Category Archives: Tourism

Historical Parks Are Now Open to the Public

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People who have missed places like the Rizal Park and Intramuros can now visit them only if they qualify under the Inter-Agency Task Force guidelines.

The Rizal Park and other sites in Intramuros welcomed tourists last Sept. 16, as authorities started testing a new quarantine classification system in Metro Manila.

This photo was taken from our last visit to Intramuros in 2013.

The Inter-Agency Task Force guidelines said only visitors from 18 to 65 years old are allowed to enter.

The Department of Tourism said Rizal Park is open from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. with a maximum capacity of 500 visitors. Visitors will be required to accomplish contact tracing forms before entering the park.

“One of the oldest Hispanic stone fortresses in the country. In pre-colonial times, this was the site of Rajah Soliman’s “kuta” or fort. The Spaniards under the term of Governor Gomez Perez Dasmarinaz fortified what was originally stone structures.”(Taken from a flyer handed out at ticket booth.)

Meantime, the Fort Santiago in Intramuros is open from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. every Monday to Friday and from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The site will have a maximum capacity of 150 people.

The Baluarte de San Diego will be operating daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a maximum capacity of 80 people.

The memorial cross represents the demise of a total of 600 Filipinos inside Forth Santiago during the Second World War. The dungeon served as an execution chamber of political prisoners from the Spanish to Japanese period.

Tourism authorities said an express lane in both Intramuros sites caters to fully vaccinated visitors as perks. It means that they can accomplish the contact tracing form after entering and present it to security personnel before they exit.

Also, Plaza San Luis is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

To ensure safety, the DOT said mandatory temperature checks and minimum health protocols will be implemented in the tourist sites.

The Rizal Shrine. This is where Dr. Jose Rizal spent his last few days after he was convicted for sedition. At present, “Rizal Shrine serves as a museum where mementos of the hero can be viewed.”

It added that 99% of Intramuros administration workers and 96% of all stationed personnel at the Rizal Park have been fully vaccinated as of Sept. 14.

The historic walled city of Intramuros was cited last year as Asia’s leading tourist attraction by the World Travel Awards.

Credit to cnnphilippines.com for the news story.

Safe Travels Stamp for the Philippines

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This is good news for those who loves to travel. The Philippines has recently been awarded the ‘Safe Travels’ stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

According to WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara, the Philippines is the 100th destination to be given an award. This means that “the 100 destinations are working together to help rebuild consumer confidence worldwide.”

The specially designed stamp enables travellers to recognise destinations around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so they can experience ‘Safe Travels’.

This landmark move by WTTC also received the backing of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

The safe travels stamp is now also being used by many more major holiday destinations such as the Maldives, Bermuda, Namibia, Uganda and Montenegro.

WTTC, which is based in London, represents the global travel and tourism private sector.

Source: https://travelcommunication.net/destinations/wttc-celebrates-as-100-destinations-get-the-safe-travels-stamp/

The Newly-Renovated Lagusnilad Pedestrian Underpass

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Have you been to the newly rehabilitated Lagusnilad Underpass, lately? You would be amazed at how it looks now. It used to have graffiti-laden walls and dilapidated floors, but now it’s replaced by artistic murals.

Even if you were not from Manila, you would be proud to see how clean and green Lagusnilad underpass, which connects Intramuros to the Manila City Hall.

Photo credit: Dennis Gil

Manila City Mayor Francisco Domagoso led its soft opening on Monday (August 24, 2020).

The murals, according to reports, were created to boost awareness of Filipino art, history, and culture and to bring art to public places. The murals highlight important events in the Philippine history and vibrant photos of Manila’s landmarks, such as Jones Bridge and the New Binondo Chinatown Arch.

There is also a portion in the murals dedicated to frontline workers in the battle against COVID-19, such as medical and delivery workers.

Visitors and passersby would be delighted to see vertical gardens, and signages written in Baybayin to help people navigate the area.

An interactive info desk was placed to provide information about the city.

For those who worry about slippery floors especially the elders worry not. The city government used non-skid tiles for the commuters’ protection especially during the rainy season.

Photo credit: Richmond Chi

The underpass was also given ample lighting and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

For those asking about the iconic Books from Underground, it gets to keep its place in the underpass. It was moved near the Manila City Hall entry/exit point of the underpass. The books are stacked in new bookshelves.

The renovation project worth P5 million was made possible by donations from private companies and national government agencies.

Lagusnilad rehabilitation is a collaboration of the city government with the University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture alumni and faculty Arch. Juanito Malaga, John Benedict Fallorina, Sean Patrick Ortiz, Leon Centeno Tuazon; and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts for the underpass’ overall design.

The mural artists: Marianne Rios, Jano Gonzales, and Ianna Engano; while those who made the signages are Raven Angel Rivota, Edrian Garcia, and John Leyson. 

Source: mb.com.ph