The Malacañang Presidential Museum & Library Tour

If so far the closest you’ve ever been to Malacañang is the twenty peso bill, you may not be aware that you can actually get closer by visiting the Presidential Museum & Library at the Malacañang Complex.

The best part is that you only need two and a half of those twenty peso bills to see, hear, and touch the silent witnesses to the men and women who have led this nation---for better or for worse---for the past 100 years.

But first, a security check. After all, it is where our president lives.

For every tour group, only one camera is allowed for use and must be cleared by security. Stickers will be used to cover any smartphone lens. I was glad that my camera was chosen.

The Kalayaan Hall of Malacañang where the Presidential Museum & Library is.

The driveway is only open to official vehicles. All other vehicles have to remain outside including tour buses.

The first stop is the Presidential Studio..

It is basically a function room. Its last official use was the wake of the late Jesse Robredo, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, in 2012. But for our tour, it served as our orientation room.

You can have your picture taken behind the podium that carries the official seal. What a great Facebook profile that would make!

The Old Waiting Room showcases presidential campaign materials and paraphernalia that date back to the time of Manuel Roxas, the fifth president.

You can even listen to the Ramon Magsaysay's campaign jingle.

The Old Governor-General's Office was used by the various governor generals during the American occupation. And as far as I am concerned, it is THE room to see, which has nothing to do with its origin but rather what it holds inside.

Inside is the actual furniture set used by Ferdinand E. Marcos when he announced Proclamation 1081 that would forever alter Philippine history and the psyche of the Filipino people.

You can even watch the actual clip of his TV broadcast on a 1970's TV set.

You can also see a reproduction of the text.

And with a few strokes, September 21, 1972 became a grim date to remember.

The Old Executive Secretary’s Office was used by Manuel L. Quezon as his office. It is now a display room for First Ladies (no Gentleman) from the time of his own first lady, Aurora.

On the left is the portrait of the country’s most beautiful and controversial first lady of all.

A sample guest book for official state functions and dinner.

The Quezon Executive Office built during the time of Quezon. It was later used by General Fabian Ver, the Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under Marcos.

The Quirino Council of State Room where Elpidio Quirino and Carlos P. Garcia were sworn in during their respective terms.

The main hall which features memorabilia of all the presidents.

Cory C. Aquino has her own room.

The Old Vice President’s Office used to be, as you may guess, the office of the vice presidents until 1973. The furniture though was used by Marcos.

It is now a gallery of all vice presidents, six of whom would later become Commander-in-Chief.

If you want to take in all the museum has to offer, it will take you at least two hours to observe but definitely longer than that in order to reflect how we have come to where we are now because of those who have vowed to serve the Filipino people. Just be quiet throughout because "shhh...P-Noy is next door."

The Presidential Museum & Library is located at Malacañang Palace, JP Laurel, Street San Miguel, Manila. For inquiries and reservations (no walk-ins are allowed), call 784-4286 loc. 4649 or log on to http://malacanang.gov.ph.

-The Paranoid Traveler

2 comments:

AnonymousAugust 12, 2014 at 10:43 AM
thank you paranoid traveler for this post... and for joining the tour , as your support to the department.
usamaApril 1, 2021 at 4:14 PM
I really impressed after read this because of some quality work and informative thoughts . I just wanna say thanks for the writer and wish you all the best for coming!. credit mobilier scandal

The Malacañang Presidential Museum & Library Tour

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