I first fell in love with Intramuros during my senior year in high school. Who wouldn’t be captured by the enchanting lights and lively cultural presentations amidst a picturesque background? The place really drew me in. I knew that visit would not be my last.

A Field Trip to Remember – Enjoying the WOW Philippines activities in Intramuros last 2004.

Fast forward to eight years and several visits later, I am still in love with the place. That is why despite my shyness, I mustered up the courage to join the Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012.  I knew that I must go. I knew that if I don’t grab this opportunity, I will regret it later on. Because of that, I found myself meeting organizer Mark Joseph Delgado and fellow bloggers in Starbucks Intramuros on the sunny afternoon of February 5.

Honestly, I was happy that Starbucks Intramuros was our meeting place.  It is like a tourist spot in itself.  The products are the same. The warm service is the same. However, one thing makes it stand out among the rest – its appearance! One can describe it as a mix of the old and the new. The structure is made of adobe while the colorful paintings give a modern touch.  It simply fits right in with the walled city!

While taking pictures outside Starbucks, my curious eyes can’t help but notice a huge run-down building. I approached a security guard standing nearby and asked him about the structure. It turned out that building was Aduana or Customs House. Built from 1823 to 1829, it underwent changes through the years until a fire destroyed it in 1979. In 1998, it was partly restored by the National Archives. I was glad that the structure has not been demolished and still stands until now.

At 2:00 pm,we boarded a tramvia that would take us to Fort Santiago. Riding the tramvia made me imagine the old times when tramvias were still used as part of our transportation. It made me wonder, what if tramvias still exist today? Would there be less traffic and less pollution?

Upon our arrival in Fort Santiago, our group was greeted warmly at the Intramuros Visitors Centre and was treated with a film showing. After that, we were guided to Club Intramuros for a quick orientation and snacks. At that point, I became very excited. The Walking Tour was about to start. I was going to meet Carlos Celdran!

I have always been interested to go on one of Carlos Celdran’s tours. I saw him on TV before and he was so passionate in his craft. In person, he has that same lively spirit. We were a big group composed of locals, balikbayans and foreigners but he handled us very well. He was not only entertaining but very informative as well!

What I love the most about our tour is that Carlos Celdran did not just introduce Intramuros to us. He made us relive the different periods of Philippine history! This was no ordinary tour I have been to. In every stop, Carlos would wear a costume fit to that period, take out his props and eagerly tell us stories. If he was my teacher, I would certainly attend classes everyday.

Wearing an American hat with American flags in the background, Carlos spoke of how Thomasites came to the Philippines to establish public school education.

Our Intramuros experience was made more complete with a kalesa ride! Each tour participant was treated to a kalesa or sidecar ride bound for the ruins near Ateneo.

War is never good! One of the most touching part of the tour was when Carlos Celdran talked about collateral damage. A damage which lost Manila its soul, Intramuros.

I believe that more than the stories were the realizations. Intramuros stands as a testimony of our past. Where walls spoke of grandeur. Where walls also spoke of horror.

Just like the walls of Intramuros, San Agustin Church remains as the only church that survived the different periods of Philippine history.

One may not be able to go back to the past but there is always a future to look forward to.

Among the ruins of Intramuros stands a growing skateboarding community serving as a reminder of our changing times.

Most of all, see Intramuros or your country through different eyes! Often, we focus on the negative aspects of our country. Change that perception. Know your country. Understand your country. Love your country!

Let us not forget the many lives that were lost by heroes who died for our motherland.

As the tour ended, I cannot help but fall in love more with Intramuros. Truly, nothing beats touring our own country. I know that someday, I will be back to the walled city. I will be back to learn more stories and to continue my Intramuros Love Story.

Maraming salamat po, Carlos Celdran! ^___^

This is a Travel Write-up entry to the Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012 organized by IntramurosManila.Asia. 

IBC 2012 is fully supported by the Intramuros Administration, Barbara’s Restaurant, Celdran Tours, Mabuhay Guides, Pilgrimage Pilipinas, Castillan Tours, Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc., DigiEntrepreneur, DigitalFilipino, Third Team Media, Payless Pancit Shanghai, Ruthilicious, Ruthilicious Fanpage and GadgetGambit.com.

Corregidor, so near yet so far. I live in Cavite but it was only last October when I had the chance to visit this historical place.  My mom and I were waiting for a good promo deal and we finally got it in the SMX Travel Mart. For 1,500 pesos/person, the Corregidor day tour package we purchased also includes a free Manila Bay dinner cruise which we have yet to avail. It feels great to save a thousand pesos on a much awaited trip!   Right from the start, I can see how organized the tour is. Just like boarding an airplane, guests are asked to be at the CCP Bay Terminal by 7:00 am to register and get their stickers from the Sun Cruises office. After that, a shuttle will pick up guests to the docking area where they will board the ferry boat. We were lucky to be seated in the upper deck because we are near the outer deck. The snack bar is also just a few steps away, hehe.  Before the boat left the dock, there was a safety demonstration. Being a nurse, I appreciate their policy of Safety First!

Upon arriving in Corregidor, we were asked to board one of the tramvias.  If you have friends who speak only Japanese, don’t worry! There is a tramvia especially for Japanese speakers.  Another tramvia is for participants of the Corregidor Adventure tour. There are enough colorful tramvias for everyone! ^__^

With my mother, my favorite travel buddy

Unlike other tours I have been to where tourist spots are jampacked with people, it is the opposite with the Corregidor tour of Sun Cruises. Each tramvia has a different starting point so that when you get to a certain spot, only two groups are together. Our guide for that day was Mr. Carlos Reyes and the starting point for our group was the Middleside Barracks.

Since there are other barracks in the area, markers were placed to identify structures.

This is only just a portion of the Middleside Barracks. Imagine how large it is! o_O

After that, our group headed to Battery Way. This place played a big part during World War II. It was the last “concrete artillery” to ceasefire before the surrender of Corregidor on May 6, 1942.

Vertical plunging trajectories such as this one was ideal to use for enemies located on higher ground in Bataan.

One can see small structures surrounding the area. Some are used as shell storage.

The third location of our Corregidor Day Tour was Battery Hearn. This is the spot where the Banzai victory pose of the Japanese troops was taken. You can see the said picture in this link.
We look so tiny next to this big gun, hehe

After that, off we went to Battery Grubbs. It is known for its two 10 inch disappearing guns and of course, it’s lovely view.

This is the entrance to Battery Grubbs. As you can see, you can go up a flight of stairs for a better view of the place.

A closer look at the “disappearing gun”.

Did you know that Corregidor is actually located in Cavite? Though Bataan is closer, Corregidor is still recognized as part of Cavite. Bataan is so close that you can even see a part of Bataan in the background!

In the fourth spot,  our guide gave us time to explore another area of the island. Among the places one can visit here are the Pacific War Museum and Pacific War Memorial.

A memorial for the Rock Force, the Parachute Regimental Combat Team (PRCT) who helped recapture Corregidor from the Japanese soldiers.

Looking at broken down structures such as this, I can’t help but form pictures in my head of its glory days.

A memorial to commemorate Filipino and American soldiers who gave up their life to defend the island.

Before we had our lunch break, we visited the Corregidor Lighthouse. You can buy souvenir items in this area.

Where are you headed?

After filling our stomach with food from the buffet in Corregidor Inn, we headed to the Filipino Heroes Memorial. It is my favorite part of the island because it celebrates the courage and love of Filipino Heroes for their hometown.

Dedicated to the Filipino who knows how to die for love of freedom and liberty.

Afterwards, we were off to the Japanese Memorial. As you can see, the place evokes a sense of serenity.

Peace and love for all.

Calmness and serenity envelopes the place.

Our last stop was the Malinta Light and Sound Tunnel Show. The show requires an additional fee but it was okay with us since we wanted to trace the steps of the history of Corregidor.

Overall, I am thankful that I was given the chance to go on a day tour in Corregidor. It may be only a few hours but I went home rich with knowledge of the history of the place. Most of all, I got to know the heroes of Corregidor!

Thank you very much for a wonderful tour Mr. Carlos Reyes! Next time, I will try to go on an overnight tour to explore Corregidor at night.

How about you? What’s your Corregidor story?

This is a pre-qualifying entry to the