House of Higino Francisco, Binondo
Our first stop was at the Binondo, Manila. We had a hard
time looking for this place because the address we were looking for was
changed. We were looking for 525 Magdalena Street but the people around the
place were not even familiar where it is located. The rain poured during our
walk that made our situation harder but it never became a reason to stop finding
that historical place. We did not stop asking people passing by to help us find
the place, and after almost three hours of walking around Binondo, we finally
found it! The address was no longer the same address we were looking for;
instead it was now 525 Masangkay Street. Unfortunately, we just saw 3 posts on
the place of the historical house and it will be reconstructed for a new
building, not sure if it will be a commercial building or for another purposes.
But I am hoping that the place will still be for the remembrance of one of the
significant historical places specifically for Higino Francisco. Honestly, his
name did not sound familiar before to me, not even knowing that he existed. Thankfully,
because of our course Rizal, I have given the chance to know him. He is such an
admirable man for his actions to rescue our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal for
the Bagumbayan execution. Though, he was not successful from freeing Rizal, his
loyalty and dedication proved that he has a good heart. Rizal even gave him the
original manuscript of the Noli Me Tangere, but instead of keeping this to
himself, he instead gave it to Rizal’s mother. See how good he is? Now, every
Filipinos should know about him especially the future generations by preserving
historical places like this.
Heavy rained poured while finding Francisco's house...
The vacant lot at our back was once
the location of Francisco's house.
The Residence of Higino Francisco
looked like this before..
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| source: triviamatters.blogspot.com |
ATENEO DE MANILA
Our next destination was at the Ateneo De Manila, formerly
called Ateneo de Municipal which was under the control of the Jesuits during
the Spanish period. This time we found the place easily because it is situated
in the famous Intramuros, Manila. The infrastructure still stood there but is
now abandoned. As I looked at the place and remembered that it was Rizal’s
school before I became inspired. He is really a good inspiration to the
Filipino youth who are still studying like me. Like what was written in our
History, Rizal obtained very good grades in this university and performed well
in different activities. He was consistent in receiving good grades and gold
medals throughout his stay in Ateneo.
Ateneo before..
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| source: wikipedia.com |
Ateneo old campus today..
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FORT SANTIAGO
After
Ateneo, we went next to Fort Santiago also in Intramuros. The ambiance of the
place will make you feel like you are on the Spanish regime era because of the
infrastructures that still exist. Before we enter the place, we have to pay the
entrance fee which I think is fair good because the money collected will be for
the maintenance of the place. Fort Santiago is where Jose Rizal was imprisoned
before he was executed. Rizal shrine stood there, a replica of Rizal’s house in
Laguna. Inside Rizal Shrine were his memorabilia and some of his written works.
When we took a walk around Fort Santiago, we saw different jails including
Rizal’s. There was even a replica of him, imitating his height and physical
features. The ground has an embedded footsteps of him in bronze showing his
path from his jail to the place of execution. The place is beautiful but the
aura for me is gloomy, maybe because the history tells me a story.
Entrance of Fort Santiago
The footprints of Rizal's on the way
to the place of execution..
Picture taking inside the Fort
Santiago..
Artifacts of Rizal at the Rizal Shrine..
University
of Santo Tomas
The University
of Santo Tomas before..
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| source: |
Today...
CUARTEL DE ESPANYA
Our last destination around Intramuros or “The Walled City”
was the Cuartel De Espanya. As we walk around the place, we did not notice that
the big and lengthy walls we were passing by was the place we were looking for.
It is a significant place wherein Rizal’s trial for his execution
happened. A military trial took place there.
Before
it was destructed:
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| source: |
Its big and lengthy
facade that still stood today:
NATIONAL MUSEUM
After a long walk in Intramuros, we transferred to the
National Museum of the Philippines just a few walks away from Intramuros. The
National Museum is the home of many art galleries and preserves of our country
that represents many cultural heritage and diversities. All of us were really
amazed upon seeing different kinds of arts reflecting our history. Even the
building itself is really beautiful; the façade signifies the creativity of the
Filipinos. We found all the collections related to Dr. Jose Rizal at the
Gallery V section.
Beautiful paintings depict
Filipino's suffering during foreign invasions:
Gallery V: Rizal
LUNETA PARK
Next was the famous Luneta Park. The surrounding is very
relaxing and refreshing; no wonder it is the favorite bonding place of Filipino
families. The moment I look around the place, I tried to picture out how
Rizal’s execution happened. Because of its beautiful and modern look today, you
will never think that this place was the actual place of our national heroes’
execution, which on this exact place Dr. Jose Rizal showed his compassion and
love for our country and his countrymen. It was nice to see how the government
maintained order and cleanliness to this historical place. The only thing I did
not like, and I think most Filipinos will agree with me, is the construction of
the controversial Torre De Manila. It really ruined the view of the Rizal’s
monument spot. I just wished that the government prepared corrective actions to this.
PACO CEMETERY
Our
last itinerary was the Paco Cemetery. Unfortunately, we did not get the chance
to enter because when we arrived there it was already closed. We were just late
for about 30 minutes, so it was frustrating to our part. We then took pictures
only outside the place and tried to slip a sight inside the park. The Paco Park
serves as a cemetery during the Spanish era. Dr. Jose Rizal and GomBUrZa were
buried there after their separate executions.
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source:wikipedia.com    
The
whole day trip was tiring but very fulfilling. Seeing those historical places
made me appreciate myself as a Filipino knowing that many people during the
early era fought for our independence.
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