Intramuros (Latin for "within the walls") is located at the eastern center of the City of Manila and

lies on the southern shore of the Pasig River. It is currently one of the sixteen administrative districts that

divide the country's capital. It was the Spanish Empire's regional seat of power in Asia. The city covers

about 64 hectares of land (640,000 sq.m.) and has a total population of 4,925 as of 2010. Intramuros is

bounded in the north by the Pasig River, a river that divides the Metro manila into two and serves as the

outlet of the Laguna de Bay. Across the river, one may be able to see the buildings in Binondo where the

city's China town is located. To the east are several government offices like the Manila City Hall, the

National Museum, the Manila Theater and the Manila City Library. To the west is the reclaimed area of

manila that used to be the shores of Manila Bay. In this reclaimed are is the Port of Manila and the Manila

Hotel. To the south are other important sites: the Rizal Park, formerly Bagumbayan or the site where Dr.

Jose P. Rizal was executed, and the United Stated Embassy. (Del Monte 2013, 47-49)

Before the arrival of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, Intramuros was a part of a pre-hispanic kingdom

called the Kingdom of Maynila (Maynilad) ruled by Rajah Sulayman (Soliman). Kota Seludong, is the name

of this fortified capital of this kingdom. Seludong was located in a portion of Intramuros that is now callled

Fort Santiago, positioned by the delta formed by the Manila Bay and the Pasig River. After Miguel Lopez

de Legazpi's successful conquest of Manila in 1971, the Spanish founded the City of Manila over Rajah

Sulayman previous domain. The city was recognized as a city within the Spanish realm and was given the

royal charter on June 24, 1571. In 1574, it was given by King Philip II the honorific "Insigne y siempre leal",

Noble and Ever Loyal City, and in 1596 it was given its own coat of arms (Torres 2005, 3-5).

Early on, the newly founded city relied on the wooded palisade that protected Sulayman's

previous settlement. In 1574, the city was almost destroyed by an attack by a Chinese pirate named
Limahong. After this, building in the city were ordered to be made in stone. In 1589, Governor-General

Gomez Perez Dasmariñas ordered the construction of a stone wall enclosing the city. Torres (2005)

describes the wall and explains its history:

" The walls have a length of 4.5 kilometers or 2.81 miles with varying heights of 4.5 to 6 meters

and a thickness of 2 to 2.5 meters. It took 250 years (from 1590 to 1830) to complete the construction,

repairs, renovation, reconstruction of the wall and its fortifications."

Within the walls of Intramuros, there were seven gates or puertas: Puerta de Postigo and Puerta

de Santa Lucia facing the west, Puerta de Real facing the south, Puerta del Parian to the east, Puerta de

Isabell II, Puerta de Sto. Domingo and Puerta de Almacenes by the riverside. Puerta de Sto. Domingo and

Puerta de Almacenes together with the whole wall facing the Pasig river were demolished by the

Americans in 1904 to make a road. Also, there are nine balwarks or baluarte surrounding the walls:

Baluarte de San Miguel, Baluartillo de San Francisco and Baluartillo de San Francisco Javier to the

northeast part of the wall, Baluarte Plano Luneta de Sta. Isabel at the west of the wall, Baluarte de San

Diego to the southwest, Baluarte de San Andres facing the southern part, Baluarte de San Francisco de

Dilao at the southern part, Baluarte de San Gabriel at the northeast and Baluarte de Sto. Domigo on the

north.

During the Spanish era, Manila City ("Ciudad de Manila") was limited only by what was within the

walls. The other parts of Manila that we know today (Quiapo, Sta. Cruz, San Nicolas, Binondo, Sampaloc,

Malate, Ermita, Tondo, etc..) were suburbs (arrabales) or districts outside the walls, hence Extramuros.
(Ocampo 2013). Intramuros became the center of politics, education, religion, commerece and culture.

Contained within the walls were important government and religious offices. In here are the Palacio del

Gobernador, the office of the governor-general before the Malacañang, the Casas Consistoriales or the

Ayuntamiento and the Palacio Arzobispal. Also, there were several churches found in the city: the Manila

Cathedral, San Agustin Church, the Lourdes Church, the San Ignacio Church, the San Francisco Church, the

Santo Domingo Church and the Recoletos Church. Intramuros was the original site of the Ateneo de Manila

University and the University of Sto. Tomas and Adamson University. Other schools are Colegio de San

Juan de Letran, Colegio de Sta. Rosa and Manila High School (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila). Also,

goods from other countries were declared in the Old Customs House or the Aduana.

Throughout the Spanish and American colonial period, the walled city has survived several fires,

earthquakes, attacks, revolts and war. Intramuros survived the attack of Limahong, the fire of 1587,

several revolts of the Chinese settlers in the parian, Dutch blockade in the 17th century, the British

Occupation from 1762 to 1764, the earthquake of 1677 and 1863, the Philippine Revolution, the Spanish-

American War and the Filipino-American War. World War II and the Japanese Occupation on the other

hand brought much destruction to the city. In December 1941, General Douglas MacArthur declared

Manila an open city to prevent its destruction from the invading Japanese forces. But despite the general's

declaration, the Japanese proceeded on bombarding the city resulting to the destruction of several

buildings including the Sto. Domingo Church and the Santa Catalina College. Fort Santiago became a

symbol of Japanese tyranny since this became the office of the Kempatai and a place where filipinos were

tortured. The Liberation of Manila in 1945 brought about more death and destruction in the city. Since

the Americans wanted to avoid urban fighting to prevent thousands of casualties on their side, they

decided to shell the walled city before storming in. The Battle of Manila resulted to the death of Filipino

civilians and most of the city's structure were laid waste. In the aftermath of World War II, Manila was
popularly regarded as the world's second most devastated city , next to Warsaw, Poland. Since then, the

city has failed to reclaim its former glory.

The City of Manila is the capital of the Republic of the Philippines. It is located in the eastern coast

of the Manila Bay and lies on the western part of the Luzon island. The city is located at the center of the

National Capital Regional, which itself is located in between the Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay. The City

of Manila is bordered by Navotas City to the northwest, Caloocan City to the north and Quezon City to the

northeast. To the east is San Juan City and Mandaluyong City. While Manila is bordered by Pasay City to

the south and Makati City to the southeast. To its west is the Manila Bay which leads to the West Philippine

Sea, while bisecting the city at its center is the Pasig River. The city covers about 38.55 sq. km. and has a

total population of 1,652,171(as of 2010). It has a population density of 42,858 per sq.km. making the city

one of the most densely populated cities in the world. It consists of sixteen administrative districts:

Binondo, Ermita, Intramuros, Malate, Paco, Pandacan, Port Area, Quiapo, Sampaloc, San Andres, San

Miguel, San Nicolas, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz, Santa Mesa and Tondo. Pasig river equally divides the city

equally with each side having eight districts.

The history of the City of Manila is not much different with that of Intramuros since the latter had

always been known as Ciudad de Manila. Yet the history of today's City of Manila is much older than that

of Intramuros or that of the Kingdom of Maynila. The Pre-hispanic Luzon was ruled by three ancient

kingdoms: The Kingdom of Namayan, the Kingdom of Tondo and the Kingdom of Maynila. The oldest

among the three is the Kingdom of Namayan which may also be called the Kingdom of Sapa, Maysapa or

Nasapan after its capital of Sapa. Its territories include todays Makati, Pasay and Mandaluyong the districts

of Quiapo, Sampaloc, San Miguel, Sta. Ana, Sta. Mesa, Paco, Pandacan and Malate, and the towns of San
Juan del Monte and Taytay. This kingdom is a center of commerce often trading with merchants from

China, Moluccas, Java, Borneo, Sumatra, India, Thailand and Cambodia. The remnants of this old kingdom

still survives today: the district of Sta. Ana de Sapa in Manila and Barangay Namayan in Mandaluyong.

(Quirino 2010)

Then there is the Kingdom of Luzon or the Kingdom of Tondo (Tundun or Tunduk), a Indianized

kingdom, that centered around Tondo on the northern shore of the Pasig River. This kingdom came into

existence around the 900 A.D. and was mentioned in the Laguna Copperplate Inscription. The Kingdom of

Tondo had close trading relations with the Ming Dynasty of China, making Tondo a center of trade in

Southeast Asia. It is said that even after the Ming tightened its maritime trade, it still considered the

Kingdom of Tondo a close ally, its status was even higher than that of Japan. Thus relation with the Ming

made the Kingdom of Tondo a center of trade for all Chinese goods in Southeast Asia, thus making the

kingdom a regional power. In attempt neutralize this kingdom's power and monopoly over trade with

China, Sultan Bolkiah of Brunei attacked the Kingdom of Tondo. It was an attack that later failed. Realizing

his mistake, Sultan Bolkiah tried a different approach: a royal wedding. He prosposed the wedding of his

son Gat Lontok to Dayang Kaylangitan, the daughter of Tondo's Lakan (leader). As part of the pricess'

dowry to the Sultan, the Lakan promised that he will form a settlement across the Pasig River name

Seludong. This new settlement became a satellite of the Sultanate of Brunei that was able to surpass the

trading power of the Kingdom of Tondo and the Kingdom of Namayan. This settlement would later be

known as the muslim Rajahnate or Kingdom of Maynila (or Maynilad). It was able to establish trade not

only with the Chinese but also with other Asian countries like Java, Sumatra and even with the Arabs. This

kingdom became so rich that it, together with the region surrounding it, was called Suvarnadvipa or the

Land of Gold. By the time Martin de Goiti and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived the Kingdom of Namayan

was ruled by Rajah Matanda (Gat Lontok), Tondo was ruled by Lakan Dula while Maynila was ruled by
Rajah Sulayman. After the Spanish coonquest, the Kingdoms of Namayan and Tondo came under the

administration of the newly founded City of Manila. (Quirino 2010)

Barangay 654 is located on the north east portion of Intramuros. The barangay is bounded by the

following streets: Magallanes Drive in the north, Padre Burgos Drive in the East, Solana Street in the West

and Real Street in South and Southeast. Barangay 654 includes not only places within the mall but also

those outside the wall (including Liwasang Bonifacio and Revellin del Parian). The barangay has mixed use.

Most of the structures have governmental, institutional, or residential use. Some of the lots have

commercial use. Due to the amount of residential structures in this barangay, it has a fair amount of

residents. Based on the 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay 654 only has a total population

of 841. Barangay 655 and Barangay 658, the bordering barangays to the west and south and both having

residential/ commercial structures, have total populations of 1,789 and 1,772 respectively. While

Barangay 656 and 657 have smaller populations of 242 and 281 respectively. There are no distinguishing

characteristics that can help classify the people here into different social classes (other than those who

have cars and those who don't). People who go to this barangay may be workers from the different

government offices, employees of business establishments, traffic enforcers dressed as guardia civil,

patrons, Letran students or simple tourists.

The old Aduana Ruins (also known as the Intendencia or the Old Customs house) are situated at

Block 198 Lot 4 of Barangay 654, Intramuros, Manila City. The Aduana building is surrounded by residential

(BF condomuiniums) and commercial (Jollibee, Max's Restaurant, Starbucks Coffee, BPI buildings, etc.)

buildings, institutional (Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Colegio de Sta. Rosa) and government structures

(Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Internal Revenue), restored portions of the wall, plazas (Plaza Mexico,

Plaza de España) and open spaces. The streets surrounding the block are Magallanes Drive in the north
(which separates the block from Plaza Mexico), A. Soriano Avenue (also known as Aduana Street) in the

south (the street that separates the block from Plaza de España) and Solana Street in the west and Muralla

Street in the east. The Aduana's façade is directed to the south (facing the monument of King Philip II in

Plaza España), while the Pasig River lies to its north.

Most blocks in Barangay 654, Zone 70 of Intramuros have mixed use much like the rest of the of

the walled city. Government offices in this barangay includes Bureau of Immigration Head Office at Block

198 Lot 7-B-2-A and the Bureau of Internal Revenue District Office No. 30 Binondo Branch at Block 3 Lot

1-C-2-A and the Bureau of Internal Revenue District Office No. 31 Sta. Ana Branch at Block 3 Lot 1-C-2-D.

Education institutions include the Colegio de San Juan de Letran at Block 28 Lot 4, Colegio de San Juan de

Letran Highschool and Elementary located at Block 1 and 2, The Letran gymnasium at Block 3 Lot 1-C-1

and the Lyceum of the Philippines University gymnasium at Block 29 Lot 3.

Barangay 654 have different types of commercial structures. There is the Banco de Oro

Intramuros Branch on Block 198 and the Bank of the Philippine Islands at Block 3 Lot 1-C-2-C. There a lot

of restaurants and small eateries in this barangay which includes Starbuck Coffee, Andria's Taste Bar,

Annadel Restaurant, Victorio Simpleo Fastfood, Alyssa's Diner, Alexian Food Express, Pod Restaurant, Noel

Restaurant, Park n Garden Restaurant and Forest Moon Restaurant. Commercial offices include the

Chamber of Commerce, National Press Club, Dennis Pineda Construction Incorporated, Tamayo's Catering

Services & Restaurant, Inc., Eco Air Logistic Corporation, Clean and Green Foundation, Inc., Beneficial-PNB

Life Insurance Company Incorporated, Wallem Philippines Shipping, Inc., Foscon Ship Management

Incorporation, Inland Corporation Main Office, JVC Softdrink Dealer, Ram-Fsip Business Solutions, Philips

Electronics & Lighting Inc.

 The following are historic sites that can be found in this Barangay and their corresponding history

as discussed by Jose Victor Torres in his book Ciudad Murada:

1. Puerta del Parian and Revellin del Parain: Parian de Arroceros was an area beside Intramuros

where Chinese merchants were housed during the Spanish period. Connecting the parian and

Intramuros is the Puerta del Parian. This gate was built in 1593 and is one of the earliest gates to

be built. This also became the busiest gate since this is where Chinese merchants, with their

trading goods, entered and exited the city. Revellin del Parian was a fortress built in 1603 to

defend against Chinise uprisings of which there were several in the late 16th and late 17th

century. Both the gate and ravelin were damaged by the American shelling during 1945, and were

completely restored in 1967.

2. Puerta de Isabel II, Puerta Isabel Chambers and Queen Isabel II Monument: Puerta de Isabel II,

opened on 1861, was built to relieve the traffic outside the Puerta del Parian. The gate was

restored in 1966 after it was damaged during the Battle of Manila. Puerta Isabel Chamber was

part of the wall facing the Pasig River. It was used as a madical chamber and storehouse. In 1903,

portion of the chamber was destroyed by the Americans in order to built a street. It was further

damaged during the Battle of Manila in 1945. Isabel II's Monument was originally located at the

Plaza Arroceros, then placed in front of the Malate Church in 1896, the moved in 1975 to its

present location in front Puerta de Isabel II.

3. Baluarte de San Gabriel: This balwark was, at first, the site of the Hospital de San Gabriel built in

1587. The hospital served the Chinese populace that once lived in the area along the Pasig River.

The balwark itself was built in 1593. After World War II, the Baluarte de San Gabriel remained in

ruins until it was restored in 1989.

4. Colegio de San Juan de Letran: This college was the result of the merging of two orphanages that

housed and educated orphan boys. This first institution, named called the Colegio de los Niños
 Huerfanos de San Juan de Letran, was founded by Juan Alonso Jeronimo Guerrero in 1620. The

second, Colegio de Huerfanos de San Pedro y San Pablo, was founded by a Dominican lay person

named Fray Diego de Santa Maria in 1632. The college was officially recognized by the Dominicans

in 1652. It moved to its present location in 1668. In World War II, it was used by Japanese garrison.

The structure was damaged by Japanese bombing in 1941 and by American artillery in 1945. The

school was reopened in 1945.

5. Plaza de España and King Philip II's Monument: First known as Plaza Aduana, then renamed in

1897 as Plaza de los Martires de la Integridad de la Patria to commemorate the Spanish soldiers

who died during the Philippine Revolution. The Plaza was restored in 1982. King Philip's

Monument was unveiled to celebrate the country's centennial anniversary of its independence.

6. Plaza Mexico: The plaza was built to celebrate to 400th anniversary of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi's

expedition from Mexico. Inaugurated in 1964, the plaza is the site of the bust of Legazpi and the

marker commemorating the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade.

7. Aduana Ruins(Intendencia): The Aduana was completed in 1829 based on the design of Tomas

Cortes. It was used as the Customs House. Goods from China and other Asian countries are

unloaded in the Manila Bay then transported to the Aduana through the Pasig River. The structure

was damaged by an earthquake in 1863. It was demolished in 1872 and another structure was

built on 1876. The new structure became the shared office of the Customs, the Treasury, the

Intendencia General de Hacienda (Central Administration) and the Casa de Moneda (House of

Mint). During the World War II, the structure was damaged by the Japanese in 1941 and by the

Americans in 1945. After the war, the Aduana was used as the office of the Central Bank of the

Philippines, the National Treasury and the Commission of Elections. After a fire in 1979, the

structure was abandoned. Currently, the Aduana restoration has recently begun with a plan of

making it the main office of the National Archives of the Philippines.

Other historic sites lost through out history:

1. Santo Domingo Church: The former motherhouse of the Dominican Order. The church was

completely destroyed by the Japanese in 1941. The property was then sold to private entities

preventing any reconstruction of the church. Currently, a branch of the Bank of The Philippine

Islands stands on the site.

2. Puerta de Sto. Domingo and Baluarte de Sto. Domingo: Both destroyed by the Americans in 1903.

3. Magallanes Monument: Destroyed by the American shelling of Manila in 1945.

Block 198 do not have residential structures nor does the block have structures that can be used

either as residential or commercial. The block consists of historic sites such as Baluarte Hererias de

Maenstranza in Lot 1 and Aduana Ruins in Lot 4. There is the Bureau of Immigration in Lot 7-B-2-A. Parks

and open spaces would include the Plaza Mexico in Lot 5-B, the Maenstranza Park in Lot 1-A, there is also

a parking space in Lot 3. Private offices would include the Chamber of Commerce and the National Press

Club. There is an abandoned building used to be owned by PLDT.