A Glimpse Inside Malacañang (2012)

 

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"Malacañang is the Palace of the People"

The "Inside Malacañang" documentary gave various insights and realization to its viewers by showing "behind-the-scenes" happenings both on the inside and outside of the Malacañang palace. It also depicts the line that "all that glitters is not gold" due to the heavy depiction and undertones behind the famous palace that not everyone knows about.

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    After watching the documentary by National Geographic, learnings and realizations were drawn and some of these are: 

(1) Symbol of a Country

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    The Malacañang is not only the home of the most politically powerful man in the country for decades, but it is also a "symbol" of a country” that is continuously developing, as per the words of former President Benigno Aquino III. From its history of being a Spanish empire palace, General Arthur MacArthur's military camp during the American occupation, and the Japanese's showcase for occupation by making it a gilded prison for their occupation government, now, it has become the Filipino people's "symbol of freedom". These facts made us realize that as the development of our country progresses, so does the meaning and purpose of Malacañang.

(2) Made up of Different Halls that have Respective Purposes

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    Malacañang is made up of different halls that have different and respective purposes. These are the "Main Palace" which serves as the living quarters of the president and the first family; "Bonifacio Hall" which is the former office of former President Corazon Aquino and residence of former President Joseph Estrada; "Kalayaan Hall" which is considered to be the oldest part of the palace; and the "Mabini Hall", which now serves as the administrative building.

(3) Four people are chosen to accompany the President at all times

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    To protect the president from threats within and outside of the Malacañang, four (4) people are chosen and given the honorable and unique task of accompanying the president wherever he/she goes. These are the "Presidential Food Tester" (in charge of testing the food before serving it to the president); "President's Personal Bodyguard" (in charge of protecting the president's safety from any danger); the "President's Photographer" (in charge of taking the president's official photographs); and lastly, the "Commander of the Presidential Security Group” or also known as PSG (is tasked to protect the president, especially during big events). 

(4) Serves Three Functions

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    The Malacañang has been described as serving “three (3) functions” according to former undersecretary Manuel L. Quezon III. The first one is "Price" which is also called a “physical symbol of the presidency” of power and of ruling the country; Next is "Pulpit" wherein it symbolizes how the public look towards Malacañang for leadership and direction in times of crisis or adversity; And lastly, "Stage" because it is in Malacañang where the significant events of State, State visits, funerals, weddings, and conferences take place. 

    To summarize, the documentary made me realize that both the President and the Malacañang are powerful figures in our country that has symbolic meanings and purposes. Additionally, the Malacañang is just as important as the President as it represents the hopes and dreams of the Filipino people.

Reference Used:

National Geographic Channel. (2012). Inside Malacañang. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2iMXCD7zzE