Top 5 must-visit local historical sites for the family
By Nathan Arciaga
Never mind the Department of Tourism ads that seem only to highlight our natural resources—the Philippines is so much more than just mountains and beaches.
Often overlooked are spots of great historical importance—places that helped define who we are as a people. These spots also make for great destinations for a family getaway, especially if it’s just a day trip.
When it comes to learning about our storied past, don’t rely on school-organized field trips. Make it an opportunity to bond with your kids and brush up on your History 101 yourself. Here are five ideal destinations for such a trip.
Calle Crisologo (Vigan, Ilocos Sur)
A UNESCO Heritage site, this stretch of cobblestones, horse-drawn calesas and old houses informs us—and hopefully many other generations after us—about the way we used to live. It is named after an Ilocano playwright who eventually became the first governor of Ilocos Sur, Marcelino “Mena” Crisologo.
You travel close to eight hours from Manila for the perfect travel-back-in-time-themed photo shoot, but you stay for the beauty and the sense of wonder. Don’t visit in the summer—too hot, too crowded, too busy with longganisa and chichacorn hawkers—but do visit in the afternoon, as Calle Crisologo is beautiful in the daytime, but all the more magical at night.
Rizal Park
Unless you’ve recently attended a religious, political, or a politico-religious rally, or you were once a diehard player of augmented reality game Pokemon Go, chances are, you haven’t been to Luneta or Rizal Park in quite a while.
A shame, really, because Luneta, or Rizal Park, has so much to offer—sculptures and artwork from legendary Filipino artists, the tallest flagpole in all of the Philippines, the Zero Kilometer marker that serves as the point of origin for measuring distance to any place in the country, and of course the exact spot where our national hero was martyred.
Visit for an early morning jog and spend the rest of the day learning about heroes and their deeds while bonding with your kids.
Intramuros
Another oft-overlooked urban historical site is this walled city and now cradle of private college education—Intramuros, Manila.
A classic case of looking but not seeing what is truly there, many of us take for granted that Intramuros has been standing for hundreds of years and tells thousands of stories. Take a walking tour with your family and revisit this historic former capital with fresh eyes.
A particularly entertaining version of it is conducted by performance artist and tour guide extraordinaire, Carlos Celdran (https://carlosceldranwalks.wordpress.com/). He infuses his “lectures” with theatricality and flair that makes history come alive. Visit San Agustin Church, Fort Santiago (where Rizal was held), and walk along Intramuros’ wall to get a feel of what it’s like to live in the Spanish era.
Corregidor
For something a little bit more recent, book a tour, or just hop on a ferry along Manila Bay and be transported to circa WWII in the island of Corregidor.
Known for being many things throughout our history—a Customs point, a military barracks, an epic battleground—Corregidor has witnessed some of the most gruesome and triumphant moments of our history. Visit storied ruins, antique artillery, and memorials to remind yourself and your kids of the many sacrifices generations before us endured to win us our freedom.
Corregidor is ideal only for day tours, but if you must stay the night, there is a hotel, Corregidor Inn, or you can go camping, if the kids are up for it.
Mactan Shrine
Working on your Cebu itinerary? Along with canyoneering and whale shark watching, try to squeeze in a visit to Mactan Shrine located in Mactan Island.
Built in honor of Lapu Lapu and the Battle of Mactan, the Mactan Shrine is a reminder of our fiercely independent nature. You will also find a monument here honoring Lapu Lapu’s foe, Ferdinand Magellan, and a covered structure with a mural depicting their epic battle. A short trip here will round out any Cebu trip and will imbue it with a sense of fully knowing one’s self as a Filipino.
