Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum: A Collection of Filipinos’ Grandiose Past

What can be found inside this heritage museum?

The Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum is the most visited spot in Tacloban City for it is known to contain hundreds of artifacts, antiques and art pieces coming from around the world that were collected during the Marcos regime. To name a few there are Italian tiles, Argentine carpets, chandeliers from Czech Republic, Chinese porcelain jars and Austrian mirrors.

It is located in Real St, Downtown, Tacloban City, Leyte. When super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) hit the Philippines in 2013, this beautiful shrine and museum was not immune to the havoc it brought to the country.

An entrance fee of about P200-P230 for the tour is collected to help with the maintenance of the shrine and additional fees for those who will use their cameras and video cams. (Rates may subject to change without prior notice).

The 2-storey structure is under the requisition of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) since 1986.  The property was one of the 20 presidential rest houses that were built by the late former President Ferdinand Marcos for his wife Imelda Romualdez Marcos, a Taclobanon.

In 1979, a religious landmark was built in honor of the Holy Child. The shrine highlights the Sto. Niño image, the patron of Tacloban City. It serves as a chapel and museum at the same time a guest house with 21 bedrooms. Each room has its own unique motif showcasing Filipino artistry and creativeness with a blend of Asian and European fixtures.

One will also find giant paintings of famous Spanish artist Bebsi Brias of the Romualdez and Marcos family and other paintings of famous painters, grand pianos, wooden sculptures, antique and ivory collections. Check also one of its rooms which is a replica of the grand ballroom of Malacañang Palace.

There are many more guestrooms to explore with different themes. There’s sampaguita, shell, banig, coconut and butterfly inspired rooms among others. You must visit this place when you’re in Tacloban!

The Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum is open daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm. For inquiries, call (53) 321-9775 or 401-8172.

(photos from DOT Eastern Visayas FB unless otherwise stated)


How to Get There

From Manila, you can easily fly to “The Gateway to Eastern Visayas,” Tacloban, as all major airlines service the city. (Estimated cost: Php 2,700++, round trip, 1 hour and 15 minutes).

By ferry, it will take approximately 36 hours. And it will take almost a day if by bus.

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