Have you been the White House in Pennsylvania Ave, Washington DC?💚. I have been there twice during the Clinton-Gore Administration. I have received Christmas Cards from Bill & Hilary Clinton. Just recently, I received a Christmas Card from Joe & Jill Biden and Willow, their pet cat. And last but not least from VP Kamala Harris.
However, this posting is about Malacanang Palace-Official Residence of the President of the Philippines
A few years ago, I had the pleasure to be invited to the Malacanang Palace- The White House of the Philippines. 💚💚
The name "Malacañang" originates from the Tagalog phrase "May lakan diyan," which means "There is a nobleman there." It reflects the area’s history as a place where a nobleman or someone of high status lived. Before becoming the official residence of Spanish Governor-Generals and eventually Philippine presidents, Malacañang was originally a private home. It was only later, in the 1800s, that the Spanish government purchased it, transforming it into a symbol of power and authority.
#MalacañangHistory #PhilippineCulture #TagalogOrigins #PhilippineGovernment #HistoricalLandmarks #MalacañangFacts
This was my first posting during our first visit to Malacanang Palace in 2012.
Malacañang Palace (Filipino: Palasyo ng Malakanyang, locally[paˈlɐ̞ʃo näŋ maläkɐˈɲäŋ]; Spanish: Palacio de Malacañán), officially known as Malacañan Palace, is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the Philippines. It is located in the Manila district of San Miguel, along Jose P. Laurel Street though it is commonly associated with Mendiola Street nearby. The term Malacañang is often used as a metonym for the president, their advisers, and the Office of the President of the Philippines. The sprawling Malacañang Palace complex includes numerous mansions and office buildings designed and built largely in the bahay na batoand neoclassical styles. Among the presidents of the present Fifth Republic, only Gloria Macapagal Arroyo actually lived in the main palace as both her office and her residence, with all others residing in nearby properties that form part of the larger palace complex. The palace has been seized several times as a result of protests starting with the People Power Revolution of 1986, the 1989 coup attempt(when the palace was buzzed by T-28 Trojans), the 2001 Manila riots, and the EDSA III riots.
Malacanang Palace reminds me of our first tour of the White House as follows:
Meanwhile, Ever wondered how Manila got its name? It's all thanks to a little mangrove plant called “nilad”. Before tall buildings and traffic jams, the banks of the Pasig River were lined with these small trees, and locals started calling the area “may nilad”-meaning “where there is nilad.” Fast forward, and voilà, we have “Manila.”
Back in the 1800s, Father Manuel Blanco documented this hardy plant in his Flora de Filipinas, even calling it “Ixora manila” (which was later renamed to Scyphiphora hydrophylacea C.F Gaertn)While nilad no longer graces Manila’s shores, it can still be found in other mangrove areas across the Philippines, reminding us of our city’s natural history.
Fun fact: Nilad wasn’t just decorative! Its flowers were used to whiten clothes, its wood made into firewood and charcoal, and its leaves even treated stomach aches.
Lastly, Here's a photo of me and Macrine (RIP) taken in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2009
Personal Note: I was told by my readers that reading my blogs have taught them a lot about Philippines History, Food, Culture and about Filipinos in General. So, I am happy to know that my blogs have not only inform, educate but also perhaps inspire someone once in a while. Have a Fantastic Day, Every One!
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