Former Philippines President Elpidio Quirino’s birthplace, which also served as a provincial jail of Ilocos Sur, has now been converted to a stunning museum in Vigan City.

National Museum Director Jeremy Barns and local officials headed by Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Luis Singson, Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson, Ilocos Sur Vice Gov. Deogracias Victor Savellano, and Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie Medina, and Cory Quirino as representative of the Quirino family recently inaugurated the Ilocos Regional Museum complex of the National Museum.

“The museum is, indeed, an additional tourism attraction even as it showcases the province’s rich glorious past,”  Gov. Singson said.

Meanwhile, the museum complex grounds was the venue of the period dinner hosted by provincial officials in Spanish era attire for the outstanding sons and daughters of Ilocos Sur as recipients of the Father Jose Burgos Award.

The honorees included Dr. Florencio Padernal, National Irrigation Administrator, (public service), Leonard Aguinaldo (artist), Rowena Adalla (education), Danny Bautista (Iloco literature), Ocarna Figueres and Professor Mario Padron Obrero (education and research), Dr. Samson Sol Flores, (dentistry and philosophy), Dr. Abercio Rotor (science journalism) and Justice Mansueto Villon (foreign service).

Both the museum complex inauguration and the awards night were highlights of the ongoing month-long Kannawidan Ylocos Festival. The museum is located at the back of the capitol building – the museum exhibits include basi revolt and ethnographic objects associated with basi and Illocano life, culture and history.

The museum also houses numerous pieces of memorabilia from the late President Quirino as well as many other displays throughout the complex. The museum is free of charge to enter and is managed by the National Museum of the Philippines.