IF THERE is one thing that truly stands out with the Duterte Administration, it’s opening the doors of the Malacañang Palace to the ordinary people who would want to take a peek inside.
We did just that with my friends, recently, starting off our tour with lunch at Casa Roces just across. Casa Roces is a popular restaurant in the vicinity as it is steeped with history as well.
Owned by Alejandro "Chino" Roces, the restaurant has bits and pieces of history on its walls. For so many decades, since the Marcos Regime, the closest I’ve been to Malacañan was just over Mendiola Bridge.
I’m sure there are millions more like me. Only the invited ever got inside among the masses and regular people. As we waited for clearance to be allowed to enter with my group of five, there was a much bigger group of Ateneo de Davao University senior high school students waiting, as well.
I was stealing glances at one particular girl, being convinced that I know her but telling myself that it’s impossible because I’m in Manila. At that time, I didn’t know that they were from Davao. Then that girl approached and introduced herself as the daughter of my grade school classmate. I was right, I knew her.
Now, here’s the impressions of a first-timer probinsyana. There are a lot of buildings here! All this time, I thought Malacañan was just the Palace and the president’s residence. That’s the probinsyana in me. Instead, I found a whole complex of white colonial-style buildings housing different offices under the Office of the President.
We were first ushered in to the Presidential Museum and Library, which is open for all, as long as you have accomplished the reservation form at least seven working days prior to your visit. The form can be accesses from the website www.malacanang.gov.ph.
Photocopies of passports must be attached to the reservation form for foreign nationals, the brochure said. Entrance is free but your tour booking will be cancelled if you arrive late. There are different time schedules you can choose from: 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.
While you will have to leave your bags at the counter just outside the Museum entrance, you are allowed to bring cameras, that’s the most fun part. Although you are reminded that only one camera may be used per group. We don’t mind.
Also, dress properly, please. It’s the Malacañang and the Filipinos are being allowed inside for the very first time, the least we can do is dress decently (smart casual is okay. No shorts, sleeveless tops, and slippers).
The museum tells a lot about our presidents and even has memorabilias of their campaign collaterals at the Old Waiting Room of the Kalayaan Hall. It traces the evolution of the Palace from being a private summer house to becoming the center of executive power.
Occupying a space all its own in the Old Governor-General’s Office is the furniture set used by President Ferdinand E. Marcos when he declared Martial Law in 1972. (Yes, Virginia, that’s how Marcos’ memory is preserved, complete with the furniture).
The other rooms you walk through are the Old Executive Secretary’s Office, the Quezon Executive Office, the Roxas Cabinet Office, the Quirino Council of State Room, and the Old Vice President’s Office. At the Old Executive Secretary’s Office are the portraits of the country’s first ladies.
The Osmeña Cabinet Room commemorates the period when President Sergio Osmeña as the Speaker of the lower chamber of the legislature and as Senate President Pro-Tempore, served in the Council of State before becoming President in 1944. It was used as the meeting place of the Cabinet and the Council of State during the American period.
The Quezon features the original Quezon-era furniture and items that give the visitors an idea of the duties, responsibilities and power of the President. The Roxas room at the second floor of the Kalayaan Hall was intended to be the Cabinet Room when it was built during the tenure of President Manuel L. Quezon, but it was only during the term of President Manuel Roxas when it was used for that. In 1981, it was the control room for President Marcos' television studio.
The Quirino Council Room was named such because that was where President Elpidio Quirino took his oath of office. In the room is a portrait of Quirino done by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo and sculptures by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino.
The Old Vice President’s Office is what it was before the Vice President's Office was abolished under Martial Law, with the enactment of the 1973 Constitution. From being a real office, it became a small gallery commemorating the vice president.
The Main Hall at the center of the second floor used to be the guest bedrooms when the building was first constructed in 1920. It was converted into offices during the early years of the Philippine Commonwealth and converted into the Maharlika Hall in 1968 by then first lady Imelda Marcos, where state dinners and large assemblies were held. It is here where the memorabilia of Philippine presidents can be found.
From the museum, we toured the Malacañang Palace, this time with just the five of us and the staff assigned to guide us. The thick walls, the solid wood finishes, floors, and furniture exude power. But most awesome for us were the murals of national artists and other artists who have made their name through the years.
By allowing the ordinary people to take a peek into the seat of power, the Duterte Administration, somehow, reinforces the pride of being a Filipino and walks the visitor through the different administrations.
It’s definitely worth a visit, while the doors are open to all.
