Treasures of the Walled City

By CECILIA S. ANGELES

Baluarte de San Diego

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino chieftain Rajah Soliman had his residence here, a beautiful place along Pasig River, a thriving business area among Asian traders until Spanish conquerors who landed in Mactan on March 25, 1521 spread unlike wild fire but like winged creatures, creeping into all nooks and corners of the Philippine Islands.

These conquerors had “modern” weapons, not the bows, arrows and sling shots our forebears used for defense. There seemed to be no area in the Philippines not invaded by the Spaniards, the mighty power during that time, except the end boundaries of our southern most islands of Mindanao.   So, 327 years of being under the Spanish rule, we have acquired, assimilated, digested everything Spanish  -  food, habits, way of life, art, language, even cruelties, and more.

The fall of Intramuros gave the Spaniards full reign over Maynilad under its military leader, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi.  There were threats of other foreign invaders, so the Spanish conquistador, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, built thick concrete walls around the newly conquered place. In addition, a moat was also built around, stretching about 4.5 kilometers long to enclose the 64 hectares area.

To further strengthen the security of the place, entrances were equipped with drawbridges which were lifted in the evening and laid down in the early morning.  Yes, this used to be Manila, and it was filled with residential structures, churches, schools, palaces, and especially government establishments.

Spain was proud of this place, its showcase in the Far East that heralded to the world its power and might.  Then, a war with the American forces in 1898 changed history.  The Philippines became the colony of America.  Had the Americans arrived onto our shores two years earlier, Rizal would not have been executed the brutal way.

Intramuros has preserved the dark history of the Philippines.  Yes, within the thick moss-covered walls of Intramuros, painful memories remain buried today whose bitterness may not have been felt at all. Intramuros now showcases glitters in the future.  Some structures are being rebuilt and restored and  soon, the warm hearted Filipinos will spread joy and peace.

Historical.  Educational.  Amazing.  And more!  This is Intramuros today. It no longer showcases the bitter stories of the past, but better stories for writers, better subjects to talk about, better compositions for painters, photographers and artists, better venues for social gatherings, religious enlightenment for people, scenic views for promenaders.  

A special show, Lights and Sounds, is a diorama presentation of what has transpired in our history from the early barter days with neighboring Asian traders to the time Dr. Jose Rizal was executed at Bagumbayan.  Our history is presented here, segment by segment as icons talk and act. Then, later, after sometime, the next door is not exactly an entrance to another part of the electronic presentation but an exit to the show. I wipe a tear in my eye. It’s the end of the show.