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..

        

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..

source: wikipedia.com

Ateneo old campus today..

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..

The replica of Rizal situated on his actual cell before..

Picture taking inside the Fort Santiago..

Artifacts of Rizal at the Rizal Shrine..

University of Santo Tomas    

         

       Next destination was at the old campus of University of Santo Tomas or known as Colegio de Nuestra Señora Del Santisimo Rosario before which is also located at Intramuros, Manila. The campus looked more of a commercial building now. The University of Santo Tomas is the oldest existing university in Asia founded by Bishop Miguel de Benavides intended for a seminary college. This university played significant role in the life of Rizal as a student. He enrolled at the university with Philosophy and letters on his first year as his course.  He then shifted to medicine later on because he wanted to cure his mother’s growing blindness. Until now, UST has an outstanding academic performance in any field and truly a home of many achievers of our country.

The University of Santo Tomas before..

source: www.theurbanroamer.com

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:

source:www.web-books.com

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.

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.