This is not the first time that I have been inside the Malacañang Palace. But this is probably one of the best and most memorable trips I have to the Palace.
Last Saturday, I was invited to join the Power, Palace and a SHOT of Beer! tour hosted by Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks.
Though I have joined this tour a few years ago, Ivan Man Dy has already re-engineered this tour so that there will be less walking and more fun inside the Palace. The old tour I joined, in fact doesn’t allow us to get inside the Palace grounds.
For the uninitiated, Malacañang is the official residence of the President of the Republic of the Philippines.
As Ivan explained, when we say Malacañan, it means THE Presidential Palace itself. But when we say Malacañang, it means the entire complex, consisting of the Presidential palace, the Kalayaan hall, the so many other buildings around the area.
And as I said earlier, this is not the first time I have been to the Palace. But everytime I get inside, I always experience new things, get to know few trivia and some palace secrets. 
And before we could even get inside the Palace halls, we probably get the best surprise of all. Unannounced and very spontaneous, we chanced upon the very person who lives in the palace! We were greeted by no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the doorsteps of Malacañang!
El Filibusterismo, Signed by Trinidad Rizal, Jose Rizal’s Sister
I was starsrtuck. Trust me. She’s no Sharon Cuneta or Goo Jun Pyoo but it’s not everyday that you get to meet the President of your country, and at close range with no paparazzis! What but really struck me is her shoes! Oh My God! I just love her shoes.
Too bad! we have to observe the Palace protocols. But if the Presidential guards weren’t around, I could have easily pointed my camera at her!
Right after she left, we then headed to the various halls of the Malacañang Museum. There were precious artifacts, paintings and memorabilia inside the museum. Several furnitures that has played part in out history is also there too. Just like the furniture where Former President Ferdinand Marcos used to sit when he declared the Martial Law in September of 1972. The Blackboard that has a diagramof the EDSA that was used in the 1986 People Power revolt. And a whole lot more.
It was actually fun refreshing our minds with Philippine History 101. And a few more Philippine Political Chismis! Ohyeah, who doesn’t love chismis anyways. Haha
After more than two hours of checking out every nook and cranny of the Palace halls, we then headed to a fine dine merienda in probably one of Manila’s best Restaurants.
When we were served, we were surprised at their merienda: Chicken Galantina, Paella, Lemongrass Iced Tea.
Yeah’s that’s just a fine dine Merienda at La Cocina de Tita Moning. Their line up for full course meal is even more fabulous!
So all in all we went to the following places: Malacanang Palace Museum, Plaza Aviles, Legarda Mansion (La Cocina de Tita Moning). Standard tour rate is P950.00/head (inclusive of tour and fine dine merienda) to book a private tour or join a scheduled tour, please check out the Old Manila Walks website.
Check out my Malacañang Photos
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