Casa Manila

 I just did my Intramuros tour last year and had the chance to visit Casa Manila. However, it was only the courtyard part that I got to visit and not the museum itself. Lucky me that I needed to go to Intramuros yesterday to accompany a friend in an event. While waiting for the event to start, we wandered the streets of Intramuros and found myself facing the entrance door leading to the courtyard and to the museum of Casa Manila.

Casa Manila is a Spanish colonial home. It resembles our version of "compound" or "apartment". It serves as dwellings to the landlords and several tenants. 


The landlord's home has two floors. And anyone can tell that is the landlord's home by the intricate architectural designs and very classic sophisticated choice of furniture. The first floor has the landlord's office and 2 guests rooms. The second floor serves as the receiving room with a spacious hallway and lotsaaaa chairs. (Kung ako ang bisita, maloloka ako sa dami ng upuan, di ko alam saan uupo o magpapalipat-lipat ako ng upuan para ma-experince lahat!) It houses the prayer room, another guest room and the (another spacious) master's bed room. I fancy all the narra-made cabinets and dressers! The four-poster beds on all rooms (less the mattress.. di pa uso non ang mattress!) On the other side is the dining area filled with the finest of china wares. There's this stuff called pun ka (I forgot the correct spelling) It's like a large piece of cloth hanged at the ceiling with ropes being pulled by maids (or parang electric fan!) use to drive away flies/mosquitoes while the landlord, his family and some guests are eating. Bongga talaga!


I got to see the kitchen too. Very classic! There's a dome structure where they bake breads (wala pang oven nun!) Wooden laddles and spatulas, large iron cauldrons and kettle. Biscuit molds made of wood with different shapes and sizes. Banga (ceramic jar) to store water. And you wont believe this, they've got a refrigerator back then! It's not the electric type but it's somewhat made of iron or aluminum (I really can't tell..) where they used to keep the ice (well, obviously, not for long..) The rest rooms.. so old school! The toilet are not the ceramic type but made of wood (with arm chairs pa!) and there are bath tubs and dippers too.


The tour inside the landlord's house won't take much of your time, 30 mins to an hour is enough na! Di ka maliligaw coz you just to follow and step on the red carpet. It'll lead you to the different parts of the house. At the last stop (the kitchen area), they will let you sign on their guest book and leave a comment. 


It's amazing that Intramuros administration really had the chance to preserve and restore Casa Manila and it's beauty from what it was before. We'll the tenants' houses were converted to souvenir shops, cafe, restaurants and offices. The courtyard is a very relaxing place. With the fountain as the main attraction and the cobbled stones and walls, it feels like you wanna try living the life back then. 

If you wanna visit and see what's inside Casa Manila, you can go there anytime of the week. No fee. But if you wanna visit the museum itself, you may visit anytime except on Mondays and there's a fee of php 75. Yun nga lang, no pictures allowed inside. For your eyes only! It's a few blocks away from Manila Cathedral and San Agustin church. It's worth-paying the visit!

Roam around the Walled City

Apart from Fort Santiago, the Walled City of Intramuros has lots of places to visit and sights to see.. All it has to take is the willingness to roam around the walled city less the scorching heat of the sun and the rough roads made of adobe stones.

Welcome to the Walled City

After visiting Fort Santiago, which I believed is Intramuros' major attraction, we've roamed the Walled City. Equipped with my memory (that served me quite correctly) as I spent my 5 years here where I studied in LPU and all the information I've gathered online as to what are we gonna see here and where to find them, the tour became successful. 

Manila Cathedral

It was my long time dream that when I'm going to get married, the rites must be held here. Who wouldn't want to walk down the long aisle of this church? So romantic, so sweet, so solemn. 

brief history of the church

But I guess, it would now be far-fetched from a long time dream, because getting married here is pricey! One of the most expensive churches here in our country.

♪♫ As we walk down the aisle together.. ♫♪

La Pieta

To know more of Manila Cathedral, click this link!

Casa Manila

One place to go if you want to revisit the past, Casa Manila. It houses a museum, restaurant, offices and stores. It used to be a home for some Ilustrados or wealthy families. Their equipment maybe new but you can still feel the distinction of the present and the past. Unfortunately, we're not able to visit the museum. It is open daily except on Mondays. It has a fee of as low as php 50.

To know more of Casa Manila, click here!

Intramuros Wall

When I was still studying, we used to stay here after class. While we nibbled on chips, we watched the golfers play golf, fellow students rehearsing their plays or choreographing dance steps, vendors selling their goods, buses and jeepneys on the streets of Manila. 

These massive walls were built to protect the seat of the Spanish government from hostile native revolts, and raiding Chinese sea pirates. And only the blanco, or white, were allowed to live inside the walled city. Cells were built in the walls where heretics and enemies of the government were imprisoned. Now, the cells were converted into food stalls and restaurants.

view from the top

These are just few places to visit when you're here in Intramuros. I know I missed lots so I am planning to come back here for more. Discover the undiscovered places and be amaze by the beauty of the Walled City. 

For those planning to pay the Walled City a visit, click here. Then don't forget to share your experience so others would know. Spread the Intramuros fever. :)

Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago (Spanish: Fuerte de Santiago Tagalog: Moog ng Santiago) is a defense fortress built for Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi. The fort is part of the structures of the walled city of Intramuros, in Manila, Philippines. José Rizal, the Philippines' national hero, was imprisoned in the fort before his execution in 1896. the site features, embedded onto the ground in bronze, his final footsteps representing the walk from his cell to the location of the actual execution. (Wikipedia.com)

I spent 5 years of my life inside the Walled City. I studied at LPU. I've gone here once lang. Can barely recall how the fort looks like until me and my bff planned to pay a visit here. I've searched the net and check all the sites that has in connection or people that have been here. Listed all the possible places where we can go. Allocated the budget. Set the date and time.

Calesa ride

canyon

At first, you might think, it was just one of the plain parks we have. Trees, flowers, monuments, bench, picnic area. But as you go further, you'll discover more and starting to uncover the beauty and wonder of Fort Santiago.

entrance to Fort Santiago

Rizal's monument

There's a house named under Rizal. I believe he used to stay there when he was incarcerated. You can see there Rizal's things like an old lamp, his clothes, cane and his books. Even his inventions and discoveries.

Mi Ultimo Adios

view from the top

wanna go down?

Dungeons

The dungeons were opened before for public. Pero ngayon close na. When you're inside, you'll feel creepy. It's as if may mga wandering souls talaga sa loob. 

Rizal's cell

This is the cell kung saan nanggaling si Rizal papuntang Bagumbayan. You can also see his footsteps. Ang liliit ng footsteps nya. Maliit na tao ba si Rizal? Gusto ko sana sundan kung hanggang saan yung footsteps pero baka maligaw na ako.. :)

Rizal's footprints leading to Bagumbayan

Rajah Sulayman theater

Tramway

Walled City of Intramuros

Can't wait to roam around the walled city, Intramuros.. :)