Fort Santiago Revisited

By Muneca - Found in www.traveljournals.net

It has been years since I visited historical sites and museums in Manila again. Particularly Fort Santiago, in Intramuros, and the National Museum. This time I brought along Antonio, who came from a country that shares the same cultural and historical background as the Philippines. I have very basic knowledge in Spanish, and good thing he was with me to translate some of the words. As I thought that I would just serve as a "tourist guide", it turned out to be quite an educational experience for myself as Antonio and I shared about how Spanish culture has changed and stayed in our respective countries.

Fort Santiago has greatly improved. It now has a 3-storey building that houses paintings and memorabilia of Jose Rizal, our national hero. But what i missed most was seeing Rizal's original bartolina, the cell where Rizal was jailed before his execution. The entrance fee is affordable and a treat to students who have id's. There are shops inside, a cafe, and very romantic gardens with fountains. You could also get a calesa ride for 50 pesos.

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