#ExploreTacloban: A Fascinating Look at the Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum

After our trip to Eastern Samar where we explored Quinapondan, Hernani, and Balangiga, we made a quick stop at some of the tourist attractions in Tacloban City, Leyte before our flight back to Manila. Despite having only four hours, we managed to squeeze in some nearby destinations, including the pasalubong center, the MV Eva Jocely Shrine, and the Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum.

As the patron saint of Tacloban City, I was excited to learn more about the culture, history, and religious traditions of the city through our visit to Sto. Nino Shrine. The internet had also shown a beautiful façade of the shrine that made me curious about the number of Sto. Nino figures inside.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a chapel featuring various century-old religious figures. However, to our surprise, the rooms on the ground floor did not contain any Sto. Ninos or anything related to Tacloban City. Instead, they showcased items and photos from different regions of the Philippines.

We later discovered that the shrine was one of the mansions built by late President Ferdinand Marcos for his wife Imelda, who hails from Tacloban.

The shrine houses approximately 21 bedrooms filled with Marcos memorabilia, furniture, and dioramas of the former First Lady, as well as a signed photograph of the couple. Each room has its theme, which represents the culture and traditions of the Philippine region, there is a Sampaguita, shell, banig, coconut, and butterfly-inspired room among others. There were 7 rooms built for the members of the first family but the biggest room is the one for Imelda, which is bigger than a regular Filipino house.

And of course, expect expensive items as the Marcoses specifically Imelda known for having a grand and lavish lifestyle. This includes huge paintings from foreign artists such as Spanish artist Bebsi Brias and local artists as well, like Fernando Amorsolo, antique collections, grand pianos, wooden and ivory sculptures, like St. Remedios and St. Vincent sculptures made of Italian ivory, which are on the altar. There are also prestigious fixtures including chandeliers from the Czech Republic, Italian tiles, Argentine carpets, Chinese porcelain jars, and Austrian mirrors.

The structure also has state dining rooms, conference rooms, and a replica ballroom of the one in Malacañang Palace.

Visiting the shrine was informative, yet somewhat creepy due to poor maintenance, making it feel like we were in a horror movie in certain parts. Nonetheless, it served as proof of excessive spending by the Marcoses during their term.

At present, the shrine is still under government ownership, as it is part of the sequestered ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses after the EDSA revolution. However, our tour guide mentioned that it would soon be closed for renovation and returned to the Marcoses as private property.

All in all, it was an interesting experience to see the heritage museum before it closes to the public (if it is true). It gave us a glimpse of the extravagant lifestyle of the Marcoses and a bit of our country's history.