The Fort Santiago

Hello everyone! I wish you well this time as you read my new travel blog. I will be sharing with you today one of the most memorable places I have been after our Baguio City trip, the Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila.

After our Baguio City trip, we went to Manila for a 3-day tour. This place was not part of our itinerary that day. We only planned to visit the Dolomite Beach, but since a cochero (driver of the calesa) approached us and offered a tour of the different historical landmarks of the Philippines, we accepted it, and he called for more calesas to accommodate all of us.

One of the places we visited was Fort Santiago. One of the oldest structures was built in 1571. We arrived there at seven o'clock in the evening. I was amazed by the beauty of the place at night. I never thought I could visit the place, which I only read in books and heard from our history teachers.

When we entered the vicinity, we needed to pay the entrance fee, for which I failed to avail a discount. Our companions asked the teller if they give discounts to teachers. And yes, they give discounts to teachers who visit the historical place. They were able to avail it; at least they saved a little amount for the dinner.

I was excited when my companions said that we could see the room where our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, was detained. But before going to it, my wife asked me to take her a photo under the beautiful lights of the trees. We also took the opportunity to take a photo of the statue of our national hero.

We then walk to the place where Dr. Jose Rizal was staying before he died. But because I was attracted to the lego displays of the historical structures in Manila on the ground floor,so I was not able to come upstairs to see what the room looked like. I just kept on looking at the lego displays, and then I went outside to enter the dungeon.

I thought there were many people inside the dungeon since I was hearing people talking to each other. But when I got inside, I was alone, but I was not scared, even if I already knew that there were many Filipinos who were tortured and died there. There were approximately 600 Filipino victims and were put into a mass grave under the white marble cross outside the dungeon.

I offered a prayer for all of them, and then I proceeded to exit the area. As I walk going back to the front gate, I have observed the ruins of the American barracks, and there were also cannons and cannon balls, which I don't know if they are real or just replicas. I was not able to read signage or even ask someone that night because we were in a hurry to get back to the calesa since it was almost to rain.

I just wanted to visit the place in the daytime so that there would be a clearer picture of this historical fortification. I have a lot of questions, especially about the dungeon and the Filipino victims at that time, but I just searched its history so that it could be answered. It's a nice experience, but it would even be more nice if we allotted plenty of time for the place.

I recalled the Philippine history and at the same time made a history of my travels.

I thank you for spending a little time on my blog, until next time, fellow travelers.

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