This is the second part of the series that focuses on the Presidential Museum and Library within the Malacañan Palace grounds. This entry puts the spotlight on the room dedicated to the First Ladies of the Philippines, the Quezon Executive Office, the Quirino Council of State Room, and the Roxas Cabinet Room.
For related entries, please read Presidential Museum and Library, Part I, Presidential Museum and Library, Part III, Presidential Museum and Library, Part IV, and Presidential Museum and Library, Part V.
First Ladies’ Room
I have no idea what the official name of this room is, so let me call it Philippine First Ladies’ Room. On the walls of this room hang the portraits of the first ladies and daughter of the Philippines. Victoria Quirino acted as the first lady for her father President Elpidio Quirino, who was a widower. No portrait of first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo was found in the room.
Aside from the portraits, a yellow piano, an image of a saint (whose name I did not get), a table setting for a state dinner, and the signature and photo of Pope John Paul II were on display.
Me with the yellow piano gifted by the government of Japan to President Corazon Aquino. Pres. Aquino made the yellow color her official color.
This was the table setting for His Excellency Dato Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, and Madam Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor
Another look at the table setting of the luncheon. The luncheon included organic Pinoy salad (talilong, arugula, dried mangoes, pili nuts, cherry tomato, gumamela flower, and balsamic vinaigrette), steamed sea bass with black bean sauce, ginger, scallions, and garlic, apple sampaguita sorbet, rib-eye steak Tagalog (soy sauce, calamansi, onions, and Mountain Province brown rice), mango panacotta with balsamic reduction and Baguio strawberry, and coffee or tea
From February 17 to 22, 1981, Pope John Paul II made his first visit to the Philippines, the second visit of a pope since the Christianization of the country in 1521 (Pope Paul VI was the first to make a pastoral visit in 1970). During his brief sojourn to the country, he was able to meet with various groups in Manila, Cebu City, Davao, Bacolof City, Iloilo, Legazpi City, Morong, and Baguio City. He presided over the beatification of Lorenzo Ruiz at the Luneta on February 18, 1981. On his first day in the archipelago, after meeting with women religious in the National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Baclaran, he proceeded to Malacañan Palace where he was honored with a state dinner attended by government officials and the diplomatic corps.
In preparation for the papal visit, President Ferdinand Marcos on January 17,1981 issued Proclamation No. 2045, which terminated the state of Martial Law throughout the Philippines. The lifting of Martial Law, however, was considered as merely a gesture, as Pres. Marcos still retained some of his Martial Law powers, such as the ability to rule by decree.
Malacañan Palace Register shows the signatures of Pope John Paul II and his entourage appear on page 68 of this 600-page book. It was dated February 17, 1981. Pope John Paul II had a pastoral visit to the Philippines.
The Quezon Executive Office
The Quezon Room, part of the addition to the building initiated by President Manuel Quezon in the late 1930s, served as the executive office from the administration of President Quezon, until the early years of the presidency of President Ferdinand Marcos. In the 1970s, it became the office of General Fabian Ver. Under the presidency of Corazon Aquino, it was transformed into the office of the Press Secretary. In 2003, it was restored to its original appearance featuring the original Quezon-era furniture and items illustrative of the duties, responsibilities, and powers of the Philippine presidency.
The Officer’s Saber was presented to President Benigno S. Aquino III by the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Association, Incorporated on 19 February 2011. Pres. Aquino was the guest of honor and speaker during the PMA Alumni Homecoming 2011 at the PMA, Hon. General Gregorio H. del Pilar, Baguio City
For related entries, please read Quezon Heritage House, Quezon Memorial Shrine, Part I, and Quezon Memorial Shrine, Part II.
The Quirino Council of State Room
The Quirino Council of State Room was used as the meeting room of the Council of State, the cabinet, and of the National Economic Council during the Quezon administration. The room was used by succeeding administrations for important meetings, the signing of treaties, and conventions between the Republic and foreign governments. In 1981, it was converted into a part of President Ferdinand Marcos’ television studio. It was restored in 2003 and named after President Elpidio Quirino, who took his oath of office in this room. President Carlos Garcia was also sworn into office in this room following the death of President Ramon Magsaysay in 1957.
Furniture original to this room are displayed, as well as the portrait of President Quirino painted by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo. Sculptures from the Malacañan Palace Collection by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino are also showcased in this room.
This humungous narra table was in the center of the Quirino Council of State Room. It took 30 people to lift and move this table.
The Roxas Cabinet Room
This room, located at the southwest portion of the second floor of Kalayaan Hall, was intended to be the Cabinet Room when it was built during the administration of President Manuel Quezon. It was only during the term of President Manuel Roxas when it was actively used for the purpose. Administrations following Roxas’ used the room for meetings and as offices. In 1981, it was converted into the control room for President Marcos’ television studio. Restored in 2002, the room was renamed the Roxas Cabinet Room in honor of the last president who regularly used this room for his cabinet meetings.
President Manuel Roxas had his cabinet meetings in this room using this narra table. He had only eight cabinet members.
The Presidential Museum and Library is open to the public.
Nine thing to remember before visiting the Presidential Museum and Library:
Museum Schedule
Monday to Friday, except on public holidays. Tours are at
9am, 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm.
Reservation Form
Accomplish the form at least three (3) working days before the preferred date of tour, but this is subject to the availability of the selected time slot.
For Foreign Nationals
Photocopies of your passports’ signature page and date page must be sent via email to the museum.
Reference Number
If the form is filled out properly, you will receive an email with a reference number.
For Confirmation
Please call the office TWICE: the first time is to set the date of the tour, and the second is to confirm if you will be allowed in the premises.
Guest List
Those not included in the guest list will not be allowed on the Palace grounds. Please bring a valid ID card for verification.
Do not be late!
Groups that are late by more than 30 minutes beyond their schedule tour will not be entertained.
Dress Code
Visitors at the Museum are advised to adhere to a smart casual dress code. Shorts, sleeveless tops, and slippers are not allowed.
Bring a camera!
Photography is allowed inside the museum, but a group may bring only one camera. Do not use flash photography!
For inquiries and reservations, you may reach Presidential Museum and Library at the following
(Malacañang Museum) Presidential Museum and Library Address:
Presidential Museum and Library, Kalayaan Hall, Malacañan Palace, JP Laurel St., San Miguel Manila, 1000
(Malacañang Museum) Presidential Museum and Library Contact Numbers:
(632) 784 – 4286 local 4649 or 4945
(Malacañang Museum) Presidential Museum and Library Email Addresses:
pml@malacanang.gov.ph and malacanangmuseum@gmail.com
(Malacañang Museum) Presidential Museum and Library Website: