PHNO-HL: BINAY PLAYS TOUR GUIDE AS AQUINO VISITS 'COCONUT PALACE'

BINAY PLAYS TOUR GUIDE AS AQUINO
VISITS 'COCONUT PALACE'

[PHOTO -
PRESIDENTIAL VISIT: THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST President Aquino listens to his "tour
guide," Vice President Jejomar Binay, who walks him through Coconut Palace, his
designated official residence in Pasay City. Also called "Tahanang Pilipino," it
showcases artworks, Philippine history, and, of course, the durability and
beauty of the coconut. MALACAÑANG PHOTO
BUREAU]
MANILA,
APRIL 21, 2012
(INQUIRER) By Jerry E. Esplanada - Vice
President Jejomar Binay as tour guide?
Only at the Coconut Palace, his official residence, and "only if the tourist
happens to be the President of the Republic of the Philippines," his staff
jested.
On Thursday, Binay actually played tour guide to President Benigno Aquino
III, who made a 10-minute visit to the palace within the Cultural Center of the
Philippines, also the principal workplace of the country's second in command. It
used to be the former guesthouse for official visitors of the Marcos regime such
as the late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and Hollywood stars Brooke Shields and
George Hamilton.
10-minute call
The President arrived at the Coconut Palace at 10:25 a.m. and left 10
minutes later, Joey Salgado, Binay's media officer and spokesperson, told the
Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Salgado said Binay hurriedly met the President at the compound entrance,
ushering him to the second floor where the Vice President played tour guide,
showing him the paintings, among others things.
At the second floor of the complex, Salgado noted that the President
commented about the size of the bathroom once used by the late President
Ferdinand Marcos, which he said is "as big as the palace lobby entrance."
"The President also checked out the bedrooms. Then he walked to the balcony
where he viewed Manila Bay. They proceeded to the Vice President's office
downstairs and then to the library, where he looked at some of the books. After
that, he left for Sofitel hotel to attend a labor department-related event,"
said Salgado.
No politics
Asked if the President and the Vice President talked about politics even
briefly, Salgado replied, "definitely no politics."
"For the record, they only talked about the paintings, the decor, the
intricate details at the dining table and the balustrade at the staircase with
its intricate carvings," he said.
In late November, Binay opened the Coconut Palace to local and foreign
tourists.
The former Makati City mayor said in a statement that he "would like to share
the palace with the public so they may learn and better appreciate our
heritage."
The tours are free but engaged couples who plan to hold their wedding
reception at the bayside facility will have to go elsewhere.
Before the Vice President moved his office to the building, a four-hour
reception at the palace cost P100,000, while a simple tour would cost P100 per
head.
No party place

[PHOTO - Originally, The Coconut Palace, is Built in 1978, it is made
of several types of Philippine Materials, hardwood, Coconut shells, and a
specially engineered coconut lumber apparently known as Imelda Madera, I think
this is a kind of cut of Coconut. The Tahanang Philipino was The Guest house of
the Marcos, and when the end of the Marcos, the Coconut Palace is turn over to
the Philippines. The government take care of it. and it is open to the public
for special proposes. Every Piece in this Palace has its own meaning and
tradition. The Palace is shaped like an octagon to represent the coconut
serving. while the roof is shaped like a traditional hat of the Philippines.
mainly the farmer use it. the Filipino salakot or hat. their is some of its
highlights are the 101 coconut shell chandelier. and the dining table made of
40, 000 ( forty thousand) tiny pieces of inlaid coconut shells, and
more.]
According to Binay's staff, no more private parties will be allowed at the
edifice "as per instructions of the Vice President."
Aside from security reasons, they said it was "hard to imagine working here
with caterers and wedding or birthday guests, among others, running around."

In June 2010, Mr. Aquino offered Binay the Coconut Palace as his official
residence.
Aside from the lavish mansion built during the Marcos era, the other option
was the old City Hall of Makati City, where Binay held office during the early
years of his stint.
Before moving to the palace in early 2011, the Office of the Vice President
rented a portion of the seventh floor of the Philippine National Bank Financial
Center in Pasay City.
The palace was built in 1978 on orders of then First Lady Imelda Romualdez
Marcos.
The facility, which stands on a 2.7-hectare property, is estimated to be
worth at least P1.2 billion.
The Government Service Insurance System, which owns the property, has spent
over P10 million preserving the look and feel of the original edifice, designed
by Filipino architect Francisco Mañosa, and made of several types of Philippine
hardwood and coconut shells.



Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE
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