#QC75: The Stone that Built the City

Quezon City is known for many names – City of Stars, City with Most Handsome Guys, City that Never Sleeps, Selfie Capital of the Philippines, Entertainment City of the Philippines and many, many more. But despite of all the glitz and glam of this city, which is named after the late President Manuel Luis Quezon, at the heart of this progressive city lays the stone that built the city.

They say home is where the heart is, and here in Quezon City, lying right in the heart of the city – the Quezon Memorial Circle – is the Quezon Heritage House, a replica of the Quezon Family house, which served as the refuge after they come back to Manila after World War II.

Opened to the public in 2013, it was just recent that I discovered about it after a friend invited me to do a “staycation” around town. It was an eye-opening weekend, because aside from knowing that the said Heritage House is situated right here inside the Quezon Memorial Circle, I also discovered some interesting thing about this whole place. 

Exploring the replica of the house of Quezons, despite of its new location, will still bring Goosebumps. Though, you can feel the newness of the whole area, majority of the furniture, or muebles as they call is, are still original and okay form.

It was believed that the Quezon Heritage House is the only existing house that is affiliated to the Quezons. Two years after his battle with tuberculosis, President Quezon gave up his life on August 1st, 1944. The following year, the family returned to Manila and purchased the so-called Quezon Heritage House is Gilmore, New Manila.

According to our tour guide, the original house was given by the Philippines government after former President Quezon was diagnosed with tuberculosis. It served as a weekend house for the family before where most of them spend most of their lives.

The Quezon Heritage House is a two-story house that possesses neoclassic style, which is a common theme during the American colonization. Some Roman arches and Greek posts and lintels are also to be found inside the main house, which clearly states the grand taste and style of the family.

The Quezon Heritage House is divided into, and in between the main house and the social hall is a rectangular pool, which in this replica here in Quezon Memorial Circle, was turned into a fountain to add little light and water show at night.

The main house features glass doors etched with bamboo and designed with iron-wrought leaves, this, according to our tour guide explains the fascination of Aurora to the Japanese culture and arts. While the social hall, though at first may give you an impression of the original neo-classical theme, possesses a classical feel through the sculptures of Fu dog sculptures and a pair of Caryatids added on to it.

The room that was used by Dona Aurora when she was older can also be found on the ground floor. There’s also a guest room and another dining room in this level, and it was said that it was used when the Avanceñas (in-laws of the younger Quezons) started occupying the house. 

While ground floor shares more of the Quezon family, particularly the matron, Dona Aurora, the second floor, which shares the main attraction of the whole house, features the two bedrooms of the President Quezon and Dona Aurora – yes, they don’t share a room.

It is said that the couple has to sleep on a separate due to the president’s illness. In the President’s room are the chests where he kept his personal items, while in the first lady’s room, which is also called the main room, features custom-made  furniture that are fit during that period. There was a plant box on display, and it is said that it was given to the first lady prior to their escape to Corregidor in 1941. The main room was later turned to Dona Aurora’s office when she was forming the Philippine Red Cross.

The two bedrooms connected by a comfort room and can be reached through a spiral staircase, which you still see today. 

Our tour guided ended our trip by sharing that sixty percent of the materials from the original house were used in this replica house here in Quezon Memorial Circle.

It feels good to know that despite the aggressiveness of the City of Quezon to be the top city of the country, they still find time and space to commemorate the man whom they call now their father.

Kudos, Quezon City! May you inspire more cities to do the same!