Malacañang of the North is the former Marcos family mansion on the shore of Paoay Lake in Ilocos Norte, Philippines and now open to the public as a fascinating museum.
From Marcos Family Home to Museum
Malacañang of the North, or Malacañang ti Amianan in Ilocano, is a presidential museum in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, and it was once the provincial residence of former President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady Imelda Marcos. The Philippine Tourism Authority built the mansion in 1977 for the president’s 60th birthday, and the family used it whenever they stayed in Ilocos Norte.
Today the house is open to the public as a museum, with its rooms themed around the Marcos era: study, agriculture, diplomacy, overseas Filipino workers, culture, nation building and family photographs, including those of other world leaders of the era.
Where Is Malacañang of the North?
The mansion stands in Barangay Suba, Paoay, on the shore of Paoay Lake, and it is close to Laoag International Airport. Laoag International Airport is serviced by two airlines from Manila, with two flights a day: a Cebu Pacific flight departing Manila early in the morning and taking around 40 minutes in the air, although its flight schedule says 1hr 15mins. My Cebu Pacific review covers what to expect when flying with them. In the evening, a Philippine Airlines flight also departs Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila for Laoag International Airport.
Since the Suba Paoay sand dunes are nearby, I visited both on the same day, and you can watch the 4×4 ride and sandboarding in my Paoay Sand Dunes video.
Entry, Photos and Filming
You pay at the small kiosk just inside the gate. At the time of my visit on 8 November 2023, entry cost ₱70 per adult and ₱50 per child, which worked out at about US$1.20 and US$0.86, or £0.93 and £0.66. A few steps lead up to the entrance, but there is also a wheelchair ramp to the right.
Filming and photos were both fine inside as long as I kept my voice down when filming.
Inside the Heritage Mansion
I spent about two hours at Malacañang of the North, because there was so much to see and placards to read, and so many photographs to look at.
Moreover, the mansion house itself is stunning, with period wooden architecture throughout, and that view from the open plan first-floor balcony out across Paoay Lake was beautiful.
I found Malacañang of the North a really relaxing place to visit, in the same way the family probably did, in fact the whole area of Paoay is lovely, steeped with so much history, some substantially older than this house. The heritage Marcos mansion is located on the shore of Paoay lake which was declared a national park in June 1969.
I remember the master bedroom had a huge bed that could easily sleep several people side by side, it was that big! The photo angle does not do the size justice!.
Another thing that I noticed from the original house layout was that it had no obvious original bathrooms or comfort rooms either, so perhaps this house was more for entertaining dignitaries or perhaps they were just located elsewhere on the property. There are visitor toilets for the museum although they were not well-maintained at the time of my visit.
Watch My Malacañang of the North Video Tour
My video takes you round the whole property and the grounds, so you can see all of the rooms and the lake view before you go.
The Old Swimming Pool
The thing that stood out most for me was the massive abandoned outdoor swimming pool at Malacañang of the North. It was already unusable, as it was full of algae-choked water when I visited. It was a shame to see it had fallen into such disrepair, creating an unsettling pocket of decay on an otherwise pristine estate. The massive concrete footprint of the pool is now filled with a dense, swamp-like green broth, blanketed by floating organic debris. The concrete surround is stained and fractured by encroaching roots, creating a bleak, mosquito-heavy micro-wetland that feels completely divorced from the grand, Capiz-shell windowed mansion just a few metres away.
A Missed Opportunity
I thought it would be a great feature to keep the pool maintained and operational. So that visiting tourists could say they swam in the former Marcos era family swimming pool at the museum. Equally, perhaps locals could use it too for swimming lessons and leisure. A dedicated museum coffee shop, selling drinks and Ilocano snacks, could really benefit the museum and what it offers. As a result, the pool would be looked after, and the museum would gain an additional revenue stream at the same time.
Is Malacañang of the North Worth Visiting?
I think Malacañang of the North is well worth a visit for locals interested in their heritage and tourists alike, and it is one of the most overlooked heritage sites in Ilocos Norte. If, like me, you want to read the exhibits and look around the grounds, allow a couple of hours. Parking is easy nearby.
More Places to See in Ilocos Norte
If you are touring Ilocos Norte, these are the other places in the province I have written about:
- Paoay Church, the UNESCO World Heritage church in the same town built with huge buttresses to survive earthquakes.
- Dune Bashing in the Philippines at Suba Paoay Sand Dunes
- Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, a lighthouse inland away from the sea.
- salt making in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.
- 18 Degrees North Coffee Shop, Glamping and Camping at Bangui, Ilocos Norte (just off the Pan-Philippine Highway).
- the Patapat Viaduct, an iconic concrete structure, 102 feet above sea level, winding 1.3km around the cliffs and the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines.
Heading South to Ilocos Sur?
If you are travelling on to Ilocos Sur, my posts on historic Vigan City, the Hidden Garden in Vigan City and the RG Jar Factory cover the stops I made there.
