Pinay MD, the Explorer: Part 2. ILOCOS SUR & NORTE TOUR. MARCOS MUSEUM & MAUSOLEUM

ILOCOS SUR & NORTE TOUR
( April 20-22, 2012)

3. MARCOS MUSEUM & MAUSOLEUM

After an energizing breakfast, we get back to our van, not knowingly that the next tourist destination is just across. We started however our educational tour at Marcos Museum (a block away from the said fast food chain), Ferdinand E. Marcos former house in Batac, Ilocos Norte, where he was born and raised. It houses all the memorabilia and collections of the late president.

" For every tear you shed, there will be victory"- Ferdinand

Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Presidential Center Schedule

-Mondays to Sundays:

Opening Time: 9 AM

Break 12-1 PM

Closing 4 PM

-Rates ( Museum and Mausoleum) :

Adult- P50

Senior Citizen- P30

Student- P20

10 yo and below- P10

at Marcos Photogallery

Few more picture taking and we headed to the Mausoleum, where the glass-entombed preserved corpse of late President Ferdinand E. Marcos can be found. For history recall, the President had a safe escape on February 20, 1986 to Hawaii, and died on September 28, 1989 of kidney, heart and lung ailment. He was then interred in a private mausoleum at Byod-In Temple in Oahu; afterwards he was brought to Batac.

The place is a little creepy, with candlelights lit and Gregorian chant music. Picture taking is strictly prohibited so I just made a post on a wooden carved eagle found outside, due to dismay! =p

4. PAOAY LAKE & MALACANANG OF THE NORTH

It is a beautiful freshwater inland lake, full of myths and mysteries. Legend says that there was before a prosperous baranggay, but people became so materialistic that angered God and send them earthquake, that sank them in. Maybe this is why some fishermen claimed they caught fishes with gold rings.

In 1969, Paoay Lake was declared as a National Park. It supplies 7 Baranggays as shared by our tour guide. It is so calm despite the speedy breeze. The shore is made of brown sand, but not muddy at all. Beside of Paoay Lake lies the Fort Ilocandia Golf & Country Club. On its shoreline is the Malacanang of the North or locally called " Malacanang Ti Aminan".

The interior is so amazing. This Spanish-inspired reminiscent museum, which is the official residential house of Marcos is a transparency of the exuberant, extravagant life of Marcoses. I wish I had a house as big and as beautiful as this!... Hmmmn =)