Bahay Pangulo : This is where President Bongbong cooks for his family & where First Lady Liza walks barefoot on the grass 

The gesture is symbolic of how protective and caring the husband is of his wife. And as we enter the Bahay Pangulo, I imagine the same scenario, seeing some elevated steps and tiled pathways along the way.

It is in the same protective and caring way that BBM and LAM rebuilt the Bahay Pangulo not only for themselves, but for the next presidents, too, after BBM’s term ends in 2028.

Ruined by termites and a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in 2022, Bahay Pangulo was reconstructed by Conrad Onglao, their architect of choice. Liza had one condition: We must recycle furniture, use artworks from Malacañang archives, and have a Philippine flavor. 

“You will see from the brochures that many furniture pieces we are using now came from the time of Noynoy and Duterte,” notes Liza. “After all, the pieces of furniture are part of history as well.”

It must be a comforting place to come home to after a day’s work in Malacañang Palace. “It must have an elevation to make it flood-free and anay-proof to make it last for generations,” Liza had told Onglao. In the past, typhoons made the Pasig River overflow and the Bahay Pangulo grounds would be inundated.

“The First Lady is the easiest to work with,” says Onglao. “She doesn’t breathe on your neck. I never saw her command anyone, because she is so hands-on. Once, at 2 a.m., she even helped lift chairs. I am amazed by her energy level.”

During the press tour led by SoSec Bianca Zobel and her deputy Dina Tantoco, we entered the high-ceilinged main house with its spacious sala accented by neat, comfortable sofas. Artworks by Amorsolo, Ang Kiukok, Sanso and some young artists as well. An automated player piano, family picture frames, flowers and books are in several nooks. There is even a tray that holds cards with messages from friends and followers, showing that the First Couple values sentimental notes. “They’re building memories,” notes Onglao.

On some sofas are uniformed dolls of the Presidential Security Group (PSG). “Oh, they’re gifts from the PSG,” laughs Liza. “My kids and I are allergic to the PSG. So we put the dolls there, perhaps to remind us that someday, we won’t be needing the PSG anymore.”

The main dining room has two long narra tables that can hold up to 60 guests. “It took 30 men to lift just one table,” says Onglao. This is where the Araneta and Marcos families hold lunches every Sunday. Tantoco points to one kabisera: “That’s the favorite place of Mrs. Imelda Marcos.”

The nearby kitchen is where Bongbong loves cooking. “He cooks and I don’t,” Liza smiles. “That’s why there’s a TV there so I can watch news when I get bored waiting.”

What does Bongbong cook? “One of his favorites is salmon with onion leeks. He also likes dishes like pochero and fabada, but he has given tips to the cook on how to do these correctly,” adds Liza.

Food labels and menus are neatly posted, and there is the usual tiny room with shelves neatly containing plates and other wares.

We move to the next structure—a small pavilion with long tables and chairs, perfect for meetings. “The ceiling lights used to be just wooden circles, with small lamps, they looked too industrial,” narrates Onglao. “The First Lady told me to put a touch of whimsy, so I added what seems like pleated fabrics or fans. Big difference, and she liked it!”

The next structure is the gym of Bongbong holding the exercise machines, weights, fitness books and autographed balls from athletic stars. Is this his man-cave? “The President has a study room near their bedroom in the main house where he also listens to music,” says Onglao. According to Liza, Bongbong’s favorites include jazz, blues, the Beatles, Eric Clapton and Billy Joel.

BBM and LAM each have their office areas in the main house. Yes, they work at home even after working at Malacañang Palace.

While the President has a gym, the First Lady has the swimming pool. Upon waking up in the morning, she goes jogging for 30 minutes, does yoga and Pilates. “But before a swim, I take out my rubber shoes and walk barefoot for 15 minutes on the grass. There’s a science to that,” explains Liza. “It keeps you grounded.” Yes, not just literally. 

Truth is, there was a void during the past three administrations that didn’t really have a working First Lady. Now, Liza is working triple time with her non-stop projects focusing on health and social welfare, rebuilding heritage structures, refurbishing museums, helping artisans and weavers showcase their products, highlighting local designers and artists, and even boosting sports. And yes, adding greenery where she can, such as the Pasig River Esplanade which now has light posts that evoke a romantic Old World.

 For the Bahay Pangulo gardens, Liza added personal touches: a lounge chair on a turtle’s back. And a sculptured crocodile on the grass. “When I cut the ribbon for the FAME exporters’ show at SMX, I saw this crocodile and bought it. Don’t they say there are crocodiles in Malacañang?” laughs Liza. So there.

What I do know is that Imee Marcos famously said that “Malacañang is a snake pit.” Perhaps sculpted snakes slithering next?

In one corner of the Bahay Pangulo compound is a small guesthouse with its own covered lanai. Perhaps for special guests, because Liza has actually finished rebuilding the nearby Laperal Mansion for visiting foreign dignitaries, with suites named after presidents. Sort of like the Blair House for the US president’s guests.

Near the Malacañang golf course, Liza has also made improvements on Malacañang’s mini clubhouse, carrying portraits of past golfing presidents, from Quezon to Ramos. One photo is that of President BBM on the golf course as a little boy. “Bongbong and I don’t play golf, but we maintain this and the golf course for visiting dignitaries and officials,” says Liza.

Of course, Onglao points out, the structures in the Bahay Pangulo compound have a distinct Filipino character. “The shape of the roofs reminds you of our bahay kubo.” 

The next presidents and their families are lucky to have these newly rebuilt dwellings ready for them after 2028. All they need to bring is their toothbrush.

Bahay ng mga Pangulo

President Manuel Quezon in the late 1930s ordered the conversion of the rice fields along the Pasig River across the presidential residence into the Malacañang Park. Designed by Juan Arellano and Antonio Toledo, a complex of three buildings using native materials like bamboo and nipa was its centerpiece. Grandson Enrique Avancena remembers a Japanese Tea House surrounded by a Zen garden in the area, tended by a Japanese gardener.

President Elpidio Quirino and First Lady Vicky Quirino used the Malacañang Park structures as a venue for socials, including a fashion show by the Girl Scouts.

In the late 1960s, First Lady Evangelina Macapagal had a guest house for dignitaries built in contemporary style. It was named Bahay Pangarap by President Diosdado Macapagal. Daughter Gloria Macapagal says she didn’t spend much time here because she was studying in Georgetown during her teen years, but remembers having a costume party there.

Bahay Pangarap was called Bahay Kubo during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos after National Artist for Architecture Francisco Manosa added Filipino details such as narra floorings and capiz windows. It became the residence of the president’s mother, Josefa Edralin Marcos. His nephew Vittorio Barba recalls it was here where he learned to swim, bike, skate and ride horses, especially a white pony named “Little Kitten.”

Passionate golfer President Fidel Ramos transformed Bahay Pangarap into Bahay Malago (short for Malacañang Golf). First Lady Amelita Ramos restored Bahay Kubo, with Francisco Manosa as architect, to become Bahay Pangarap, a venue for social functions. Grandson Christopher Sembrano recalls that FVR woke up as early as 4 a.m. to read newspapers, do push-ups and play golf.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had Bahay Pangarap demolished after it became a dilapidated structure infested by termites, and asked Conrad Onglao to build a modern structure to house foreign disgnitaries. Son Mikey Arroyo says Bahay Pangarap “wasn’t a stomping ground for us. But during gatherings there, what stood out was the unparalled view of the Palace across the Pasig River.”

President Benigno Aquino III used the Bahay Pangarap as his residence, noting that the Palace was too big for a bachelor like himself. Sister Kris Aquino is grateful that she and her sons Bimby and Josh were able to spend time with Noynoy here, and hold Noche Buena with their siblings.

President Rodrigo Duterte stayed in Bahay Pangarao which he renamed Bahay Pagbabago. He only had it repainted. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea noted that the airy space was suitable for Duterte during the pandemic.

After a 7.1 earthquake left Bahay Pagbabago in rubble, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked Conrad Onglao to do extensive renovations to transform it into his residence, now called Bahay Pangulo. Son Vincent Marcos says “After the 2022 elections, my brothers and I moved out of our parents’ house. It was time for us to live on our own. Even if we don’t live in Bahay Pangulo, the place will always hold fond memories. This is where my Lola and my cousins—from both the Romualdez-Marcos and the Cacho-Araneta sides—get together to have Mass and family lunch evert Sunday. This is also where we celebrate New Year’s Eve. Whenever I invite my friends over, they are amazed at the beautiful view of Malacañang Palace overlooking Pasig River. I realize that this beautiful residence is a privilege extended to us until my father’s term ends. Until the next President comes along, we will give it the respect it deserves.” — From The Malacañang Brochure