Luneta and the Rizal Monument

Luneta and the Rizal Monument



Known to most Filipinos as Luneta. The "Rizal Park" is considered one of the largest park in Southeast Asia. Located at the North end of Roxas Boulevard. The sight of the National Hero's execution, the Rizal Monument is guarded 24 hours a day everyday by honour guards. Behind the monument is the the engraved poem "Mi Ultimo Adios", he wrote it while imprisoned at Fort Santiago. The place is also the point of reference to all locations in the Philippines with regards to road distance (the Flag Pole is 0.0 kilometer).

HOW TO GET THERE:
****Just a few meters from the United Nations LRT Station along Taft Avenue is the east end of the Luneta Park, in front is the relief map of the Philippines. The west end is Roxas Boulevard where the Rizal Monument is located.

Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago

The oldest stone fortress in the country. The site of Rajah Sulayman's palace and kingdom during pre Hispanic period. The Spaniards destroyed the settlement and built Fuerza De Santiago in 1571. Located in the northwest corner of Intramuros on the banks of the Pasig river. The fort's dungeons serves as prisoner's torture chambers during the Second World War. Fort Santiago is now a park which houses the Rizal museum which commemorates the National hero's imprisonment on this fort before his execution on December 30, 1896.

HOW TO GET THERE:
****Go to Intramuros
****Inside Intamuros with the Manila Cathedral and Plaza Roma at your back, take the road beside the Fire Station and it will lead you to the gate of Fort Santiago.

Plaza De Armas

Plaza De Armas

Upon entering the thick wall of Fort Santiago, the entrance will lead you to a grass laden open space with the Statue of Rizal. This is Plaza de Armas. Sorrounding it are the ruins of a military barracks which was once used to imprison the National Hero and also a Shrine in commemoration of him. Also in its vicinity is an 18thn century building which now serves as a venue for theatre performances.

HOW TO GET THERE:
****Go to Intramuros.

****With the Manila Cathedral and Plaza Roma at your back. Take the street on the left where the fire station is and it will lead you to the Entrance of Fort Santiago. There is a fee upon entering, students and Senior Citizens are discounted.

Baluarte De San Diego

Baluarte De San Diego

One of the oldest fortification in Intramuros designed and built by Jesuit priests. It was named Fort Nuestra Senora De Guia which fell in disrepair because of poor quality. Out of its ruins, Baluarte De San Diego was built in the 17th century, completed between 1653 to 1663. Destroyed by the British forces in 1762, restored but was damaged again during the 1863 earthquake. Destroyed again in the Battle of Manila in 1945. Completely restored in 1992.

HOW TO GET THERE:

****if you are on a walking trip, from the CENTRA LRT STATION, walk pass the Manila City Hall take the pedestrian underpass and enter the gate through the walled city of Intramuros. At the left before the entrance is Revellin De Recoletos and at the right is Baluarte de Dilao which is acesible once inside the wall. Walk straight Victoria St. until you reach Sta. Lucia St., turn left. The gate to the Baluarte's garden is just a few meters away.

Plazuela De Sta. Lucia

Plazuela De Sta Lucia

This place is in memorial to all the men, women and children who died in the Second World War. Dedicated in 1995 right in the heart of Plaza de Sta. Isabel, just one block behind the Manila Cathedral. The statue is of Sta. Isabel caring for the wounded and the dying.

HOW TO GET THERE:
****Plazuela de Sta. Lucia is just one block behind the Manila Cathedral.
****from the CARRIEDO LRT STATION, take a walk to the front of the Sta. Cruz Church. Take a jeepney that goes to "pier", this jeepney will pass directly in front of the Cathedral.

Las Pinas Bamboo Organ

The Las Pinas Bamboo Organ (St. Joseph Church)

The St. Joseph Church in this town capital houses the famous Bamboo Organ. The building of this church in 1762 establish the township of Las Pinas separating itself from Paranaque. As for the organ itself, it was made from 902 pieces of wooden bamboo and 129 metal tubes

HOW TO GET THERE:
****From the Baclaran LRT Station, go to the side or behind Baclaran Church, take a jeep going to Zapote via Kabihasnan (do not take the jeep with a Coastal sign) tell the jeepney driver to drop you off at the Bamboo Organ. Its just around 20 to 30 minutes jeepney ride from Baclaran. If you accidentally took the jeepney via coastal road, just drop off at Zapote and take another jeep back to Baclaran with sign via Kabihasnan.
****From the Magallanes MRT Station. Take a bus going toAlabang, go to the Market area and take a jeep going to Baclaran via Kabihasnan. Tell the Driver to drop you off at the Bamboo Organ.

Plaza San Luiz and Casa Manila

Plaza San Luiz and Casa Manila

To experience living during the Spanish time, Plaza San Luis will give you a glimpse of what it is like being a rich businessman on that era. Located just beside the San Agustin Church accross Calle Real. Plaza San Luiz or Barrio San Luiz as it is used to be called is one of the four original villages in Intramuros which now consist of five reconstructed Spanish colonial houses. Namely Casa Urdaneta, Casa Blanca, Los Hidalgos, El Hogar Filipino and the famous Casa Manila. Casa Manila is a three story recreation of a 19th-century house of a Filipino "Ilustrado". A living museum with well-kept treasures, furnitures and accessories, and a highly restored architectural designs, it will trigger your imagination and will put you back in time.

HOW TO GET THERE:

**** Plaza San Luis is just accross the street of Gen Luna beside the San Agustin Church. ****from the CARRIEDO LRT STATION, take a walk to the front of the Sta. Cruz Church. Take a jeepney that goes to "pier", this jeepney will pass directly in front of the Cathedral. Plaza Roma is just in front. Walk straight at Gen Luna at the right side of the Cathedral, Casa Manila is just three blocks away.