“Remember, class, that this is a field trip – not a food trip.”
We boarded our tourist bus at 7am, the whole class bustling with excitement. It was a Saturday, and I slept all the way to Intramuros because really, who gets up early during a weekend? I just woke up when we parked near San Agustin Church, our first stop for the day. Our professor briefed us about our tour, stressing out the quote above, and off we went inside the church.
“Ssshhh!”
I’m not really a church-goer, I admit, but I still appreciated the solemnity and peacefulness of San Agustin Church. I was a bit disappointed about the renovations done on the exterior part of it, but I guess it was really needed to make the building more stable. There are a lot of ancient crypts and religious artifacts at the church’s museum. It still has a Spanish air around the whole place. We toured around, studying statues and designs which are a pleasant mix of medieval and modern art.
“See? The horse loves me!”
After visiting San Agustin Church, we chose to ride a calesa or a horse-drawn carriage to go around Intramuros. I even tried to feed the horse with grass – I think both the horse and I enjoyed this experience. We passed by a lot of old Spanish houses and buildings interspersed with modern restaurants and schools.
“I want to get married here!”
We stopped at the Manila Cathedral, the seat of the Archdiocese of Manila, which looks like a giant cross on aerial view. It has intricate stone carvings, rosette windows, and stained glass mosaics – a perfect setting for grand weddings. It is my ideal place to get married, I said. Just then, I learned that one has to book a wedding date two years earlier because it has such a long waiting list. Oh my! The Manila Cathedral is really a very popular venue for an unforgettable marriage ceremony.
“I’m now considering a career in serenading.”
My classmate joked about stopping his university studies and just being a singer in Intramuros. We had our lunch at Barbara’s Restaurant, which usually employs very talented Filipino singers to entertain tourists while eating. Too bad we came on a weekend because the serenade only happens during weekdays. It also hosts cultural nights of singing and dancing. This restaurant serves both Spanish and native dishes, and has a grand and romantic ambiance to it.
“I really feel Dr. Jose Rizal in here.”
Feeling a bit scared at first, we ventured inside Fort Santiago, a part of the original wall structure of Intramuros. It is where Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero, was detained before his execution. We found a lot of historical items and memorabilia in the place which serve as a remembrance of the 300-year Spanish rule of the country.
“Make the price lower and I’ll buy three of these!”
The last part of our trip is to Mananzan Handicrafts, where we bought a lot of souvenirs. From the charming woodcarvings of Ilocos to the exquisite seashells of Cotabato, the store has them all. My classmates and I practiced our haggling prowess and got a great deal on all the items. I bought some bracelets, keychains, and T-Shirts to give to my family.
“Ma’am? Where is our bus parked?”
We actually got lost on our way back, so we called our professor for instructions on how to get to our bus. Despite this mishap, we still enjoyed our trip and planned to go here again sometime. We missed a lot of places – like museums, art galleries, and parks – because we have limited time and those were not part of our travel itinerary. I’m sure that next time, we’ll be able to enjoy another trip to Intramuros.
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