Malacanang sa Sugbo

Constructed before World War II, the building housed the headquarters of American officials who led the liberation of the Philippines.

After decades of benign neglect, the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo decided to restore the building’s old beauty and transformed it into what is now called Malacanang sa Sugbo or the Presidential Palace of the South.

But unlike other rehabilitation projects that cost the government hundreds of millions, if not billions of pesos, the restoration of Malacanang sa Sugbo required only P700,000 in public funds, with the 53rd Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army providing free labor, and a private company donating the painting requirements.

Adding the final touches to the structure were 23 of Cebu’s top furniture manufacturers who made sure that only the finest furnishings are found in the Palace of the South. This made Malacanang sa Sugbo a showcase of the best that Cebu has to offer: the best hands of the engineering brigade that undertook the rehabilitation of the building, the best intentions of the private companies that donated materials, and the best furnishings that one could find nowhere else in the world but in the Queen City of the South.

The palace’s furnishings and accessories, all donations by the 23 firms, enabled the government to save millions of pesos, while transforming the seat of power in Central Philippines as a showcase of their best products.

These furniture manufacturers met with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Malacanang sa Sugbo last March 9 during her visit to Cebu City.The Cebu Furniture Industry Federation (CFIF) got the furniture companies together and encouraged them to participate in the project.

The President tapped Chary Aboitiz to handle the interior design and made sure that the furniture donated by various companies and used in each of the rooms actually match. The biggest furniture donor was Maitland-Smith, followed by Cebu Fil-Veneer, which furnished the Guitar Room. Pacific Traders donated the furnishings for the lobby of Malacanang sa Sugbo which is known as the Traders’ Lobby, in recognition of the contribution of the private firm. Mehitabel Furniture Inc. provided some of the furnishings for the guest rooms and the private living area.

Other major donors are Metamorfose and Detalia Aurora. They provided the furnishings for the other rooms. Dedon, another furniture manufacturer, provided the furnishings for the inner courtyard, which is named Patio Dedon.

The minor donors are Raphael Legacy, Castillex, Silya, Arden Classics, Kirsten International, Murillo, Maple and Pine, Mendco, Interior Basics, Coast Pacific, Nature’s Legacy, Brianex, Riverside Arts and Rattan Pacifica. (gov.ph)