February 6, 2009

In Manuel's memory

Manuel L. Quezon was the first Filipino president (1935–1944) of the Commonwealth of the Philippines under the U.S. This is the Quezon Memorial, designed by Filipino architect Federico Ilustre. It is made of Carrara marble and is 66 meters high, the age of President Quezon when he died. The three pylons represent Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the three main geographical divisions of the country. On top are sculptures of mourning angels holding sampaguita—our national flower—wreaths, designed by the Italian sculptor Francesco Riccardo Monti. The structure isn't just a memorial—it is a mausoleum holding the remains of President Quezon and his wife, Aurora. The little door at the base leads to a small museum containing Quezon's presidential memorabilia.

Quezon Memorial

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Sky Watch Friday

29 comments:

Eki said...

marvelous monument, Hilda. you should take us inside and let us see the memorabilia ... (for me, please)...

penny said...

What a magnificent monument for President Quezon and also your country and it's people. Beautiful photo Hilda ;)

Olivier said...

magnifique, on dirait qu'il tutoie le ciel.
splendid, they would say that he touches the sky.

Judy said...

Beautiful shot, beautiful sky.

abc said...

That's quite impressive and all made of Carrara marble. Nice piece of history, now I know where Quezon City got it's name from.

Halcyon said...

Neat memorial. Happy Friday!!!!

Lilli & Nevada said...

What a fantastic building i would love to see the inside of this

Lisa Wilson said...

I agree that is impressive and beautiful! Have a great weekend.

hadv said...

I'd been taking walks around that circle for years (college days) not knowing about the masoluem until one night I stumbled upon it.. Fortunately, no such thing as vampires in Manila. It's a little eerie down there at night.

George said...

Thanks for sharing this beautiful monument. You've captured an impressive sky behind it.

Lene said...

Wow!! That`s a huge memorial!! And a beautiful sky behind :)

Happy weekend, Hilda :)

Carol said...

Nice photo...beautiful sky...enjoyed the info...

Unknown said...

great shot! it's embarrassing but i haven't been to the Quezon Memorial. will definitely visit this monument when i'm in the area.:D

Hope said...

It's lovely Hilda!

Unknown said...

Fantastic memorial! Thank you for the accurate explanation. I like the '66' meaning.

Judy said...

it all seems so complete, and elegant - statue commemorating quezon and his pivotal role, and his museum and mausoleum, all in the circle surrounded by the city!!not out in a field somewhere
and it is beautiful as well, in a dignified way
lovely sky behind the monument, too

Grammy said...

I love your amazing sky view. The structure is beautiful too!
Grammy
Missouri, USA

LorMil said...

What a beautiful monument, and beautiful photo of it. It's well composed.

Ken Mac said...

you always find progressive architecture...great work

dianasfaria.com said...

this is such a cool monument. I love the significance of the angels.

Reena said...

i like how the QC gov't tries to improve the circle. i just hope they remove the permanent structures inside and keep it a nature park.

Layrayski said...

Nice post, Hilda! is there an entrance fee? Almost every aspect of the monument has a symbolic meaning! Very cool.

Michel Benoit said...

Interesting. I don't know Manila at all... Thank you for that.
Hello Hilda !

magiceye said...

this is beautiful....

Hilda said...

Eki:
Alright, I will try to visit the museum just for you sometime. Actually, what I'd like to do is try to walk the spiral staircase to the top. If they still let people in, that is.

Reena:
Sadly, QMC looks like it's getting a bit neglected again in certain areas. I saw so much trash in one particular disused fountain. Sad.

Lyra:
Haven't been inside the museum in decades! I don't remember if they charge a fee.

vincibene said...

Very impressive!

Joe Narvaez said...

Cool post! I want to visit that place... maybe next time I go home.

Unknown said...

I only realized now that there's an inside to this. I thought it was just a tall statue. Engs ba? Don't answer that.

Anna Filippicci said...

Bellissima foto,e soprattutto bellissima opera.
Peccato che il nonno Riccardo non abbia potuto vedere i tre angeli che , eleganti e imponenti svettano verso il cielo
Anna