Events and Culture

The San Ignacio Church, now refurbished as a museum called Museo de Intramuros, was originally designed for the Jesuits in the 18th century by architect Félix Roxas, Sr., and with interiors designed by Isabelo Tampinco. The Roman Catholic church's building is currently being reconstructed, along with its adjoining Casa Misión Convent, as the Museo de Intramuros. The former mission house, which serves as the main museum, has six exhibit components: The Immaculate Conception, The Religious Order, The Patronato Real and Establishment of Parishes, The Establishment of a Parish and Sacred Vessels, The Indio Response, and Religious Colonial Paintings on the second floor, and the history and rebirth of Intramuros. 

The Pasig River may technically be a tidal estuary, but it is one of the Philippines' most famous rivers. It stretches for 25.2 kilometers and connects Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay. The river used to be an important transport route and source of water during the Spanis colonial rule. Due to industrial development, the river suffered a rapid decline and was declared biologically dead In the 2nd half of the 20th century. A rehabilitation program was able to revive the river 20 years later, with wildlife and marine life flourishing again.

Situated in a building that was constructed as the Agriculture and Commerce Building in 1940, it was fashioned after a neoclassic-inspired style by Filipino architect Antonio Toledo in the late 1930s. It houses 12 permanent galleries that showcase the rich biological and geological diversity of the Philippines. Its interiors' focal point is the “Tree of Life” - a structure that connects all the unique ecosystems in the Philippines. It is located right across the National Museum of Anthropology, which once housed the Department of Finance - a mirror image that shows classic symmetry, which is a common feature of neoclassic-inspired buildings.

The Manila Central Post Office is one of the remaining historical landmarks that continue to serve its intended function and houses the main office of the Philippine Postal Corporation. It was damaged in World War II and was rebuilt in 1946. Its main facade, which faces Liwasang Bonifacio, features 16 towering columns, each topped with scroll-like details. Located along the banks of the Pasig river, it was designed to be easily accessible from all sides. On the lower floor, the original metal mailboxes can be seen - most of which are still in use. The ground floor also has small areas which exhibit collections of old, postal antiques. The neoclassical building was designed by Juan M. Arellano and Tomás Mapúa, with construction beginning in 1926.

The Manila Cathedral, formally known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Concepcion, is one of the major points of interest in the historic walled Intramuros.  It was originally built as a parish church in Manila under the Archdiocese of Mexico in 1571, until it became a separate diocese in 1579. The original church, which was constructed using the readily available materials at that time (nipa and bamboo), is now fashioned after neo-Romanesque architecture. It went through several renovations and iterations throughout history. The current structure of the cathedral was completed in 1958. The cathedral was built in dedication to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Patroness of the country and serves as the episcopal seat of the Archbishop of Manila. 

Fort Santiago is a citadel built by Spanish navigator and governor Miguel López de Legazpi in 1571 for for the then newly established city of Manila, Philippines. The defense fortress is located in Intramuros, the walled city of Manila. The fort is one of the most important historical sites in Manila. It commemorates the lives lost in its prisons during the Spanish colonization and World War II.

Rizal Park is one of the country's most important historical landmarks. It marks the site where Filipino National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, was executed on December 30, 1896 - thus sparking the Philippine Revolution against Spain. It was formerly called “Luneta”, from the French word "Lunette", which pertains to a cresent-shaped fort. 

A monument was erected in his honor, nestled in 58 hectares of open space. It serves as a reminder of the late Dr. Rizal's priceless contribution to the birth of the Philippines as a nation, as well as a public recreational space with designated eating areas and vetted vendors dressed in period costumes while selling treats like "dirty" ice cream.

The University of Santo Tomas (UST)  is one of the oldest existing university in Asia. Founded on April 28, 1611 by Spanish friar Miguel de Benavides - the third archbishop of Manila - the campus is one of the most notable historical landmarks in Manila. It also has the oldest extant university charter in the Philippines and in Asia, and is one of the world's largest Catholic universities in terms of enrollment found on one campus. It is the main campus of the University of Santo Tomas System that is run by the Order of Preachers.

This interactive children's museum is located in the former Elks Club Building, which was built in 1910. It has eight different themed rooms, each with creative learning installations: Kalikasan (Environment) and Karagatan (Under the Sea), Maynila Noon (Old Manila), Paglaki Ko (Career Options), I Love My Planet Earth, Pamilihang Bayan (Marketplace), Katawan Ko (My Body Works), and Bata sa Mundo (Children in the Global Village).

One of Vigan's most popular pork dishes, bagnet or deep-fried pork belly is a sumptuous pork dish found almost everywhere in Vigan.