“I would not be able to forgive myself knowing that I could have done something and I did not do anything.”
“I know I will receive a lot of criticism for this but I will do what I think is right for our country.”
“I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life.”
These were the most striking words or quotes from the late and former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino that I could relate to. I’ve also seen these words at the Malacañan Palace Museum and Library as if giving me an inspirational message….
Historic Malacañan Palace and Cory Aquino
Wow!, one special morning I was lucky enough to have been given a free tour at the Malacañan Palace Museum and Library,…. plus a shirt with the Office of the President seal. Thank you very much!
Too bad I was unprepared. I always bring with me my camera but did not have any spare batteries. My camera’s battery gave up on me halfway in the tour. The best part was during the other half of the tour. Tsk tsk tsk.
When we got into the room where many memorabilia about the late and former President Cory Aquino, it was simply more bright and melancholic – maybe because she was the icon President of my generation.
Like Cory, I too believe that it is better to die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life. I prefer to live a life endlessly facing death threats, coup attempts, and evading attacks of political foes rather than live under the control, domination and influence of a corrupt few.
I believe no one can put a good name down…and that the Truth will always prevail…
Blessed are those who are being persecuted for the sake of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of the Father…
Thank you LORD for your endless love. I know You will never leave my side and I know You will never ever let SATAN win against Your humble shepherd.
Remembering People Power
I was still a child those days, but the memories were crystal clear already. Maybe because even as a young child I was really “bright” already, I have a very above average IQ, and a photographic memory. I lived through the EDSA People Power revolution, watched how the people armed only with flowers, prayers and rosaries faced several tanks along EDSA, witnessed how Marcos and his family fled the country and found asylum in Hawaii, and saw how she painstakingly ran the Philippine government. I was disappointed with the several coup attempts, and the news about the Hacienda Luisita massacre. But for me she simply was the best President during my lifetime.
Ferdinand Marcos was identified as a dictator shrouded by the eccentricity and lavish lifestyle of her spouse Imelda Romualdez Marcos. Fidel Ramos, the tobacco-toting President, was into major infrastructure development who gave us the skyways, C5 and other huge projects. Joseph Estrada was too short a term to even have made a significant difference – maka-masa and para sa mahirap, but was tainted by jueteng lord affiliation. And Gloria was more recognized as the little lady who was into “power hugs” or staying and keeping in power than real progressive changes (from President to Congresswoman to wheelchair and neckbrace class act) – All I could remember was the ROROs she would often boast on TV. Too bad she will be remembered as the most corrupt President of the Philippine republic. Pitiful.
Going back to the tour….
They told me there are specialty tours complete with tour guide plus snacks/lunch or dinner included in the package. I just don’t know the rate. The security in the Malacañan Palace would inspect your cameras and put a Presidential Security Group (PSG) sticker before they would allow entry.
Sorry about the blurred pictures…They did not allow camera flash so as not to ruin the paintings on display…and my camera’s red LED was already blinking on and off, and I just had to squeeze every little once of juice (power) left from it’s battery just to get some more pictures.
I promise to return to get more pictures when I get the opportunity.
Lessons Learned…
1. Always bring spare batteries. You’ll never know when you will get a chance to shoot something historic.
2. Get myself a better camera – any donations would be greatly appreciated.
Welcome to the front gate of the Malacañan Palace Museum and Library.
This is the first statue that would greet you as you enter the museum.
This is where visitors must first go to wait for their tour guide.
glass cabinets containing the historical artifacts.
An old Philippine flag
This flag was intentionally raised with the red part on top indicating the nation was at war during those times.
Several figurines on display. The tour was quick and I was basically on my own so I didn’t had a chance to look at and get to know each of them one by one.
There were several of these lovely paintings. The best were at the later part of the tour…and like I said no more camera.
This is a bust of Jose Rizal our national hero. Again sorry about the blurred pictures.
More of Jose Rizal.
A painting of Jose Rizal.
This was the main display room that used to be the dance hall for ballrooms and special gatherings.
It was the library part of the museum containing different books owned by the different presidents, their former outfits, attires and clothing, gifts they received, and several collections coming from both local and foreign sources.
a huge dining table
Several sculptures, mostly gifts from other countries
This is the view from the veranda where Marcos has said his last farewell before he and his family fled the Philippines.
The different flags of the Katipunan KKK
A painting containing the images that form the name of the former first lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos.
The two pictures below were already shots taken outside the grounds of the Malacañan Palace. I just had to take a shot a them as well.
I really need a better camera, maybe the DSLR type so that I could better capture such historic images and make vivid memories of my own, at least just to immortalize the experience in my blog and keep it as my own treasure to remind me of how rich the Philippine culture is.
Mabuhay to all the past and present Presidents, as well as Vice Presidents, and I hope history has also taught you their valuable lessons.
Thank you for the experience and more power to the Filipino people.
Bye for now.
