We all know that MalacaƱang is the house associated with the President of the Philippines, but who would have known that the President, or to be more specific, the Office of the President, maintains a number of other houses (some of them function today as guesthouses) around the area of the district of San Miguel in Manila? The probably most renowned and has figured in the news recently is the Laperal Mansion or the Arlegui Guest House. Located along Arlegui St. just a few walks away from the MalacaƱang grounds itself, the closest among the houses to the Palace.
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MalacaƱang from outside the gates
For a place as powerful and rich in history as MalacaƱang, it is somehow frustrating how much limited access an ordinary citizenĀ hasĀ in visitingĀ this place. While the restrictions are understandable given the importance of securing the countryās seat of power, it would have been nice if perhaps there can be some occasions when at least some more leeway can be given for citizens to get to see a bit more of MalacaƱang and the treasures the Palace holds.
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Roamer at the Palace: A day at the MalacaƱang Museum (Part 2)
The second level of Kalayaan Hall by itself has a colorful history; it is just proper that this particular area holds a lot of memorabilia related to MalacaƱangās history. Probably the most important area in this level, and perhaps of the whole Kalayaan Hall as well, is the Quezon Room, which used to be the Executive Office of the President of the Philippines. First used by Manuel Quezon, (after whom the room was made) it was was where the President would hold formal and official business. (today, these functions being held at the Palace building itself)
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Roamer at the Palace: A day at the MalacaƱang Museum (Part 1)
It is a historic day for the Philippines as a new president in the person of Benigno Aquino III assumes the mantle of the countryās leadership. In the spirit of this momentous occasion, the Urban Roamer last week joined the āPower, Palace, and a Shot of Beerā tour of Mr. Ivan Man Dy which took me and some other guests mostly around MalacaƱang* Museum. *note: according to Mr. Man Dy, MalacaƱang refers to the whole Palace grounds: the Palace building itself, Kalayaan, Mabini Halls, New Executive Building, and the park at the opposite end of the Pasig River while MalacaƱan (the spelling we see on TV during press conferences) refers…