25 historical places IN THE PHILIPPINES pointed out in HEKASI / SIBIKA books
The very first travel flame in my young mind was sparked by textbooks. My first intense desire to go places was lit by HEKASI — Heograpiya, Kasaysayan at Sibika (Geography, history and Civics). In grade school, I was so fascinated by the photos of historic places. I’ve marveled about the lives of famous personalities and significant events that shaped history.
Now that I’m a travel blogger, there’s always a sense of fulfillment whenever I set foot in a place that was featured in my elementary history books. though it may sound privileged, travel is a great history teacher, and it reignites the lessons about the past that we learned when we were kids and those we need to relearn today.
If you are a history buff and trying to find places in the Philippines to cross off your travel bucket list, here’s a list featuring some of the monumental sites in the country.
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1. Intramuros, Manila
2. Rizal Park, Manila
3. Binondo, Manila
4. Rizal Shrine, Calamba, Laguna
5. Banaue Rice Terraces, Ifugao
6. Tabon Cave Complex, Palawan
7. Mactan Shrine, Cebu
8. Magellan’s Cross, Cebu City
9. Sandugo Shrine, Bohol
10. Barasoain Church, Malolos, Bulacan
11. Aguinaldo Shrine, Kawit, Cavite
12. Leyte landing Memorial Park
13. Dambana ng Kagitingan, Bataan
14. Bataan death March Markers
15. Corregidor Island
16. Rizal Park and Shrine Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte
17. Limasawa Island, southern Leyte
18. university of Santo Tomas, Manila
19. Cagsawa Ruins, Albay
20. Calle Crisologo, Vigan, Ilocos Sur
21. Baguio City
22. Sultan Kudarat Monument, Sultan Kudarat
23. Malacañan Palace, Manila
24. Biak na Bato, Bulacan
25. Cinco de Noviembre Memorial, Negros Occidental
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1. Intramuros, Manila
Considered the political, educational, and religious center of the Spanish empire in the Philippines and the historic core of Manila, Intramuros used to be an opulent walled city, strategically located along the Manila Bay. It was the seat of Spanish policy from the late 16th century to the 19th century. The walls were constructed between 1590 and 1872, encompassing what was then the entire city of Manila.
Photo by Jay Leano
Up to this day, it houses lots of significant landmarks like the Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church (UNESCO world Heritage Site), Casa Manila, Baluarte de San Diego, and Fort Santiago, where the national hero Jose Rizal was incarcerated.
The original campuses of the university of Santo Tomas and Ateneo de Manila used to be within the fortified city until the first half of the 20th century. There are still well-preserved structures like the cobblestone streets, parts of walls, and other buildings.
Location: Intramuros, 5th district of Manila, Manila, NCR
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2. Rizal Park, Manila
Situated on the southern border of Intramuros, Rizal Park is a 58-hectare historic urban park, one of the largest in Asia.
Its history dates back to 1820 when Paseo de Luneta was built on the former location of Bagumbayan. during the Spanish rule, especially in the 19th century, the park was the site of many public executions, the most significant were that of Rizal and the GomBurZa (Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora) priests. other historic events held here were the declaration of Philippine independence from the united states in 1946 and the 1986 EDSA Revolution.
The a lot of impressive landmark of the park is the Rizal Monument, where his remains lie and marked by a statue made of bronze and granite. Declared a national park in 1955 as Luneta national Park, it was then renamed Rizal Park in 1967 in honor of the country’s national hero.
Other points of interest within the park are the national museum complex (National museum of natural History, the national museum of Anthropology, national Planetarium), independence Flagpole, musical and dancing Fountain, Botanical Garden, Quirino Grandstand, and San Lorenzo Ruiz Plaza.
Location: Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, NCR
3. Binondo, Manila
Driving additionally north of Intramuros, across the Pasig River through Jones Bridge, the huge and complex new Binondo Chinatown Arch greets and bids commuters and city dwellers.
Ongpin St., Binondo
Established in 1594, Binondo is the first and the oldest Chinatown in the world. That alone makes this a worthy historical destination. The location just outside Intramuros was calculated in the sense that the Chinese Catholic immigrants could still continue trading while being monitored by the Spanish government in the 16th century. up to this day, the area is a hubbub of trade and commerce, mostly run by Filipino-Chinese residents.
One of the main draws of Binondo is its colorful and delicious food scene. There are so lots of gastronomic gems scattered around this substantial food hub, a lot of of which cannot be found anywhere else but in Binondo. other popular products have branched out, but local tourists still visit the origin of their favorite Binondo grubs.
Other places of interest are Ongpin Street, Escolta Street, Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, and Binondo Church.
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4. Rizal Shrine, Calamba, Laguna
Declared by the national historical commission of the Philippines as a national shrine, the structure stands on the same location of the Rizal family’s ancestral house.
Rizal Shrine in Calamba
It is a reconstructed version of the original two-story Spanish-era bahay na bato. using similar materials like hardwood, adobe stones, bricks, and capiz shells among others, the reconstruction began in 1949, as bought by then-President Quirino, and was launched to the public on the 19th of June 1950, in time for the 89th birthday celebration of Rizal. The only deviation from the original exterior appearance is the walls painted in green instead of the original white.
As the birthplace of Rizal, it features collections and memorabilia that center around his childhood. The shrine also cradles the remains of Jose Rizal’s parents. The property also houses a library, a gallery, an audio-visual room, and a souvenir shop. other landmarks near the shrine are St. John the Baptist Parish Church and the City college of Calamba.
Location: corner of Rizal street and Mercado Street, Poblacion 5, Calamba, Laguna
5. Banaue Rice Terraces, Ifugao
Built by the ancestors of the indigenous people of Ifugao centuries ago, the Banaue Rice Terraces was declared by the government as a national cultural Treasure in 1973.
These terraces embody the culture of the Ifugao people, which was mainly influenced by rice cultivation and agriculture. The value of these terraces is obvious in the lots of agricultural rites connected to rice production. The standard and indigenous techniques applied in building the terraces reveal the substantial knowledge of the Ifugao people in earthwork, stonework, irrigation, and the preservation of the integrity of the rice terraces.
Interestingly, the Banaue Rice Terraces is not included in the UNESCO world Heritage list under the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras due to the presence of modern structures in the area. However, two of the five provided are located not too far away — the Batad Rice Terraces and the Bangaan Rice Terraces. The Banaue Rice Terraces are the ones that can be seen from different view decks along the main road (Nueva Vizcaya-Ifugao-Mountain province Road).
Location: Banaue, Ifugao, CAR
6. Tabon Cave Complex, Palawan
Situated on Lipuun point in the town of Quezon on the southwestern part of Palawan Island, the cave complex is part of the Lipuun point Reservation, protecting and preserving the cultural and historical artifacts within the area.
Cradling many crucial archeological artifacts like the Tabon Man, the oldest modern human bones in the Philippines; and the Manunggul Jar, a national cultural Treasure and one of over a thousand burial jars discovered in the cave complex.
Designated as a national cultural Treasure by the national museum in 2011, the complex is said to have 215 caves, but only seven of these are easily accessible to the public including Tabon, Igang, and Liyang among others.
Location: Lipuun Point, Quezon, Palawan
7. Mactan Shrine, Cebu
Located along Punta Engaño road on the northern part of Mactan Island in Cebu, the Mactan Shrine encompasses two monuments: the Lapu-Lapu Shrine on one end and the Magellan Marker (also Magellan Monument) on the other.
The site faces the Magellan Bay, a tip of the battle of Mactan, which took place in April 1521 between the Spanish troops led by Portuguese explorer Magellan and the Mactan natives led by Lapu-Lapu. The battle led to the defeat of the Spaniards, causing them to retreat.
If you get hungry while exploring the shrine, try the standard Visayan sutukil from the nearby Sutukil seafood Market restaurant Chain.
Location: Punta Engaño Road, Mactan, Cebu
8. Magellan’s Cross, Cebu City
Located adjacent to Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in the heart of Cebu City, the Magellan’s cross is one of the most checked out historical landmarks in Cebu.
Magellan’s cross in Cebu
The site is said to be the exact location where Portuguese Magellan planted the cross upon his arrival in Cebu in March 1521. As stated on the marker at the bottom of the cross, the original artifact is encased inside the wooden Tindalo cross. The painted ceiling illustrates this historic event.
Location: P. Burgos street or D. Jakosalem Street, Cebu City, Cebu
9. Sandugo Shrine, Bohol
In March 1565, a blood compact between Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Bohol chieftain Sikatuna took place as a symbol of friendship between the Spaniards and the Filipinos. This was famously called the sandugo, a tribal tradition sealing allegiance and confirming solidarity between tribes. Both representatives cut their arms and pour their blood into a cup, divide the mixture equally, and drink them until both cups are emptied.
Sandugo Site
The moment is immortalized by the Sandugo Shrine (Blood Compact Shrine) in Tagbilaran City. but the truth is, this monument does not mark the actual spot where the historic treaty was made. In 2006, the government of Bohol figured out the actual site where it happened to be in Loay, the municipality between Alburquerque and Loboc.
The actual site, now called Blood Compact Marker, is situated along Bohol Circumferential Road/Tagbilaran east Road.
Location: Bool, Tagbilaran City, Bohol
10. Barasoain Church, Malolos, Bulacan
“Baras ng Suwail”
The dungeon of the defiant. The 19th-century Barasoain Church witnessed lots of monumental events in the history of the Philippines. It served as the headquarters of the illustrados who were against the Spanish policy and was the site of one of the most essential events in Philippine democracy — the Malolos Congress, also known as the first Philippine Congress.
The Malolos Congress was formed in June 1898 by Emilio Aguinaldo in defiance of the Spanish regime. Although this one was short-lived, this was a testament to the Filipinos’ passion for democracy.
This Baroque church is made of adobe and concrete materials and is centrally located in Malolos.
Location: Paseo del Congreso Street, Malolos, Bulacan
11. Aguinaldo Shrine, Kawit, Cavite
Declared a national Shrine in June 1964, the Aguinaldo Shrine encompasses the whole ancestral house and grounds of Emilio Aguinaldo and extends to the park across the main house.
This was the site of the proclamation of Philippine independence from Spain on June 12, 1898 with the unfurling of the Philippine flag. This was also the event where the instrumental music of the Philippine national anthem was first heard. Every year, a flag-raising ceremony is held during the independence Day celebration.
Completed in 1845, the mansion has undergone restorations in 1849 and 1919. It was donated to the government by Aguinaldo himself and is currently being managed by the national historical commission of the Philippines. The lush garden behind the mansion nestles the final resting place of Aguinaldo. The main house functions as a museum now.
Location: Tirona Highway, Kawit, Cavite
12. Leyte landing Memorial Park
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Leyte landing Memorial in Palo, Leyte
Proclaimed a national park in July 1977, the MacArthur Leyte landing Memorial national Park (also called MacArthur Park) was also designated as a national historic landmark by the national historical commission in 1994.
This park was well established in celebration of a significant event in history, the A-Day landing in October 1944, where Douglas MacArthur, together with his entourage, finally fulfilled his pledge to come back and help the Philippines get back its independence from the Japanese. A few days later, the battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle of world war II erupted.
The memorial national park features a shallow manmade pool with seven bronze statues representing general Douglas MacArthur, president Sergio Osmeña Jr., Brigadier general Carlos P. Romulo, major general Courtney Whitney, Lieutenant general Richard Sutherland, Sergeant Francisco Salveron, and William J. Dunn. The memorial park faces the San Pablo Bay/Leyte Gulf.
Located: Barangay Candahug, Palo, Leyte
13. Dambana ng Kagitingan, Bataan
Established in 1970, the Dambana ng Kagitingan, also known as the mount Samat national Shrine or Shrine of Valor, is a memorial complex honoring the fallen Filipino and American soldiers who fought against the Japanese in the battle of Bataan in 1942.
Mount Samat was the last bastion of freedom where lots of lost their lives battling for independence against the Imperial Japanese Army. It was declared as a national Shrine in April 1966.
The complex also harbors the Colonnade, stretching large and welcoming visitors from the parking lot. The Colonnade houses a war museum. the most dominant feature is the colossal white Memorial cross with the Cross’s arms serving