“An Opportunity to Walk in the Past in Fort Santiago”
Reminiscing the past is one great way to rest ourselves. A great example for this is visiting a famous tourist spot in Intramuros, the Fort Santiago. It is known as a relaxing place where one can really feel what happened in the past for it is where kingdom of Rajah Suliman, chieftain of Manila of pre-Spanish era, once located; it’s reconstruction for Spanish conquistador by Miguel López de Legazpi; and the fortress where Rizal was imprisoned. But aside from those facts, what is really in it that makes it a known visiting place for local and international tourist?
It’s sad to say that at first when we first try to visit the place, it was already closed. So we just took some pictures outside. Fortunately, it’s open when we visit it the other day. It was a unique experience walking in a historical venue where many not so good happened in the past for many lived and died there during the colonization times. Outside, there’s a sign board entitled “Reliving Intramuros Today” containing brief information about the walled city and three pictures. Upon entering, the first thing that attracted my attention was the beautiful park. In the middle, there’s an oasis of spring water and palm trees. Old ruins, canons and guns also surround the big courtyard. On the left side from the entrance, there are war machines that were used in the World War II before. After crossing the channel, there’s a smaller courtyard, considered as one of the beautiful gardens in Manila, where one can peak the magnificent view of the Pasig River and the Rizal Shrine Museum, in honor of our national hero, at the side. Not so far, there’s the memorial to those 600 bodies buried in a mass grave by the Japanese during World War II. As I entered, I felt weird together with some sort of creepy feeling. I think it must be the quiet place that was causing it because many died there. It made me think of the people that suffered before just for us to get our precious freedom today. It was an exhausting trip but a worthwhile for I enjoyed this sight-seeing even though I’m already tired.
I think some of the factors why this is a famous place are the affordable entrance fee, P50 for adults and P25 for students and teacher, making it one of a must visit place even for those intact in their budgets; the great view of different sceneries like the Pasig river; and it’s a reserved place from the past where one can see what is like living in the Spanish to the Japanese colonization period because of the old ruins and canons. Overall, the Fort Santiago is a must visit place for education, relaxing and interesting unique experience that must be shared to others.
The message of the Fort Santiago is very clear. It’s to appreciate the past for it is what leads us to the present and the future. Yes, it’s an old place but many historical events happened there. From the past mistakes, we can now act and correct it if ever it will happen again. As we see the old ruins, we can easily remember what happened in that place. Walking around there makes us think again to live the life we want to avoid having regrets in the future just like what Rizal did. We must never forget that many people suffered to achieve the freedom we enjoyed today. Indeed, this place is a great escapade with a lesson from the busy life in Manila to the beautiful Fort Santiago.