QC Circle: Walking down tree-lined paths of history
For a writer like me, researching for a piece is just as much fun as the actual writing, especially if the research feels more like sleuthing or investigating. Must be my innate love for mystery novels, as shown by the 99 or so Agatha Christie novels I’ve read since my teens.
Working on a book on my lola Marina Reyes Antonio, I came across a photographic virtual tour of the heritage Quezon family home that has been transplanted from New Manila to the Quezon Memorial Circle.
There was a gown in the photos that I wanted to see up close. I knew from my archives that my lola Marina made some dresses for Aurora Quezon apart from the wedding gown of her daughter, Nini Quezon, to Bert Avancena. Was this a Marina Antonio?
At this iconic rotunda, which thousands of people pass every day, are huge trees, shaded walkways, the home of the Manila Seedling plant sellers and three very interesting and different museums. Restaurants, too.
That question prompted a visit, quite an enjoyable one, to the three museums located at the circle. It was after lunch on a weekday and after easily finding parking, we found ourselves entertained and informed for a couple of hours.
The only disappointment I felt was that there was hardly anyone there apart from ourselves. Here were these three museums, air-conditioned, well thought of and the heritage Quezon home had a guide who accompanied us and explained everything very well.
I think it’s a lack of awareness that at this iconic rotunda, which thousands of people pass every day, are huge trees, shaded walkways, the home of the Manila Seedling plant sellers, and three very interesting and different museums. Restaurants, too.
We started off with the Presidential car museum because we found parking nearby. Inside this interestingly designed building are cars of every president dating back to Emilio Aguinaldo. His Packard Six harks back to the times shortly after automobiles were first built yet is surprisingly elegant.
But it’s General Douglas MacArthur’s car that you see first, and behind it is that of President Manuel L. Quezon. MacArthur’s car used to be Quezon’s car and both were veritable boats—huge—yet were just ordinary cars for that time of the Commonwealth. You could have worn a bouffant ballgown in any of them.
You will need to take the tour yourself to inspect Magsaysay’s “dyip,” various Mercedes-Benz models for various presidents, and the lone, opulent Rolls-Royce. Check it out yourself to see which president or first lady owned which car.
A short walk brings you to the heritage house of President Manuel Quezon. This transplant from New Manila was the vacation house, while the home on Roberts Street in Pasay was their regular residence.
Mind you, the front part of the house may be confusing to locate; it is not the open hall with pillars. If that’s where you landed you will need to walk around to the front where a guide will take you around and not without the appropriate background explanation first.
On one level you have an area for greeting visitors and, for me, the very interesting kitchen. But it is down the spiral staircase to the personal living quarters with more bedrooms and dining area that you feel the home-y side of this place.
and his First Lady Aurora Quezon.
Naturally I took a shot of the cocido recipe in the kitchen and as you will see, I made my Quezon experience complete by cooking it at home. It was easy, delicious and my family loved it.
From the heritage home we walked a bit further through shady areas and pockets of landscaping till we reached the Quezon Memorial Shrine.
This monument was fittingly declared a National Cultural Treasure. Built by architect Federico Ilustre, its three pillars are topped with angels by the Italian sculptor Francesco Riccardo Monti to represent Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Walking in a place like this brings history to life for me in very personal ways. Monti was a friend of my late grandfather, National Artist Pablo Antonio, and they collaborated on many buildings and homes. My lolo Pablo also worked on President Quezon’s Pasay City home and his wife Aurora and daughter Nini were clients of my lola Marina.
So was the gown in the heritage house designed by my lola Marina? No, it was not. I knew just by looking, and it also helped me differentiate between Nini Quezon’s two wedding gowns. Mystery solved and mission accomplished.
And while we were still inside the main museum, I got a message from Nini Quezon Avancena’s son Gaye that the family was giving me permission to use the photo with the gown designed by my lola for my Love Marina book.
A fitting end to an enjoyable walk through the tree-lined paths of history that ultimately culminated in a delicious cocido meal.
