TOP 5 HISTORICAL

PLACES IN THE
PHILIPPINES
The Philippines is a world-famous tourist
destination. Aside from its beautiful places and
scenic tourist spots, it is also rich in history and
culture. Filipinos built different landmarks and
places to remember the outstanding sacrifices of
national heroes and to beautifully exhibit the
country’s heritage. These popular works of
architecture can capture not only the eyes but also
the hearts of the viewers. These historical sites are
part of the tourism in the Philippines.
1. Rizal Park
Previously called Bagumbayan Field, Rizal Park or Luneta Park
was built as a tribute to our greatest national hero – Dr. Jose Rizal.
It is one of the leading historical sites in the Philippines where
Rizal was executed by the Spanish military firing squad on
December 30, 1896 because he had spread the ideals of revolution
against Spanish rule.
Nowadays, it is one of the major tourist attractions of Manila. The
park became a favorite spot for unwinding and socializing. It is
also a place for family bonding and picnics during Sundays and
holidays.
2. Leyte Landing Memorial Park
If you ever drop by Tacloban City, the Leyte Landing Memorial Park,
formerly known as the “McArthur Park,” is a must-visit destination.
Remember the promise made by Gen. Douglas McArthur “I shall
return”? He kept this promise when he returned with an army of 700
ships containing 174,000 American soldiers at Red Beach, Palo, Leyte
on October 20, 1944. The “red” in Red Beach doesn’t refer to the natural
color of the sand, but its color after being drenched in blood.
Many tourists visit the park to reminisce an important event in history –
the fulfilment of Gen. McArthur’s promise to the Filipinos to come back
and help them win against the Japanese colonies. It always brings
inspirational memories of how our beloved ancestors fought for our
freedom.
3. Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago, located in Intramuros, is a famous tourist
destination in the Philippines. It is a historical structure that is
part of the city’s famous wall. The attraction of the site is a
museum where you can find a replica of Dr. Jose Rizal’s prison
cell before he was executed. The rest of Fort Santiago has been
set up into a beautiful park. There is also an imitation of old
dungeons – dark underground chambers or cells used to
confine prisoners. You can just imagine how hard it is to be
imprisoned, tortured, and executed in one of them.
4. SAINT DOMINIQUE PARISH
CHURCH
The Saint Dominic Parish Church (Simbahan ng
Parokya ni Santo Domingo de Guzman), also known
as Abucay Church, is a 17th-century Baroquechurch
located at Brgy. Laon, Abucay, Bataan, Philippines. The
parish church, founded by the Dominican Missionary
Friars in 1588, is dedicated to Saint Dominic of
Guzman. The parish is under the jurisdiction of the Roman
Catholic Diocese of Balanga.
5. FORTUNE ISLAND
Fortune Island is once a private island owned by Laurentina Pestano. It
was turned over to the government and the island was now owned by José
Antonio Leviste, a former governor of Batangas. Leviste opened the Fortune
Island Resort Club on the island in 1995. The beach resort was built along a
20-meter (66-foot) stretch of pristine white sand. Several rest houses facing
the water. The resort features a salt water swimming pool,
clubhouse, cabana, basketball court, helipad, desalinator for freshwater
consumption, and a small serpentarium, a reptile zoo for snakes. The beach
also has an acropolis with Grecian pillars and statues on the edge of the
island overlooking the sea. There is also a museum dedicated to the San
Diego, a Spanish warship that sank off the island
Philippine
Costumes
 Barong Tagalog
 the official national costume of Filipino men
 It was originated from the northern part of the
Philippines
 Barong Tagalog is made of Piña fabric. It is
hand-loomed from pineapple leaf fibers.
Traditional piña weavers in the country,
however, are dwindling, making the delicate
piña cloth expensive and highly prized. They
are used only for very formal events. Jusi fabric
is mechanically woven and was once made
from abacá or banana silk.
 Mestiza Dress
 The Mestiza dress is a formal dress made of
expensive lace and fabric adorned with
embroideries.
 It is the sophisticated version of the national
costume, baro’t saya.
 Made more popular by former Philippine
First lady Imelda Marcos, some even called
it Imelda dress or terno.
 Mestiza dress is known for its elegance and
butterfly sleeves.
 Maria Clara Dress
 Maria Clara’s dress was named after a mestiza
heroine of one of the novels of the Philippine
National hero Dr. Jose Rizal.
 It’s origin was the national costume of Filipino
women which is baro’t saya.
 The Maria Clara gown features a floor- length
paneled skirt of silk or satin and it consists of four
separate pieces: the collarless waist-length, bell
sleeved camisa; the bubble-shaped, floor length
saya, neck-covering pañuelo; and the hip-hugging,
knee length tapis, or overskirt.
Kimona Dress (Baro’t saya)

 This dress originated from the

Visayas, can be worn for
everyday activities as casual
dress or for formal occasion
 A casual kimono dress is
always worn with matching
West Visayan wrsp around
called “patadyong” as a skirt.
 Igorot costume
 This attire is used by the tribes in
Mountain Province of The Cordillera
ranges, called Igorots.
 This costume reflects their way of
life, cultures, personalities, religious
practices and rituals.
 The men wear long strips of
handwoven loin cloth called “wanes”
 The woman wear a kind of wrap-
around skirt called “lufid”