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Rizal
Park
 A
majestic setting built in honor of the Philippines' natinal hero,
Dr. Jose Rizal. Luneta Park used to be called Bagumbayan Field is
the place where Dr. Rizal was executed by a Spanish military firing
squad at early dawn on December 30, 1896. He was executed for spreading
ideals of revolution against Spanish rule. Dr. Rizal wrote his most
famous poem "Mi Ultimo Adios" (My Last Farewell) on the
eve of his execution.
The
Rizal Monument, which serves as a marker on where Dr. Rizal was
executed, is manned by two honor guards 24 hours a day. The monument
used to house the remains of Dr. Rizal before it was moved to the
family's estate in Calamba, Laguna.
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Malacañang
Palace
The
historical Malacanang Palace is the official residence of the President
of the Philippines.
 Located
on the bank of the Pasig River in the Manila suburb of San Miguel,
the palace was originally built in the late 18th century by a Spanish
nobleman, Don Luis Rocha, and was later the summer residence of
the 18 Spanish governors general and 14 American civil governors,
before becoming the official residence of the President of the Philippines
after independence.Originally
built as a private country house, Malacanang was developed into
an ornate Spanish colonial palace complete with arches, patios,
balconies, grilles, and sliding windows with panes made of capiz
shells. Thereafter it was renovated on several occasions including
most extensively during the residence of President Marcos. |
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Corregidor
 Corregidor
is a small rocky island in the Philippines about 48 kilometers west
of Manila which is stragetically located at the entrance of Manila
Bay. This island fortress stands as a memorial for the courage,
valor, and heroism of its Filipino and American defenders who bravely
held their ground against the overwhelming number of invading Japanese
forces during World War II.
Also known as "the
Rock," it was a key bastion of the Allies during the war. When
the Japanese invaded the Philippines in December 1941, the military
force under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur carried out a
delaying action at Bataan. Corregidor became the headquarters of
the Allied forces and also the seat of the Philippine Commonwealth
government. It was from Corregidor that Philippine President Manuel
Quezon and General MacArthur left for Australia in February 1942,
leaving behind Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright in command.
 Although
Bataan fell on April 9, 1942, the Philippine and American forces
held out at Corregidor for 27 days against great odds. On May 6,
1942, their rations depleted, the Allied forces were forced to surrender
Corregidor to Lt. Gen. Homma Masaharu of the Japanese Imperial Army
after having successfully halted the Japanese advance on Australia.
It was only two years and ten months later in March 1945 when the
Allied forces under the command of General MacArthur recaptured
Corregidor ... making good his promise to return to the Philippines.
The big guns of
Corregidor are now silent and the ruins of buildings, structures,
and tunnels in the island tell a very moving story of a war that
has claimed so many lives. A visit to this former battleground is
a memorable experience especially for those who cherish and value
peace and freedom. In his speech delivered at the signing of the
surrender of Japan aboard the U.S.S. Missouri at Tokyo Bay on September
2, 1945, General Douglas MacArthur said, "It is my earnest
hope and indeed the hope of all mankind that a better world shall
emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past - a world founded
upon faith and understanding, a world dedicated to the dignity of
man and the fulfillment of his most cherished wish for freedom,
tolerance and justice."
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Intramuros
 INTRAMUROS,
the old capital of Manila, was built in 1571. It remains a monumental,
if ruined, relic of the Spanish period in Philippine history. It
is a city within a city, separated from the rest of Manila by its
crumbling walls. This ancient capital had well-planned streets,
plazas, the Governor's Palace and churches. However, many buildings
were reduced to shambles in World War II.
Among the places to visit in Intramuros are the two churches - The
Manila Cathedral and St. Augustine Church -- and Fort Santiago.
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The Manila Cathedral is the fifth stone church of Manila. It
was destroyed and rebuilt several times. From the air, it appears
as a giant cross.
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St. Augustine Church is the oldest stone church in the Philippines.
It was built in 1599; however, it was also destroyed and rebuilt
many times. It is an immense structure of thick walls of Corinthian
and Ionic designs.
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Fort Santiago used to be the seat of the colonial powers of
both Spain and the U.S. It was also a dreaded prison under the
Spanish regime and the scene of countless military police atrocities
during the Japanes occupation. Here, too, Dr. Jose Rizal spent
his last hours before his execution on Bagumbayan. (now Rizal
Park).
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