Palace launches official Facebook page

MANILA -- The government launched Monday the official Facebook page of Malacanang Palace ahead of its sesquicentennial year next year.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Facebook page dubbed "Malacañan Palace," features the transformation of the Malacanang from a simple summer house to an official residence and workplace of the country's President.

"The official Facebook page of Malacañan Palace by the Presidential Museum and Library was launched today in advance of the sesquicentennial of Malacañan Palace next year," he said in a statement.

"The Facebook page features a rich heritage from its beginnings as a riverside rest house owned by the Rocha family to its establishment as the seat of power where Spanish and American Governors-General held office, and as the official residence of the presidents of the Philippines," he added.

Published in conjunction with the Presidential Museum and Library website (www.malacanang.gov.ph) and the Presidential Museum and Library Tumblr account (tumblr.malacanang.gov.ph), these online resources are part of the mandate of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) as official custodian of the institutional memory of the Office of the President, Lacierda said.

He noted that the initiative of the project is aimed at harnessing social media to share the history, residents, traditions, and legacy of Malacañan Palace to a diverse online audience.

Lacierda said netizens can contribute their own pictures and memories of the Palace in the Facebook page.

"This way, Malacañan Palace is opened to the public through inclusive and people-centric social media," he said.

As of 12:15 Monday, the Malacañan Palace page already has 1,177 likes which Lacierda said "is indicative of strong interest in the project." (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)