LIST OF HISTORICAL PLACES

FORT SANTIAGO
Built in 1571 for Spanish conquistador
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, Fort
Santiago or Fuerza de Santiago is the
oldest Spanish fortress in the
Philippines and one of the major
attractions inside Intramuros in
Manila. These days, among the Fort’s
most well-preserved destinations are
the Japanese-era M4 Sherman
container, WWII artillery and
subterranean channels used by the
Japanese, the former Spanish
dungeon of Plaza de Armas, and
Rizal Shrine which was the prison cell
of the Philippines’ national hero Dr.
Jose Rizal. The final footsteps of Rizal
before he was executed are signified
on the fort’s floor. A museum is also
present depicting the brave life and
last poetry (Mi Ultimo Adios) of Rizal.
VIGAN

One of Philippines’ most wonderful

places, as it features the Spanish
record of the nation. This town is in
the northern part of Philippines and its
heritage village was known and listed
since December 2, 1999 in the
UNESCO world heritage list for its
unique Spanish colonial history where
spanish monumental buildings built in
the 18th century are well preserved
up to this day.
 RIZAL SHRINE

A complex building located on Santa

Clara Street, Fort Santiago,
Intramuros, Manila. This shrine is
dedicate d to Dr. Jose Rizal, all his
works, collections, memorabilias and
books. This is where he spent his last
night before he was executed and
where his family found his last famous
poem disguised in an oil lamp entitled
Mi Ultimo Adios or My Last Farewell.
There are also Rizal Shrine in other
places like Dapitan and Laguna.
INTRAMUROS

The oldest district and historical spot of

Manila which came from a latin word
Intramuros – meaning “within the walls”.
This was also known as Ciudad
Murada or “walled city” for its most
popular feature: a nearly three-mile-long
routine of large rock surfaces and
fortifications that almost absolutely
encompasses the whole region. You can
ride a Kalesa (horse with a cart) to tour
the place or take a walk and find Fort
Santiago, Rizal’s Shrine, San Agustin
Chapel and art gallery, Manila Chapel,
many little plazas and contemporary
dining places, most of which a
combination in the nearby structures.
MALACANANG
PALACE
A Spanish Colonial Style house built in 1750 and
located at 1000 José P. Laurel Street, San Miguel,
Manila. This served as the residence of the
Philippine Presidents. To mention a few of what to
see in Malacanang Palace are its halls such as
Entrance Hall, Heroes Hall, Reception Hall, its
grand staircase, museum and library, garden and
the Malacanang Park and Bahay Pangarap which
was designed as retreat house. The main features
are three buildings used for formal entertainment
for government officials, community assemblies,
and a rest house across the Pasig River for casual
and social activities of the President and the First
Family.
 EDSA SHRINE

Formally known as the Shrine of

Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of
EDSA), is located at the crossroads of
Epifanio de los Santos (EDSA)
Avenue and Ortigas Avenue in
Quezon City. This was established on
December 15, 1989 as a dedication to
Mother Mary who believed to be a
miraculous intercessor to end the
dictatorship during President Marcos’
time in a peaceful manner which has
been known as The People Power
Revolution of 1986. This shrine is
considered to be a holy ground as it
witnessed another peaceful People
Power on January 2001 that brought
the Philippines a moral leadership.
CORREGIDOR
Also known as “the Rock” as it is a small rocky
island located at the entrance of Manila Bay.
Corregidor served as the headquarters of Allied
forces of Filipino and American soldiers who fought
against the invading Japanese forces during World
War II. In this island still stand the big guns which
had been the weapons of the great defenders who
gave their lives for freedom and justice; ruins of
buildings and structures that had protected so
many lives; a museum for the different
memorabilias and remains of the people who had
stayed there especially the former President
Manuel L. Quezon; a Pacific War Memorial and the
Malinta Tunnel which is a bombed proof where
command and communications took place and
served as a hospital with 1,000 bed capacity, as
well as food and supplies storage. A replica of
Corregidor’s jeepney during the Spanish era called
“tramvias” is the transportation used for the island
tour.
 MENDIOLA

A street in the district of San Miguel,

Metro Manila named after Enrique
Mendiola, an educator and author.
This street is considered to be one of
Philippine’s historical sites as this has
always been a part of the many
events in Philippine history like the
“Battle of Malacanang or Battle of
Mendiola Bridge” on January 30,
1970, a protest rally on January 22,
1987, and a protest for former
President Joseph Estrada’s arrest on
May 1, 2001.

ZAPOTE BRIDGE

A bridge that connects the Zapote

river of Las Pinas City and Bacoor,
Cavite, Zapote Bridge played an
important role in Philippine history
because of the Battle of Zapote
Bridge on February 16, 1897, the
second largest battle of Filipino-
American War that took place in this
site. Monument parks were
established on both ends of the bridge
These are but just 10 historical places
among the rich history the Philippines
has. So before one forgets from
where he or she came from, sit back,
relax, and discover the riches of
history that brought us to enjoy the
beauty of the Philippine country.
 BARASOAIN CHURCH

Having earned the title as the Cradle of

Democracy in the East, Barasoain
Church is the most important religious
building in the Philippines. It was
founded by the Augustinian Missionaries
in 1859 and served as the session hall
of Malolos Congress, the first congress
in the Philippines which was held in
September 15, 1898 under the
presidency of Pedro Paterno. Three
major events in the Philippine history
happened in this church: the convening
of the First Philippine Congress
(September 15, 1898), the drafting of the
Malolos Constitution (September 29,
1898 to January 21, 1899), and the
inauguration of the First Philippine
Republic (January 23, 1899).

The architectural design of the church

attracts and engages visitors because of
the curved façade, rose windows, and
medieval bell tower. Its floral motifs and
paintings of angels and saints along the
ceiling adorn the interior of the church.

LEYTE LANDING
MEMORIAL PARK
If you ever drop by Tacloban City, the Leyte
Landing Memorial Park, formerly known as the
“McArthur Park,” is a must-visit destination.
Remember the promise made by Gen. Douglas
McArthur “I shall return”? He kept this promise
when he returned with an army of 700 ships
containing 174,000 American soldiers at Red
Beach, Palo, Leyte on October 20, 1944. The
“red” in Red Beach doesn’t refer to the natural
color of the sand, but its color after being
drenched in blood. Many tourists visit the park to
reminisce an important event in history – the
fulfilment of Gen. McArthur’s promise to the
Filipinos to come back and help them win against
the Japanese colonies. It always brings
inspirational memories of how our beloved
ancestors fought for our freedom.
 MACTAN SHRINE
The Mactan Shrine, located in
Mactan Island in Cebu, is made in
honor of Lapu-Lapu, Ferdinand
Magellan, and the Battle of Mactan. It
is also known as Liberty Shrine and it
lies on the very ground where the
battle took place. The said encounter
was between the Spaniards led by
Ferdinand Magellan and the locals
led by Lapu–Lapu.

Ferdinand Magellan and his crew

were the first people to introduce
Christianity in the Philippines. In the
quest to prove that the earth is not
flat, he traveled the world and
docked in Mactan, where he was
eventually killed by Lapu-Lapu on
April 27, 1521. Lapu-Lapu is
recognized as the first native of the
archipelago to have resisted the
Spanish colonization.

BANAUE RICE
TERRACES

The Banaue Rice Terraces was made

approximately 2000 years ago, carved
into the mountains by the indigenous
people using only their hands and some
crude equipment. It is said that if the
steps were put end to end, it would
encircle half the globe. It is considered as
one of mankind's greatest engineering
accomplishments.
 LUNETA PARK

Previously called Bagumbayan Field, Rizal

Park or Luneta Park was built as a tribute
to our greatest national hero – Dr. Jose
Rizal. It is one of the leading historical
sites in the Philippines where Rizal was
executed by the Spanish military firing
squad on December 30, 1896 because he
had spread the ideals of revolution
against Spanish rule.
Nowadays, it is one of the major tourist
attractions of Manila. The park became a
favorite spot for unwinding and
socializing. It is also a place for family
bonding and picnics during Sundays and
holidays.
BASILICA DE SANTO
NINO

No visit in Cebu is ever complete without

paying tribute to Santo Niño. The basilica
was founded in 1565 and is the oldest
Roman Catholic Church in the entire
country. The spot was where Miguel
Lopez de Legazpi found the image of the
Child Jesus. It was also the same statue
that Ferdinand Magellan gave to the wife
of Rajah Humabon of Cebu, after they
were baptized to Christianity in 1521.