Happenings’ in Malacañang

The first "happening" was a simple, brief ceremony held at Malacañang’s ceremonial hall during which President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, an avid ‘hispanista’, received an over-sized certificate of membership (see photo) to the Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española from its president, Jose "Pepe" Rodriguez. The entire proceedings lasted exactly seven minutes.

The second "happening" was the launching of "Palacio de Malacañang: 200 Years of a Ruling House" which took place, likewise, in the ceremonial hall. The historic book authored by literary titan Nick Joaquin, designed by Alfredo Roces and illustrated by Manny Baldemor and Phyllis Zaballero has been described as an "absorbing and thoughtful narrative of the grand house on the banks of the Pasig River which takes the reader from the laying of its first stone to the times and lives of the Spanish and American Governors, the Philippine Presidents and their families who have inhabited it to the present day in an unbroken continuum. The fascinating book memorializes Malacañang Palace as a historic, dignified and gracious official residence and situates the edifice in its place in the vortex of Philippine social, political and architectural history."

To add to the historicity of the launching, direct descendants of former Philippine presidents came to receive copies of the tome–Manuel Quezon Avanceña, Dr. Sotero Laurel, Rosie Osmeña Valencia, Vicky Quirino Delgado, Mila Magsaysay Valenzuela, Fernando Garcia Campos and Imee Marcos. Former Presidents Cory C. Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos and President Macapagal Arroyo received their copies separately.

The launching was scheduled for six but as requested, guests (mostly in native attire) were already seated by five-thirty, awaiting the momentous event with great expectations. A speaker mentioned Imelda’s 3,000 pairs of shoes on exhibit in the Palace Museum. A photograph in the book shows the fiery President Manuel L. Quezon smiling broadly, garbed in barong and a buntal hat, his right hand outstretched as though he had just pitched a ball.

The proceedings were brisk and in exactly half an hour, all the speeches were over. Guests liked the idea of being served a native punch befitting the austere times. A relaxed, gracious Ate Glo chatted with some guests including Instituto Cervantes director Javier Galvan who happily handed the distinguished hispanista the latest copy of the IC gazette Reseña. Banker Ramon Sy quickly bought a copy of the book: it’s cheap for P5,000 considering its rare significance.

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Paris-based Trixie Garcia, who’s married to Frenchman Patrick Berberian, wrote her parents Exequiel "Syke" and Sessy Garcia how excited she was at seeing the works of French painter Rachel-Guy Grathoup at the Salpetriere in Paris.