In a major step forward for heritage and cultural conservation, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) has declared the Coconut Palace (Tahanang Pilipino) an Important Cultural Property (ICP).
Photo shows GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso and Chairman Rodolfo Del Rosario with Sen. Nancy Binay, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts; Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano; Andoni Aboitiz, Chairman of the National Museum Board of Trustees; Jeremy Barns, Director-General of the National Museum; Victorino Manalo, Chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts; Emmanuel Calairo, Chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines; UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines Secretary General Dr. Ivan Henares; Denise Mañosa, researcher of the Coconut Palace and wife of its architect Francisco "Bobby" Maňosa; and Architect Ludwig Alvarez. The members of the GSIS Board of Trustees present during the event were: Jocelyn Cabreza, Rachel Queenie Dizon-Rodulfo, Evelina Escudero, Rita Riddle, and Merceditas Gutierrez and GSIS Corporate Secretary Reyes Luz Victoria Reyes-Morando. (Photo taken from the official Facebook page of the GSIS)
The ICP declaration ceremony was held last Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at the selfsame building. The Coconut Palace is located in Pasay City, and is owned by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
The pronouncement was made under the National Museum’s Panel of Experts Resolution No. 1-2019 dated June 27, 2019. There is now a historical marker at the entry hall of the Coconut Palace, trumpeting the status of the building as a significant cultural and historical site.
The ICP status is given to establishments that have “exceptional cultural, artistic, and historical significance to the Philippines.”
At the unveiling ceremony, GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso stated in his keynote address, “GSIS will continue to preserve the Coconut. 'Patuloy naming aalagaan ang pamanang ito para sa mga susunod pang mga henerasyon.' (We will continue to take care of this inheritance for the next generation.)”
National Museum Director-General Jeremy Barns was also at the event, and concurred with Veloso's statement, “the ICP status accorded to the Coconut Palace symbolizes our desire to preserve this iconic property and foster a greater appreciation for the country’s rich history and artistic legacy.”
Guests at the ceremony included Senator Nancy Binay; Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano; Andoni Aboitiz, Chairman of the National Museum Board of Trustees; Jeremy Barns, Director-General of the National Museum; Victorino Manalo, Chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts; Emmanuel Calairo, Chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines; UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines Secretary General Dr. Ivan Henares; and members of the Maňosa family.
Tahanang Pilipino
The Coconut Palace is a masterpiece of Filipino architecture, designed by the late National Artist for Architecture Francisco Mañosa and built in 1978 as a guesthouse for visiting dignitaries. The palace is made entirely of coconut wood and other indigenous materials, and its design is inspired by the coconut tree, a symbol of the Philippines.
The palace is octagonal in shape, with a roof that resembles a "salakot," a traditional Filipino hat. The interior is decorated with intricate carvings and artworks, and the furniture is made of native woods. The palace also features a 101-coconut-shell chandelier and a dining table made of 40,000 tiny pieces of inlaid coconut shells.
The Coconut Palace is a valuable cultural asset of the Philippines. It is a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of Filipino architects and craftsmen. The ICP declaration is an important step forward for the conservation movement in the Philippines.
As an ICP, the Coconut Palace now qualifies to receive financial support from the government to ensure its preservation for future generations. We hope that further important structures in the Islands receive the same attention and treatment from the National Museum, as they are the one empowered by the government to declare ICPs in the country.