Preserving our heritage is every Filipino’s responsibility. Our old stone churches, wooden ancestral homes and quiet historic towns have stood the test of time, and protecting them means safeguarding the identity we will pass on to future generations.
That’s why I am pushing for a bill to preserve our historical landmarks. These landmarks tell the story of who we are-and we owe it to the next generation to keep that story alive.
I see the renovation of the Coconut Palace as a prime example of how we honor our culture and heritage. The Coconut Palace reopened to the public on August 25, 2026, giving Filipinos and foreign tourists the opportunity to experience one of the country’s best-known cultural and architectural landmarks.
The Coconut Palace reopened after a P200-million renovation, just months before the country hosts a major ASEAN meeting.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos led the reopening ceremony. The palace, officially called Tahanang Pilipino, will serve as one of the venues when the Philippines hosts the 49th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit on November 13 to 15, according to Malacañang.
The building is located inside the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex in Pasay City and overlooks the Manila Bay. The Coconut Palace was built almost entirely from coconut trees and other materials found in the Philippines, instead of the concrete, steel and glass used in most modern buildings.
The President lauded the restoration work that returned the palace to its original condition. He said the palace was first built as a place for the government to host important foreign visitors, and that he would be happy to bring guests to stay there again.
President Marcos commended the Government Service Insurance System, the state pension fund known as GSIS, for leading the renovation project. The Coconut Palace is a property owned by the GSIS.
Per GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo Veloso, the reopening was an important step in protecting and promoting Filipino culture. This would make one of the country’s most famous landmarks easier for the public to visit, while keeping its role as a place for cultural events and national pride. The GSIS hopes to reopen the building to the general public by early 2027, after the ASEAN event.
I agree with Mr. Veloso when he said the reopening of the building provides a chance for both Filipinos and foreign visitors to reconnect with the country’s history, celebrate Filipino creativity and appreciate a style of architecture that continues to inspire people today.
I hope that all visitors will be given an opportunity to walk through the palace and see its unique design, detailed interior work and cultural displays that reflect different Filipino traditions. The building will also host cultural shows, official government events, school programs, tourism activities and other events that highlight Filipino art and identity.
I agree that the reopening of the palace fits into its broader effort to protect historic sites across the country while giving the public more chances to visit and learn about them.
The Coconut Palace was built in 1978 on the orders of former First Lady Imelda Marcos to show off Filipino skill and craftsmanship, while proving that coconut trees could be used as a serious building material.
It was designed by renowned architect Francisco ‘Bobby’ Mañosa, who was later given the title of National Artist for his work. It was originally meant to host important foreign guests, including Pope John Paul II when he visited the Philippines in 1981.
Almost every part of the coconut tree was used somewhere in the building, including its wood, shells, roots and fibers. Other Filipino materials were also utilized such as capiz shells, a type of woven material called solihiya, and Narra wood.
The palace once served as the official residence and Office of the Vice President. On June 23, 2023, the National Museum of the Philippines declared the building an important cultural property, recognizing its historical and architectural value.
The recent renovations preserved the palace’s heritage features while improving its facilities and functionality ahead of the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit.
I believe the reopening of the Coconut Palace underscores the government’s commitment to showcasing our cultural heritage and Filipino craftsmanship as we prepare to welcome ASEAN leaders and delegates.
I hope that the private sector will also join hands in protecting and preserving more cultural landmarks that reflect our Filipino identity. Through a stronger law and support from the private sector, we should protect our history for the next generation to appreciate.