HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

The world knows of the historic lavish lifestyle of the Marcoses five or more decades ago during President Ferdinand Marcos’ regime.  In Tacloban City, the same has been well-preserved and housed in a white painted building of a simple exterior.

More popularly known as the Sto. Nino Shrine, the Romualdez Museum fortunately survived the onslaught of Typhoon Haiyan and of course, the greedy souls of the looters and robbers.

Even with the dilapidation and tragic traces of the super typhoon on its ceilings, floors and even windows, the grandeur of what the edifice harbors remain.


We entered the museum an hour before it closes (closing time at 5PM daily).  A mini-chapel greets every guest where the images of San Vicente and Saint Remedios are on both sides of the altar of Sto. Nino.  Vicente and Remedios are the names of Imelda Romualdez Marcos’ parents.

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?
  
This is the second time I have been to the Sto. Nino Shrine and with almost the same expensive and elegant furnishings and sets of furniture displayed, I am still at awe of its grandeur. 

The visit comes with a guide tasked to educate the visitors of the origin of every artifact and how the same relates to the Marcos family – mostly to Imelda Marcos. 

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

The ground floor are themed rooms for guests in the likes of Ifugao, Palawan, Muslim, Bicolnon and a deviation in the name of Fern. There are also rooms inspired of banig, shells and bamboo for an interior.

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

With the exception of Fern which displays bedsheets printed in fern and paintings of the same, each room showcases the products of each region and tribe and noticeable are the old books that dilapidate and stand witness to the mansions’ grandeur over time.  The name of the room is what you expect to be prominently showcased as an interior design.  The rooms are also adorned by dioramas depicting the life of Imelda Marcos including her political career and as first lady of the President.

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

Dining and conference halls of a capacity which an ordinary family will not have, paintings, ivory sculptures, large mirrors and installations are but some of the outstanding features of the museum which you would (must) not dare sideswipe or damage as it will cost millions and a definite diminution on one’s savings.  The museum appears a gallery of known international and Filipino artists as well as a collection of the wealthy and prominent personalities.

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

The main highlights of the museum are the grand wooden chandelier made from world-class Betis of Pampanga at the Grand Ballroom area and the rooms of the family especially that of Imelda which displays an authentic ­­cannot-be-lifted huge jade stone with carvings on it and the chandeliers that spans infinity on account of mirror images.  I tried to lift the jade stone by the way but it seems impossible even just to be moved.

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?
  
The museum is currently under the control of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).  Despite the natural calamity that nearly destroyed Tacloban City, it was safely guarded and now well-maintained by the PCGG.  There may be a lot of renovations to be made like the carpeting and the ceilings, but in general, the Sto. Nino Shrine is still worth the visit while in Tacloban City.

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

 
HOW TO GET THERE

The Sto. Nino Shrine is situated along the main thoroughfare of Tacloban City, Real Street.  A tricycle ride (PhP7.00 per person) from downtown area is a good option or multicabs/jeepneys that pass by Real Street and asked to be dropped-off at People Center or the Sto. Nino Shrine itself.

HAS THE GRANDEUR OF THE ROMUALDEZ MUSEUM VANISHED?

You May Also Like

1 comments

  1. This is definitely a must-see in Tacloban... The antiques and the house itself shows the grandeur life of Imelda Marcos. A visit here is sure to experience a moment of the grandeur life!

    ReplyDelete