Trip to Manila: Literally Followed the Footsteps of Rizal

My cousin invited me to accompany her while she's in Manila so I said ‘yes’ right away. She's a seafarer and she had to undergo medical check-up and process her application papers. While waiting for her to finish her business, I went strolling around. I was both excited and nervous. First time sa Manila eh.

Here are the beautiful things I liked while touring Philippine's Capital City:

MANILA CATHEDRAL

I had the chance to see a closer look at the Manila Cathedral. Unfortunately, the cathedral is still under construction. I would've loved to enter and see the beauty within.

LUNETA PARK

Had the chance to see for the very first time the Rizal monument in person! I went there strolling alone.

FORT SANTIAGO

One of our friends also came to meet us while we’re in Manila. She lives in Makati so her effort was so much appreciated plus it’s her first time to visit Manila too!

While waiting for Rhadzie to finish her medical check-up, we decided we go to Fort Santiago. (Entrance fee for adults is Php 75.00)

Along the entrance, many offered for a calesa ride but we opted walking to appreciate better the place (and makatipid na rin. *lol*)

We had fun doing our photo ops and loitering around. There was a tunnel I would’ve loved to see what’s on the other side, but for some reasons, our friend has this unexplained fear of Tunnels.

I can imagine how hard it was during the Spanish colonial era by merely looking at the cells where many of our fellow Filipinos sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Inside the Fort Santiago, there was an open exhibit of the many memorabillas of Dr. Jose Rizal. Showcased are his works, most popular among which are the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibustirismo. There were also antique furniture, portraits, photographs, and paintings that are siginificant to the life of our national hero.

Rizal's famous books Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

We loved the historic vibe around the walled city.

We stopped by the Saint Augustine Church to witness a wedding in a bit. The church's interior is so grand! Sadly, our phones were already drained by this time so we never had the chance to take some pictures. :'(

We also went through the different souvenir shops along.

80% siguro of our time was spent on walking. We walked and walked until we reached the entrance gate of Intramuros. Surprisingly though, we never got tired of walking that we even decided to go straight ahead to Luneta Park.

We literally followed the footsteps of Rizal from Fort Santiago where he was detained up to the then Bagumbayan (now Luneta/Rizal Park) following his execution.

Phew! What an experience! Very exhausting in the end but fulfilling in so many ways… and then the thought just came, Ang layu-layo pala ng nilakad ni Rizal! Sooo much pahirap! I hate the Spaniards na! He he.

Seriously, when you're in Manila, it's best you visit Intramuros. A place so rich in history!

Looking forward to another adventure!