Syquia Mansion in Vigan - Ilocos Sur trip part 12

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
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.

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
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.

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
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.

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
Here’s a vintage feeling striking to my heart again.

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
A vintage bathroom

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
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.

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
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.


Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
the kitchenware area.

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
The dining table


Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
Old chair

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
The Sun always visit this place

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
And its still in perfect condition….

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
The bed room.. a bit spooky and I’m not comfortable standing here

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
Taking a selfie photo in this old dresser

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
A place to drink hot coffee or chocolate


Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
Old photos showing Pres. Elpidio Quirino, his wife and family

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
The living room

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
Statue….that look like Aragorn of the LOTR

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
The President’s portrait painting, painted by Fernando Amorsolo


Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
Another selfie photo

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
Dona Alicia Quirino in portrait painting


Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
photographing myself again….


Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael ColadillaSyquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael ColadillaSyquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
Lots of stories here..I suggest you visit this mansion when you are in Vigan


Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
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.

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
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.

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
The living room


Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
The mirror and its frame made of solid GOLD!!


Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
a close up look of the mirror

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
and me doing a selfie again.

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
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.

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
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.

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
Another statue….

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
Another dining area located outside the main hall

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - photos by Azrael Coladilla
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
WIP - Dancing fountain of Plaza Salcedo in Vigan–Ilocos Sur trip part 2
Cathedral of Vigan–Ilocos Sur trip part 3
Plaza Burgos in Vigan–Ilocos Sur trip part 4
Calle Crisologo in Vigan–Ilocos Sur trip part 5

Party at Baluarte in Vigan–Ilocos Sur trip part 6

Inside Gov. Chavit Singson's home - Baluarte citadel in Vigan–Ilocos Sur trip part 7
Animal encounters at Baluarte zoo in Vigan - Ilocos Sur trip part 8

BurnayJar factory in Vigan - Ilocos Sur trip part 9

Vigan Plaza Hotel - Ilocos Sur trip part 10

Hidden Garden in Vigan–Ilocos Sur trip part 11

Syquia Mansion in Vigan - Ilocos Sur trip part 12

St. Augustine Church in Vigan - Ilocos Sur trip part 13

Bantayan Belfry in Vigan - Ilocos Sur trip part 14

Café Leona in Vigan - Ilocos Sur trip part 15

Vigan Empanada - Ilocos Sur trip part 16

Loom weaving - Ilocos Sur trip part 18

Mindoro Beach in Vigan - Ilocos Sur trip part 19 ( last series)