Malacanang of the North
“Malacanang of the North“, or otherwise known as the White House of the North.
This palace in northern Ilocos overlooks Paoay Lake, and is the residence of deposed president Ferdinand Marcos and his family when they are in the north. This was one of 29 summer residences that Marcos built during his rule. When it was built in 1977, Malacanang of the North became the venue of the trendiest high society settings. The Marcoses entertained their guests to parties, water skies and golf.
After Marcos was deposed in 1986 and died a few years later, the palace transformed into a museum of the late president’s memorabilia.
When I visited the palace in 1990, everything was still very impressive. The massive staircase and living areas that greet visitors on the first floor are reminiscent of Spanish-inspired extravagance. The two masters bedrooms have royalty written all over it.
But all these descriptions are just words, really. So I’ll let these few pictures capture the story of elegance extravagance that marked the Marcos era.
A closer view of the front entrance.
The grand staircase.
The great room for entertaining guests.
One of the upstairs dining room.
The masters’ bedroom. One of them, anyway.
The back, which overlooks Paoay Lake.
photo credits: staircase - Flickr/snabero; front and back entrances - Flickr/milogo; all other - Flickr/Storm Crypt
Tags: cultural icons of the philippines, culture, destination, filipina, Filipino, filipinos, philippine culture, Philippine-tourism, Philippines, pinoy, places to see, tourism, tourist spots, tours, tradition, travel, travel guideRelated Stories
POSTED IN: General: Philippine Culture, Places to Visit, Travel and Culture, Travel and Tourism
May 8th, 2008 at 9:58 am
[...] Grace at Filipina Soul, we have photos of Malacanang of the North, the “White House” of the North, and home to exiled formed President Marcos and his [...]
May 8th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Places like these always seem almost too pretty to actually live in.
May 9th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
[...] me at Filipina Soul, we have photos of Malacanang of the North, the “White House” of the North, and home to exiled formed President Marcos and his [...]
May 10th, 2008 at 1:22 am
[...] Grace at Filipina Soul, we have photos of Malacanang of the North, the “White House” of the North, and home to exiled formed President Marcos and his family. [...]
May 10th, 2008 at 5:19 am
[...] Grace at Filipina Soul, we have photos of Malacanang of the North, the “White House” of the North, and home to exiled formed President Marcos and his family. [...]
May 10th, 2008 at 8:03 am
[...] Grace at Filipina Soul, we have photos of Malacanang of the North, the “White House” of the North, and home to exiled formed President Marcos and his family. [...]
June 28th, 2008 at 1:52 am
[...] shared their photos of their travels across the Philippines such as in the Tubbataha Reef, the Malacanang Palace of the North, Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte sand dunes, Intramuros and many [...]
December 12th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
A another symbol of corrupt, dynastic dictatorship of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos.
It never reflected a real Filipino architecture, instead showcasing Spanish colonial era, another period of corrupt colonialism period that dominated Philippine history.