and his apprentice.
But its still made by Juan Luna and study artworks are also a treasure.
the hallway.
The mansion is big!!! and compare to the modern mansions, the main house is located at the 2nd floor.
Not sure who lives on the ground level, but I have a big feeling that their servants stay there in a separate room.
the kitchenware area.
The dining table
Old chair
The Sun always visit this place
And its still in perfect condition….
The bed room.. a bit spooky and I’m not comfortable standing here
Taking a selfie photo in this old dresser
A place to drink hot coffee or chocolate
Old photos showing Pres. Elpidio Quirino, his wife and family
The living room
Statue….that look like Aragorn of the LOTR
The President’s portrait painting, painted by Fernando Amorsolo
Another selfie photo
Dona Alicia Quirino in portrait painting
photographing myself again….
Lots of stories here..I suggest you visit this mansion when you are in Vigan
Here’s one unique part of the house, in the corner they have a hole, you see in this photo that there’s a circular thing in the wall, the caretaker said that it’s a peeping hole.
They flip the cover of the hole and they can view the entire living room. They peek here to see who are the guest in the room.
And here’s another peeping hole in the floor, they take a peek here to check out the person entering or knocking from the ground floor.
The living room
The mirror and its frame made of solid GOLD!!
a close up look of the mirror
and me doing a selfie again.
Here’s the curator and caretaker of the mansion, he showed to us that this piano is still tuned and working perfectly… yeah I tried it and its fine.
The baul…. the curator opened it and showed to us old clothes and linen from the past, all in good condition and smells nice. He said that the wood is thick and special, and it protects the clothes from invading insects and they have a special substance that they put that is like a moth ball or albatross,that preserves the items and clothes inside the chest.
Another statue….
Another dining area located outside the main hall
And the beauty here is that…at the 2nd floor…is an open area and they have gardens inside the house.
whoaaa!! super beautiful!!!
If you are going to Vigan, I suggest you add this to your itinerary.
Syquia Mansion location ”To find the Syquia Mansion, visitors may walk through Crisologo Street towards Gordion Inn or the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the two-storey, blue and cream-painted mansion will be in the corner of Quirino Boulevard.” - accdg to Vigan.PH - http://www.vigan.ph
How to go here in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
1. There are two travel options – ride the 8 hour bus from Manila to Ilocos Sur or ride the plane go Laoag City Airport in Ilocos Norte + 1 1/2 land travel to Vigan.
2. We went here via chartered plane of Gov. Chavit Singson, we landed at Vigan City airport, if you have a company trip and want to travel by air, you can try a chartered plane by Sea Air, just inquire to their office on how to get a chartered plane.
3. Air - Domestic flights leave Manila daily for Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, which is an hour and a half ride by bus or arranged vehicles to Vigan. The city can be reached from Laoag City via Partas Bus, Fari̱as Transportation, Maria De Leon Bus Lines, RCJ Bus Lines, F. Franco Trans, and Florida Bus. РVia http://www.vigancity.gov.ph
4. By Land - The 408 km stretch from Manila to Vigan City is a comfortable eight-hour ride along the scenic Manila-Ilocos Highway. Air-conditioned Partas Bus, Dominion Bus, Aniceto Bus and Viron Transit ply the Manila-Vigan route regularly. – Via http://www.vigancity.gov.ph
5. Getting Around - The best way to explore Vigan is on foot; the city center is small and compact, yet full of excitement. Experience a calesa ride around Vigan at P150.00 per hour per carriage. – Via http://www.vigancity.gov.ph
6. If you are in Vigan City, there are lots of transportation, you can ride the tricycle or the “kalesa”, horse drawn carriage. The “kalesa” can be rented at Php 100 per hour.
Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
http://www.vigancity.gov.ph/
For Schedules of City Events and Tours please contact the City Tourism Office. Tel No: (077) 722-8771,
Baluarte in Vigan City
http://chavitsingson.net/baluarte/index.html
Opens - 7am-6pm eve
ryday, entrance is free
Tel # 6377-722-7186
Historic Town of Vigan @ UNESCO
Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-East Asia.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/502
* Thanks to Governor Chavit Singson for inviting us to tour around Vigan City
Read my complete Vigan travel blog series
for any questions or inquiries, feel free to email me at azrael@gmail.com
Discovering Vigan City - Ilocos Sur trip part 1
