I have to admit, I was very surprised by what I saw when I came here. Initially I figured it would…read morebe completely historical with stone fortifications, but instead there's an actual city with restaurants and homes. Must be pretty cool living within history, there's also an amazing view from top of the walls.

Intramuros has endured wars, calamities and foreign invaders and yet this 64-hectare stone city…read morestill stands as strong as it first did 400 hundred years ago. How could it live through such a beating? Clearly, there was so much more to these massive stone walls than its impeccable engineering. Everybody has a lot to say about this citadel, its squatters and scammers but it's the only window to our past and even if we try to look away, we will always come home to it. It's the heart our city, the last breathing structure that has escaped the commercialization of Manila. And while all of us will go on, the undead will remain on its streets guarding the last memory of the Philippine's colonial past.

Looking at the artifacts left behind by Gregoria de Jesus, the "Lakhambini" or First Lady of the…read moreKatipunan, as well as the paintings here, I am swept into a world of fierce love and courage, and the extraordinary strength of this woman. I already knew then that Gregoria de Jesus, or Oryang, as she is more fondly called, is one of the most courageous women in Philippine history. But a glimpse of her life in this old house where she once lived made my respect for her soar and made her all the real to me. It was here that I learned of some of her bad-ass moves, like how she and other women smartly fooled Spaniards while Katipuneros were having meetings. She knew how to shoot, but she also tended to the wounded. She even has some teachings of her own posted at Bahay Nakpil-Bautista ("Sampung Aral ni Oryang"), some of them bad-ass too. I also got a warm feeling reading about her love story - how she was both unabashedly her own person and at the same time wife to Andres Bonifacio. When he died, Julio Nakpil, a general and the musical composer of Katipunan, took care of her protection and fell in love with her. The two married, and thus, Oryang lived in the beautiful stone and wood house of Bahay Nakpil.

The Bahay Bautista Nakpil is a former residence of the illustrious Nakpil family who have turned…read moreit into a museum-cum-workshop. The place has kept the old world charm of late 19th century Manila. Of special interest to art collectors are the wood carved santos created by master craftsmen and artisans at the site itself. The wooden carvings are not cheap. A bust or a head of a saint goes for P2,000 and is the most affordable of the sculpted works. The larger pieces go for anywhere from a low of P25,000 to a high of P100,000. It goes without saying that churches all over the country are among the favored clients of the sculptors, who unfortunately will never be known to the owners. Skilled as they are, they will never be known as artists like Castrillo or Orlina. This is a shame, but that's how the business side of art works. Still, the life-sized wooden santos are a joy to behold, and to own for those who can afford them.

This is a fort in Manila Philippines although I have been there multiple times I have never been…read morehere. Disclaimer here, I have a long and semi obsessive history with well history. I loved this, we didn't have a tour guide (if they even have any) we went all over and then finally went into this museum which does have a charge to enter. You can't wear any hats inside as a sign of respect. Also if you are over 6 ft (183 cm) be prepared to squat, twist bump most parts of your body as this was built for Philippinoes a long time ago ie: short. If you can take this part of it then you will definitely enjoy it or at least learn something new. Well I would say try it and learn from history. Enjoy.

Nice and a unique historical site to visit and learn. Quite big and on the river front with couple…read morebuildings. Cost for entrance are cheap but long line to get it. Short distance to the plaza de Roma and other attraction places.

I wanted to check out Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world. We got picked up by a rideshare…read moredriver. He was a pretty cool guy. Luckily we got matched with a good driver and for the duration of the trip he was our personal tour guide pointing out interesting places. The ride was $5. I learned early on, on our vacation, that rideshare trips are really affordable in the Philippines. If we did the same route distance in Seattle, the trip would have been 40 bucks. We crossed the Jones Bridge into Binondo. It was a surreal experience driving across a bridge with European-style architecture. A bridge named after an American. Then driving under a massive Chinatown Arch. That's a lot of history to unpack. After our visit to Binondo we requested another rideshare trip. We drove across the Jones Bridge again. This time I took note of the ornamental railings and ornate lamp posts reminiscent of the lamp posts on the Pont Alexandre III in Paris. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to walk along the Pasig River Esplanade which is connected to the Jones Bridge. The promenade is like the Berges de Seine, also in Paris. I'll have to visit the Pasig River Esplanade on my next trip to the PI. It looks like a pretty popular place.

Jones Bridge is a Manila landmark, first built over a hundred years ago and then reconstructed…read moreafter World War II. It's one of the prettiest parts of the city, with a long walkway--the Pasig Esplanade--lined with shops and eateries lining the adjacent area along the Pasig River. We were there at the wrong hours for this, but it apparently gets quite lively with foot traffic and street vendors. The bridge connects Binondo and Intramuros, two of the most tourist-friendly parts of the city. I ended up there twice during a five-day trip to Manila, and it was a definite highlight, with nice views of the city, even if the waters of the Pasig are not exactly crystalline blue. The neoclassical architecture was attractive with a touch of Euro kitsch, with black iron street lamps and little sculptures of people carrying shot glass-shaped candle holders. I didn't spend much time at Jones Bridge, but it was a lovely place to walk, and I'm sure it's fun when the vendors are out. Certainly worth a visit if you're traveling through Manila.

The Bonifacio Monument in Liwasang Bonifacio in the Philippines' capital city of Manila pays…read morefitting tribute to one of the greatest Filipinos who ever lived. Here was a man born of a poor family from Tondo who rebelled against the Spanish had occupied the Philippines for three centuries. He brought together his small group of fellow rebels who wanted the islands to become one republic. History books still have many gaping holes where Bonifacio is concerned. Even the house where he was born is debatable. Some historians have sought to rewrite history by saying he was not really as poor as originally believed, that he was actually of a lower middle class family. His role as the true first president of the First Republic has also been largely unappreciated, perhaps because he had the position all too briefly before the camp of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo removed him from the post. But there is one thing that cannot be denied. Andres Bonifacio was the founder of the Katipunan, which waged a fierce war of independence against Spain, and succeeded, only to have the Americans enter the picture as the super power of the 20th century. By then, Bonifacio had been assassinated by Aguinaldo's men. Still, the image is firmly embedded in the Filipino psyche. Bonifacio was a true warrior, a giant among men. He is celebrated as the man who set the stage for the creation of the Republic of the Philippines.

We were part of a US/ PI Ambassador Tour group with several dignitaries and business people. One of…read moreour stops were to meet some dignitaries and politicians at Malacanang Palace. We were invited to have lunch at the Palace as one of the politicians gave a keynote address. Unfortunately, the President was not on the groups during our visit. As our tour bus came on grounds, we had to wait for the all clear. Prior to us going inside the gates, we were already warned of no cell phones, so we left our phones on the bus. If we were to bring our cell phones, tape would be placed on the part of where the camera is. So we opted to just leave it altogether. We drove into the gates, and we had to be searched in the lobby before proceeding to the ballroom. Your name had to be checked off the list and then we were escorted to our table. The dress code is business casual, but for our luncheon, all guests were wearing the barong or the filipinana. Since I don't own a filipinana, I dressed in an appropriate conservative dress. We were served a buffet luncheon, and the food was really good! Sorry no photos since we left our phones on the bus. Nonetheless, the food and desserts were very good. We were then treated to a tour of the museum. What was NOT told to us was that photos are allowed in the museum. GRRRRR!!! So basically we didn't have our phones, but the museum was amazing! Luckily, one of our friends decided to bring his phone so we scabbed off him to take a few photos of us. Lots things to see on the grounds of the Palace. If you get invited or even a chance to go, do so!

There isn't anything more grand than the house that shelters the Head of State of the Philippines…read more Malcanang Palace has served as the home of our Presidents since the Commonwealth in 1935. Its halls are filled with history and stories of the Filipino People. By scheduling a tour through the Presidential Museum and Library Office you too can walk these halls and get a glimpse of the life inside the protected walls. I've done this tour several times since I was a kid and I learn something new each time! Up to today it's still being used by the President so be sure to follow the proper guidelines in booking your tour and don't forget the security measures! They don't charge too much (50 pesos for an adult) so missing out on this tour would really be your loss. If you're a Filipino or not, I would put this destination up there on your things to do!

If you are planning to learn more about Philippine History during the Spanish period, I believe…read moreCasa Manila is the best place to start. I particularly enjoyed the tour guides of this place. They were so knowledgeable. They are also very interactive and are open to answer any of your questions. There are also little restaurants inside the Casa for you to check out so you don't have to look no further. Will for sure come again.

Nothing to write home about, it's a large mansion with antiques, and so many guards and employees…read moreevery 5 feet of walking that ask if you have any questions. Skippable.

Emilio Jacinto was one of the young men who became heroes of the Philippine Revolution, first…read moreagainst Spain and later against the United States. He was not quite 24 when he died after a bout of malaria. Despite his youth, he was a general of the revolutionary army and was still fighting the Spaniards when he fell ill. It's a good thing that a statue in his honor stands at Liwasang Bonifacio. Jacinto had allied himself with Bonifacio when there was a schism within the revolutionary movement. He refused to side with Emilio Aguinaldo after Bonifacio was assassinated. Jacinto's death at such a young age leaves many questions unanswered. How far up the hierarchy could he have gone? Would he have fought the Americans after the Spaniards were beaten? How would he have treated the Japanese invaders four decades later? The answers will never be known, but what is recorded in the history books that he was a young man who fought to create the Philippine republic. He was a true Filipino hero.