Malacañang Palace

The official residence of the President of the Philippines, Malacañang Palace was originally a Spanish grandee’s summer house. Unlike some other recent presidents, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo actually lives and works in the palace. Given the propensity of the Philippine people to show up in hundreds of thousands and ask that the president leave, the executive branch prefers to keep the public a bit distant. Tours of the palace and the Museo ng Malacañang (Tel: 735 6201), which displays memorabilia related to the Philippines’ past 13 presidents, along with old photos of Manila, are possible by appointment only. You’ll need to write a letter of request to Jeremy Barnes, at the Malacañang Palace address, at least five days in advance.