The Syquia Mansion in Vigan, Ilocos Sur – Tribute to Elpidio Quirino

When visiting Vigan, it is already expected for tourists and locals alike to at least visit one of the museums that showcases bits and pieces of our interesting past. I didn’t miss the opportunity to visit the Syquia Mansion, the home of former Philippine President Elpidio Quirino.

Syquia Mansion - Vigan, Ilocos Sur
SYQUIA MANSION – Vigan, Ilocos Sur

I know several Ilocanos who made an important mark in Philippine history – There’s the brave tandem of Diego and Gabriela Silang, talented brothers Juan and Antonio Luna and Former President Ferdinand Marcos. Pardon me if I almost forgot that Vigan, Ilocos Sur is the birthplace of Pres. Elpidio Quirino – the 6th President of the Philippines.

Syquia Mansion - Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Pres. Elpidio Quirino (1890-1956)

Edmar and I dropped by on my first day in Vigan. Upon entering the lobby, I saw a giant painting of the late president. When we realized that the tour guide is not around (or maybe he’s somewhere in the big house entertaining other guests), we decided to just leave and go back the next day on my own.

So I did. The entrance fee is Php20, but what I learned from the short tour is enough to make me feel nostalgic. When I arrived, I saw one of the great grand children of the Former President. I asked him where the tour guide is then viola! He appeared ๐Ÿ˜›

Kuya Ferdie smiled at me and he began sharing some interesting facts about the Syquia Mansion:

Syquia Mansion - Vigan, Ilocos Sur

There’s this big but now dark replica of Juan Luna’s Spoliarium. The life of Juan Luna is another interesting story to tackle. Too bad I wasn’t able to visit his hometown and museum.

Syquia Mansion - Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Discrimination is practiced during the Spanish era. Can you see the small antique table above? ร‚ย Under it is a small hole that the homeowners use to check the guests. If the visitor is an ‘indio’, he will not be permitted to go upstairs. There’s another hole to check if the guest is worthy.

Syquia Mansion - Vigan, Ilocos Sur

The lady in the painting is the daughter of Pres. Elpidio Quirino named Vicky. She is the youngest first lady in the Philippines. Why was she promoted to First Lady status? Dona Alicia, the wife of Elpidio Quirino died during the World War II together with three children. ร‚ย Elder brother Tomas and Vicky survived. At age 19, Vicky married Luis Gonzales from Pangasinan. Luis and Vicky had four children and one of which married Kuh Ledesma. When Luis Gonzales passed away, Vicky married Don Paco Delgado. Just Google if they sound familiar since I remember reading their names in broadsheets way back.

Syquia Mansion - Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Servants’ Passage – Kuya Ferdie told me that servants used to pass in this hallway as most of them are not permitted to enter the main house, not unless they were told to do so. Just like how they portrayed it in historical books and movies.

Syquia Mansion - Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Syquia Mansion - Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Syquia Mansion - Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Old Library
Syquia Mansion - Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Photo Wall of the Sy Kia Clan… and a lady taking pictures

Syquia Mansion - Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Syquia Mansion - Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Kitchenwares from all over the world
Syquia Mansion - Vigan, Ilocos Sur
The Dining Room

Take a look at the photo of the Dining Room above. Notice the nicely-woven cloth at the ceiling? These are manually operated by servants and used as ceiling fan.

Syquia Mansion - Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Syquia Mansion - Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Azotea – I can imagine alta de ciudad peeps getting drunk. LOL joke haha think of something romantic!! ๐Ÿ˜›
Syquia Mansion - Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Senyorita in the window

I will update this post later on with a bulleted list of trivias and information. I have to admit that I got more interested with the life of the Quirino Clan specifically of Vicky, who was tagged as the ‘Teenage First Lady’ of the press. At a young age, she accompanied her father in most of his political affairs. I left the museum and said my final goodbye and thanks to Kuya Ferdie. I’m glad that the Syquia Mansion or Syquia Museum stands on where it is up to this day. Mabuhay ka!

I also waved goodbye to Kuya Rusty, who I believe is the resident caretaker of the ancestral house. The Syquia Mansion is a must-visit destination in Vigan. I entered the museum with almost no knowledge about Quirino and left with too much information… and wanting more!



Have you been to the SYQUIA MANSION? Get to see a luxurious ancestral house from the old times and at the same time hear more interesting facts.

10 Comments

  1. mervz | pinoyadventurista.com said:

    i love heritage houses! bakit ba hindi namin ‘to napuntahan when we were there? like ko yung replica ng Spoliarium… ๐Ÿ™‚

    October 11, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Napansin ko nga na mahilig ka sa mga heritage houses and museums ๐Ÿ˜€ Punta ka on your next Ilocos trip ๐Ÿ™‚

      October 13, 2012
      Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Kinilabutan ako nung sinabi ni Kuya Ferdie kung ano ang silbi ng hallway na yan. T_T

      October 13, 2012
      Reply
  2. lovemindanao said:

    whoa sad, i missed to visit this when I was there … closed yung museum “house”…but at least na kapag post ka .. parang nakarating na rin ako :)–interested ako sa toilet nila if they also use it as for pig outlet system…

    October 12, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Sayang. Balik ka! Hehe check my flickr page for more pics. Virtual tour hehe ๐Ÿ˜›

      October 13, 2012
      Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      I’m not so sure, pero sarado ata sya kapag weekends ๐Ÿ˜

      October 14, 2012
      Reply
  3. Cecilia Quirino said:

    My name is Cecilia Quirino and I do wish to correct your article. There were TWO children that survived the war; Victoria and her older brother, Tomas. Tomas Syquia Quirino was the second eldest child and older brother of Victoria. Tomas Quirino was my father, who married Conchita Rastrollo and they had seven children together. President Elpidio and Alicia Quirino are my grandparents. I thank you for writing and posting a great article of my ancestral home and would greatly appreciate it if you could kindly correct your article. All the best! Cecilia

    January 21, 2014
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Hi Cecilia! Thanks for the details. I’ve edited the post already. I apologize for the wrong information. I just wrote what the tour guide narrated ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks again for correcting and sorry again…

      January 21, 2014
      Reply

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