Exploring the Quezon City Memorial Monument

The last time I entered the monument was back in my elementary school days during an educational field trip. Back then, we went places that has really educational substance unlike what I heard recently that they go to amusement parks or theme parks only.

Which part of the monument/shrine can you find this statue?

For the 75th year of Quezon City, I was advised by the tour guide at the Heritage House, to visit the interactive museum also located at the monument. Here in the Metro, this is probably the tallest masoleum and landmark with historical significance.

Back then, you can only see the large sarcophagus that housed the remains of the late president Manuel L. Quezon and his wife, Dona Aurora. Now, you can see a functional museum within the monument. If you noticed, the monument has three pylons with angels that signifies the three main islands. The three angels are in mourning while holding the sampaguita.  This was designed by Italian sculptor Francesco Monti.

The monument also housed some of the Quezon memorabilia and some historical artifacts, old photos from president's time. I mentioned interactive because there are some displays that shows a mock display of the stage and podium where President Quezon gives an inaugural speech. You make your own pose at the podium that is also shown in the screen in front of you.

I was not the only one who went inside the museum. Besides with fellow bloggers, there were students who also showed interest. There's still hope for the youth and the future generation yet after the recent controversy about the lack of knowledge of Apolinario Mabini's disability, this will probably the right time to show them history especially they also don't know how significant it was to have the two EDSA uprisings that I also took part of.

What I learned new about Quezon was that he was also the first Filipino Freemason Grandmaster which makes me see the Monument and the chamber that housed the sarcophagus in another way. I feel like I'm in a Robert Langdon adventure minus the danger. The museum is free to the public but donations of any amount are welcome.

If you are visiting the monument and the Heritage House with a tour guide, be sure to ask questions. That's where our interests in history begins. For more historical places to visit, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.