Marcos Ancestral House

This was our fifth destination in Ilocos Sur/Norte: 1,300KM, 10 Destinations within 57 Hours.

Since we were all clean and fresh, time to for a heritage site that was used by a powerful family of Ilocos and even the whole Philippines.  We traveled more than two hours from Blue Lagoon going to this must-visit site of the province.  The highway wasn't that crowded because that day was Sunday.

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We parked the van just beside the highway near the ancestral house.  Parking space was for free.  After getting off the van, we stretched our muscles and bought cold soda and water.  It was Sunday, so the ancestral was filled with tourists and locals trying to see what's inside the house. 

We paid 50 pesos per head and proceeded to the main lobby.  First thing that captured my eyes was: on the right side of the ground floor, the old wooden stair case can be found, covered with red carpet.  On the left side, the presidential table, with three arm chairs.  Then, the management provided mono-block chairs in front of the wide screen showing the history of the late President Ferdinand Marcos.  Then, the whole second floor is divided into different panels, please see the photos below.

This house served as the office of the late Don Mariano Marcos, the president's father when he was the congressman.  It was also used as an office of Imee Marcos, the president's daughter, when she was the Ilocos Norte Representative.  She even lived in this mansion within her term.  Bongbong Marcos, the presidential son, also moved into this house when he was the governor of Ilocos.

The three gorgeous dresses of my idol, Imelda Marcos, were displayed on the second floor.  I had a chance to touch and smell the fabrics of each dresses and they were so extravagant.  Those ternos are so imeldific, the cuts and styles are both extraordinary, the designs embroidered on the fabrics were perfectly done.  Look at the photo above - I am still looking forward to a chance to meet Imelda, Imee and Bongbong in person, I hope someday!

Another part of the house which I can't forget are plate numbers attached to the vertical column.  Each plates has a number 8 on it, which is the license plate number for Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1959.  

The medals awarded to the late president Marcos were also displayed on the second floor.  There were cut outs from old newspaper  and magazines showing the results of the bar exam in 1939.  There were large paintings, portraits and other memorabilia almost in every panel on the second floor.  The bullets and other ammunition were also displayed in an enclosed glass cabinets.

Adjacent to the mansion is the mausoleum (if you will check on the first photo on the upper left side of this post - that's' the way going to the entrance of the mausoleum.)  This mausoleum is the dwelling place of the remains of the late President Marcos.  Cameras can be brought inside the mausoleum, BUT picture taking is not allowed.  Inside the mausoleum has a pure black walls and ceiling.  The remains of the president is inside the glass casket (I don't know if it's refrigerated or not) and the white flowers were properly arranged in a rectangular position.  I am not so sure about this, but I think the floor is made up of stone-like ceramics forming a mosaic on the ground - this is where the tourists walk.  The mausoleum closes at 4PM.