Learning History during Quality Time

It was a day of fun and play turned into educational trip.

Jail cells and dungeons

        It was a reign of terror. Men died because they were tortured. Some men were buried alive. Some of them were just bystanders, among were political leaders who were interrogated, tortured and subjected to slow and horrible death. Filipino soldiers were garroted, shot, stabbed, whipped, and died in any other means of punishments. Even Dr. Jose Rizal was not given any exception. He was imprisoned and died by execution.

A shrine was dedicated in memory of people who suffered and died to claim our independence.

 

San Agustin Church and Convent

        San Agustin Church is the oldest church in the Philippines. Known as the Church of Saint Paul, the first church of the Augustinian Order was built in 1571, Destroyed by Chinese pirates in 1574. Rebuilt a year later. Venue of the first Diocesan Synod in 1581. Burned in 1583. Third church destroyed by fire in 1586. Fourth church made of stone was designed by Juan Macias and built from 1587 to 1604. Looted during the British invasion in 1762. Terms of surrender of Manila to the Americans were discussed in the vestry in 1898.

        Damaged in the Battle of Manila in 1945. Repaired after the war. Became the site of the first Philippine Plenary Council in 1953. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

Inside the San Agustin Church.

Baluarte de San Diego

        Designed and built by Jesuit priest Antonio Sedeño from 1586 to 1587. It is one of the oldest stone fortifications in Intramuros. Began as a circular fort called Nuestra Señora de Guia, renovated in 1593 to join the walls of the city. Fort fell in disrepair. New baluarte completed between 1653 and 1663. Resembling an ace of spades, it housed a foundry during the 18th century.

Breached by the British forces with cannon fire in 1762. Restored after the British occupation but damaged during the earthquake of 1863. It was then condemned by the Spaniards. Totally destroyed during the Battle of Manila in 1945. Restored from 1979 to 1992.

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The Old Machine Gun used to kill Filipino people.

Bagumbayan Light and Sound Museum

        The centerpiece project of the "Visit Philippines 2003" campaign. This lot was the former site of the convent of the nuns of the Beaterio de la Compaña de Jesus now the Religious House of the Virgin Mary.

        Considered as a major tourist attraction being the first of its kind in Asia. The Museum showcases Philippine History in a nutshell focusing on Rizal's heroism and martyrdom.

The 200-year old Narra Tree.

Fort Santiago

                Fort Santiago, the Defense Fortress. One of the oldest fortifications in Manila. Built in 1571, on the site of the native settlement of Raja Soliman. First fort was a palisade structure of logs and earth. Destroyed in the Limahong attack in 1574. Stone fort built between 1589 and 1592. Damaged in the 1645 earthquake. Repaired and strengthened from 1658 to 1663. Became the headquarters of the British occupation army from 1762 to 1764. Repaired and renovated in 1778.

        
        Former headquarters of the Philippine Division of the U.S. Army, Occupied by the Japanese military in 1942 where hundreds of civilians and guerillas were imprisoned, tortured and executed. Destroyed in the Battle of Manila in 1945.

        
        
        Used as depot of the U.S. Transportation Corps before turnover to the Philippine Government in 1946. Declared Shrine of Freedom in 1950. Restoration and maintenance of the fort began in 1951 under the National Parks Development Committee. Management was turned over to the Intramuros Administration in 1992.

The defense fortress (Fort Santiago) is part of the structures of the walled city of Manila referred to as Intramuros ("within the walls").