Philippine Presidential Car Museum Now Open and Free for Public Viewing

"Hindi lang po yan sasakyan, iyan po ay kabahagi ng ating kasaysayan (These aren't just cars, these are part of our history)."

This was according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who, together with  his wife Mylah Roque and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chair Rene Escalante, graced the launch of the Presidential Car Museum at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City last Sunday, August 19.

The launch, which coincided with former President Manuel L. Quezon's 140th birthday, was opened formally by Mayor Herbert Bautista together with Roque, Dr. Escalante, and NHCP Executive Director Ludovico Badoy.

There will be a total of twelve presidential vehicles that will be up for display, including the following:

• Chrysler Airflow Custom Imperial CW, two Packard Custom Super Eight of former president Manuel Quezon
• Packard Single-6 233 Series of former president Emilio Aguinaldo
• One-Eighty Limousine of former presidents Jose P. Laurel and Sergio Osmeña
• Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 Limousine of former president Manuel Roxas
• Chrysler Crown Imperial Limousine of former president Elpidio Quirino
• Cadillac Series 75-23 of former president Ramon Magsaysay
• Cadillac Sedan DeVille of former president Diosdado Macapagal
• Lincoln Continental Mark VI of former president Ferdinand Marcos
• Mercedes-Benz 500SEL of former president Corazon Aquino
• Mercedes-Benz S600 Limousine V140 of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
• Mercedes-Benz 500SEL Guard of former president Fidel V. Ramos
• Mercedes-Benz S600 of former president Joseph Estrada

Ryan Tan, the museum's curator, said that they will also showcase the state functions where the said cars were used. This is to help the public understand some of the historical events which these cars became a part of.

"We aim to disseminate the teachings and actions of the Filipino heroes and our personalities in history," Tan explained.

The museum will also showcase a special section of political figures that also helped shape the country's history.

Some of them include:

• Rolls-Royce Phantom V of former First Lady Imelda Marcos
• Willys Jeep donated by General Douglas McArthur that served as the vehicle of then-Secretary of National Defense Ramon Magsaysay during the Quirino Administration
• Cadillac V16 Transformable Town Car Cabriolet used by former president Manuel Quezon and General Douglas McArthur
• Kalesa / Horse Carriage used by Leon Apacible, one of the authors of the 1899 Constitution in Malolos

The museum is free to the public from 8 AM to 4 PM every Tuesday to Sunday.