From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Coconut Palace is a palace in Manila, Philippines, commissioned by former First Lady Imelda Marcos for Pope John Paul II's visit in 1981. However, he declined the offer, saying that it was an ostentatious option. The Palace's architect Francisco Manosa, however debunks this myth, saying that the Coconut Palace - a showpiece on the versatility of the coconut and its viability as an export - was planned long before the Pope even decided to visit the country.^{[citation needed]}

The Coconut Palace is made of several Philippine hardwoods, coconut shells, and a specially engineered coconut lumber apparently known as Imelda Madera. Each of the suites on the second floor is named after a specific region of the Philippines and displays some of the handicrafts these regions produce. The palace is located at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex between the Folk Arts Theatre and the Westin Philippine Plaza.

The palace is shaped like an octagon (the shape given a coconut before being served), the roof is shaped like a traditional Filipino salakot or hat. Some of its highlights are the 101 coconut shell chandelier, and the dining table made of 40,000 tiny pieces of inlaid coconut shells. Highlighted as one of the CCP’s most striking structures for its architecture and interiors, the palace celebrates the coconut as the ultimate “Tree of Life”. From the coconut's roots to its trunk, bark, fruit, flower and shell, the palace's design, form and ornamentation echo these elements.

The Coconut Palace has been a guesthouse for many guests, including Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi, Brooke Shields and George Hamilton. Now, it is a museum, with a butterfly garden and an orchidarium.

The fifth season of the reality series The Amazing Race held a leg in the Philippines in February 2004. The Pit Stop of the Philippine leg of the race was at the Coconut Palace. The contestants were welcomed by Luli Arroyo, daughter of current Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.