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From Bahay Pangarap to Bahay Pangulo: A peek into the renovated Presidential residence

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Bahay Pangulo

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

The official residence of the incumbent Philippine President in Manila got a makeover shortly after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed office, due to “severe” structural damage from termites and a strong earthquake in July 2022.With the new look, the once named “Bahay Pangarap” also got a new name: “Bahay Pangulo”.On Tuesday, Malacanang opened the doors of the refurbished Bahay Pangulo to the media for the first time, to give a peek into the details of its new look.Lush greenery and tropical plants surround the compound giving off resort-like vibes. It has water fountains that lined the walkway to the house, and a large pool, where First Lady Liza Marcos swims every morning.“Ang gusto lang ni First Lady noon, sabi niya, “Conrad, I want you to make it feel like a resort”. Kasi ‘yun din ‘yung idea from the beginning: So the Presidents can relax. Sabi niya, siyempre pagdating ni Presidente, pagod siya, parang gusto lang niya nare-relax. So, that was the premise,” Architect Conrad Onglao, who designed Bahay Pangulo, narrated.The compound has six main structures: the main house, the pavilion, the gym, the guest villa, the pool house, and the personnel quarters. Onglao said the architectural style he used was Filipino-modern, based on the preference of the First Lady. It elevated elements like bahay kubo’s pyramid-shaped roof and huge sliding glass panels for doors and windows.Giant paintings of national artist Fernando Amorsolo hang on the walls of Bahay Pangulo’s main house. There are also artworks of other Filipino artists that feature national costumes, flowers, history and culture. Onglao said even the furniture are locally made, mostly in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga, and handpicked by the first lady.“Pinoy ito talaga. It really showcases naman talaga our national treasure and our artistry,” he said.“Ang dami palang artwork from Malacanang na minsan nakatago lang. So they wanted to showcase, siyempre. National treasure naman natin ‘yan eh. So when they have dignitaries that they wanted to invite in the house, nakikita, nasho-showcase the beauty that&#x27;s Filipino,” Onglao added.Among the eye-catching pieces in the main house are the automatic piano in the living area, and the unique chandeliers that were designed by the First Lady.Apart from the spacious dining and living area, Bahay Pangulo also has a study room, a large kitchen, a dirty kitchen, a laundry area, a lounge and a lanai equipped with gaming items like chessboard, darts, billiards, and an arcade machine. Inside the gym, there is an elliptical machine, weights, and a car racing simulator.Every Sunday, the first family would gather for a mass and lunch at the Bahay Pangulo.<div>COST?</div>Asked how much was spent on the construction of Bahay Pangulo, Onglao could not say for certain.“I&#x27;m not even privy to the budget. Basta sinabi ko lang doon, eto ‘yung design, kayo na ‘yung bahala. But we&#x27;re always very conscious about the budget. ‘Pag sabihin, ito mahal, can we have an alternative? Sabihin namin, yeah, ito,” he said.Onglao gave assurances that the newly renovated Presidential residence will last several administrations, and incorporated engineering solutions to prevent flooding and make the structures withstand strong earthquakes.“Hanggang dito sa tuhod ni Presidente Duterte, kapag umaapaw ang Pasig. Itinaas namin ‘yung elevation. So kahit na tumaas ‘yung Pasig River, hindi na pumapasok ‘yung tubig. Tsaka naglagay kami ng some pump, ng ejection. Kung sakaling lumagpas, e-eject-in niya ‘yung tubig,” Onglao said.“Ito ngayon, it&#x27;s like a floating slab. Kaya kahit na gumalaw ‘yung lupa, hindi gagalaw ‘yung slab nito. Dati naka on the ground, kaya ‘pag gumalaw ‘yung lupa, kasi nasa-saturate ng tubig, umaalon, nagka-crack ‘yung mga flooring,” he added.“We did a lot of engineering. Even pati ‘yung mga bintana, it can withstand 150 KPH. ‘Yung bagyo kasi palakas na nang palakas. Pati ‘yung structure nito, tawag namin Zone 1, kahit na 8 to 10 in the Richter scale, hindi yan babagsak,” Onglao assured.“As long as 20, 50 years, it can (last),” he noted.

The official residence of the incumbent Philippine President in Manila got a makeover shortly after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed office, due to “severe” structural damage from termites and a strong earthquake in July 2022.

The official residence of the incumbent Philippine President in Manila got a makeover shortly after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed office, due to “severe” structural damage from termites and a strong earthquake in July 2022.