Change Hits Malacanang
By Pao Hernandez
The inaugural of President-elect Duterte is upon us. A new aroma escapes the newly-occupied Malacaňang Palace and fills our lungs. Change smells of fresh blood, durian, and adobo.
8. The Chicken’s Comeback
Outgoing President Aquino, the former head of the house, just won’t care for any fowl dish in the Palace’s kitchen. With a new Boss giving marching orders, we anticipate the glorious return of the chicken, cooked in the way of well-loved eateries of Davao but presented with finesse by Chef Peter de Cauwer.
7. Bu-ang, Hindi, Hindi, Stop!
The President is known to make pronouncements interspersed with Bisaya, English, and Filipino. He is also known to drop profanity bombs to (no longer) unsuspecting audiences. Now that he begins his term, people at Malacaňang are in for a real challenge: To match this President’s multiple tongues and decipher “Dutertespeak.”
6. Common Filipino Hain
The Palace is set to serve five familiar dishes in the Presidential inauguration. These include monggo, pandesal with kesong puti and Vigan longganisa, lumpiang ubod and desserts of Durian tartlet and fried bananas. A stark contrast to Aquino’s list of Japanese and Chinese favorites.
5. The Other Rigodon
The Presidential household is expected to feel the full tremor of change. The incoming administration will decide on who gets to be within the earshot of the President. We’ve all heard Duterte’s campaign—should we be expecting an overhaul?
4. First Family Enigma
The Dutertes have been closely shadowed by the public since the campaign season. With the inauguration finally completed, we shall hawk over the dynamics of Honeylet, Kitty, Inday Sara, Pulong and Baste as they perform first family duties. It will be interesting to see if the Dutertes can keep their spunk under the limelight, in barongs and their formals.
3. All-Day Office
President Digong’s day starts 1pm and ends at 1am. His schedule is inviolable, and so it’s assumed that the offices will follow his hours. Will we see the return of Former President (now Mayor) Estrada’s nocturnal habits or the rotating shifts of Ramos’ employees in his Private Office? This time, maybe we can have a mid-shift President?
2. Seniors in the Lead
“I can assure you, they are men of honesty and integrity.” The names of cabinet members have been announced in briefings. Most of them have worked in previous administrations and bear the marks of their wisdom on their faces. We hope that the team can usher in golden years for the country.
1. Malacaňang of the South
President Digong has been receiving his guests at the DPWH Guest House in Davao for quite some time now. Rumor has it that he has his eye on making this the residence of the Chief Executive—the Malacaňang.
If the President holds his office there, we will find ourselves watching the grandest transformation yet: operating Malacaňang Offices in Manila remotely while building up a new seat of power in Mindanao.
Do you know any other changes that will be happening under the Malacaňang roof? Share away in the comments below!
