The reign of Ferdinand Marcos as the tenth president of the Philippines was considered as one of the most controversial periods in the Philippine history. Also considered as the longest time in power, Marcos’ period had been attached with various controversies that remain unresolved until the present time – from Ferdinand Marcos’ declaration of Martial Law in 1972 to the controversial ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos family, and other issues where the Marcoses were involved.
Despite the strains attached to the Marcoses, their family still managed to secure power in the government which enables them to continue the influential name of their family. Securing seats in the government gave Ferdinand Marcos’ children the power to preserve any traces of their father’s reign. Thirty one years since Ferdinand Marcos had been removed from his power, traces from his two decades of reign are still evident until today’s generation. This include the Malacañang of the North or Malacañang ti Amianan in Ilocano. Among the 29 summer residences built by Former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, this Bahay na Bato (Stone house) was a gift by his wife, Former First Lady Imelda Marcos during his 60th birthday. This place had been the family’s rest house during their visits to their home town. The Malacañang of the North was also the venue of many celebrations, from simple family affairs to high society gatherings, of the Marcos family.
Built five years after his declaration of Martial Law, the mansion was set overlooking the breathtaking Paoy Lake. It consists of nine rooms which was occupied by Ferdinand Marcos’ children and immediate family in the past. It was in Bahay na Bato (Stone house) style which was a common architecture design of many Filipino houses during the Spanish Era. The ground floor is marbled while the second floor is made of shiny hardwood floorings surrounded with the traditional Capiz windows.
When the Former President Ferdinand Marcos was removed from his seat through the EDSA Power Revolution in 1986, the mansion was confiscated by the Philippine Government and was not given attention not until after two decades. It was turned over to the local government of Ilocos Norte. During that time, Ilocos Norte’s governor was Imee Marcos. It was under her direction that the mansion had been restored and was opened to the public as a museum. The mansion showcases the life of the Marcoses during their glorious years as the most influential family in the whole country. The furniture inside and the pictures hanging on the walls inside the mansion show the luxurious life of the Marcos family for two decades of being on top. Clearly, the mansion itself shows the well-off life of the Marcoses decades ago while the rest of the Filipino people suffered in poverty.