Travel

The Real Monasterio de Santa Clara (The Royal Monastery of Santa Clara) The Monasterio de Santa Clara in Intramuros housed the oldest religious order for women in the Philippines. Its monastery once stood beside the hospital Militar, near Fort Santiago. The religious order is known as the Order of Saint Clare or the poor clares, … Read more

The Arrabales of Manila Manila had an Intramuros and an Extramuros. Intramuros referred to the part inside the walls, while extramuros referred to towns outside. Manila started in Intramuros. However, over time, Manila annexed several surrounding towns of the Extramuros. These towns became known as the “Arrabales” when they were absorbed by Manila. The Arrabales … Read more

Intramuros was the capital of the colony and the Plaza Mayor was at its center. As such, we can say that the Plaza Mayor was the heart of the entire Philippines. At the center of it all was the monument to King Charles IV. Surrounding the plaza were the most important buildings of that time, … Read more

The Port of Manila  In 1815, the immensely profitable Galleon Trade ended when Mexico became independent from Spain. To compensate for the loss of income, Manila opened to world trade in 1834. Sugar was the leading export, followed by tobacco, then by indigo. Hemp wasalso exported. On the other hand, the leading import was textile, … Read more

Inang-angan Stone Stairway In 2010, the National Museum PH declared Nuestra Señora de la Luz Parish Church Complex of Loon, along with the Inang-angan Stone Stairway, and its circular cemetery as a National Cultural Treasure. Considered as the crowning glory of Recollect architecture in Bohol, Loon Church has been identified as among the most impressive … Read more