IMCOM-K • PAGE 16 http://imcom.korea.army.mil
FEATURE
THE MORNING CALM
The Rizal Monument memorializing Philippines national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, contains his remains and is guarded by two sentries. Rizal was executed by the Spaniards Dec. 30, 1896 for inciting revolution during their colonization of the Philippines. — Photo courtesy of Kevin Jackson
‘Pearl of Orient’ unlocks history, culture By Kevin Jackson kevin.b.jackson1@korea.army.mil
A waitress in a Chinatown teahouse across the Pasig River from Intramuros walks through the restaurant offering patrons a variety of dim sum, or Chinese snacks. The restaurants serve a variety of Chinese food with an endless supply of tea. — Photo courtesy of Kevin Jackson
MANILA — Manila calls. Just a threeand-half hour flight from Seoul, “the Pearl of the Orient” founded by Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1571 offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into history and culture. Its single most popular tourist attraction is Intramurous – the walled city constructed by the Spaniards from 1590-1872. Within the walls stretching 2.8 miles and covering 158 acres are Fort Santiago to the north, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, Casa Manila Museum and much more. Depending on how much time you can spare, a tour by kalesa, or horsedrawn carriage, may be the way to go. The two-and-half hour, Englishnarrated tour costs about 1,000 Pesos or $24, but be certain to negotiate your fare before you begin the tour. While many of Intramuros’ structures appear ancient, the monthlong Battle of Manila in 1945 obliterated the walled city. San Agustin Church – the oldest place of worship in the country – was the only structure left
Fort Santiago - located at the north end of Intramuros or the walled city in Manila - is the oldest stone fortress in the Philippines. It was built for Spanish сonquistаdor Miguel Lopez de Legаzpi. Dr. Jose Rizal was imprisoned here before his execution. The fort was captured by the Japanese and sustained heavy damage from Allied mortar attacks during the Battle of Manila in February 1945. — Photo courtesy of Kevin Jackson
intact. The church, ironically, contains Legazpi’s mortal remains. It also houses a museum of artifacts, statues and oil paintings from old Manila. Casa Manila is just across the street. The pet project of former Philippines First Lady Imelda Marcos constructed in 1981 was built to resemble a Spanish colonial 1850 house. It offers insight into the lavish lifestyle of the time. And if you still didn’t get your WWII fix, you can always take a day tour of Corregidor. The tadpole-shaped island 30 miles and a one-hour ferry ride from Manila played an important role in the invasion and liberation of the Philippines. Visitors can tour the ruins of military facilities, the Pacific War Memorial Museum, the Malinta Tunnel which was dug to house ammunition, food, supplies, a 1,000 bed hospital, and a lot more. No trip to Manila would be complete without visiting the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. The perfectly manicured cemetery is the solemn resting place for 17,097 servicemembers who never made it home from WWII. Manila has this and so much to offer. See it for yourself. x
Jeepneys - often ornately decorated are inexpensive and the main mode of transportation for people across the Philippines. For the uninitiated, they can be challenging because they travel in a dizzying array of destinations, but they are part of the Manila experience. — Photo courtesy of Kevin Jackson
San Agustin Church in Intramuros was completed in 1606 and is the oldest church in the Philippines. It is one of four Philippines churches to be designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. — Photo courtesy of Kevin Jackson
The perfectly manicured Manila American Cemetery and Memorial near Makati City in an area called the “fort” contains 17,097 headstones and engraved tablets honoring another 36,286 missing in action troops who gave their lives in battle during World War II. The cemetery is one of 24 overseas cemeteries managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission. It is the only one in Asia. — Photo courtesy of Kevin Jackson