QUEZON CITY HALL
More than just the administrative center of the city government, this 14-storey edifice was also where the 1973 Philippine Constitution was signed. The Constitution was composed of a preamble and 17 articles that allowed the shift from a Presidential to a Parliament System of Government, which legitimized the regime of former President Ferdinand Marcos.
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Photos by Desserie Dionio
LOCATION: Quezon City Hall Complex, Diliman, Quezon City
HOW TO GET THERE:
DRIVE- From SM North EDSA, take North Avenue all the way to Elliptical Road. At the roundabout, turn right to East Avenue and left to the entrance.
COMMUTE- Jeepneys are available at the SM North EDSA or Trinoma public terminalls.
KRUS NA LIGAS, QUEZON CITY
During the Spanish regime, this community in Barangay Diliman was called Gulod. It is said that the Andres Bonifacio, the Father of the Philippine Revolution, and the Katipuneros used to meet in one of the houses in front of the chapel in the old plaza. Historians also called the place Muog ni Andres Bonicafio at ng Katipunan, which translates to “Stronghold of Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan”. In August 1896, with the revolution underway, Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, and their band of Katipuneros stopped by Gulod to rest and eat before continuing to Pinaglabanan, San Juan. Numerous other documents indicate the existence of Krus na Ligas as early as the 19th century, preceding the establishment of the neighboring University of the Philippines-Diliman.
Photo from Fr. Ron Mariano Roberto
LOCATION: Diliman, Quezon City
HOW TO GET THERE:
DRIVE- From Quezon City Hall, take Mayaman Street to Kalayaan Avenue. Take Malingap to Madasalin Streets and head on to S. Flores to H.R. Ocampo.
COMMUTE- From Quezon City Hall, walk to Kalayaan Avenue at the Mayaman Intersection. From there, ride a jeep going to Cubao and get off at Kalayanaan Avenue. Ride a tricycle up to Krus na Ligas.
JOSE N. RODRIGUEZ MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, CALOOCAN
In 1940, the Central Luzon Sanitarium was established to accommodate patients suffering from Leprosy. It was later named after Dr. Jose Rodriguez, famous for his control program against Leprosy that was used nationwide and in other Asian countries. Today, the hospital currently serves as the principal referral hospital for Leprosy patients and the premier training and research center for Leprosy care and management in the Philippines.
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Photo by Desserie Dionio
LOCATION: Tala, Caloocan City
HOW TO GET THERE:
DRIVE- From SM Novaliches, head north to Quirino Highway. Turn to Mindanao Avenue to get to Regalado Highway. Continue to Caloocan and turn to St. Joseph Street until reaching your destination.
COMMUTE- Adjacent to SM Novaliches, take a jeep heading to the Novaliches-Bayan-Simbahan route. From Simbahan, walk towards the jeepney terminal to Bagong Silang Phase 5 and alight at Tala. From there, ride a tricycle to the hospital.
PACO PARK, MANILA
Paco Park used to be a burial site called the Cementerio Municipal de Manila y Capilla de San Pancracio. In 1807, the Dominicans ordered the construction of the cemetery in Bagumbayan due to the outbreak of cholera in Manila. It is said that the remains of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, were interred at the Paco Cemetery after his execution on December 30, 1896 before they were transferred to the base of his monument in Rizal Park. Burials at the Paco Cemetery ceased in 1912. It was declared as a National Cultural Treasure in January 2015.
Photo courtesy of Angelo Jabagat
LOCATION: Belen, Paco, Manila
HOW TO GET THERE:
DRIVE- From Manila City Hall, head east to Natividad Lopez Street. Turn right to San Marcelino Street, and turn left to Gen. Luna Street. Destination will be on your left.
COMMUTE – From Manila City Hall, turn right to Natividad Lopez Street and turn left to Antonio Villegas Street. Take the LRT Line 1 then alight at the United Nations Station. From there, walk toward Taft Avenue then right to General Luna Street.
PINAGLABANAN, SAN JUAN
The Battle of San Juan del Monte, sometimes referred to as the Battle of Pinaglabanan or Battle of San Juan is considered as the first real battle for Philippine independence against Spain. On the evening of August 29, 1896, Katipuneros led by Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and Sancho Valenzuela marched toward El Polvorin, a Spanish position in San Juan del Monte. The following morning, they seized the nearby El Deposito which prompted Spaniards to call for reinforcements. The Battle of San Juan del Monte might have been one the many engagements won by Spain but it still showed the courage and fortitude of Filipinos.
Today, the five-hectare Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine is sprawled along an underground reservoir built in 1880. Its centerpiece is an evocative monument created by Edgardo Castrillo entitled “Spirit of Pinaglabanan.”
Photo from sanjuancity.gov.ph
LOCATION: Cororazon De Jesus Street, Pinaglabanan, San Juan.
HOW TO GET THERE:
DRIVE- From the San Juan City Hall, head southeast to Pinaglabanan toward Jose Gil/Valenzuala. Destination will be on the left.
COMMUTE – same as above.
MANILA CATHEDRAL
Also called the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica, the Manila Cathedral has been a venue for papal masses in the country, including those celebrated by Blessed Paul VI in 1970, Saint John Paul II in 1981 and Pope Francis in 2015.
In 1571, the Cathedral was initially built from nipa and bamboo. In 1581, its status was elevated to a cathedral by Bishop Domingo Salazar after the establishment of the Diocese of Manila. The basilica was reconstructed several times due to wars, typhoons and earthquakes. Today, the Manila Cathedral-Basilica serves as one of the favorite wedding venues of Catholic couples.
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Photos by Desserie Dionio
LOCATION: Sto. Tomas, Intramuros, Manila
HOW TO GET THERE:
DRIVE – From Manila City Hall, head west to Natividad Street toward Taft Avenue. Take Liwasang Bonofacio West Overpass and take the Riverside Direction. Head on to Soriano Avenue to Cabildo Street in Intramuros.
COMMUTE- From Manila City Hall, walk toward Padre Burgos Street. Ride a bus or a jeep and light at Andres Soriano Jr. Avenue and walk to Manila Cathedral.
BINONDO CHURCH
Also known as the Minor Basilica of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, the Binondo Church was built in 1596 within the Chinese community to encourage Buddhists to convert to Catholicism. Lorenzo Ruiz once served at the convent of Binondo Church as an altar boy In 1636, Ruiz was implicated in the murder of a Spaniard, which prompted him to seek asylum abroad with three Dominican priests. Their boat landed at Okinawa, Japan and the group was immediately arrested on the basis of their religion. Despite being tortured, they did not denounce their faith and died as martyrs. Ruiz was beatified in Manila on Feb.18, 1981 by Pope John Paul II. He was canonized as the first Filipino saint on Oct. 18, 1987.
Screenshot from PanahonTV Archives
LOCATION: Plaza L. Ruiz, Binondo,Manila
HOW TO GET THERE:
DRIVE- From Manila City Hall, head west along Natividad Lopez St. Turn right to Taft Ave. then left to Quintin Paredes Road. Destination will be on your right.
COMMUTE- From Manila City Hall, walk to Taft Avenue then ride a jeep to Divisoria. Go down at the Veronica Intersection and walk to the Binondo Church.
HOTEL DEL ORIENTE SITE
The Hotel del Oriente in Binondo is considered as the first luxury hotel in Manila. No less than our national hero, Jose Rizal, stayed in its Room 22 when he arrived from Hong Kong on June 26, 1892. The location of the hotel at Plaza Calderon de la Barca (now Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz) was strategic as it stood next to several Chinese retail businesses in Intramuros and Escolta. Before it was destroyed by war, the hotel served as the office of the Philippine Constabulary.
Photo: Replica of the Hotel de Oriente now located in Las Casas de Filipinas de Acuzar, by Andrea Pataueg
LOCATION: Plaza L. Ruiz, Binondo,Manila
HOW TO GET THERE:
DRIVE- From Manila City Hall, head west along Natividad Lopez St. Turn right to Taft Avenue, then a slight left to Quintin Paredes Road. Destination will be on the right.
COMMUTE- From Manila City Hall walk to Taft Avenue. Ride a jeep bound for Divisoria. Go down at Juan Luna and walk to the Binondo Church. The site is on the left side of the church.
The streets of Metro Manila may now be filled with establishments; but if we if look closer, we’ll discover spots that hold timeless beauty and unique history. Stop by these places now that you’ve learned how they’ve shaped both our country and us Filipinos.
REFERENCES
http://choosephilippines.tumblr.com/post/30501281890/historya-the-battle-of-san-juan-del-monte
http://djnrmh.doh.gov.ph/index.php/2-uncategorised/7-about-us
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/241452585033/feature-paco-park-declared-a-national-cultural-treasure
http: //www.filipiknow.net/manila-buildings-and-landmarks-that-no-longer-exist/
http://www.rcam.org/images/stories/history_manila_cathedral.pdf
http://www.tourism.gov.ph/Pages/20130306ByahengBonifacioByahengBayaningBayan.aspx
https://xiaochua.net/tag/diliman/
— with research from PanahonTV Intern Shelly Camile Chan
As we celebrate the 151st birthday of our national hero, Andres Bonifacio, let’s find out more about this most famous Katipunero.
B – orn on November 30, 1863, Andres Bonifacio was the eldest son of Santiago Bonifacio and Catalina Castro. At a young age, he assumed the responsibility of raising his siblings, Ciriaco, Procopio, Troadio, Esperidiona and Maxima. To support their needs, he sold crafts like bamboo canes, paper fans and posters on the streets. He also worked as a messenger and warehouse keeper for two foreign firms, Fleming & Co. and Fressel & Co. He was known as a hardworking man who still managed to look neat, and for always carrying an umbrella regardless of the weather condition.
O – riang, also known as Gregoria de Jesus, became a big part of Bonifacio’s life. She was his second wife after his first wife, Monica, died of leprosy. Love sprung between the two, which led to their marriage carried out with both Catholic and Katipunan rites. Oriang, a fearless woman, also joined the Katipunan and chose “Lakambini” as her symbolic name.
N – ationalism ran in Bonifacio’s blood as seen in his notable writings. Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa and Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog were some of his works published in the Katipunan’s organ, Kalayaan. Using his pseudonym Agapito Bagumbayan, he used the initials “A.I.B” in some of his works. Below are some lines from Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa:
Sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila
Gaya ng pagibig sa tinubuang lupa?
Alin pagibig pa? Wala na nga, wala.
At isa-isahing talastasing pilit
Ang salita’t buhay na limbag at titik
Ng isang katauhan ito’y namamasid
Banal na pagibig pag ikaw ang nukal
Sa tapat na puso ng sino’t alinman
Imbit taong gubat, maralita’t mangmang
Nagiging dakila at iginagalang.
I – njustice urged Bonifacio to fight for Philippine freedom. At an early age, he experienced hardships. While supporting his siblings, he widened his knowledge by reading books that influenced his thoughts and views about freedom. He also admired Jose Rizal’s courage in exposing the Spaniards’ abusive governance through his novels. Bonifacio even attended the founding of the La Liga Filipina headed by Rizal. Some of its objectives were to unite the country, protect every Filipino’s needs, and defend Filipinos against all violence.
F – ather of Philippine Revolution, that’s how Bonifacio was recognized in our history. He became the Supremo of the Katipunan, which was founded in Tondo, Manila on July 7, 1892. The Katipunan was a secret revolutionary organization that aimed to attain liberty. Bonifacio led the attacks against the Spanish forces to fight against the injustice and achieve the separation of the Philippines from foreign control.
A – cta de Tejeros is a document signed by Andres Bonifacio to express his disgust for the Tejeros Convention, wherein Bonifacio’s credibility as the Director of Interior was challenged when Daniel Tirona protested against him. Tirona, in his belief that Bonifacio lacked credentials and was unfit to lead the revolutionary government, proposed that a lawyer named Jose del Rosario to take the position.
C – aloocan City became the place for Bonifacio’s tribute, his monument. A committee held a contest for the design and construction of the monument. After a thorough deliberation, an entry of Guillermo Tolentino bagged the first prize. Made with granite and bronze, the Bonifacio monument was completed and inaugurated on November 30, 1933. Before this landmark was called Monumento, it was known as Kalaanan.
I – ndependence that we enjoy today is one of the things that we’ve inherited from our heroes like Andres Bonifacio. He deserves to be remembered for his valor in putting a stop to Spanish sovereignty and for his undying love for his country.
O – n May 10, 1897, Andres and his brother Procopio were killed at Mount Nagpatong in Maragondon, Cavite. Along with the Bonifacio Shrine, the Bonifacio Trial House can also be found in Maragondon. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has recently opened the Museo ng Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio last November 28, 2014. Aside from the historical displays, the museum also has an e-learning facility for students to learn more about our heroes.
Sources:
National Heritage Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
www.gov.ph
www.malacanang.gov.ph
http://www.kasaysayan-kkk.info/