Rizal Park and Intramuros are the perfect sites in Manila that are rich in traditional Filipino culture. Although it's unfortunate that not every city has it, at the very least we have those to show our visitors. That's exactly what we did when we had exchange student guests from the neighboring country, Taiwan.
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| Philippine Flag at the Luneta Park |
We weren't as excited as when heading to the country's best beaches but a sense of introspection and reminiscing dawned on us. When was the last time we visited that home of heritage (none of us studied near it)? Do we know by heart the history of the country from the walled city? Can we really showcase and explain our heritage without the help of Google? Surely, we were tested that day.
To Kilometer 0: Rizal Park
Our first stop was of course, Rizal Park/ Luneta Park. We told the students (Janet, Judy and Wei) that aside from that it's where lies our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, it's also our kilometer 0 where distances are based within the country. Of course, we also had to say that the guards never move unless it's time to exchange with the next on duty.
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| Rizal Park sans Torre de Manila |
Roaming the park, we didn't know that a Chinese Garden can be explored at Php 10 each but since the sun was high, we just did a swift survey of the area.
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| Chinese Garden at the Luneta Park |
Along the park were statues of national heroes we don't even know were there. At least, we could say that the water feature dances with light at night.
With the unfinished Torre De Manila as the eyesore photobomber, a picture with PH's national hero is a must.
To the walled city: Intramuros
Next stop was Intramuros where we first dropped off at San AgustÃn Church. We marveled at the beauty of its Baroque architecture.
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| Appreciating San Agustin |
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| San Agustin Church at the Intramuros |
We didn't stopped there as we bought tickets at Php 100 each inside the museum (since they were international students, they weren't eligible for the student-rate). Inside the museum were preserved artifacts as if awakening from the past. Pictures weren't allowed but strolling around was worth the sense of culture already.
In the middle was a garden, much like that in Fort Ilocandia in Ilocos Norte, only much bigger.
The day trip brought back memories of ABS-CBN's Bayani and even Hiraya Manawari. It's even worth wondering how might it be like if we lived ages back.
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| Amazin' Dome |
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| Hallway brings back Spanish era |
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| Inside some gallery |
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| Going Upstairs |
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| Windows of hope |
After lunch was Fort Santiago tour at Php 75 each. Only able to take these photos as a preview:
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| Fort Santiago Entrance |
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| Fort Santiago Ticket Booth |
Wasn't able to come with the others so just had this as an ender:
I <3 Manila, and I hope that would entail making little sacrifices for the common good.
In Adieu
It was a short experience but was worthwhile. Hoping that the I <3 Manila will truly resonate. By then, half the problems we have might have been solved. Suddenly, the letter of the Korean president about why the country is not progressing came back to mind: we don't love our country as much our own. Sad, but true. Though not to say though that hope is gone.
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| Intramuros streets |
Anyhow, we believe that our students enjoyed. If only we have lots of time, we can tour them also in the National library and National museum.
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