This Rare Photo of Manuel Quezon Panning for Gold While Wearing Sando Exists

A rare photo of President Manuel Luis Quezon bathing or gold panning in a brook offers a glimpse into the more human side of the great statesman. The undated photo comes from the Quezon Family Collection uploaded by the Presidential Museum and Library.

With Quezon in the photo are Amado Araneta, Sergio Osmeña, and Alfredo M. Montelibano, Sr. It was taken in Negros in circa 1922. As seen in the photo, the men were enjoying a dip in the batis or brook and brought metal basins for gold panning or washing themselves. During this time, Quezon was already a senator and leader of the Nacionalista Party.  

The photo proves that President Quezon was a fine Filipino man who could make the ladies swoon with his cool undercut and wavy locks, even at 44. Thirteen years after this photo was taken, Quezon was sworn in as the first President of the Philippines in 1935.