Museo ni Manuel Quezon (Quezon Memorial Shrine) in Quezon City is prepared to celebrate the 138th birth anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon on August 19, 2016.
The relatively newly-renovated Museo ni Manuel Quezon boasts of a larger area and more galleries than the one I visited in 2012. It has a vast collection of memorabilia connected to President Quezon, his years as the Commonwealth president and beyond. There is an entire gallery dedicated to President Quezon’s wife, Doña Aurora, and another gallery for Philippines after World War II.
The memorabilia are in glass casings with simple descriptions beside each one. There are audio-visual presentations to help the guests understand the life of Quezon as a boy from Baler to his life in the military, back to civilian life and as the president of the Philippines during the Commonwealth. There are also interactive activities to test one’s knowledge of Philippine history.
Museo ni Manuel Quezon is popular among those who frequent the Quezon Memorial Circle (yes, named after him) along Elliptical Road, Quezon City (also named after him). Families with young children in tow, groups of friends and students with school assignment visit the museum to take photos, read the many and detailed explanations of that part of Philippine history and learn a Spanish word or two.
The marker of Pambansang Pang-alaalang Dambana ni Quezon (Quezon Memorial Shrine). This stands right next to the entrance of Museo ni Manuel Quezon.
The entrance of Museo ni Manuel Quezon (Quezon Memorial Shrine) in Quezon City. It is at the foot of the 66-meter high Quezon Memorial Shrine. 66 represents the age of Manuel Quezon when he died of tuberculosis in Saranac Lake, New York.
Gallery I of Museo ni Quezon is all about Kabataan ni Manuel (Manuel Quezon’s childhood/youth). There is a visual presentation (schematic diagram?) on the wall that narrates Quezon’s childhood in Baler, a photo of the house where he was born, and his educational journey, from learning reading and writing in Spanish, arithmetic and catechism from his parents to religion, geography, history, Latin from Franciscan priest, Father Teodoro Fernandez. Due to technical problems (hehehe), I am not going to post the photos here.
Manuel L. Quezon’s Diploma from University of Santo Tomas (UST), Certificate of Completion on Bachelors of Arts degree on February 19, 1894. This was issued on February 24, 1923. He got sobresaliente (excellent).
This salakot (head gear) made of squash with silver finial decorated with embossed floral design and two others are also in the Gallery I area.
One of two tall sterling silver vases on display. The description just says, “Presidente M. L. Quezon Los Senadores 1 de Enero 1924”. Maybe The senators gave him the vases.
A plaque dedicated to Manuel L. Quezon as Philippines representative to the US Congress, given by LOGNILAD #144. This was given on September 23, 1916 in Manila. The Spanish words on the plaque more or less say that “Manuel L. Quezon, representative of the Filipinos before the Congress of United States of America, as a testimony of knowledge and admiration of your work for the Philippines’ cause”.
Ink dish. Crystal glass inkwell on opaline base with initial MLQ. Given on January 1, 1925 to Quezon by the Senate.
Musical Piece “Anti Hare-Hawes-Cutting”, dedicated to the President of Philippine Senate by Hilario F. Rubio. Published by Marcelino Masangkay. Copyright 1934.
Letter of Senate President Manuel Quezon to Jose Vitug of Lubao, Pampanga, endorsing him as Nacionalista candidate.
Sterling Silver Inkwell. On August 19, 1917, this was presented as birthday gift of Teodoro Yangco to Manuel L. Quezon, Resident Commissioner in Washington.
An image of Manuel L. Quezon is a popular photo opportunity spot for guests. Behind the MLQ 3-D model are the words, “in the 1920s, Quezon was discovered to have tuberculosis. Because of the gravity of this disease, Quezon believed he did not have much time left and wrote a message to his countrymen which he broadcast. Listen to his message.” I did not listen to the message though.
Doña Aurora Quezon Gallery. The viewing public are not allowed to enter the room but are given the chance to look at and take photos of the contents of the room.
The Doña Aurora Quezon gallery is dominated byAtay bed with the squash decoration on every corner post of the bed. It is similar to the Atay bed on Quezon Heritage House.
Photograph of President Manuel L. Quezon signing the Suffrage Law. The historic signing of the Suffrage Law by President Manuel L. Quezon on September 15, 1937 at Malacañang Palace with the presence of government officials, National Federation of Women’s Clubs of the Philippines (NFWC) Honorary President Aurora Aragon Quezon, Jose Yulo, Jorge Vargas, Sofia de Veyra, Justice Natividad Almeda Lopez, NFWC Past President Concepcion Felix and other NFWC leaders who advocated for the approval of the law that promoted the socio-political empowerment of Filipino women.
A statuette presented by the National Commission of Peasants to Pres. Quezon on his 61st birthday on August 19, 1939.
President Manuel L. Quezon graced the cover of the November 25, 1935 issue of Time Magazine to commemorate the inauguration of the Commonwealth.
Three pieces of cartridge cases used for the first gun salute in honor of President Quezon, fired on June 3, 1936.
President Quezon March, music by M. P Velez, words in Spanish by J. Hernandez Gavira, dedicated to the peerless leader of the Filipino people on his birthday, August 19, 1939.
A record 30 RPM contains “Marcha Socialismo Quezoniana”, performed and recorded at KZRH. The record was presented by the staff of KZRH to President Quezon on his 63rd birthday on August 19, 1941.
A hand lettered march by Matias, containing the lyrics of a song dedicated to President Quezon by Gil Raval and Proceso Coloma upon the request of Gov. Ablan and Mayor Santos of Laoag, Ilocos Norte.
A caricature of Manuel L. Quezon from Taliba Advertising Department. Presented on August 19, 1938 by L. T. Gatbonton.
A vase in the shape of a traditional Japanese basket was a gift from General Baron G. Tanaka to President Quezon.
Coconut shell trophy with decorative silver-plated leaves and stand, a gift from Manileño silversmith engraver, Crispulo Zamora.
Globular jars with various Chinese deities in black and gold. They were from Chinese Consul General Kwangsen Young and Alfonso Sycip.
For more facts and photos about President Manuel L. Quezon, please read Museo ni Manuel Quezon, Part II.
For more information about President Quezon and his family life, please read Quezon Heritage House.
For more information about the Circle, please read Quezon Memorial Circle.
Where: Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
When: The Museo ni Manuel Quezon (Quezon Memorial Shrine) is open for public viewing from is open Monday to Sunday, from 8am to 5pm.
How much: FREE! But I encourage the guests to donate. There is a donation box just before the door of Gallery I.
How: From any MRT station, ride a train bound to Quezon Avenue. From the train station, go to Eton Centris where an area is allocated for jeepneys (the most common mode of transportation in the Philippines). Ride a jeepney bound to UP, Philcoa, Fairview or Commonwealth. The trip will take around ten minutes. Alight the vehicle near Quezon City Hall. Use the Belmonte Underpass to get to the QMC or wait for the guard to signal the pedestrians to cross from the side of city hall to the Circle.