Drive Around The City of Manila - Series #02 - The Walled City

Welcome to our Drive Around the City of Manila Series #02.

It's been a week since I continued the series, I had some errands at my regular job so I couldn't make to drive for the next series. But here it is finally, our series number 2.

May I present to you Intramuros!

Intramuros has a great contribution to our history during the Spanish colonial period. "Intramuros", a Spanish term that means within the wall.

During the 16th century, the walls were built as the defense against the foreign invasions. The walls were built guarding the possible entries of the enemies back then. Like the Manila Bay which is the port of entry of goods to the Philippines. The walls have served as the protections of the Spanish against from different colonial countries like the Americans and Japanese.

Since the Philippines has a lot of natural resources, and prone to more foreign invaders, Spanish built the walls as protection. like Chinese Pirates lead by Limahong who tried to destroy the city before Spanish drove them away.

The walls have served its great purpose during the Spanish Colonial era, which can still be seen in its design up to these days that was preserved to commemorate the history.

The walls, buildings, and former houses were not changed to modern design to continue reminds us of how have we Filipinos become civilized because of the Spanish. Even the security guards who are guarding the premises are still in old Filipino police uniforms.

So as the jails and room for armory that are now used as a small eatery and convenient store are retained to its original designs, while some are still locked and waiting for other tenants.

_{I was not able to take a picture of other jails that turns into an eatery because they are closed on weekends}

History has never failed to remind us when we visit this place. Intramuros has a big significant reminder to us of what have we become.

Visiting the place, you can be guided by tourist guide around the premises. Just ask.

Though these days, the place were situated by different establishments that have been continuously contributing to all Filipino's success, such as different universities that have been educating most successful Filipino in the country and outside.

One of the universities here is Lyceum of the Philippines which is founded in 1952 by Dr. Jose P. Laurel, our 2nd Philippine Republic President who was said to be a Japanese Puppet State during World War II.

Another university or college found in here is Colegio de San Juan de Letran which was the oldest university in the Philippines and was established in the year 1620. Letran was the alma mater of one of our presidents, Manuel L. Quezon.

This university was historical as its been a garrison of the Japanese during World War II and was bombed as well. And reconstructed and expanded when American was returned to the Philippines after being outthroned by the Japanese.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of the Philippines) or commonly known as PLM was established on 1965 is a tuition-free university for tertiary level for all the citizens of the City of Manila. As long as you have the required general weighted average marks and you are under the care of any Manila citizen relatives, You do not have to worry any expenses in your college but be sure to maintain that mooning grade of yours.

My wife @essiehime was an alumnus here.

Another know university in the Philippines that is situated behind these walls is the Mapúa University which known before as *Mapúa Institute of Technology. The university was founded by the first Filipino registered architect Tomas Mapua in 1925.

_{I was not able to take a picture of it because I can't find a perfect view without leaving my motorcycle}

Aside from these universities, we can also find in here is the Manila Bulletin printing office, the largest broadsheet newspaper circulating in the Philippines that was established in 1900.

The second oldest newspaper next to Manila Times.

Also the historical and one of the oldest church is residing here, the Manila Cathedral which became famous for many weddings.

The cathedral was historical because it was bombarded several times during World War II and was visited by numerous Popes, one of which is Pope John Paul II.

Truly, inside these walls are our ancestors' memorabilia. Without purchasing anything as souvenirs, the place itself is enough to remind us of the hard works our heroes have done during the colonized era.
Some places are not even remodeled but left the way it is. Even those destroyed by war.

The walled city is now a part of the tourist spots in the Philippines, especially in the city of Manila. Though all designs were preserved, most of it was converted into something can be visited to relax and spent the night.

Some have become and an extended office of the City of Manila while some were made as a recreation area. Different restaurants that offer mouthful Filipino dishes and some stores offering souvenirs.

You can even enjoy the night in the park of Fort Santiago and comemmorate the times and place where Dr. Jose Rizal and the three martyr priests, Mariano Gomez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora also known as Gomburza were detained. Who both were executed in Bagumbayan or Rizal Park.

There are a lot of stories to tell about the history of the Philippines connected to this "walled city". The history that reminding of we are. How are we survived in those tragic days and years. Some of the Filipinos like me are fortunate not living those days. But here we are, living in, somehow peace-ier than colonized era.

We only have to do is to pay tribute and don't ever forget how our heroes have fought and risk their lives for us to have a better nation.

But the question is, are we already "free" from colonization and invasion?, or we have just accepted being colonized that it's become normal to us.

But I am still a proud Filipino! that believe and still, practice the Filipino culture and beliefs. And also welcoming every nation to visit our places and enjoy the beauty of the #Philippines.

Here's some other photos that I have captured during the Intramuros drive.

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History Source:

• General Knowledge
• Wikipedia

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Our Rides

• Drive Around The City of Manila - Series #01 - Rizal Park

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See you on our next ride

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Thank You!

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