For its 150th year, Palace invites Pinoys worldwide into the presidential abode

In celebration of its sesquicentennial Tuesday, Malacañang on Monday invited Pinoys to learn more about the historic official residence of the President of the Republic.

“Tomorrow, we observe the sesquicentennial of Malacañan Palace as official residence of the chief executive of the Philippines. The Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) is launching an online commemoration to mark one hundred fifty years since its conversion from rest house to official residence of Spanish and American Governors-General, and later Philippine Presidents,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said, reading from a statement.

To celebrate, the PCDSPO has invited Pinoys to visit the palace, both online and in person.



“We enjoin the public to take part in this commemoration by visiting the Presidential Museum and Library (PML) website or by booking a visit to experience firsthand the history and heritage of this great house which belongs to the Filipino people,” the statement said.

Color images

New images will also be uploaded and colorized by the PCDSPO, to encourage young people to learn more about the Palace’s history, Lacierda said.

“The PCDSPO has colorized some of the pictures that you will see. Some of them [used to be in] black and white, and you will see them colorized...One of the reasons why we have done colorization is to invite the youth to take part in viewing our historical pictures,” Lacierda said.

“We have noticed that the youth are not excited when it’s black and white. Because of colorizing these photographs, they have become more engaged. And so, again, we are taking this opportunity to invite the public [to learn more about the Place,]” Lacierda said.

According to the statement, a timeline on the history of Malacañan Palace from both an institutional and architectural perspective will also be published on the PML site. An animated architectural evolution of the Palace will also be uploaded. — BM, GMA News

Photos from Malacanang.gov.ph