Malacañan Palace

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

JUNE 11, 1863

After the Palacio del Governador (Governor's Palace) was destroyed by the strong June 3, 1863 earthquake, Governor General Rafael de Echague y Birmingham moved to Posesion de Malacañan. 

The Spanish government decided not to rebuild the Palacio and made Malacañan the new official residence of the Spanish governor general. 

Prior to the earthquake, the governor general lived in the Palacio and only used Malacañan during summer when the heat was stifling. 

It was also used to house outgoing chief representatives awaiting their ship back to Spain. 

Originally built in 1750, Col. Jose Miguel Formento bought the summer house, located on the north bank of the Pasig River in 1800 from Don Luis Rocha. He later sold the property to the Spanish colonial government. 

Malacañan Palace also became the official residence of the U.S. Military Governors and Civil Governors General. 

Manuel L. Quezon of the Commonwealth of the Philippines became the first Filipino president to live in the palace.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: Malacañan Museum