Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum (Tacloban City), Part II

Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum in Tacloban City is one of the many reminders of the ritziness of the lifestyle of former President Ferdinand Marcos, first lady Imelda Marcos, and their family.

The two-story structure sits on sprawling ground of what was well-manicured verdant grass and inside it is luxury that ordinary Filipinos cannot fathom. It has 21 well-appointed rooms, guest rooms in the ground floor and the private rooms of the Marcoses in the second floor. Aside from the private rooms, there are spacious communal areas filled to the brim with high-quality local and imported furniture and decors. One can say that Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum, a residence built for the Marcoses in Imelda’s native Tacloban, is fit for kings and queens, or as the Marcoses claim, for Malakas and Maganda.

The previous post includes photos and description of the ground floor. This post shows the private quarters of Ferdinand, Imelda, Imee, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Jr., Irene, and Aimee.

For the first part of this post, please read Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum (Tacloban City), Part I.

For related entries, please read Shoe Museum – Marikina City, Part I and Shoe Museum – Marikina City, Part II.

Former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos’ suite in Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum in Tacloban City. It has its own toilet and bath. Adjacent to the toilet and bath is a room for Marcos’ bodyguard. According to the tour guide, the bodyguard was assigned by Imelda to make sure that the president would not have lady visitors at night.

Ferdinand Marcos’ books

Ferdinand Marcos’ desk

The fireplace in Ferdinand Marcos’ room. The carpet was flown in from Argentina. Photo by Juan

A closer look at another Argentine carpet in the room

This is a wine rack

Imee Marcos’ room

Sitting room inside Imee Marcos’ room

Imee Marcos’ bed, which was flown in from England

Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s room

Old Philippine money bills adorn the divider

The bed of Bongbong Marcos

Irene Marcos’ room

Irene Marcos’ bed

Inside Aimee Marcos’ room

Aimee Marcos’ bed. Aimee was my classmate in History class with Fr. Lahiff, and she was so low key so much so that no one would think she was a presidential daughter.

The pièce de résistqnce is Imelda Marcos’ room, which occupies the most area in the building

Inside Imelda Marcos’ room

This stupendous jade in the shape of a cherub sits atop one of the tables.

Just like her room, Imelda Marcos’ bed is also the biggest in the house

Juan and I look tiny next to Mrs. Marcos’ massive bed

Imelda Marcos’ toilet and bath is as big as Bongbong’s entire room. It has everything a female of her stature would need. Photo by Juan

The jacuzzi is in the center of a scenic view

Juan and I inside Mrs. Marcos’ jacuzzi.

The staircase leading to the second floor landing

Photos of Ferdinand Marcos hang on the walls between the landings. That day I learned that he played golf.

These are parts of the Chinese collection (beside the ivory collection) of Mrs. Marcos found in the second floor

The sitting area in the second floor of Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum in Tacloban City. Photo by Juan

A closer look at Mrs. Marcos’ portrait in the sitting area

The ballroom in the second floor occupies an entire wing. The tour guide told us not to stay beneath the ginormous chandeliers since they have not been fixed properly since typhoon Yolanda.