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Located in Manila, the Malacañang Palace is the official residence and main workplace of the president of the Philippines. It was originally built by Don Lui Rocha. Mostly finished in bahay na bato and neoclassical style, the Malacañang Palace complex houses a number of mansions and office buildings.
See the fact file below for more information on the Malacañang Palace or alternatively, you can download our 24-page Malacañang Palace worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
ETYMOLOGY
- The first recorded document to acknowledge the building was the Compendio de la Historia de Filipinas in 1877, which was authored by Spanish historian Felipe de Govantes, in which he mentioned that the word Malacañang meant “place of the fisherman”.
- This was again used in 1895’s Historia general de Filipinas by José Montero y Vidal and the Historia de Filipinas by Manuel Artigas y Cuerva in 1916.
- Spanish books published during the Spanish colonial era used Malacañang, but it was later changed to “Malacañan” during the American era. On December 30, 1953, President Ramon Magsaysay reverted the name back to Malacañang: Residence of the President of the Philippines to commemorate the structure’s history.
- During Cory Aquino’s regime, she determined the difference between the two terms. “Malacañan Palace” points out the legitimate residence of the president, while “Malacañang” refers to the office of the president.
HISTORY
- Malacañang Palace was initially constructed as a casita, or country house, in 1750. Occupying the 16-hectare piece of land owned by Spanish bourgeoise Don Antonio V. Rocha, it was built in adobe and wood, with the interior being lined with the most exquisite narra and molave.
- On November 16, 1802, the Palace was sold to Col. Jose Miguel Formento, but it was then bought by the government after the Formento’s death in January 1825.
- With its wide-ranging, broad gardens and veranda that overlooks a calm river, the complex became the transitory summer vacation house of governor-generals who wanted an escape from the hectic tumult and scorching heat of Intramuros.
- The Malacañang officially became the governor-general’s authorized residence after the destruction of the Palacio del Gobernador by an earthquake on June 3, 1863.
- The ex-governor of Puerto Rico, Rafael de Echague y Bermingham, became the first Spanish official to live in the palace. In his stay, he added stables, carriage sheds, and a boat dock for river-borne visitors.
- Several natural catastrophes required repairs and reconstructions of the Malacañang Palace. By the end of the Spanish era in 1898, it had become a rambling complex of wooden structures that had patios, azoteas, and sliding windows made of capiz shells.
- General Wesley Merritt became the first American Military governor to live at the Palace in 1898.
- William Howard Taft was the first Civil Governor to stay in Malacañang in 1901.
- It was on November 15, 1935, that the complex became the residence of the president of the Philippines during the establishment of the Commonwealth administration. President Manuel L. Quezon was the first Philippine president to have lived at the Malacañang Palace.
- Malacañang Palace was the only main government building left standing after the Bombing of Manila during World War II.
- President Ferdinand Marcos and his wife, Imelda, were considered the longest residents of the Palace (December 1965 to February 1986).
BUILDINGS
- The Malacañang Palace is the primary palace and the most distinguished structure in the whole complex, housing 10 main existing halls.
- Entrance Halls. With floor and walls made of beige Philippine marble, official visitors use the Entrance Hall, which leads them to the state reception rooms. Aside from a pair of lions that stand guard, the doors introducing the Grand Staircase feature Malakas and Maganda, the first FIlipino man and woman who came out of a large bamboo stalk.
- Heroes Hall. From the Entrance Hall, a passage houses 40 small paintings of notable Filipinos made by Florentino Macabuhay in 1940. The adjoining spacious room was initially the Social Hall, supposedly for informal gatherings. It was later renamed Heroes Hall by First Lady Eva Macapagal, who authorized Guillermo Tolentino to sculpt busts of national heroes.
- Grand Staircase. After the Malakas and Maganda doors of the Entrance Hall is the Grand Staircase, which is built of the finest Philippine hardwood and lined in red carpet. Its walls are composed of tiny fragments of wood joined together to create sawali panels. At the top of the stairs is the landing that acts as a small room for visitors.
- Reception Hall. Official visitors gather in this room before a program or state function at the Ceremonial Hall or while waiting to be received by the President or the First Lady. The Reception Hall used to be the largest room in the Palace until the 1979 renovation. The most striking features of this room are the three large Czech chandeliers. Official portraits of all Philippine presidents, which were painted by Fernando Amorsolo, adorn its walls, and large mirrors, gilt sofas and armchairs, and Chinese bronze pedestals can also be found inside.
- Rizal Ceremonial Hall. Also distinguished as the Ballroom, the Rizal Ceremonial Hall is illuminated by large wood and glass chandeliers and is currently the largest room in the Palace. It is used for state dinners and large assemblies.
- State Dining Room. Originally the ballroom of the Palace, the State Dining Room is usually used for Cabinet meetings. This is also where presidents eat with state guests and official visitors, having a long adjustable table that can seat about fifty guests.
- Presidential Study. Previously identified as the Rizal Room, the Presidential Study is the official Office of the President. Situated on the second floor of the Palace, this is where presidents receive their daily stream of callers.
- Music Room. The Music Room used to be a bedroom during the American occupation, which later transformed into a library and reception room during the Commonwealth. The Music Room holds wall niches of Chinese trees and flowers made of semi-precious stones.
- Private Quarters. Every presidential couple has the privilege to choose available bedrooms, avoiding the bedroom used by their predecessors.
- Bedroom Suites. Furnished with large canopy beds and gilded wardrobes, these large rooms open from the former private dining room, between which is a tiny sky-lit room that was previously a courtyard.
- Reception Room. This used to be the family dining room of presidential families until the 1979 reconstruction.
- Discothèque. In 1979, a third floor was installed with a roof garden and a nightclub or discothèque, which was directly above President Marcos’ bedroom. During Arroyo’s administration, the disco room was turned into a Music Hall.
- Kalayaan Hall. Previously called the Old Executive Building, the Kalayaan Hall is considered the oldest portion of the Palace. Built in 1920 by Governor General Francis Burton Harrison, this building combines the histories of the American, Commonwealth, and Second and Third Republics, on the grounds of the picadero pavilion of the Spanish era.
- Presidential Museum and Library. Previously known as the Malacañang Museum and constructed in 2004, this part of the complex is the authorized repository of memorabilia of the president of the Philippines, situated inside the Kalayaan Hall.
- Former Presidential Museum. Before 2004, the Presidential Museum was separated from the Malacañang Library, which housed the Quezon, Osmeña, Roxas, Quirino, Magsaysay, and García Rooms.
- New Executive Building. On the other side of the Palace complex, further down than the President’s Residence, is the New Executive Building, which used to be the building of the San Miguel Corporation.
- Mabini Hall. The present Administration Building, or Mabini Hall, is located on Ycaza Street. It is the huge structure to the west upon reaching Gate 4.
- Bonifacio Hall. Also known as the Premier Guest House, Bonifacio Hall is a glass-fronted building across the garden from the Palace’s main entrance, which was originally built to be a servants’ quarters.
Malacañang Palace Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Malacañang Palace across 24 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Malacañang Palace worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Malacañang Palace which is the official residence and main workplace of the president of the Philippines. It was originally built by Don Lui Rocha. Mostly finished in bahay na bato and neoclassical style, the Malacañang Palace complex houses a number of mansions and office buildings.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Malacañang Palace Facts
- The Official Residence
- The Current Resident
- Room Tour
- Palace Quiz
- Best Part
- What’s Inside?
- Two Presidential Houses
- Facts and Secrets
- Test Yourself
- Malacañang Palace Coverage
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