Thursday, August 6th 2009
Learn the history of the verses of poetry Jose Rizal, the pillars of Baroque churches and the ruins of World War II.
"M agandang umaga. Boss, metro ta Iyo, "I greeted as she opened the door of a taxi driver. Together with an old friend who lives in Quezon City, Deepa Mansukhani, Deepa we entered a thumbs-up, hear me 'style', to speak Tagalog. Though my intention was just to force the driver pack in order to use the meter when we took the ferry port near Roxas Boulevard. Deepa repeatedly that day and I mentraktirnya-year tour to the island of Corregidor in Manila Bay.
BRIEF FACT Speed about a taxi, not unlike Jakarta, Manila. Expert must choose if you do not want to pay expensive - because the driver forgot to turn on the meter unreasonable. We were lucky that morning did not have to penetrate the Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA). Highway of Metro Manila which resembles a half circle, connecting Caloocan City to the north, until Passay City in the south. The first pulse is the economy capital of the Philippines consists of the highway in both directions, plus a special lane for Metro Rail Transit (MRT). Each segment serves about 225 thousand vehicles per day. Terbayanglah imbroglio at every junction. This condition, is one reason pedestrians hurry to leave from Manila. Yet as the mother country over 7, 107 islands scattered in the Pacific Ocean, Philippine Sea. South China Sea to the Sulu Sea, Lungsod ng Maynila - his real name - save the legacy of history.
Initially, the nation Malays arrived on the island of Luzon to find the land of hope. Manila a pedestal, because the strategic location of Manila Bay and River flanked Pasing. Three heads of government are Muslims; Rajah Sulayman, Rajah Matanda and Lakandula reigned here. The city was named 'Maynilad', taken from nilad, flowers that grow along the banks of the River Pasing. In 1570, the Spaniards led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi landed in Manila, after a stopover in Cebu (1565). Rajah Sulayman conduct peaceful surrender of the city.
Then build the city of Intramuros Hispanics, which means 'the wall', with an area of 640 000 sq m, height 6 m and wall thickness of 3 m. Manila now grown into an area of 38.55 km2 megapolitan, the population of 1,660,714 people (census two years ago) and became the sister city of the world's few cities, including Jakarta.
Seizing Corregidor -
From the skyscraper-filled Manila and Jakarta commensurate level of traffic congestion, we traveled to the island of Corregidor. Sailing with Sun Cruises starting from Hover Ferry Terminal near the Cultural Center on Roxas Boulevard. Arriving in North Dock an hour later, picked up tramvia - a kind of bus is open to participants of easy listening from World War II.
Corredigor is a small island at the mouth of Manila Bay overlooking the Bataan peninsula. Its name from the Spanish, Isla del Corregidor, "el Corregidor 'means' correction'. When submission bagsa Hispanic, all ships that enter must stop here to check documents.
After becoming part of the royal colony of Spain, in 1836 built the first beacon tower that tadpole-shaped island. When he was defeated, Spain gave Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippine archipelago, based on the American Treaty of Paris in 1898. U.S. troops also took over the island of Corregidor and create a military base named Fort Mills.
Throughout the Philippine War (1941-1942), general Douglas MacArthur to use Corregidor as Allied headquarters. Emergency Government of the Philippines were also executed here. The inauguration of President Manuel L. Quezon and his deputy, Sergio OsmeƱa carried out outside the Malinta Tunnel - which became the center of protection. Seizing back the American liberation of Corregidor by the army - Filipino fierce lasted for 10 days (16-26 February 1945) and Jepan must accept defeat.
In a tour of Corregidor, in a systematic guide tramvia bring down the parts of the island, from Bottomside, Meddleside, topside. Tail End and Malinta Hill. Famous landmarks of this region, among others, plus a statue of General MacArthur kondangnya comment, "I Shall Return". Then the graves of the soldiers based on religion, the Filipino Heroes Memorial, MacArthur Park in the Filipino - American Friendship Park, The Mile-Long Barracks, Parade Ground Middleside Barracks, Pacific War Memorial, a hospital, command headquarters, airstrip, 'Cine' - the movie theater the soldiers are in ruins -, liberation of Corregidor landing site by 503 troops of the United States and the Relic of war in the form of cannons, rocket launcher plus the halls of protection for army officers. And the flare tower, which is the Spanish legacy.
Outside the ruins and debris of war relics, works of architects for the Pacific War Memorial was knocking on the hearts of visitors. Disentral white dome complex is made hollow and every 6 mei, sunlight illuminates the center O will fall under the dome of the altar. This is the moment of silence for a moment, remembering the submission of American and Filipino troops on Corregidor to the Japanese.
WALL Intramuros -
Manila growth looked so fast, I admire the spirit of revitalization of the old town by the local government. Sulu Sea pirates, the people of China, the Netherlands, England and America until the Japanese army after another devastated this area, so just leaving the San Agustin Church as the only surviving church in the complex. One could spend days here, travel to Fort Santigo, Rizal Shrine, San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral and museum.
But Fort Santigo equipped dungeon unforgettable in the history of the Philippine Revolution, because fighter institutional revolution in the form of peace, Dr. Jose Rizal Mercado y Alonso Protasio Realonda or better known as Jose Rizal was arrested here (1896). 35-old man known as a novelist, journalist, a surgeon, ophthalmologist, painter, sculptor with the skills to communicate more than 20 languages to target the Spanish government because the novel contains a critique.
Rizal Shrine located at the tip of Fort Santiago, overlooking the River and is located on the left Pasing Almas Plaza. In the lobby, there are murals depicting the condition of Rizal when facing a firing squad. The first room is named Chamber of Text. It contained a variety of Rizal's famous quotes, such as language pride, love of the homeland until the love of truth. Entirely carved on metal plates, using a variety of languages, referring to Rizal speaking skills. There is also a collection of his books, poems, and two novels of his work; Noli Me Tangere, and El Filibusterismo.
The next room, contemplation Room. Places where Rizal spent the days waiting for execution. His detention space was used as a warehouse and food pantry. Furthermore, there Stairway Gallery which led to the second floor. Various paintings depict moments of the Philippine national hero's life on display. The little museum exit toward the dungeon near the River pasing.
From Fort Santiago, San Agustin church elegance (1604), who pocketed the title of UNESCO world heritage site in 1994 took the foot closer. Baroque design with tall pillars and stone structure implies how many historical events in the Intramuros area he had witnessed. The mural on the wall implies peace, combined artificial century candelabra - 14 hanging in the sky-the sky. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and his generals, such as Juan de Salcedo, Martin de Goiti and Guido de Lavezaris buried here.
San Agustin museum across from the church. Visitors are not allowed to photograph exhibition room. First Floor, De La Sala Capitulacion is making space conveyance Philippines to America (1898). Sacristy room, there are gold-plated altar built in 1650. Then profundis Sala space, serves as a mausoleum with ornate ceiling frescoes. Collection of portraits of old San Agustin Church and the whole church Augustinian order in the Philippines are two floor, granite stairs of the Canton (installed in 1780).
Manial Cathedral is a magnificent building with a towering dome. Bishop Domingo de Salazar was built under the advocacy of Immaculate Conception Church og the Blessed Virgin Mary Pope Gregory XIII ordained (1579). After passing through many times of earthquakes, Manila Cathedral were targeted Philippine Revolution, War of the Filipino - American (1898-1902) and the liberation of Manila and Over Japan (1945). Which can be seen now is a reconstruction after the severe damage caused by war.
FILIPINO MABUHAI
Rizal Park is located outside Intramuros complex cultural heritage. At one point this garden Rizal was executed, was named Bagumbayan. Lawn looks neat, there is a fountain, two gardens (Chinese and Japanese Garden) and the Rizal Memorial monument, guarded by soldiers 24 hours. Mi Ultimo Adios poems he wrote before the seconds of execution are carved on one side.
Indeed, a discourse history which makes pedestrians understand more historical side of the Philippines. Deepa picked me up at the edge of the garden, for tanghalian or lunch to the SM Megamall. Resto Kamayan an apt choice of culinary indulgence Pinoy taste. There is chicken or pork adobo (stew like), curry-curry (fried oxtail peanut sauce), lechon sa kawali (fried pork), menudo (pork cutlet set up with potatoes and vegetables), rebusado camaron (shrimp fry), and of course My favorite course, inihau na bangus - milkfish fillets dipped roast garlic sauce and vinegar - and sinigang na hipon (vegetable sour shrimp).
Last night in Manila, we explore the Remedos Circle, Malate area. A location to hang out for local hikers, walkers foreign and art performers, musicians to writers. Available row Resto, Cafe, Bar until discotheques. Yes, the disco is widespread in the 1980s seemed to turn it back on.
Cafe Adriatico touted as 'the first original Filipino cafe'. open since 1979, the wood material into the interior accents, plus a variety of memorabilia. Not be missed here, sipping Chocolate Eh! His name is already patented. Form of thick hot chocolate from the cocoa-style native Spain served in espresso cups. When megiginkan liquid version, available Chocolate ah! and uh and ah, as if representing the warmth of the welcome manila as one of the gates to the Philippine archipelago. So friendly and lively. Like greeting has the pinoy, 'mabuhay'; live.
National Geographic Traveller Indonesia