Love letters between former President Elpidio Quirino and wife, Alicia, are now displayed in the Syquia Mansion in Vigan City.

Love letters between former President Elpidio Quirino and wife, Alicia, are now displayed in the Syquia Mansion in Vigan City.

Love letters between former President Elpidio Quirino and wife, Alicia, are now displayed in the Syquia Mansion in Vigan City.

VIGAN CITY - The Quirino family on Monday opened to the public the Syquia Mansion in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.

The mansion used to be the residence of former President Elpidio Quirino and his wife, Alicia Syquia.

Among those on display inside the mansion are some of the love letters of the couple. The letters are well-preserved because they are considered family's treasures.

The letters also show how well the family was raised.

"The letters are actually the letters that survived during the war and these are the love letters of the newly married Elpidio Quirino, who was a lawyer, and Alicia Syquia, the first-born daughter of Don Tomas Syquia of Vigan City," Eddie Quirino said.

There are also family pictures displayed on the walls.

The book, Elpidio and Alicia: The Love Letters, was also relaunched on Monday.

More that 30 love letters were compiled in the book.

Rene Guatlo, the author of the book, said only the best love letters which show the love and respect between the couple, and the personal side of Quirino, were chosen for the book.

"We selected those letters that showed the relationship between the newly married, how they were bringing up their children, how they are worried of not spoiling the children, 'yung the personal side, because I think we know Quirino to be a politician, but we know very little about his personal side," he said.

Cory Quirino, a grandchild of Quirino, said they relaunched the book in Vigan City to let the people know the great love between Quirino and his wife.

It was also inside the mansion where the couple started their family.

"Eh yung mga sulat niya, mga mensahe niya kay Alicia napaka-romantic. 'Yung mga sagot naman ni Alicia ay very practical because she is a businesswoman. 'Yung mga sagot niya ay 'Okay, aalagaan ko ang mga bata pero pagdating mo dito sa Vigan, magdala ka ng mga ilang bagay na kailangan ko galing sa grocery, galing sa Manila.' so nakakatuwa talaga. That is the life and times of Alicia and Elpidio," she said.

The Syquia Mansion is open every day.