NEW ATTRACTION. The Presidential Museum in Baguio City's Mansion House officially opens its doors to the public on Sunday (Sept. 8, 2024). Like the Teus Museum at Malacañan Palace in Manila, the Presidential Museum in Baguio houses a vast collection of memorabilia of former Philippine presidents. (PNA Photo by Darryl John Esguerra)
BAGUIO CITY – First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos on Sunday led the ceremonial opening to the public of the Presidential Museum in Baguio City’s Mansion House which is seen to further boost local tourism and economy.
A part of the Malacañang Heritage Mansions, the new Baguio museum, like the Teus Museum at Malacañan Palace in Manila, houses a vast collection of memorabilia, including presidential attire, footwear, flags and busts sculpted in the likeness of former leaders.
The museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for free.
Walk-ins are welcome, but booking the visits through Malacañang Heritage Tours’ website' or official Facebook page is highly encouraged.
Palace Social Secretary Bianca Zobel said the new attraction in the Summer Capital of the Philippines aims to raise awareness about the country’s history and culture.
“We need to know about our history and our culture so that we feel one,” Zobel said in a media interview.
Tourism, economic boost
Meanwhile, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the new presidential museum will usher in further economic growth and tourism development in Baguio.
“This will inevitably help our local economy here in Baguio with the tourists that will be coming in. The suppliers also will benefit from added touristic activities in the area and most importantly, it will instill a sense of national pride especially among our youth,” Frasco said.
She thanked the First Couple, especially the First Lady, for supporting the restoration of heritage mansions.
“Nakikita natin na napaka-importante nito sa turismo ng Pilipinas dahil mabibigyan ang ating mga turista both international and local an insight into the histories and legacies of our presidents and the building of our nation,” she added.
The Mansion is located along Romulo Drive, just across Wright Park.
Constructed in 1908, the Mansion initially served as the summer residence for American governors-general before World War II.
Currently, it functions as the official summer residence of the President.
Baguio residents thank Palace
Residents expressed gratitude for the opening of the Mansion House to the public through tours.
Ched Almirol, 65, born and raised in the city, has not been inside the Mansion before. Two of her sisters who passed away in 2022 will no longer have the chance to see the place.
“Mabuti naman makakapasok na tayo at makikita na natin ang loob (It is good that we can now enter and see what is inside),” she told the Philippine News Agency.
Fort Del Pilar Elementary School School Head Lilibeth Balutoc, 49, was among those chosen to attend the inaugural tour.
“We were advised by the DepEd (Department of Education) to attend and we were really excited because it will be my first time to enter this place,” she said while waiting for their turn to be called for the tour.
Ronald Dioso, a government agency driver, said it was a privilege seeing the facility.
“Ang ganda sa loob. E-enjoyin ko muna yung feeling na nakapasok at nakapasyal lalo na ‘yung feeling noong binuksan nila yung malaking gate at nagsipasok ang mga tao (The place is beautiful. I will first enjoy the feeling of being inside, touring the place, especially the feeling when they opened the gates and people started to enter),” he said.
Zobel said walking tours will also be included in the future.
Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) Postmaster General Luis D. Carlos also thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the First Lady for including postage stamps featuring Philippine Presidents in a vast collection of memorabilia on display at the Museum.
He said this would help the public, especially the youth, “to appreciate the country’s rich heritage, culture and history.”
The public can experience firsthand some of the most valuable stamps ever created for Philippine Presidents starting from General Emilio Aguinaldo (1869-1964), the first and youngest president of the Philippines up to President Marcos Jr.
Along with PHLPost Postage stamps are detailed information that tells the story of the Philippine Presidents throughout the history of the country.
The late former President Fidel V. Ramos was an avid stamp collector who was instrumental in the interest of Philately or Stamp Collecting. He signed Proclamation No. 494 declaring every November as the National Stamp Collecting Month. (With reports from Liza Agoot/PNA)
