Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago (Spanish: Fuerte de Santiago, Filipino: Moog ng Santiago) is a citadel first built by Spanish conquistador, Miguel Lpez de Legazpi for the new established city of Manila in the Philippines. The defense fortress is part of the structures of the walled city of Manila. Fort Santiago has been known as the prison cell of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. It was in the forts dungeon where he wrote his famous poem, Mi Ultimo Adios or My Final Farewell in English. Rizal was imprisoned here in 1896 for two months before he was executed on December 29 at the nearby Bagumbayan park. I was transported back in time as I stepped on the embedded bronze footsteps of the great man Dr. Jose Rizal. I noticed how cute his footprints were. Fort Santiago is a part of the walled city in Intramuros where our national hero spent the last days of his life. The place will take you back to the Spanish rule, World War II and memorabilia of Gat Jose Rizal. The Fort Santiago is a cultural heritage that plays a significant role in the Philippine History. It also reminds us how heroes fought for our freedom. The Museum of Rizal reminds me of how great he was and although he didnt use any weapon against the Spaniards; his pen is much mightier than any sword. I always admire not just the writings of Rizal but as well as the places he travelled, the languages he spoke, his intelligence and by simply being the best doctor of his own mother. In the Shrine, clothes of Rizal were also displayed. I felt the emotions of the writings imprinted on the walls. I imagined how it was like living during the Spanish era. I can picture how hundreds or maybe thousands of Filipinos were tortured during those times. The underground chambers were used to imprison the Filipinos back then. Perhaps it was nice to live during those days wherein one can wear the Filipiniana outfit and wander in the gardens while flipping the abanicos, where one has her own Cochero ready to take you to a Calesa ride. The Fort Santiago is not just a haven for Photographers but something to be proud of. The walled city is an essential place to keep the Philippine history aliv e. Its a great hide-away from the modern Manila. Being there made me appreciate our history.
Such part of history is something to teach our future children how interesting our history and how amazing our heroes were.