Baguio Mansion House opens its doors to tourists

Baguio Mansion House, the official summer palace of the President of the Philippines, has opened its doors to the public beginning on Sunday.

Similar to the Teus Museum in Manila, the Presidential Museum in Baguio boasts of a vast collection of priceless memorabilia, including presidential attire, footwear, flags, and busts sculpted in the likeness of the former leaders.

In a press interview, Palace Social Secretary Bianca Zobel said the reason for the opening of the Baguio Mansion House to the public is to allow tourists to experience what goes on behind the closed doors of the palace.

"We have noticed that every day, [almost] 500 tourists are taking pictures outside the mansion house, and on weekends, it reaches up to 2000," Zobel said.

"So, we would like to open the doors where people can come inside and take pictures," she added.

Zobel also said that the government is set to open the Presidential Museum inside the palace "so that people can learn about our history and the Philippine presidents."

"This is also very important in unification; we need to know about our history and our culture so that we feel one," she said.

First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos led the opening ceremony of the Baguio Mansion House on Sunday.

Baguio Mansion House will be open from Tuesdays to Sundays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but booking your visit through Malacañang Heritage Tours' website or Facebook page is highly encouraged. No entrance fee is required, and only 20 people at a time will be allowed inside the palace.

—with reports from Anna Bajo/Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA Integrated News