Culture is more than preserving history — it is about keeping traditions alive and creating spaces where Filipinos can experience and celebrate their heritage.

First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, wife of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., is a lawyer, longtime law professor, and advocate for education, arts and culture.

After nearly 30 years of teaching law, she continues to support initiatives focused on preserving Filipino identity through research, documentation and cultural development.

1.Celebrating Filipino craftsmanship

At the center of the First Lady’s cultural advocacy is LIKHA (Likhaing Filipino), an annual initiative of the Office of the First Lady that honors Filipino artisans, weavers, designers, craftsmen and cultural communities. Held in Intramuros, the program highlights indigenous textiles, traditional crafts and locally-made products while helping preserve skills passed down through generations.

In 2025, LIKHA expanded with the opening of the Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls in Pasay City, an 8,000-square-meter exhibition and retail space showcasing more than 2,000 products from nearly 200 Filipino enterprises. The venue strengthens the global presence of Filipino creativity and craftsmanship, especially as the Philippines prepares for its 2026 ASEAN Chairship. The First Lady also supports the film industry through CineGang, a creative workspace in Makati for Filipino filmmakers, and contributes to artistic development as Honorary Chairman and active board member of the Asian Cultural Council Philippines.

2. Transforming Malacañang into a living heritage space

The First Lady has helped restore and highlight the cultural value of Malacañang and its surrounding historic structures. The Malacañang Heritage Museums, featuring Bahay Ugnayan, Teus Mansion and Goldenberg Mansion, were established to preserve and share important chapters of Philippine history.

Other restoration and improvement projects include Bahay Pangarap, the President’s private residence; the Laperal Presidential Guest House, which welcomes foreign leaders and dignitaries; and the Maharlika Hangar, the ceremonial arrival and departure venue for heads of state.

Modernization efforts have also improved the New Executive Building, Presidential Action Center (PACe), STAR Building, Presidential Escort Group Headquarters and Pangarap Golf Course while maintaining their historical importance.

3. Renewing the legacy of Intramuros

The First Lady has supported the revitalization of Intramuros as a center for history, culture and tourism. The Centro de Turismo Intramuros now serves as a gateway for visitors exploring the Walled City, while the Museo de Intramuros preserves religious art, artifacts and colonial-era heritage. The restoration of Foro de Intramuros, formerly known as the Clamshell Pavilion, has also brought back a historic venue for cultural events and exhibitions.

4. Bringing the Pasig River back to life

Through the Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli (PBBM) Project, Araneta-Marcos advocates for the transformation of the historic Pasig River into a vibrant cultural corridor. The 25-kilometer redevelopment project aims to create green public spaces through landscaped esplanades, pedestrian-friendly walkways, parks, cultural areas and spaces for local businesses, allowing Filipinos to reconnect with a river that was once central to Manila’s commerce and culture.

5. Preserving history through the Presidential Library

Launched in 2022 through a partnership between the Office of the President and the National Library of the Philippines, the Presidential Library provides public access to valuable books, archives and historical documents from Malacañang. The initiative preserves the legacy of past presidents while giving students, researchers and the public a deeper understanding of Philippine history and national identity.