the

philippine
architecture
 by
sernat, john david r
 intramuros
One of life's greatest experiences is looking back
at the past. It aids in our recall of earlier
events. We need to find a way to unwind and
relax in the midst of the bustling city of Manila.
Visiting these historical locations in our own
country is one of the finest adventures we can
go on. The renowned historical walled city of
Intramuros is one of the best places in the
Philippines to visit. The reason Intramuros is
called as the Walled City is because it was
primarily constructed as a protective wall to
shield its inhabitants from outside attack. There
is a center square encircled by government
buildings, and the streets are packed like a
gauze. The city's predetermined layout consisted
of a small grid of streets surrounded by a
number of cannons, a few moats, and ravelins
and bulwarks.
 The Filipino architecture of the Rizal Shrine,
Manila Cathedral, Casa Manila, Palacio del
Gobernador, and other structures caught my
attention as I wandered around this historical
place. These structures serve as symbols of our
identity as Filipinos. Every element of the
infrastructure's ornaments, style, and
ornamentation shows that it was painstakingly
constructed. The use of materials like wood,
stone, and the like made buildings distinctively
Filipino. Even though we are in the current year,
I feel as though Intramuros transported me back
to our earlier days. I visited Fort Santiago as I
made my way through the walled city. A
stronghold where Rizal was imprisoned once
stood here, along with the kingdom of Rajah
Suliman, a pre-Spanish monarch of Manila. Miguel
López de Legazpi rebuilt this kingdom for the
Spanish conquest. There have been many
historical occurrences here. And because of this,
I was given a new perspective on the price our
forefathers paid for us to enjoy the freedom we
have today.
 The Intramuros conveys a very
clear message. It's important to
value the past because it paves
the way for the present and the
future. Yes, the location is ages-
old, yet several historical
events took place there. Never
should we lose sight of the
numerous persons who
sacrificed for the freedom we
take for granted today. This
location is undoubtedly a
fantastic getaway with a lesson
from the hectic life in Manila to
the exquisite Intramuros.
intramuros