The Coconut Palace in Pasay City is set to reopen to the public next year, following the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Leaders Summit in November, according to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
Members of the media were able to tour the Coconut Palace on Tuesday, following its six-month renovation worth P200 million spearheaded by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
An iconic landmark showcasing Filipino ingenuity, artistry and sustainable architecture, Coconut Palace is among the venues of the 49th Asean Summit from Nov. 13 to 15 in Manila.
‘As owners of the property, we want to share this part of the Filipino heritage to the general public. So that is what we are going to do moving forward,’ GSIS Executive Vice President Joseph Phillip Andre told reporters.
‘After that (the Asean Summit), we will endeavor to be able to open it to the public. Perhaps by early next year, when we already have a property manager to handle this,’ he said.
The GSIS is considering allowing public access to the newly restored property, with the possibility of collecting entrance fees. The proposal, however, remains subject to the approval of the GSIS Board of Trustees.
Andres said the Coconut Palace was previously open to the public without an entrance fee, but fees may be charged for private events and specific bookings.
Designed by National Artist for Architecture Francisco Mañosa, the Coconut Palace, historically known as Tahanang Pilipino, was commissioned in 1978 by then-First Lady Imelda Marcos as a government guest house for foreign dignitaries.
It was offered to Pope John Paul II during his visit to the country in 1981. The pope, however, refused to stay there because it was too opulent given the level of poverty in the country during that time.
The edifice gained international acclaim for its holistic integration of the coconut tree’s elements in its architecture and décor.
Beyond its namesake material, a myriad of other traditional Filipino resources: capiz shells, solihiya (woven rattan) and narra wood are ubiquitous throughout the space.
The historic landmark features seven bedrooms curated in honor of local regions: Ilocos, Iloilo, Mountain Province, Zamboanga, Pampanga, Marawi and Bicol. Each bedroom is a meticulous showcase of diversity in textile, furniture and art exclusive to each of the regions.
The Coconut Palace also served as official residence and space for the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
In 2023, it was declared an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum of the Philippines, recognizing its deep significance to the country’s heritage.