Thanks to our friends from Nat Geo, Agatep and the President of course for inviting us into the Palace!

photo by Erwin Nolido

Jeman, myself and Rod with Caster, the Food Taster.

photo by Erwin Nolido

Caster’s job is very interesting.  He is trained here and abroad of different toxins and poisons that can be found on food.  His weapon: the flashlight!

Know more about Caster and the different PSG persons highlighted on the documentary here.

The National Geographic special Inside Malacanang will be shown on Nat Geo on March 18, at 9pm.

The Malacañang Palace was open for the public in the time of Corazon Aquino, the country’s first lady President.  Due to heavy security concerns, we can’t stroll along the compounds freely anymore but this documentary will take you inside the Palace.  It’s very interesting because the public knows so little about what’s going on there.

This special won’t only be played on local Nat Geo, but it will air soon in Southeast Asia and the rest of the World.  Congratulations to National Geographic Channel and Marnie Manicad productions for a successful documentary!

Here are a few pictures and snippets of what you are about to see on the documentary.  These are only pictures, but the story behind is very interesting.  Catch the documentary at Nat Geo on March 18, 9pm.

Inside the Malacanang Palace

Malacanan Compound

The Presidential Helicopter

Independence Day at Quirino Grandstand

PSG

It was once dubbed as a “foremost home” by Spanish governor generals. The Americans made it a social hub for the country’s elite while the Japanese transformed it into a garrison.

Yet after all these changes, Malacañan Palace still stands proudly by the Pasig River today. One would wonder what is now inside the cordoned-off areas of the palace.

On March 18, at 9pm catch the premiere of the original documentary Inside Malacañang as National Geographic Channel (NGC) takes you to an exclusive guided tour inside the official residence of the country’s chief executive.

This exclusive feature, which took one and a half years to produce, delves into chambers of the palace that were previously off-limits to the media and the public.

Inside Malacañang also examines and breaks long-held myths and beliefs about the President’s entourage. Get to know the everyday routines of the Presidential Security

Group commander, the close-in security aide of President Benigno S. Aquino III, the presidential photographer, and even the presidential food tester.

“NGC has been aiming to feature more relevant programs to the Filipino audience. With Inside Malacañang we hope more Filipinos would appreciate the office of the President and the people who help run it everyday,” said Jude Turcuato, Fox International Channels vice president and territory head for Philippines.

“Through this documentary that was proudly made by a Filipino production team, Marnie Manicad Productions International, in the hallmark standards of the NGC, we also wanted to show the world-class talent of Filipinos in producing long-form documentaries.”

The Inside Malacañang production team is composed of director, producer and head writer Marnie Manicad, writer Cris Lim and narrator Joonee Gamboa.

Key People

Undersecretary Manolo Quezon III, a friend and a fellow blogger

Lito Africano, the Personal Assistant

Jay Morales, the Photographer

Jaime Castro, the Food Taster

*we had a photo taken with him, I’d still have to wait for it to be posted

Colonel Ramon Dizon, PSG Chief

General Bodet Honrado

and of course,

President Noy Noy Aquino