Malacañang of the North

Malacañang of the North or Malacanang ti Amianan in Ilocano is always present in everyone’s itinerary when planning or visiting the northern province of Ilocos Norte. Dubbed as “Marcos Country”, Ilocos Norte is home to many remnants of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos and of one these is Malacañang of the North.

Built in 1977, construction started two years before that and was said to be one of Imelda Marcos’ “projects”.  She wanted to build this lavish structure for her husband who was turning 60 that time as well as to have another venue to entertain and host the most affluent personalities in politics and the whole society..and where did she get the funds? hmm…

The Malacañang of the North is one of the 29 houses that the Marcos regime was able to build during its two decades of power. As it name suggests, this house served as the official residence of the First Family during that time whenever they are in Ilocos.  The Marcos extended their reception for their guests both local and foreign in this house.

Malacañang of the North is within a  5-hectare property and it overlooks the calm waters of Paoay Lake. The main lobby and terraces of the house faces this famous lake in Ilocos where guests can do some watersports during their visit.

There are 9 spacious and luxurious rooms for both the family and their guests. We saw the bathroom of Marcos and we didn’t bother to take a shot, we might see something paranormal..:-) There is also a swimming pool that already dirty, too bad.

Aside from one of the local residences of the Marcoses during this reign, this house is truly impressive. It combines both the Ilocano and Spanish architectural designs. Like other structure in Ilocos, one of the main materials are baked bricks along with hardwood from its staircase to its floors. Its sliding windows are of capiz shells and it has the a terraces or azoteas in each floor that overlooks the lake.

For those who have visited the Malacañang of the North before and will visit again these days, you might notice that the memorabilia are lesser now. My husband for one, visited this place 10 years ago and he said it seemed empty compared to his last visit.  Some of the items in this house turned museum were transferred to other  museums like the ancestral house turned museum of the Marcos family in Sarrat which I will blog soon.

Now managed by the Department of Tourism, entrance fees are 20 pesos and 10 pesos for adults and children respectively. It  is open from 9am-11:30am and 1pm-4:30pm daily except on Mondays.