Sto. Nino Shrine, Tacloban City, Leyte
The Sto. Nino Shrine is not a church, it is actually a rest house (or castle?) built for Imelda (built from 1979-1981). The Marcoses never really stayed in this huge rest house. And according to our guide, it was only used 2-3 times for gatherings. The first floor housed a large chapel, dining area, sala area, and 13 guest rooms (each with different themes). On the second floor one will see the magnanimous ballroom, another sala area, another dining area, and the rooms of Ferdinand, Imelda and the children. Words nor pictures cannot describe how rich and grand the shrine was. One can only imagine how it was in its glory days, and how pricy it must have been. The shrine was dark, lights were only turned on by the guide as we passed through each area of the house. Bear with my pictures, but take a glimpse on the opulence of this rest house.
Each guest room had paintings of famous painters (e.g., Malang, Amorsolo)
One of the guest rooms
Nara wood carving of Malakas and Maganda
Ivory sculptures "gifts" to the Marcoses
China wares, gifts from Mao
One of the many crystal chandeliers
Huge portrait of Imelda in the Huge ballroom
One of the huge Nara chandeliers in the Huge ballroom
The dinning table that was never dined at(China wares all over)
This big block of jade was placed in Imelda's room to counterbad feng shui
so extravagant!
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