Coconut Palace: An ode to Filipino craftsmanship

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos on Tuesday, 25 August, spearheaded the reopening of the Coconut Palace in Pasay City following months of rehabilitation. The project was funded by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in coordination with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Historically known as Tahanang Pilipino, the palace was commissioned in 1978 by former First Lady Imelda Marcos. Originally built for a staggering P37 million as a lavish guest house for Pope John Paul II’s 1981 visit, the Pope ultimately declined to stay there, noting its opulence was inappropriate amidst the country’s poverty. Over the years, the waterfront property has hosted high-profile international figures and served as the official office of the Vice President of the Philippines from 2010 to 2016.

Crafted by National Artist for Architecture Francisco Mañosa, the palace is a striking architectural ode to the coconut, celebrating it as the ultimate “tree of life.” The octagonal structure — mimicking a freshly cut coconut — is topped with a roof shaped like a traditional salakot (Filipino hat) and constructed using nearly 70 percent coconut lumber, shells and derivatives alongside Philippine hardwoods.

Inside, the palace showcases extraordinary indigenous craftsmanship. The grand chandelier crafted from 101 coconut shells is currently still being restored, while the main dining room features a massive table intricately inlaid with 40,000 tiny pieces of coconut shell and only five legs!

Other main rooms in the forst floor are the living room, music room and library, the latter used by the former VP as his office.

The second floor houses seven suites named after Philippine provinces and cities — Zamboanga, Pampanga, Marawi, Bicol, Mountain Province, Iloilo and Pangasinan — each meticulously decorated with unique regional materials, artifacts and handwoven fabrics. All the artworks in the Coconut Palace are by Filipino artists, indeed a grand showcase of Filipino talent and ingenuity.

This November, the historical edifice will serve as one of the venues for the 49th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in Manila.

“The President and the First Lady contributed their ideas to the restoration of this magnificent place. [We saw] the need to restore it as it had already incurred natural wear and tear, as the majority of the structure is wooden, facing Manila Bay,” said Joseph Philip Andres, executive vice president for the Research, Innovation and Strategic Advisory Group of the GSIS. “As the owner of the property, GSIS deemed it our responsibility to preserve the value, not only for this property but also for this cultural heritage.”

As host of ASEAN this year, Andres noted that the Philippines wants to showcase its best, making the Coconut Palace an ideal venue for the Leaders’ Summit.

“After the ASEAN, the vision of the GSIS is to open this to the public for free, [so] Filipinos [can] enjoy its grandeur and ingenuity. We plan to hire a property manager to maintain this cultural asset,” he said.

“The reopening of the Coconut Palace is more than the restoration of a historic landmark. It is an invitation for Filipinos and visitors alike to reconnect with our heritage, celebrate Filipino creativity and appreciate the architectural and cultural legacy that continues to inspire generations,” added GSIS president and general manager Jose Arnulfo ‘Wick’ Veloso.

The reopening forms part of the government’s continuing commitment to safeguarding the nation’s cultural treasures while creating meaningful opportunities for public engagement.