This is the fifth and last part of the series that features the Presidential Museum and Library housed in Kalayaan Hall on the Malacañan Palace grounds. This entry is about the Aquinos – Presidents Corazon Aquino and son Benigno Aquino III.
For related entries, please read Presidential Museum and Library, Part I, Presidential Museum and Library, Part II, Presidential Museum and Library, Part III, and Presidential Museum and Library, Part IV.
President Corazon C. Aquino
Corazon “Cory” C. Aquino is the eleventh president of the Philippines and was the leader of the country during the Fourth Republic of the Philippines (25 February 1986 to 25 March 1986), Provisional Government (25 March 1986 to 2 February 1987), and the Fifth Republic of the Philippines (2 February 1987 to 30 June 1992).
The widow of Benigno Aquino Jr. was suddenly cast into politics when Ferdinand Marcos called for snap election in 1986, which Corazon Aquino is generally believed to have won, despite massive fraud against her. She was sworn into office after the dramatic events at EDSA had forced Marcos to leave the Philippines. Despite facing six coup attempts, domestic insurgency, disagreements with the United States over military bases, and huge foreign debts, President Aquino is credited primarily for restoring democracy and human rights in the Philippines, safeguarding these freedoms and rights as well as the national interest in a new Constitution promulgated on 2 February 1987, which established the Fifth Republic of the Philippines.
In her inaugural address in Club Filipno, San Juan City, President Aquino said that, “it is fitting and proper that, as the rights and liberties of our people were taken away at midnight twenty years ago, the people should firmly recover those rights and liberties in the full light of day…. We were exiles in our land – we, Filipinos, who are at home only in freedom … Through courage and unity, through the power of the people, we are home again.”
President Corazon Aquino on the cover of Time Magazine. She was called the People Power Icon and was hailed as one of the Asian Heroes.
Benigno S. Aquino III
Benigno S. Aquino III, popularly known as Noynoy or Pnoy, is the fifteenth president of the Philippines.
In his inaugural address, he stated, “ngayon, sa araw na ito – dito magwawakas ang pamumunong manhid sa mga daing ng taumbayan. Hindi si Noynoy ang gumawa ng paraan, kayo ang dahilan kung bakit ngayon, magtatapos na ang pagtitiis ng sambayanan. Ito naman ang umpisa ng kalbaryo ko, ngunit kung marami tayong magpapasan ng krus ay kakayanin natin ito, gaano man kabigat.”
“Inaanyayahan ko kayo ngayon na manumpa sa ating mga sarili, sa sambayanan, walang maiiwan.
“Walang lamangan, walang padrino, at walang pagnanakaw. Walang wang-wang, walang counterflow, walang tong. Panahon na upang tayo ay muling magkawang-gawa.”
“Layunin ko na sa pagbaba ko sa katungkulan, masasabi ng lahat na malayo na ang narating natin sa pagtahak ng tuwid na landas at mas maganda na ang kinabukasang ipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon.”
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: