Malacanang Kalayaan Hall - Palace Museum

our guide Ivan started discussing the Philippines before the Spanish colonial period when the presidential person approached and informed us that her excellency, the presidnet will drop by to see us.it was unexpected since Ivan's usual trip doesn't include the meeting of the president. but it was a privilege for us to see her there. it was my second time to meet her as the first one was at the Mansion in Baguio city. we didn't had the chance to take a photo shoot with her but seeing her made this tour even more special.we then entered the first hall which holds paintings and articles during the Spanish colonial period. Ivan through his stories brought us back when Chinese traders refers to the islands as Luzong. until the conquistadors arrived as led by Ferdinand Magellan.the construction of the Malacanang as a vacation house of the Spanish governor general shows how small Manila was at that time. it was when the walled city was called Intramuros while the area outside is called Extramuros.then came the end of the Spanish reign through the mock battle between the Americans. who then came over the Philippines and considered it as their new archipelagic possesion. the Japanese then came in during the world war II and destroyed major building structures. except for the Malacanang complex which was by that time partly secluded.the battle against the Japanese soldiers ended bloodily around the archipelago leaving thousands of Filipinos, Americans and Japanese dead. the Filipinos regained government but this time dependent from the Americans in order to recover from war. the Malacanang by that time was already used by the head of the state as its residence and office.the Filipinos gained full independence when the Americans finally gave way. yet the country continued to face the challenges which included the Marcos reign. where the country encountered one of the most significant fight against his dictatorship.
each hall has its story of which the Quezon hall retained the very chair and office which former president Marcos used. definitely one of the most beautiful room in this building.other rooms includes items of the different presidents who occupied the palace. from paintings to historical statues of people who are significant to the country's political timeline.but the largestl and most elegant hall in the second floor has a long center table of historical books and items. on each side stands wooden cabinets of piled books and effigies of the head of states from General Emilio Aguinaldo to the current president.today, the entire building of the Kalayaan hall is considered as the palace museum. what used to hold Imelda's collection of shoes is now a gallery of the presidents. the revolutionary flags that evolved throught the battle of the Katipuneros can also be seen in this hall.the tour was one great experience to see how the political system in the country evolved from the historical background as presented by Ivan. it became more interesting because we get to see some of the most significant items, visit the halls, where the head of the states roam, along with our uber witty tour guide Ivan.for tour arrangements with Ivan Man Dy, visit Old Manila Walks website. up next is the final stop of this tour for a fine dine merienda.