Walking inside the walls of Fort Santiago

My visit to Fort Santiago was full of excitement and enthusiasm. As I entered the gate, my first impression was like I was entering a place from a different era. The first thing I saw at the frontage were horses and carriages, an old tranvia, trellis with vines and a fountain at the center of  a small park. There were also a group of young students on their educational tour and a group of tourists.

A replica of the pre-war Manila street cars.

The park, walkway and picnic areas have changed this fortress into a peaceful and comporting place to spend your vacation or spare time.

Repairs are currently ongoing on the right side of the walls of Fort Santiago and the Rizal Shrine but they are kept clean and safe so that visitors will not feel uncomfortable. The Rizal Shrine inside the fort is a reconstruction of the colonial period barracks where the patriot, Jose Rizal, was confined during his trial for sedition. It is now a museum where reminders of the hero can be viewed.

Rizal Shrine

At the entrance of the stone wall, I immediately noticed the shoe prints embedded in pavement. I got curious onto whom it belongs and what does it represent. So I followed the trails and see what it leads to.

The trail leads me to an old building with iron bars. Behind the iron bars is a statue of a man whose arms are tied. When I got closer, I learned that it was a statue of Jose Rizal and those trail of shoe prints represents where he passed on his way to Bagumbayan from Fort Santiago and immortalizes his brave path to martyrdom.

From here, I walked to the other part of Fort Santiago, The Baluarte de Sta. Barbara. Named after the patron saint of artillerymen and was built to protect the entrance to the Pasig river. At the side of Baluarte de Santa Barbara are the dungeon and a cross monument. On the cross monument lie the mortal remains of approximately 600 Filipinos. It serves as a memorial to all these unknown victims of the Japanese Imperial forces.

Baluarte de Santa Barbara

In Memory of the victims at Fort Santiago

An Entrance to the Pasig River

Dungeon

The Dungeon is a restricted area for visitors. I don't know the real reason but I think it's for safety measures. The dungeons used to be the storage vault for powder magazine of the Baluarte de Santa Barbara. Because of dampness caused by the humid weather and the nearness to the Pasig River, the Spaniards decided to built a new powder magazine on top of the baluarte. The vaults were converted into prison cells and storerooms. It must be hard to breath inside that dungeon.
At the top of the stronghold is a view of Pasig River. The Rizaliana Furniture Hall can also be found here.

The Rizaliana Furniture Hall showcases the furniture's used by the Rizal Family. Paintings related to Jose Rizal are also on display.

O Sei San, A woman Jose Rizal fall in love with while in Japan.

Going out of the Fort, I took the route that leads to Medio Baluarte de San Francisco. This route offers a view of the Pasig River on the left and the Rajah Sulayman Theater on the right. This route also reminds me of the game Temple Run.

I passed by some old Spanish cannons on my way to Intramuros visitors center. These Spanish cannons were used in 1875 and recovered on May 18, 1966 by the underwater operations unit, Philippine Navy at Cebu. The visitors center provides information assistance, Souvenir Shop and Coffee Shop.

Visitors Center

Old Spanish cannon

Fort Santiago is really worth my visit. I recommend it to students for their school educational tour for it's rich in history and culture. If your a tourist who loves history and architecture, then Fort Santiago and the rest of Intramuros is the place to go.

Fort Santiago is located at Santa Clara St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines.
For Inquiries, you may call at: (632) 527-2961 or (632) 527- 1572

Open Daily at 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.

Heritage House of Jose Rizal

I just recently visited the house of Jose Rizal in Calamba City. I'm already a grown-up to finally see how his house look like. I heard from a couple of friends from other towns in Laguna that they still have not seen this shrine. I realized that even among the residents of Jose Rizal's province, his heritage house is still unfamiliar.

The house of Rizal that we see now is a reconstruction and an adaptation of the old one which was destroyed during World war II. It is maintained by the National Historical Institute and is located at the very heart of Calamba City, besides the church and plaza. The house that Jose Rizal's father, Don Francisco built for his family was large and was made of stone, red tiles and the best hardwoods from Mount Makiling. They built the first stone and hardwood house in Calamba.

Upon entry, visitors would see a spacious room. The ground floor used to have a small stable for horses and was used as storage for carriages. Now it serves as a display area for paintings and artifacts related to the Rizal family.  The living room, dining and bedrooms are on the upper floor.
I was amazed at the elegant stair leading to the second floor. As I gaze at the furniture and how the house was built, it is really evident that the Rizal family was prominent and well-off during the Spanish colonial times. 

My visit to the shrine persuade me to return and bring my family here to show them the heritage of the Rizal family and how the people from the past were influence by Spanish culture. It was a different experience being here.
The Shrine is approximately 43.5 kilometers from Ninoy Aquino International Airport. To visit the Shrine by car, take the South Luzon Expressway and exit onto Calamba Exit. Go straight to the Calamba City proper. The shrine is near the old Municipal Building and public market. Besides the Saint John the Baptist Parish Church.
The Shrine is open every Tuesday to Saturday from 8:00am to 5:00pm

Philippine Aerospace Museum

I think all kids love planes. That's why the PAF Aerospace Museum is one of the popular educational tour destinations in Metro Manila. This Museum is a legacy, built to honor our heroes in the Philippine Air Force. 

The PAF Aerospace Museum, Villamor Air Base is beside Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. The Museum was opened in June 2007. Villamor Air Base is the PAF's first headquarters since it became independent of the Philippine Army on July 1, 1947.

This Museum is an ideal place to visit for researchers, students and families. Remnants used during WWII are displayed throughout the building. Miniature Airplanes, weaponry, medals, old uniform and the Presidents command car are among the exhibit.

P-51D "MUSTANG": A World War II vintage.

Model Planes of the Philippine Air Force from 1947 to present.

The Philippine Army Air Corps Saber during the Philippine commonwealth. (1935 - 1945)

Philippine Air Force Heraldic Flags and Lineage from 1947 to 2007.

Dodge WC - 57 Command Car: Remodelled by Sarao Motors in 1970's to change its Army truck look to an elegant Command Car for use of the President of the Philippines. It has served all the way through the incumbency of former President Marcos.

After wandering the museum, visitors can explore an outdoor aircraft park showcasing commercial planes, Air Force planes and helicopters. For students and family, it can be a pleasure to be in actual planes and helicopters used by the Philippine Airmen during WWII. Visitors can take exterior and interior photos.

YS - 11A: Atransport aircraft mainly for use by the President and the first family from 1971 to 1993.

T-41: Acquired by the Philippines in 1968 for pilot training. 

T-S "TEXAN": Aquired in 1948 and served as basic trainer.

T - 28 "TROJAN": Purchased in 1960 and used in basic training and counter insurgency. It was commonly called "Tora-Tora" since it is similar to the Japanese Zero Fighter in WWII.

C – 47 “Gooney Bird”: The World most famous commercial transport plane. Acquired in 1946 and was used by the Philippine Army Air Corps for air transport functions. In 1973 it was converted to a fighting aircraft. It was also used for rainmaking and rain suppression operations.

ALBATROSS “HU – 16”: Called general utility amphibian plane. It has the ability to take off and land in both land and water.

UH – IH “IROQUOIS”:  Also known as “HUEY”, used primarily for air mobility and rapid deployment of troops.

F – 5A “FREEDOM FIGHTER: Delivered to the Philippines on August 29, 1965 and was assigned to the 5^th Fighter Wing, Basa Air Base, Pampanga. Today, it serves as the front line fighter of the PAF.

F – 86D: Acquired by the PAF in 1960 and was used for air defense functions. It was phased out in 1968.

F – 8H: Delivered to the Philippines in 1978. Used for air defense, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. 

T – 33 “T – Bird”: The first Jet trainer. Acquired in 1955 and was used for jet qualification, instrument training and proficiency flying. It was the World’s most widely used jet trainer.

S – 62B / HH – 52A “SIKORSKY”: Used to provide air transport for the President of the Philippines from 1968 to 1975. It was eventually phased out due to its engine feature that did not conform to the requirements for VIP transport.

H – 34 “CHOCTAW” (S-58): Used in search and rescue operations from 1969 to 1980. It was also used for troop transport, aerial photogrammetry, mapping and intelligence work. It was phased out in October 1974.

A souvenir shop is also in the Museum with various PAF aircraft and PAF logo items such as T- shirts for sale. Visitors can purchase refreshments and snacks here as well. The entrance fee is 20 PHP/person and complimentary for Air Force family members. 

For more information:
Contact#: (63) 2-8323498

Hours of Operation: 8:00am - 12:00pm (Monday to Friday), 8:00am - 12:00pm (Saturday)