Aquino ready to move into new digs

BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR

PRESIDENT Aquino is likely to move in to his new official home at the Bahay Panagrap inside the Presidential Security Group Park compound this weekend.

"Target namin before August 2, possible this weekend. Madali namang mag-transfer pero hindi pa namin masabi kung anong exact date," said Col. Ramon Mateo Dizon, PSG commander.

Dizon said Bahay Pangarap is already "ready." Renovations which started in late June are almost done, except for a few "minor" details.

The Internal House Affairs Office, which oversees the maintenance of the Bahay Pangarap, supervised the renovations, which include an additional room to the one-room structure to accommodate the President’s close-in security detail.

Dizon, asked about the significance of August 2, he said all he knows is it is "bad feng shui" to transfer on August 2, and it would take awhile if they wait after that date.

Dizon said Aquino’s transfer to the Bahay Pangarap from the family residence on Times St., Barangay West Triangle in Quezon City where he has been staying would minimize travel time.

Dizon said they could take a short car ride from the Bahay Pangarap going to the Premier Guest House where Aquino holds office, or by launch. The Premiere Guest House is across the Pasig river from the Bahay Pangarap.

"Siyempre mas kaunti na ang tatakbuhi, at di na rin kayo mahihirapan pag nag-i-stakeout sa Times Street," he said.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said he is not certain when the transfer would be except that "it would be forthcoming."

Pangarap, as it was called then, was originally built in the 1930s by President Manuel Quezon as a rest house and recreation hall, and was used even for formal events and dinners.

The house was designed by architect Juan Arellano. It has a master bedroom, the only bedroom in the house, a swimming pool and deck.

It was remodeled and renamed Bahay Pangarap by First Lady Eva Macapagal during the presidency of Diosdado Macapagal.

During the Marcos presidency, National Artist for Architecture Francisco Mañosa added Filipino details to the house like a pitched roof, narra flooring and capiz windows. It was eventually used as a hangout for those playing in the nearby golf course, and later as a venue for PSG meetings.

In 2008, architect Conrad Onglao oversaw the refurbishing of Bahay Pangarap which was later used for social functions and meetings with visiting diplomats and world leaders.

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