Random Clicks: Ilocos Tour Part 2

The mansion of the Marcos family in Batac, Ilocos Norte.

We are now heading south and it's our time to visit historical landmarks of Ilocos. Our first stop is the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac, Ilocos Norte. Inside are the family's memorabilia during the Spanish, Japanese and American regime. You have to pay a minimal fee of 30 pesos to get inside.

Other displays are about the love affair of Ferdinand Marcos and Imelda Romualdez. The photo above is a replica of the slippers Imelda wore when she first met Ferdinand. You will have a clear sense at how rich and influential the Marcos family is.

Downstairs is where the mausoleum of Ferdinand Marcos is located. Visitors are not allowed to take photos or use any electronic device for that matter. The guards which also served as tour guides explained that frequencies and light emitted by electronic devices affects the integrity of the corpse. He also said the once a year, an Egyptian embalmer checks the corpse. Although there are rumors that it was not an actual corpses but a wax figure, we will never really now.

The Paoay Church in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

A few minutes drive from the Marcos Museum is the Saint Augustine Church famously known as Paoay Church. The 200-year old church was completed in 1710 and is considered as a National Cultural Treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was damaged by earthquake in the 1800's but was later restored through the initiative of the former first lady Imelda Marcos.

The landscape that will welcome you when you enter the Hidden Garden.

While in Laoag, we visited Hidden Garden where your eyes will have a feast of beautiful plants and animals and at the end of the trail is a restaurant where you can have a taste of authentic Ilocano cuisines like their famous empanada. If you are health conscious, they also sell herbs and medicinal plants at very affordable price.

Facade of Malacanang of the North.

The large receiving area on the second floor.

The former president's office at the first floor.

Another Marcos monument is the Malacanang of the North or Malacanang ti Amianan where the former president resides and holds his office whenever he and his family is in Ilocos Norte. It is a 5-acre property in Brgy. Suba, Paoay, Ilocos Norte. It was said that it is given by Imelda to Ferdinand Marcos on his 60th birthday. 

On display are family photos and antique furniture.

Large photo of Ferdinand Marcos' profile.

The museum is currently under the care of the provincial government of Ilocos Norte. For a minimum fee of 20 pesos, you can get a glimpse of how grand the Marcos family lived during their regime.

More photos of our Ilocos Regio Tour can be seen here.