Intramuros, Manila

Favorite thing:
Photo shows the Tunnel in the Fort Santiago, Manila.

As I've already told you that Manila is a paradise for those who like to shop and if you want a little peace and quiet away from the city, then remember that the Philippines has the world’s longest coastline and is rich in superb beaches, waterfalls and lot's of attractions.


Fondest memory:
I like this place for shopping and good friends. Cheapest places for buying souveniers are in Baclaran and Divisoria but you have to deal with the crowds since some in there are pickpocketers, I don't advice the foreigners to get there you might be a victim.

Favorite thing: Intramuros is an old area of Manila that was established by the Spaniards in 1571. It is a really fun area of small streets and alleys to wander around. There is also a Fort Santiago and a musuem that has alot of interesting Filipino history and information.

Favorite thing: Visit Fort Santiago. It used to be the seat of the colonial powers of both Spain and the United States.
Under the Spanish regime it was a prison. During the Japanese occupation it was the scene of atrocities committed by the military police.
Dr. José Rizal, Philippine patriot and physician, was condemned to death here and shot on December 30, 1896.
He is considered a great hero by the Filipinos.

Favorite thing: It's a museum of Filipino-hispanic architecture. This complex/museum containing furniture of late 19'th and 20'th century, aside from furniture you can see also those things that can be seen in a house originally made and antique style from the old days, it is all unique and well preserved, along the way going to the second floor, there were three ladies in the stairs sitting and wearing "Kimona" national filipino dress! they are there to maintain the house as well to guide YOU!

Fondest memory: My best memory of Manila....the ambiance, Manila as always crowded and people on the move! the busy streets with vendors of different kinds of product in the 'University belt' Recto Avenue to Quipo. I also miss my fellow friendly filipinos who gives you smile whenever you enter any stablishments, even along the way and sometimes talked to each other., the typical filipino ways can hardly find in other country although of course THERE ARE.

Favorite thing: Manila has a few sites to visit, some must sees are Luneta Park, Fort Santiago, and Manila Bay. The Philippines was under Spanish rule for 500 years and then after the Spanish/American war, was under the US. So there are lots of old churches and historic places to visit and a lot of newer ones too.

Fondest memory: A lot of things have changed from my last visit here. I almost didn't recognize it. Nothing looked familiar anymore. So to me it was like seeing Manila for the first time again.

Favorite thing: Go and visit the monument of Rizal esp. there Fort Santiago Manila. You can see many of Rizal's life and culture, esp. the hsitory of life being a Martyr.

'DR. JOSE' PROTACIO RIZAL MERCADO Y ALONSO REALONDA' I die, without seeing the Day dawning on my country... You who will see it, greet it.. and forget not those who fell during the night - Jose Rizal --Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Philippine National Hero author of Noli Me Tangere and La Solidaridad founder of the La Liga Filipina born June 19, 1861 in Calamba, Laguna Seventh child of Francisco Engracio Rizal Mercado y Alejandro, and Teodora Morales Alonzo Realonda y Quintos died December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan (now Luneta); execution by musketry. --The young Rizal studied in Biñan under G. Justiniano Aquino Cruz, and then later at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. Jose Rizal received his Bachelor of Arts on March 14, 1877 with a grade of 'sobresaliente' with highest honor. Rizal studied Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas and Agriculture at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. He left for Europe on May 5, 1882. He studied Medicine and Philosophy and Letters in Madrid, and finished these courses in 1884 and 1885. Rizal began writing his Noli me Tangere ( The Social Cancer ) in 1884. He printed 2,000 copies in Berlin, Germany in 1886 but released it in March 1887. El Filibusterismo, sequel to Noli, was printed in Gante, Belgium in 1891. Rizal organized La Liga Filipina, a secret organization, on July 3 1892. It aimed to change the way the government was run in a peaceful way. In July 7, 1892, less than a week after the La Liga was organized, Captain General Despujol ordered Rizal's exile to Dapitan, on suspicion of his involvement in rebellion. In Dapitan, he opened a school with fourteen(14) pupils. On December 29, 1896, he wrote the Last Farewell, and was executed in Bagumbayan (now Luneta) the next day.

Favorite thing: Visit Fort Santiago,
Manila Philippines; According to the Department of Tourism, Fort Santiago used to be the seat of the colonial powers of both Spain and the U.S. It was also a dreaded prison under the Spanish regime and the scene of countless military police atrocities during the Japanes occupation. Here, too, Dr. Jose Rizal spent his last hours before his execution on Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park).

This site and the surrounding area of Intramuros is really a must see in Manila. It is very well preserved and restoration is also going on. The Rizal museum inside the fort is very interesting. Also the churches in Intramuros - the Manila Cathedral and San Agustin church should also be in one's itinerary. There are also some wonderful restaurants in Intramuros.