Philippines -- Intramuros

Fort Santiago

FYI:

For those that don't know, the Philippines was colonized by the Spaniards for almost 350 years (1521-1898). Yep, that's 3 centuries of religious soul-washing, name-changing, interbreeding, lifestyle-altering influence.

The country's name is actually a homage to King Philip II of Spain a the time of conquest.

What is this place?

Intramuros or the "walled city", is the historical government center and one of the oldest sites of Manila. Built in 1571, it was basically a fortress with its 3-mile long barricade of massive stone walls that protected Intramuros aka Manila City from outside local and international forces (Brits, Japs, and Americans).

For more updated info on Intramuros and everything within the walls, wikitravel would have it.

I remember visiting this walled city in Grade school on an educational field trip. Back then, it was more dilapidated and uncared for. Also, there weren't any information post sites to tell you about the events, infrastructures or famous locations. Fortunately, we had been studying it at school hence the school trip. I had thought then about the tourists that would visit this place and how they would understand and appreciate the place with little or no information.

the beautiful infrastructures that show the various influences
on the Philippines architecture and design

But, thanks to the government's effort in rebuilding and renovating the sites as well as the many tours offered to give one a feel and true understanding of life back then, things have turned around and up for Intramuros. It has regained new life and interest among the locals and foreign tourists in recent years. One of the main attractions and "should do" (not a must, but preferably)is the Carlos Celdran "Walk this way" Tour.
Cost:  P1,100 = ~$25 per adult / P600 = ~$14 for students, for a 3 hour tour.

Some of my friends have done this and have many good things to say about the guide and the tour itself. And since I haven't lived in the Philippines for a while, with my historical knowledge rusty and crusty, I would have opted for Mr. Celdran's services in showing Mike around the beautiful and historical Intramuros. Unfortunately, our schedules didn't match the tour schedules (sob sob sob).

So what to do?

Well, I quickly went through my history books and ancient stock knowledge and decided to be his tour guide. I honestly remembered very little save for some wedding events I attended at the famous churches inside the city (the churches here are a favorite nuptial site for the locals).

Manila Cathedral

San Agustin Church

So it was a pleasant surprise that one can just hire a pedicab and the driver can be the tour guide! They even have a laminated information brochure and map containing all the sites and events within and outside the walled city.

*pedicab = a bicycle with a carriage attached to it.

Mac & Mike

The locals are quite knowledgeable, can speak good English (I guess they do this everyday!), and full of enthusiasm in doing the job. Our pedicab driver slash guide, Mac, even showed us some places that weren't on the usual tour trail.

More so, with this kind of casual tour, you can tailor your tour to which site or event you want to visit (You don't really need to see every little crook and cranny). You have freedom and control and can speed up to the next site whenever you want and not have to wait for other people.

The usual rate is P200.00 = ~$5.00 per half hour. We took about 4 hours to see everything we wanted and in the end cost P1,200 for both of us. Way cheaper than Celdran's and we had a great time with our funny guide too!

More photos from the tour

Puerta Real / Artillery Dungeons

Puerta del Parian

the country's beloved national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal

a metal mural sculpture of Mary at the Rizal Museum

clock tower of the city hall

Intramuros Golf Course

good ol' Manila!

We even got to go to the country's national park, Luneta aka Rizal Park, an optional part of the tour. Optional because tours are supposed to be mostly inside the walls only. Also, where the park was accessible, vehicles are not allowed to exit at. But since our driver Mac had hook-ups with the facility guards, they let us out and back in, even letting Mike take a photo op with them!

Luneta was built in honor of the country's beloved national hero, Dr. Jose Rial. A huge monument of hi stands in the middle of this massive park that has a Japanese Garden, several mini-parks, restaurants, and a plaza inside it.

We capped off our tour with a stroll along Roxas Boulevard. The long street that ran parallel to scenic Manila Bay.

Would I recommend this?

me and my general buddies

Sure! If you're a foreign tourist with a local friend who knows some of his/her history this could be a more economical alternative. But, if you have money to spare and can get with Celdran's tour schedule, do that instead. He is far more knowledgeable and apparently highly entertaining (costumes and speeches and all).

who's the odd one out?

Mike and a Guardia Civil

Here's Mike's take on our tour.


The next day, we craved for some Chinese food. And since we're on a historical kick, we naturally hit up the supposedly oldest Chinatown in the world, the Manila Chinatown in Binondo.