If Walls Could Talk: A walkthrough of the historic Laperal Mansion

A few years later, Fernandez mortgaged the property for PhP80,000 to the Laperals, the landed family who also owned the famous Laperal White House in Baguio City. The succeeding years were difficult for Fernandez as he faced legal cases related to his businesses; he would eventually face insolvency and imprisonment. Long story short, his loan with the couple Roberto Laperal and Victorina Guison Laperal went unpaid.  A petition was filed by the Laperals and the liquidator in order for the latter to be allowed to dispose of the mortgaged property at a private sale for a price not less than PhP80,000 plus interest and attorney’s fees. In addition was the stipulation that if there’s no buyer within six months, the sheriff would be ordered to sell the property at a public auction. The petition was granted by the insolvency court and on November 7, 1932, the sheriff auctioned off the property with the Laperals being the highest bidders. While the bid amount was PhP92,000, since the Laperals were the mortgagees, they only paid PhP473 in total as sheriff’s fees. The property then became the Laperal-Guison residence from 1932 to 1944.

Then the Japanese occupation, one of the darkest moments for the Laperals, came.  In 1944, the mansion was forcibly sold to the war-time government and became the official residence of Field Marshal Terauchi Hisaichi, a commander of the Japanese Southern Army during the Second World War. Under the government’s ownership, the contested property became home to many officials and offices including the American Consulate in 1945. It also became the first headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs following the liberation of the Philippines from the Americans, the National Library, and the Office of the President until 1965 when it was ordered to be returned to the Laperal family. During the term of President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr, the house was taken possession of the Philippine government in 1975. 

From a one-tower mansion, it was expanded and refurbished through the initiative of former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, turning it into a state guest house known as the Arlegui Guest House (named after the street where it is located). The Arlegui Guest House subsequently became the official residence of former Presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel V Ramos during their respective terms. In 1998, it functioned as housing for the personnel of the Office of the President and an Office of the Press Secretary during the administration of President Joseph Estrada. Ten years later, it was renamed Laperal Mansion by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. 

In 2007, the Supreme Court, through a decision, ordered the return of the mansion to the Laperals but the government eventually purchased it again from the Laperals in December 2022. This time, the current First Lady of the Philippines, Liza Araneta-Marcos pushed for its restoration, transforming it into the refreshed Presidential Guest House that it is today. “We renovated the mansion because we wanted to offer you a safe, comfortable and meaningful place for your leaders when they visit the Philippines,” Araneta-Marcos addressed the diplomatic corps during an intimate preview of the mansion. 

This initiative aims to take on a new approach to hosting visiting dignitaries from all over the world instead of accommodating them in five-star hotels. The new Laperal Mansion exudes warm Filipino hospitality while putting the spotlight on Philippine history and culture through the meticulously designed 14 bedrooms and five staterooms all named after the country’s past presidents and significant personalities, and all designed by talented Filipino designers.

“The marching orders from the First Lady were to maintain the original character of the house, and as much as possible, if we deemed fit, to use the furniture, accessories and artworks in storage,” says interior designer Jonathan Matti who was among the creative forces behind the revamp. Heeding these directions, Matti retained the grand columns and intricate wrought ironwork and incorporated expansive verandas, large windows and a swimming pool to evoke the tropical essence the Philippines is known for. Joining Matti is a pool of local creatives and design firms who were given the opportunity to lend their expertise in each room assigned by lottery. Drawing inspiration from history, they seamlessly integrated local fabrics, materials and bespoke furniture into the stately spaces.

Leading the team who designed the common areas such as the living and dining rooms, and two multipurpose halls, as well as a suite named after President Joseph Estrada, Matti shares the experience was such “a joy, especially seeing them come into fruition”. He continues, “[We] had to do research, renovate, refresh and update the house.” 

From the high-ceilinged entrance, one steps into an elegant foyer where a grand piano by the staircase easily catches the eye, as if inviting guests to tickle the ivories. To the right of the foyer is the Magellan living room, its walls decked with old portraits of the four great navigators: Juan Sebastián El Cano, Ferdinand Magellan, Christopher Colombus and Hernándo Cortés. 

Adjacent to the living room is the McArthur dining room, also designed by Matti. Here, a glistening crystal chandelier warmly reflects on the polished hardwood floors, and a painting that depicts General Douglas McArthur’s return to Leyte in 1944 hangs by the wall.

Next to the living and dining rooms is the Laurel Hall. Bathed in natural light, it features a harmonious mix of textures and patterns with wrought-iron table bases surrounded by wicker dining chairs upholstered with fabric made from sugarcane. The geometric flooring, various lamps and accessories make the area even more interesting.

To the other end of the ground floor, past some of the bedrooms, is the light and airy Aguinaldo Hall, also arranged by Matti and his team. Teeming with carefully curated European furniture pieces and with walls decked with memorabilia, the hall radiates a bright aura that symbolises optimism for the country’s future.

On the second floor is the Great Room dedicated to the Philippine National Hero Dr Jose Rizal. The opulent space has a plush seating area highlighting accent chairs from different eras; a stunning crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling. Accentuating the cosy, neutral palette of the room are portraits of Rizal that remind every guest of the great impact he made in our history. Adjacent to the Rizal Great Room are the suites of Presidents Rodrigo Roa Duterte by Chat Fores; Fidel V Ramos by George Yulo; and Corazon Aquino by Al Modesto Valenciano of Balay ni Atong Arts, Crafts and Antiques. 

Across the Rizal Great Room is President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr’s suite, the design of which reflects his various interests. Inside is a private library lined with leather-bound books that echoes what a voracious reader the former commander-in-chief was. 

A few steps from Marcos, Sr’s suite is Manuel L Quezon’s, designed by Tania Fricke Lichauco. Following the theme Pearl of the Orient Seas, the designer used a calming palette of beiges and taupes paired with accent colours like gold, deep greens and blues. Entering the room is like getting inside a giant jewellery box made of bamboo fibre, different kinds of silk and mother-of-pearl. Lichauco also dressed up the veranda with a beautiful mural. Beside the Quezon room is the suite of  President Sergio Osmeña designed by his fellow Cebuano, Kenneth Cobonpue; the room is still in the works.

Next is President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III’s suite by sisters Ivy and Cynthia Almario that highlights a unique eight-piece bespoke artwork the designing duo describes as the piece de resistance of their interior design concept. The artwork marries the eight notable achievements of his administration with Aquino’s love for target shooting. Arranged in the form of a dart board, the eight achievements were then printed on paper and brought to the shooting range he frequented. “To make it a memorable art installation, his shooting buddies were invited to fire live rounds of ammunition at the bullseye,” says the Almario sisters. The dart boards were then framed and mounted. 

Towards the end of the hallway is the suite of President Manuel Roxas by Cecil Ravelas of RED Interior Design, which houses a collection of prints representing  Roxas’ fight for independence from the American government. 

Back to the ground floor is another row of uniquely designed rooms starting with the suite of President Diosdado Macapagal designed by friends Lizzie Zobel, Junie Rodriguez and Mia Borromeo, also known as The Collective. Inspired by Macapagal’s humble roots in Lubao, Pampanga and his support of the rice sector, the suite is clad with a palay-themed handmade wallpaper by Tadeco. “We also used a palay-motif for the  Pinilian Inabel curtain trim,” says Rodriguez. A watercolour artwork by Capampangan artist Ireneo Miranda also takes centre stage.

Ram Lopez-Vito Bucoy lends a fresh punch into the President Elpidio Quirino suite by highlighting the distinctly Filipino saranggola-shaped headboard, as well as the chinoiserie wall in the bathroom–an element that represents Quirino as the first Filipino Chinese president of the Philippines. “I was thinking what kind of headboard would symbolise the Philippines and the saranggola [kite] for me is very Filipino,” says Bucoy.

Besides being a prolific lawyer, President Carlos P Garcia is known as the Prince of Visayan Poets. With this in mind, the interior designer Anton R Mendoza made the book-themed wallpaper one of the highlights of the suite, together with the Salakot by artist Ian Giron, which hangs beside the window. The traditional hat used by Filipino farmers represents the International Rice Research Institute established by Garcia in 1960.

Also on the ground floor is the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo suite by the designing trio Tessa Alindogan, Anton Barretto and Arthur Tselishchev. Drawing inspiration from the colours of the oceans surrounding the Philippine archipelago, the dominantly blue room echoes the former president’s love for diving and the environment, as well as her championing local tourism. “We used the blue colour not only because it is dramatic but it is also her favourite,” says Tselishchev. A four-poster bed created by the talented furniture craftsmen in Pampanga is backdropped by a wallpaper that depicts plants typically found around the Philippines. 

The interior designer Tito Villanueva anchored his design for the suite of President Ramon Magsaysay on rural life–a life the late president has lived himself. “My father was the youngest of a group of friends [barkada] which included the former President. They shared the same passion for fishing, farming and car maintenance and repairs. The mural I commissioned depicts Philippine rural life, focusing on the common interests the barkada engaged in. It gives a glimpse of the President’s life on a more private and personal level rather than his public life as President of the Philippines,” Villanueva, whose father was a very close friend of Magsaysay, explains.

While the Laperal Mansion’s storied past is one of the most colourful in history, it provided talented designers with a platform to showcase their creativity and outstanding craftsmanship. Paired with warm Filipino hospitality, this endeavour serves as a sustainable means of showcasing the essence of Filipino identity to the world.

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