This is my third time touring Intramuros but every time I have tour Intramuros it's always a new experience. I always bring my friends/family members from another country to Intramuros since Intramuros is really a big part of Philippines history.
My shadow’s journey to Intramuros:
My Intramuros journey begins… as I go down the bus I immediately saw Manila City Hall. It was inaugurated on August 19, 1941 by the Honorable Eulogio Rodriguez but it was destroyed during the World War 2 on February 1945. It was rebuilt on 1946 during the American regime.
I am supposed to ride the taxi to go to Startbucks Intramuros but I thought it would be better for me to walk. It’s been like a thousand times I walk this route: Manila City Hall, the under pass, passing through tiange, then finally the entrance to Intramuros. But today is different I wouldn’t just to Mapua Institute to study but this time for me to get to know Intramuros. I walked up the walled city, passing through Mapua Institute of Technology, Lyceum, Puerta Del Pilar, Asean Declaration, the tunnels.
It’s been 15 minutes and I have seen a lot already. I wonder what would I see and learn today when I joined the tour? I have lot’s of good photos already I wonder how would I post it all in my blog? Hahaha! More walking and I think I’m lost already :) as always... Where is the Starbucks? I almost ride a taxi and almost gave up then I finally saw our meeting place. I’m really good at getting lost huh? :D I am the second blogger who arrived! Yay!
Our journey to Intramuros:
I'm the second person who arrived in Starbucks. Starbucks Intramuros is really different the cafe's ceiling are curve and the ambiance is not the typical modern design of their stores. I must say that this is the best branch that I've been to.
I have chosen Carlos Celdran as our tour guide. I know for sure if you are watching travel show’s you know him. He is the funny, witted, friendly, loud, and very informative guide that you can ever have! Thanks to Intramuros Manila and Mark Joseph Miranda Delgado I can finally be in a tour with the famous Carlos Celdran. I toured with Karla, Kathy and Ethel.
We then ride a Tranvia to Fort Santiago for us to view a film about Intramuros. Then we went to Intramuros Club for a snack and to talk about the adventure that we will have today.
The history adventure begins:
This are some of the information I remember during the tour:
Intramuros before:
During the time of Spaniards it is the center of political, military and religious power. I wouldn’t tell a lot about the old history so you would still go. Then came the Japanese, then the Americans. There’s it’s gonna be a long story that I can’t tell it all here. Believe me there’s a lot of information that you can get in this adventure that are not taught during our history subjects way back in school.
So I will leave this questions to you that hopefully will encourage you to go to Intramuros
One of the emblem a certain saint who is riding a hourse with a sword? What does it mean?
Who is General Douglas MacArthur and his famous word “I shall return”?
Why did San Agustin Church survive the bombing when all of the churches are destroyed?
Who destroyed the churches? Who bombed Intramuros and why?
Can your heart take if you know the reason why?
Why is Jose Rizal chosen as the national hero?
Intramuros now:
Nowadays you would see tourists flock in intramuros, some are just tourist and some lovers walking hand in hand. You would also see lots of students since Intramuros became the center of large educational institutions of the country, currently now have 6 schools inside.
When we went with the tour we only went to Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church most of the time ar spent in telling us what really happened to Intramuros.
So for the fun part, what can you do in Intramuros?
1. Ride a Calesa around Intramuros
2. Ride a Tranvia or Trambiya
Tranvia is an electric street tram which operated in 1905. Riding this tram is a treat! But now it’s not run by electricity anymore.
[With other bloggers]
3. Visit the churches
a. Manila Cathedral
b. San Agustin Church
c. Lourdes Church (El Almanecer)
d. San Francisco Church (Mapúa Institute of Technology)
e. San Ignacio Church (Ruins, to be rebuilt by the Ateneo University)
f. San Nicolas de Tolentino Church (Manila Bulletin)
g. Santo Domingo Church (Bank of the Philippine Islands)
h. Third Venerable Order Church (Mapúa Chapel)
4. Fort Santiago.
You can walk in the park and see the sunset there.
5. Restaurant
I heard a lot about Barbara's Restaurant there are cultural shows here everyday. For other list of restaurants in Intramuros you can visit munchpunch.com This website shows the range of the price, reviews and ratings.
6. There are still other 25 places to go which is provided in the Walking tour map of Intramuros
This is my third Intramuros and I still haven’t been to all the important place in the walled city. There are just so many places to visit that one day is not enough.
What is Intramuros REALLY about?
Get to know the past, the pain, the love that was there; and get to know what's the present Intramuros is. Experience, feel, and contemplate within the walls of Intramuros.
Create new memories…
I fell inlove with Intramuros... when will be the fourth time? It will be soon for sure :D
This is a Travel Write-up entry to the Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012 organized by IntramurosManila.Asia.
IBC 2012 is fully supported by the Intramuros Administration, Barbara's Restaurant, Celdran Tours, Mabuhay Guides, Pilgrimage Pilipinas, Castillan Tours, Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc., DigiEntrepreneur, DigitalFilipino, Third Team Media, Payless Pancit Shanghai, Ruthilicious, Ruthilicious Fanpage and GadgetGambit.com.
1 comments:
Nakakatuwa yung "My shadow's journey to Intramuros", hehe. :D
Post a Comment