Tag Archives: church

Fort Santiago visit

Going out in the scorching heat of the sun is not advisable health-wise, but two Saturdays ago, we were blessed with partly cloudy skies that we were able to go out and visit Fort Santiago. We’ve been planning to visit this place for the longest time. But it was only realized last April 13.

The Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception or Manila Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in Manila. Have a Kalesa trip via this horse-drawn carriage (right photo) in Intramuros.

We were like tourists visiting the place for the first time. While I was busy taking some pictures on our way to Fort Santiago, hubby was explaining something to the kids about the Manila Cathedral.

Tickets are still affordable.
Mom and Dad alone
Mom and Dad

The kids don’t want their photographs taken with these life-size cardboard standees (left photo), so it’s just hubby and me.

“One of the oldest Hispanic stone fortresses in the country. In pre-colonial times, this was the site of Rajah Soliman’s “kuta” or fort. The Spaniards under the term of Governor Gomez Perez Dasmarinaz fortified what was originally stone structures.”(Taken from a flyer handed out at ticket booth.)
The Rizal Shrine.This is where Dr. Jose Rizal spend his last few days after he was convicted for sedition. At present, "Rizal Shrine serves as museum where mementoes of the hero can be viewed."
Dr. Jose Rizal spent his last few days inside this cell before his execution on December 30, 1896. His “last footsteps” were immortalized through these bronze footprints.
"The Rizal Shrine houses a museum where mementoes of the hero can be viewed."
Inside the shrine is a museum where Jose Rizal memorabilia are found.
The memorial cross represents the demise of a total 600 Filipinos inside Forth Santiago during the Second World War. The dungeon served as execution chamber of political prisoners from Spanish to Japanese period.
The memorial cross represents the demise of 600 Filipinos inside Fort Santiago during the Second World War. The dungeon served as an execution chamber of political prisoners from the Spanish to Japanese period.
Bombs and cannon at Fort Santiago. The tranvia is a replica of the pre-war street cars in Manila.
Bombs and cannon at Fort Santiago. The Tranvia is a replica of the pre-war streetcars in Manila.
All tired, but happy.
All tired, but happy.

I would not trade the smile and laughter that the family shared while we were at the park. We went home tired but brought with us an experience that we will always cherish.

Fort Santiago is located at Plaza San Luiz Complex, Cor. Real and General Luna Sts.
For inquiry call: Intramuros Visitors Center at Tel. 5272961; 5271572

Sto. Niño Shrine, Tacloban Leyte

I have been to Tacloban, Leyte on business many times but I never had the chance to enter the Santo Niño Shrine. I can only admire its beauty from afar.

Hubby was lucky that he was able to enter and explore the Shrine when he visited the place in 2008.

The Santo Niño Shrine used to be one of the 29 presidential rest houses of the late Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Behind the shrine is an Olympic sized swimming pool.

Santo Niño is a representation of the infant Jesus Christ. He is the patron saint of Leyte.

The image of Santo Niño is found at the far end of the entrance of the shrine. The shrine is located in Real Street, Tacloban City.

Paintings of the 14 stations of the Cross done by Filipino artists, wooden bas-relief of the legend of the First Filipino man-woman (Si Malakas at si Maganda); tastefully decorated guestrooms of varied Filipino motifs; image of the Holy Child; a collection of original paintings by Fernando Amorsolo; spacious ballroom; priceless. collector’s.