Giancarlo Capco is the CEO of a Social Enterprise CALRIGER Tech and founder of Global Advocacies
We Filipinos and the cultural values that we have are very strong and because we grow with our ancestors’ conservatism instilled in our heart, mind and soul, we and our developed virtues are good for the world to have.
Another thing is that having right principles and integrity are a must for us Filipinos when deciding to have a lifetime partner and this includes making a family grow with conservative values to follow and use as family foundation, because in our hearts family is very important and the World is one big Family in need of right love and care.
Giancarlo Capco invented the CALRIGER SolarRev Generator for the Filipinos and for the world – Global Advocacies
With all these, we Filipinos are good world leaders because our care and kindness are so natural and we practice it inside our family, and if we can care for our family and do our best to uplift lives of our family members the right way, this only means we Filipinos can uplift the lives of people in this World.
We Filipinos and our Patriotic hearts can make this world a better place also because we are greatful to our Creator for the gifts and talents that our Creator is giving to us day by day and it is a fact that whatever goodness we have, we always share them to anyone in need.
Always remember Filipinos are created with conservative right love, wisdom, values, principles and virtues so we need to protect these, never let corrupt practices in our system, never compromise our good heart for corrupt success and do our best to help uplift as many lives as we can the right way.
We need to move, we need to see, we need to help, we need to share – Right Love, Right Care and Right Help will surely make this world a better place! – Giancarlo Capco, Founder of CALRIGER and Global Advocacies http://www.giancarlocapco.net
CALRIGER Technologies and Innovations are the development programs of CALRIGER CEO, Giancarlo Capco, the same person who invented the Solar Sanitary Aqua Vendo (SAV) Water Pump which was the greatest innovation that a Filipino Entrepreneur shared in the Build IT Business and Innovation Program of Harvard Business School USA. CALRIGER is currently the biggest supplier of Military Compliant CCTV Products and Systems including the Cyber Defense Programs and Software which combines Defense and Security Surveillance in Industrial Centralized Server. This Military Compliant AMS HD CCTV System is plugged with different advanced monitoring and online remote viewing features but not limited to mobile application programs for the system has Centralized Software that can be used in all types of Computers.
“CALRIGER BRINGS ADVANCED MAXIMUM TECHNOLOGIES TO THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE”
CALRIGER CEO PAST ACTIVITY IN HARVARD
CALRIGER MC COMPANY specialize in Advanced Maximum Technologies-AMT relating to Solar Rev Generator, Cyber Communication Development, Strategic Cyber Defense Security Systems and Website Development, AMS Surveillance HD CCTV System, Tactical and Survival Gears, and now the company also engages in researching, distributing, developing, trading CALRIGER’sAdvanced Maximum Technologies.
Mission: CALRIGER aims to bring Advanced Maximum Technologies to the hands of the People.
Vision: CALRIGER aims to become the top technology provider company in the Philippines and provides advanced technology education to the Filipino people.
Goals:
Bring technology advancement to the society
Create a culture of peace that focus on valuing competent education thru the use of various advanced technologies
Help the Advocacy Groups to level their marketing skills to its maximum efficiency for them to bring their messages closer to the people
Honor the Creator of all things by using all His creations, blessings and gift for the right and good purposes and the right ways and at the same time promoting good and right things for preserving goodness in this world.
ADVANCED MAXIMUM TECHNOLOGIES & INNOVATIONS OF CALRIGER
CALRIGER Solar Rev Generator, Solar Powered AMS HD CCTV CENTRALIZED SECURITY SYSTEM, CALRIGER SERVE – Solar Emergency Response Vehicles, Solar Powered SAV Water Pump System, , Solar Powered house, Farms and Resorts, Heavy Duty Solar Lightings, AC and DC Spot and Flood Lights, Solar powered radio communication systems and many other Advanced Maximum Gears Technologies, Night Vision devices, Cyber Defense Anti-Hacking Gadgets, Tactical Gears and Survival Gears.
OUR SOLAR REVOLUTION TECHNOLOGY (INDUSTRIAL GRADE)
Our solar panels have long life, excellent charging characteristics, waterproof and equipped with cooling system. Our solar modules are applied in Off-Grid-connect solar revolutionary generating system, Stand-alone solar power system with portable version for lighting, communication, monitoring and any other places that need electric power. OUR SOLAR PRODUCTS We also develop solar application products such as solar street lights, solar billboard, solar charger, solar cooling system, solar water pump and heater, solar lanterns and many more. We have professional R&D team, kaizen quality control management system and advanced testing center to provide quality solar products and excellent technical support. THE SOLAR REV GENERATOR POWER SYSTEM Using solar power to produce electricity is not the same as using solar to produce heat. Solar thermal principles are applied to produce hot fluids or air. Photovoltaic principles are used to produce electricity. A solar panel (PV panel) is made of the natural element, silicon, which becomes charged electrically when subjected to sun light.
OUR HD CCTV SYSTEM AMS (Advanced Maximum Security-Military Standards Compliant)
CALRIGER AMS HD CCTV SYSTEM with Defense and Security Technologies is a developed innovative surveillance Advanced Maximum Security platform with security efficiency and reliability that integrates a 24/7 solar rev generator and HD CCTV System. The CALRIGER HD CCTV Advanced Security System creates a stand-alone centralized monitoring structure that the law enforcers or system users can use to cover the required surveillance range, it collates all CALRIGER DVR recordings thru records forwarding into one central monitoring system thru system integration CCTV PC Software. The CALRIGER Defense and Security Technologies also provides intelligent CCTV Programs which contains user friendly interface that can be accessed only with top security encryption and can be remotely linked with key security institutions such as police, military, fire and rescue departments and other administrative divisions through secured authorized mobile phones or Laptop Computers connection in the main Centralized CCTV Server for all DVR units. All of these key security and advanced features can help in eradicating crimes, preventing damages from disasters and enhance response rate of rescue and fire departments in emergency situations CALRIGER AMS HD CCTV Centralized System is for Society Security Upgrade in the Philippines.
OUR CYBER DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY and WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT ( INDUSTRIAL GRADE )
CALRIGER CYBER TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM is one of the Service lines of CALRIGER MARKETING CONSULTANCY COMPANY, it is a Professional Website Development and Designing Marketing Firm based in Metro Manila, Philippines. We focus on Advanced Maximum Cyber Technology for Commercial Enterprises and State Cyber Projects, we also offer affordable website designs that will suit the needs of small and medium enterprises. We provide personal websites for students and organizations. We offer web-hosting services provided by our partners and we give our clients the opportunity to select the reasonably priced web hosting plans and domain name registrations. SERVICE LIST Website Frontpage, On-Line School Year Book, Personal Website Designs, Business Website/ Corporate Website.
OUR LED ADVANCED LIGHTING INNOVATION (HEAVY DUTY COMMERCIAL GRADE)
CALRIGER Advanced Led Lightings offers high quality LED Bulbs and Tube lights for AC and DC Applications. Top quality LED lights can be used for indoor and outdoor lighting needs. We also supply LED spot and flood lightings for cars and off road vehicles to ensure that driver’s vision while using these vehicle can reach its maximum efficiency thru the support of high quality CALRIGER LED Lights in whatever road it will pass whether day time or night time.
OUR TACTICAL AND SURVIVAL GEARS (ADVANCED MAXIMUM GEARS)
CALRIGER Tactical and Survival Gears are the most Advanced and at its Maximum Effectiveness in their field of applications these are also known as the CALRIGER ADVANCED MAXIMUM GEARS (CAMG). Popular innovative technologies of CALRIGER in this industry are the Raven Eye Night Vision, Vehicle Surveillance Recorder, Tactical Firestarter Flints, Tactical Multi-Survival Tools, Dynamo Chargers, Utilitykeys, Waterproof Watches and Gadgets, Action Cameras, Waterproof Flashlights, High Lumens Search Flashlights, Survival bags and cook-set, Solar and Dynamo Lanterns and Chargers.
OUR SERVICE SUPPORT (TOP QUALITY SERVICES & PRODUCTS WITH WARRANTY)
We can supply design, production, partner installation and technical support for different setups and various technology applications including installation of AMS HD CCTV System, Installation and setup of Solar Rev Generators and different sizes of solar modules and solar application products. We trade high quality LED Bulbs and Tubes for 220V and 12V Solar, We supply Advanced Maximum Gears Tactical and Survival Applications, Night Visions, Car Dash Camera Surveillance, Security Technologies, Cyber Defense Development Systems. All our business deals are supported by our legal department and in-house lawyers to ensure that all regulations, legalities and state laws are fully complied and we provide centralized trading center to enhance clients’ experience in purchasing our products and services thru our online Trading Center the GPS ONLINE TV (http://www.gpsonlinetv.com) .
CALRIGER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Solar Rev Generator Division
AMS HD CCTV Division
Vehicle CCTV Cameras and GPS Division
Cyber Technology Program ( with Website Development )
CALRIGER PROJECTS and NATION BUILDING DEVELOPMENT ADVOCACIES
Non-Government Organizations with Development Projects:
Youth for Peace Advocacy Movement – CCTV and Solar
National Youth Leadership Summit – Solar
Global Advocacies TES International Missions – Solar
ICCP Foundation Pampanga – Solar and Website
Kitang Taga Iriga Foundation – Solar
International Christian Academy – Website
Catholic Church the Feast – Website
Government Institutions:
Armed Forces of the Philippines Military bases and facilities specifically the Chief of Staff Office,
Sub-bases Army OACPA HPA, Navy Civil Military Operation, Airforce Villamor, AFP Civil Relations Service, Nueva Ecija Battalion, CRGs 1st to 7th CRG Offices – Solar and Website with Cyber Defense
Department of National Defense’s National Defense College of the Philippines – CCTV
Golf Course of the Armed Forces of the Philippines – CCTV
Bureau of Customs Intelligence Division – Website
Industrial and Business Establishments:
Security Aganecy Cubao Subcon of Ayala Malls Mindanao – Tactical Gears Night Vision
Terranutra Trading – CCTV and Solar
Motolite Corporation Batteries – CCTV
Capco Law Firm – CCTV
JCM Solar Resto Cubao – Solar
BP Food House – CCTV
Jio Material Recovery Facilities – CCTV
Speed Laundry branches – CCTV
JCB Mindoro Beach Resort – Solar
Youth for Peace AM Solar Farm Tanay – Solar
RJ Solar Tower Lipa – Solar and CCTV
QT Enterprise Steel Manufacturing – Solar
PJV Town House – CCTV
Unilab Housing Solar – Solar
Xado Enterpise Russian Tech – Solar
Medical Hospitals and Clinic
Nuu Skin Care Derma Clinic – CCTV
Capco Ace Derma Clinic – CCTV
Kmatters Dialysis Center Taguig – CCTV
Kmatters Dialysis Center Cavite – CCTV
Global Homes Construction Paranaque- Solar
SDS Cyber Mega Structures – Solar
Bicol Colarina High School – Solar
D Farm Caliraya – Solar
Peace Kamp Porac – Solar
Farms and Residential Houses:
Metro Manila, Pateros, Tanay, Batangas, Mindoro
Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija
Tangub Mindanao, Osamis Mindanao, Cagayan De Oro Mindanao
Butuan Mindanao, Davao Mindanao
ABOUT CALRIGER CEO
GIANCARLO CAPCO, CEO CALRIGER MARKETING CONSULTANCY
Giancarlo Capco is a person who is powered by knowledge, driven by the right principles in life and guided by virtues. He believes that we need to fight with courage and stand with honor in our everyday encounter with life.
College Life and International Recognitions of Giancarlo Capco
Giancarlo Capco is a graduate of Commerce Major in Business Management in Far Eastern University 2.awarded as one of the Ten Outstanding Senior Students of Far eastern University, 3.with multiple award as best organization president in the institute and university level. 4.He was also awarded as Outstanding YMCA Student Leader of 2005, 5.He represented the Philippines in the Asia Pacific Leadership Conference in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia 2005, 6. then he was awarded by the Philippine Government as the Best Entrepreneurship Student of the Philippines for the Year 2006 with multiple awards in national business plan competitions.
College Life Top Highlights – HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL Experience
Then he represented the Philippines in Harvard Business School Boston Massachusetts USA – World Business Plan Competition where he garnered multiple international recognitions and award for his proudly pinoy invention the SAV unit also for the year 2006.8. For the year 2007 he was hired as the head of the Law Student Research and Development Group of the Capco Law Firm. 9. Then on year 2008 he become the General manager of Stagerfire Digital Studio and he also become 10. the Founding-Chairman of the Sovereign Integridad Football Club and 11.was elected as the Treasurer of the Youth for Peace Advocacy Movement (YPAM),. 12. Then on year 2009 he was elected as the Vice President of the Association of Law Students of the Philippines (ALSP) and become part of the organizing group of the event Youth Leadership Summit HPA Navy organized by the Civil Relations Service of the AFP, 13. he also become the Founding-Chairman of the Green Law Advocates International, then on the same year, 14. he represented the Philippines in the Asian Forum International of the Asian Law Students Association. 15. Then on 2010, he represented the Philippines in the ALSA Asian Conference Indonesia and won an international award of Best Conference Table Discussion and Asian recognition for his great presentation of the Filipino Eskrima Martial Arts depicting the story of Lapu Lapu. And recently he was 16. promoted as the Director of Capco Law Firm’s Legal Intelligence Division and also on the same year, he become the 17. Founding Chairman of the Philippine Law United Governance-(PLUG) and 18. the Governance and Camaraderie Advocating Peace and Solidarity –(GCAPS), 19. On the year 2011, he sphere headed the International Relations Development Group which promotes unity and equality among international people, and on the year 2012 he informally founded the GATES International Missions also known as the Global Advocacies Toward Empowered Society which advocates development of society in multiple aspects such as economics, international relations, education and many more. At this time Global Advocacies is under registration process with the Security Regulations Commissions.
The Youth Leadership Summit Life
On October 2012, he graduated from the first National Youth Leadership Summit, a Leadership Program conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Davao. From November 2012 to January 2013 Giancarlo Capco worked as legal researcher at the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and helped in organizing different Civil Relations Services Programs of AFP.
On the year 2013 Giancarlo Capco registered his business CALRIGER MC ( A Strategist and TechnologiesCompany) in the Philippines, he then provided the Video and Photography services of CALRIGER STUDIO for free in the National Youth Congress 2013 GK Village Bulacan and also on the National Youth Leaders Congress Antipolo 2014 which was organized by AFP J7 and CRS AFP
Business Life of Giancarlo Capco
After one year of business registration and soft launching of CALRIGER Operations, on the year 2014 Giancarlo Capco started providing different Advanced Maximum Gears Technologies to the Philippines such as Cyber Defense Systems, Solar Rev Generator, AMG HD CCTV Security Cameras and Survival Gears. After his different appearance in major TV Stations on the Philippines for his Renewable Technologies he then started donating Solar Technologies to farmers, Social Advocacy Groups and institutions that teaches virtues and values to the communities and decided to open CALRIGER TRAINING CENTER which offers free technology trainings with focus on website marketing development and Solar Rev Generator setups to different communities and NGOs to provide technical skills to the youth and out of school youths and also to help eradicate the problems in looming energy crisis.
On the year 2015 he conducted different skill trainings to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to different YLS graduates and provided jobs and business opportunities to many Filipinos around the country, on the same year he established and solar powered the server operation of the Youth Leadership Summit National Website and Database to unit and connect all YLS graduates around the world with the website address WWW.NATIONALYOUTHLEADERSHIPSUMMIT.COM.
On the year 2016, Giancarlo Capco started to invent new technologies that can help in different social crisis that the Philippines is experiencing, these technologies includes the CALRIGER SERVE – Solar Emergency Response Vehicles, Solar Powered Water Pump System, Solar Powered HD CCTV Security System with internet access, Solar Powered house, Farms and resorts, Solar powered radio communication systems and many other Advanced Maximum Gears Technologies.
GIANCARLO CAPCO, CEO- CALRIGER MC COMPANY
At present, Giancarlo Capco is opening CALRIGER doors to interested people and youth to learn Advanced Maximum Technologies of the CALRIGER Company and share skills and business opportunities to people with the heart that loves Nation Building and Social Advocacy Projects for the Philippines and for the world.
Life’s Trials, Experiences & Realizations contain Jewels of Wisdom & Virtues that we need to unlock in order for us to successfully grow & be efficient and effective in the fulfillment of our missions in this life. A Strategist understands that after the battle there will be loses and gains. He also knows that a person can lose a lot but he shall never lose his virtues for these are parts that make him a human of morals and goodness – GCaps
The Way of Life of a Strategist
Calibrated Judgments for Complicated Challenges, Using Wisdom and Virtues in Choosing a Mission and Understanding the Essence of Losing and Gaining Along the Way.
By: Giancarlo Capco “GCaps”
In life there are many ways to live and survive but for me the best way that can open the gate towards understanding life is the way of the Strategist. All of us are given free will together with the gift of life and with this freedom we have the liberty to live according to ways that we desire. Whatever life a person wants, appreciating different turn of events in our lives is the hardest part. To understand life’s ways and live with it harmoniously a person should live by choosing his life’s path through wisdom guided by virtues, he should also learn to accept whatever the result of his actions, then have the courage to move forward to the next path, then live a life with calibrated judgments for complicated challenges and then he should learn to understand the essence of losing and gaining along the way, this is The Way of Life of a Strategist. A Strategist perceives life in this way and it all summed up to this conclusion because of his time developed skills strengthen by principles and guided by virtues. His ways might not be the best amongst all ways but his ways are good in inspiring and motivating people to move forward together with time.
All of us can be a Strategist if we decide to become one. Being a Strategist is not a position or a designation that people can give you or call you because to be a Strategist requires time developed skills and knowledge and a personal decision to accept responsibilities and obligations attached to such calling. As can be seen in the timeline of our existence, there are warriors who follow orders of their ruler, knights who live according to the words of their king, soldiers who fight through the command of their general, but with all of these, there exist the one who creates strategies that followers and leaders use in order for their group to win their battles, he might be from the division of the followers or from the section of the leaders but the certain fact is that such person through his time developed skills and knowledge decided to stand as a Strategist to empower, inspire and motivate the group and his leader to execute a strategy that aims to win their battle. In summary, a Strategist can be anyone, a warrior, a knight, a fighter, a follower or a leader but he must possess the time developed skills and knowledge and the required personal decision to become a Strategist.
A Strategist believes that whatever goal a person decides to achieve or a mission a person decides to conquer or a challenge a person decides to face, such person needs to bring all his strength and strategies towards the aim of achieving it.
A Strategist knows that a person will lose many things along the way when such person is in a conflict or battle but such person have a big chance of attaining his goals, be successful in his missions and be victorious in facing life’s challenges if he will face his fears and don’t let worries stop him in formulating well prepared action plans and strategies for his goals, missions and challenges.
A Strategist understands that after the battle there will be loses and gains. He also knows that a person can lose a lot but he shall never lose his virtues for these are parts that make him a human of morals and goodness. A Strategist also knows that whatever the result of the battle, a person can collect what he lose along the way and brings back whatever he can get back, however, he also knows that those which are uncollectable and those that he cannot find and get back are meant to be lost and he knows that there are understandable reasons why these things are gone and he respects life for taking them away from him but he also hopes that someday he can find them again if life will allows him. Then he also knows that those that he can collect and get back, he can enhances them and develops his connections with them in preparation for his next mission, goal and battle.
A Strategist believes that those who value him with great compassion and with truthfulness will always be there for him even during battles or even off battle. A Strategist deeply understands that those who decided to leave him and never get back to him are also important and for this he is even thankful that they passed by in his lifetime, and he is also very much grateful because even for a short while they contributed in their own special ways something in his life and development and they already become part of his life.
A Strategist always remembers that even the greatest persons who are experts in strategizing ways in facing life’s battles has their own limitations, therefore a Strategist gives strong emphasis in the need to understand that a person cannot hold so much matters in this world because everything has a limit and capacity, so he knows that it is very vital to be wise in deciding what to hold on and it is also important to choose those that can make him better and those that can help him in bringing goodness and inspirations in the territories that he will walkthrough.
A Strategist gives high importance In human connections, he values all of them, trust those who want to hold on to him and respect those who want to go away from him because just like in a life of a soldier in going to a battle he choose to communicate with those people who are essential in his mission, he ask for support to those that can help him in winning the battle and he fight together with those that can make him survive the fight and keeps him standing till the end. But A Strategist do all of these in order for him to stay alive, so that after the battle he can give unconditionally his achievements to the people he loves, be thankful and brings back the favors and supports he get from those people who helped him in his missions, and he never forgets to share whatever he can share because he believes that sharing can help in motivating people also to share what they have and when all of us share with each other these acts can help in the development and welfare of our society.
A Strategist knows that all of us want to reach our dreams and achieve our goals. He knows that in accomplishing these dreams and goals, we all need to decide for the best way that we think and believe which can help us to attain these things, so a person needs to act according to his own decision and not from the words of others because whatever decision a person do, the effects of his decision will make him suffer or make him benefit from it.
A Strategist lives with the principle that focus can leads to quality works and with this he always remembers that focus is important in winning a challenge, so he gives highlighting that a person needs to free his mind from distractions caused by worries, fears, sadness, jealousy, envy, expectations, negative thinking, anger and defeat, then a person needs to condition his mind to positivity so that he can strengthen his knowledge, health, fitness, virtues and strategies in order for him to equipped focus with all his positive weapons that can lead him to outstanding victories.
A Strategist also gives importance to the fact that a person needs to be wise in choosing the battle that he wants to fight because in all actions that he do, he will always experience loses and gains, and with wise decisions he will lose those which are not that helpful and important in his development but then he also knows that he can gain those which are significant and essential for his betterment and welfare. Wise action can gives him positive loses and gains and he knows that these are benefits of thinking intelligently and deciding wisely.
In the end, whatever happens, whatever the results will be, a Strategist knows that a person should not be locked up in his disappointments, frustrations and sadness. He knows that it is ok to feel these things when a person is defeated in a battle but he should never lose hope because time in life will not stop so he should stand and hold on to hope, move with every movement of time, learn from mistakes around him, then plan, prepare and make himself more strong and wise. A Strategist have faith that as long as there is time, he should never stop moving forward and he should always be ready for his next strategy for his fight in his next battle, for his expedition towards his next goal and for his winning strike for his next challenge.
A Strategist is a simple humble person and enjoys the company of ordinary people because with them he gains his strength to strive more to equalize and maintain the equality between the ordinaries and the elites. He stays simple when circumstances can be dealt with simple approaches, but he will be in his maxim efficiency as Strategist and he amplifies his ways when things are in its difficult state and requires strategies in solving complications.
A Strategist gives all his trust to his Creator and knows that sometimes, just sometimes, there are things that he cannot understand and during those times he needs to move on and let fate decides and at those moments he trusts his Creator that someday a great explanation will be given to him that can enlighten his heart and mind. A Strategist also believes that his efforts measure the amount of success that he can attain and his faith stands with the enlightenment that if he deserves something and he do his best to achieve it, life will give him those things that he deserves on the right time and place.
Life is easy to understand when we realize that ways towards success requires methodical preparations that can result to effective strategies and efficient actions, and life is easy to deal with when we accept that all our actions will result to loses and gains but with proper use of wisdom guided by virtues we can attain positive loses and gains. In conclusion, a life with calibrated judgments for complicated challenges, using wisdom and virtues in choosing a mission and understanding the essence of losing and gaining along the way with trust that the Creator of everything will explain all the loop holes in life in the right time and place, is The Way of Life of a Strategist.
Written: August 04, 2012
The Fort Global City, Philippines
Authored and Written by: Giancarlo Capco “Calriger GCaps”
Article Title: The Way of Life of a Strategist / The Way of the Strategist
The official residence of the President of the Philippines is Malacañan Palace. Situated in the old Manila district of San Miguel, over the 175 odd years that government has owned the place, the buildings have been remodeled, expanded, demolished and rebuilt, and adjoining lands bought. Most recently, in 1978 to 1979 the Palace itself was drastically remodeled and extensively rebuilt by then First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos.
Spanish Colonial Era
The first recorded owner of the property is Luis Rocha, a Spaniard in the Galleon trade. The Rocha property was built of stone, described as being a relatively modest country house (although modern day Rochas say it was not small and in fact had a ballroom) with a bath house on the river and gardens, all enclosed by a stone fence. The latter was probably a nipa-roofed and bamboo-enclosed structure built on the water, where away from the gaze of passing boats, the Rochas and their guests could enjoy the rushing water while clinging to a rope – a favorite pastime of the era. It was one among many weekend homes of the elite, located in San Miguel, Paco, and Sta. Ana along the Pasig river and its tributaries, easily accessible from Intramuros and Binondo by boat or carriage or on horseback. The still standing “Carriedo House” within the Sta. Mesa campus of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, may have been one of these weekend homes.
Luis Rocha sold the property in 1802 to Colonel Jose Miguel Fomento of the Spanish Army. Fomento’s testamentary executors in turn sold it to the government upon his death in 1825.
The Spanish Governors General had lived grandly in Intramuros since the 17th century in the Palacio del Gobernador on the Plaza Mayor (now Plaza Roma). The “Posesion de Malacañang” as it was called, was a country home and temporary residence of outgoing Governors General awaiting the next ship to Spain.
The great earthquake of June 3, 1863 felled the Palacio in Intramuros. The Governor General had to move to Malacañan Palace. Finding the place too small, a wooden two-storey building was added at the back of the original structure, as well as smaller buildings for aides, guards and porters, as well as stables, carriage sheds and a boat landing for river borne visitors.
The newly closed Colegio de Sta. Potenciana was remodelled into the Palacio Provisional de Sta. Potenciana, located at the site where now stands the Philippine National Red Cross and possibly the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Buildings on General Luna Street. With Sta. Potenciana ready, the Governor General moved back to Intramuros in 1865. Meanwhile, repairs continued at Malacañan Palace. Work must have been just completed when another earthquake struck, badly damaging both Sta. Potenciana and Malacañan Palace. The Governor General moved to an office building on Calle Cabildo in Intramuros.
Malacañan Palace was once again repaired and improved. Its posts were strengthened, roof tiles replaced with corrugated iron sheets, balconies repaired and both exterior and interior beautified. As luck would have it, no sooner were these completed when fresh calamities struck: a typhoon in October 1872, an earthquake in December 1872, a fire in February 1873, another fire in 1873 after repairs were completed, and a bad storm in May 1873. After that, rebuilding resumed in earnest, with new wings, azoteas, rooms, and galleries, over the next four years (1875-79).
By the time the Americans took over in 1898, Malacañan Palace was a rambling Spanish colonial period complex of buildings, built of wood, with sliding capiz windows, patios and azoteas.
Under American Rule
The American Governors General abandoned the plan to reconstruct the old Palacio at Intramuros. Instead, they continued to improve and enlarge Malacañan Palace, buying up more land, reclaiming more of the Pasig River, raising the ground level (to keep above flood waters), changing wood to concrete, and beautifying the interiors with hardwood panelling and magnificent chandeliers.
In 1920, the Executive Building was constructed by Governor General Francis Burton Harrison. Till then, the Governor General had to commute daily to his office at the Ayuntamiento Building. Gov. Gen. Leonard Wood was the last chief executive to hold office in Intramuros and the first in Malacañan Palace. Gov. Gen. Dwight Davis (1929-32) notably extensively rebuilt the Palace itself.
Malacañan Palace during the Commonwealth
Beginning 1935, when Manuel L. Quezon moved to Malacañan Palace as the President of the Commonwealth, Palace improvements were continued, including the construction of the Social Hall (now Heroes Hall on the ground floor, intended for dining and dancing and non-official social affairs), State Dinning Room and the famous Pasig River facade. It was then First Lady Doña Aurora who saw to the construction of a Palace chapel, which is at the left of the main entrance, on time for the 33rd International Eucharistic Congress in 1937.
Malacañan Palace survived the Second World War, the only survivor among the major government buildings of Manila. The southwest side of the Palace, which would have been the State Dining Room and its service area, was damaged by shelling, but the rest was unscathed.
Malacañan continued to be the jewel of the still fashionable district of San Miguel, spared by the war, unlike Ermita, Malate and Paco across the river which were devastated.
Palace Renovations
In 1972, the Executive Building was cleared of employees. Many transferred to the recently enlarged Administration Building (now called Mabini Hall). J.P. Laurel Street (formerly Aviles Street) was closed to traffic and the Pasig River dredged. The entire second floor of the Executive Building was converted into the large Maharlika Hall, used for social functions and official gatherings.
The former servants’ quarters at the West end of the Palace grounds, abutting the old San Miguel Brewery which has since transferred elsewhere, was remodeled in 1975 into the Premier Guest House, in time for the IMF-World Bank Boards of Governors meeting. The nearby Arlegui Guest House was built at the same time.
In 1978-79, the Palace was expanded, its facades on all four sides moved forward. The Presidential quarters were enlarged on the J.P. Laurel front, eliminating the small garden and driveway leading to the private entrance. A new dining room and expanded guest suites were built on the main entrance front. On the riverside, a large Ceremonial Hall was built in place of the azoteas, veranda and pavilion. A larger Presidential bedroom was constructed on the remaining side, with a disco above, at roof level. The layout of the old rooms was retained, although the rooms themselves were enlarged and new bedroom suites inserted in what had been part of the garden.
The old Palace was gutted almost entirely, not only to meet the needs of the Presidential family but also because the buildings had been weakened by patch up renovation and repair jobs for a century.
The building is now made of poured concrete, concrete slabs, steel girders and trusses, all concealed by elegant hardwood floors, panels and ceilings. It is fully bullet proofed and air-conditioned and has an independent power supply. Reconstruction was overseen by Architect Jorge Ramos and closely supervised by Mrs. Marcos. It was inaugurated on May 1, 1979, the Marcos silver wedding anniversary.
During a fire in 1982 many irreplaceable mementos in a small museum located at the ground floor were lost. Air purification equipment was installed in 1983. In both instances, the First Family lived in the Premiere Guest House.
MALACAÑAN PALACE
The official residence of the President of the Philippines is Malacañan Palace. Situated in the old Manila district of San Miguel, over the 175 odd years that government has owned the place, the buildings have been remodeled, expanded, demolished and rebuilt, and adjoining lands bought. Most recently, in 1978 to 1979 the Palace itself was drastically remodeled and extensively rebuilt by then First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos.
Malacañan Palace was once again repaired and improved. Its posts were strengthened, roof tiles replaced with corrugated iron sheets, balconies repaired and both exterior and interior beautified. As luck would have it, no sooner were these completed when fresh calamities struck: a typhoon in October 1872, an earthquake in December 1872, a fire in February 1873, another fire in 1873 after repairs were completed, and a bad storm in May 1873. After that, rebuilding resumed in earnest, with new wings, azoteas, rooms, and galleries, over the next four years (1875-79).
HISTORY BANKS 