HISTORICAL SITES AND LANDMARKS

RECOGMIZED BY NATIONAL HISTORICAL

COMMISION OF THE

PHILIPPINES
Lesson 12
 PHILIPPINE HISTORICAL SITES AND LANDMARKS

Hundreds of sites all over the Philippines became part of

our history and culture. Many of these sites as well as
landmarks are recognized by the National Historical
Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). As stated in
Republic Act No. 10086, the NHCP is “responsible for the
conservation and preservation of the country’s historical
legacies. It’s major thrust encompass an ambitious
cultural program on historical studies, curatorial works,
architectural conservation, Philippine heraldry, historical
information dissemination activities, restoration, and
preservation of relics and memorabilia of heroes and
other renowned Filipinos.
 PHILIPPINE HISTORICAL SITES AND LANDMARKS

The NHCP undertakes the commemoration of

significant events and personages in Philippine
history and safeguards the blazoning of the
national government and its political divisions and
instrumentalities. “Historcal information
dissemination activities also include the
recognition of historical sites and landmarks,
turning them into museums and parks, and
marking them open to visitors such as students to
promote historical awareness among youths.
HISTORICAL SITES AND LANDMARKS
HISTORICAL SITES AND LANDMARKS
HISTORICAL SITES AND LANDMARKS
HISTORICAL SITES AND LANDMARKS
HISTORICAL SITES AND LANDMARKS
NORTH LUZON
PROVINCE
PAOAY CHURCH
Paoay Church is a Roman Catholic
church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte
province, completed in 1710 after
two decades of construction. With a
massive pediment and
complementary bell tower standing
imposingly on an expansive plain,
the church is famous for its
architecture that blends baroque,
gothic, Chinese, and Javanese styles.
Today, it is one of the top tourist
attractions in the Ilocos Region.
PAOAY CHURCH
Its official name is the Saint Augustine Church.
Already a declared National Cultural Treasure in
1973, Paoay Church was classified as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 1993 under the collective
group “Baroque Churches of the Philippines.” It
shares the distinction with San Agustin Church
in Manila, Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion
Church in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur province, and
Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church in
Miagao, Iloilo province. In 2018, the National
Historical Commission launched a restoration
project worth PHP 30 million, further
acknowledging the church as part of the
national patrimony.
JUAN LUNA SHRINE
The Juan Luna Shrine is located in Badoc, Ilocos Norte. It is
the birth place of Juan Luna, one of the countries national
hero and is famous for his painting, The Spoliarium. Juan is
also the brother of Gen. Antonio Luna who also fought for
the Philippines independence against the americans.The
Juan Luna Shrine is a reconstruction of the two-story house
in which the patriot and foremost Filipino painter were born
on October 24, 1857. It is said that the original house
burned down in 1861. But it was fortunate that ruins
remained in the place which serves as the basis for the
reconstruction of the shrine.The Juan Luna Shrine is a
reconstruction of the two-story house in which the patriot
and foremost Filipino painter were born on October 24,
1857. It is said that the original house burned down in
1861. But it was fortunate that ruins remained in the place
which serves as the basis for the reconstruction of the
shrine.
JUAN LUNA SHRINE
His old home was turned into a place
haven of all the old stuff that belongs to
him and his family. Paintings, clothes,
objects, and a lot more. All these provide
the tourists with a deeper understanding
of what life and way of living look like
during his time. Visitors often come out of
the place feeling renewed as well as
strong in the aspect of nationalism. They
think that the more they know about
history, the more they develop an intense
feeling towards their motherland.
CENTRAL LUZON
PROVINCE
PAMINTUAN HOUSE
The Pamintuan Mansion is considered one of the biggest,
most elegant, and most elaborately designed houses in
the whole of Angeles City. Nowadays, the house is no
longer occupied by a resident, for it now serves as a
museum. Along with turning into a museum, it was also
named the "Museo ng Kasaysayang Panlipunan ng
Pilipinas" or the Museum of Philippine Social History. You
can go through nine galleries that exhibit the different
aspects of the "Filipino Life." The Mansion had many
reincarnations, for it served many purposes for different
groups and individuals. It was once the headquarters of
General Antonio Luna in 1899, the Seat of the Philippine
republic in May 1899, and the site of the first-anniversary
celebration of the declaration of Philippine independence
on 12 June 1899. It was also the headquarters of General
MacArthur in November 1899.
PAMINTUAN HOUSE
The history of the mansion is exhibited in the first
gallery. In the second, various Philippine textiles,
accessories, and weaving tools can be found.
Clothing styles of local fashion and culture can be
seen in the third gallery. Meanwhile, the fourth one
houses scale models of traditional Filipino homes
from across the country.

Furniture of the 19th century, "bahay na bato" can

be seen in the fifth gallery. As for the sixth gallery,
you'll be able to listen to Filipino musical
compositions. And lastly, the seventh to ninth
galleries feature traditional Filipino games,
depictions of local mythological creatures, and a
traditional Filipino kitchen.
BARASOAIN CHURCH
Barasoain Church, officially known as the
Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada
Concepción Parish Church, is a historic
Roman Catholic church located in Malolos,
Bulacan, Philippines. Built in 1888, it is
renowned for its role in Philippine history,
particularly as the site of the Malolos
Congress and the First Philippine Republic.
The church is a significant symbol of
Filipino nationalism and features a
distinctive Romanesque Revival
architectural style..
BARASOAIN CHURCH

It is renowned for its historical

significance, earning titles such as
the "Cradle of Democracy in the
East" and "the most important
religious building in the
Philippines." The church played a
pivotal role in Philippine history,
being the site of the First Philippine
Republic.
SOUTH LUZON
PROVINCE
CORREGIDOR ISLAND
Corregidor Island, located at the entrance of
Manila Bay, is renowned for its historical
significance during World War II. The island
was heavily fortified with coastal artillery and
anti-aircraft guns to defend against enemy
attacks. Among the most notable cannons are
the 12-inch gun of Battery Hearn, which had a
360-degree field of fire. These massive guns
played a crucial role in the island's defense,
holding off enemy forces for over five months.
Today, the remnants of these cannons stand
as a testament to the island's strategic
importance and the bravery of its defenders
CORREGIDOR ISLAND
Middleside Barracks, located on Corregidor
Island in the Philippines, was built in 1915 to
house the 60th Coast Artillery anti-aircraft
regiment, the US Regular Army, the 91st Coast
Artillery, and the Philippine Scouts. The
barracks consist of two three-story buildings
designed to suit the tropical climate, featuring
high ceilings, large openings, and perimeter
galleries for ventilation. The windows were
made of capiz (mother of pearl) sliding panels,
reminiscent of Spanish Colonial-era
houses .Today, the barracks stand as a
historical ruin, a testament to the island's
significant role during World War II
BICOL PROVINCE
JOSE RIZAL MONUMENT
Jose Protacio Rizal, one of the martyrs during the
Spanish colonial period who fought for the rights of
Filipinos to have equal treatment as the colonizers, laid
down his life on December 30, 1896, at Bagumbayan,
now famously known as Luneta Park in Manila.
However, few are aware that there is an earlier
monument dedicated to Rizal, which is the first of its
kind. At Rizal Park in Daet, Camarines Norte, Bicol
Region, stands the first Rizal Monument, which was
built in February 1899. This monument was erected in
response to the decree issued by the first President of
the Republic of the Philippines, Emilio Aguinaldo, who
proclaimed December 30, 1898, as the National Day of
Mourning to commemorate the second anniversary of
Jose Rizal’s death at the hands of the Spaniards.
JOSE RIZAL MONUMENT
The monument in Daet is three-sided. Two sides feature
Rizal’s famous novels, Noli Me Tangere (published in 1887)
and El Filibusterismo (published in 1891). These works
exposed the injustices of society under Spanish rule and
called for equality for Filipino natives. These writings led to
Rizal's punishment of a four-year exile in Dapitan,
Zamboanga del Norte (1892–1896). However, his exile
escalated to his execution when Spanish authorities
discovered his connection to the Katipunan, an organization
led by Andres Bonifacio that sought total independence
from Spain. Although Rizal was not directly involved with
the Katipunan, his literary works were found at the group’s
headquarters, leading the Spanish authorities to accuse
him of being part of the movement. The third side of the
monument features the name Antonio de Morga, who wrote
Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (1609), a historical account of
the Philippines that Rizal referenced as inspiration for his
own works.
NATIONAL CAPITAL
REGION
ARCH OF THE CENTURIES
The north side of the present-day Arch of the
Centuries served as the arch door portal to
the university when it was still in the walled
city of Intramuros. The university's oldest
floor plan, created by Juan Peguero, the
procurator of the Dominican Province of the
Philippines from 1675 to 1677 and from
1680 to 1684, designates the arch door as
the Puerta del Colegio. The arch door faced
the first Benavides Statue, which was
located at Calle Postigo and Calle de Santo
Tomas.
ARCH OF THE CENTURIES
The Battle of Manila in 1945 left the 17th-century
campus completely destroyed. In 1953, UST rector
Jesus Castañon ordered that the arch door, one of
the few structures that survived, be transferred to
the Sampaloc campus. Carmelo Flavier Pablo of C.F.
Pablo and Son, a precast contractor, was hired to
dismantle the ruins piece by piece and transport
them to the present campus. The structure took the
contractor a year to complete. It was finished and
inaugurated in 1954 and became formally known as
the Arch of the Centuries
On 25 January 2010, it was declared a National
Cultural Treasure, along with the UST Main Building,
the Central Seminary Building, and the university
field by the National Museum of the Philippines.
BAHAY NAPKIL
Bahay Nakpil-Bautista, located in Quiapo,
Manila, is an ancestral home built in 1914 by
Arcadio Arellano. This bahay na bato (house
of stone) exemplifies traditional urban
Filipino architecture, featuring a stone base
and a wooden upper story with sliding
windows. The house is notable for its
Viennese Secession-inspired design, which
incorporates linear and abstract floral forms.
It stands as a testament to the rich cultural
heritage and history of the Filipino people.
VISAYAS
PROVINCIAL CAPITOL OF NEGROS
OCCIDENTAL
The Provincial Capitol of Negros Occidental,
located in Bacolod City, is a neoclassical
building that serves as the seat of the
provincial government. Designed by
architect Juan Arellano, it was completed in
1933 and inaugurated in 1935. The building
is part of the Capitol Park and Lagoon
complex, which features a man-made
lagoon, lush gardens, and statues
symbolizing the province's agricultural
heritage.
SANTA MONICA CHURCH
The Santa Monica Church, also known as
Panay Church, was built in 1774 and is one
of the oldest churches in the Philippines.
Constructed under the leadership of Spanish
friars, the church exhibits the baroque
architectural style, featuring a grand façade,
intricate details, and solid coral stone walls.
The coral stones used in its construction
were sourced from the nearby sea. Due to its
historical and cultural importance, Panay
Church was designated as a National
Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of
the Philippines.
SANTA MONICA CHURCH
One of the most iconic features of the church is its
enormous bell, known as “Dakong Lingganay” (Big
Bell). Cast in 1878, the bell was made from 70
sacks of coins donated by the townspeople of
Panay. The bell weighs an impressive 10.4 tons,
with a diameter of 7 feet and a height of 5 feet. It
is recognized as the largest church bell in Asia and
the third largest in the world. The toll of this bell is
a powerful reminder of the deep faith and unity of
the Panay community. In 2013, the church endured
damage from the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that
hit Bohol and nearby regions, but its sturdy coral
stone walls have helped it stand resilient over the
centuries.
CASA GORORDO MUSEUM
Casa Gorordo is a house museum located in the
historic Parian area of Cebu, the oldest city in the
Philippines. It is owned and managed by the Ramon
Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) under its Culture &
Heritage focus area. The house was acquired by RAFI
from the Gorordo family in 1979, renovated and
enhanced, and opened to the public as a museum in
1983. In recognition of its historical and social
significance, the National Historical Institute (now
National Historical Commission of the Philippines)
conferred on Casa Gorordo Museum the title "National
Historical Landmark" in 1991. It recently underwent a
two-year enhancement project to elevate the visitor
experience it offers to patrons by incorporating
interactivity and digital age technology in its
presentation.
MINDANAO
MACAPAGAL- MACARAEG HERITAGE
HOUSE
The Macapagal-Macaraeg Ancestral House was
declared a heritage house by the National
Historical Institute (now National Historical
Commission of the Philippines) on August 14, 2002.
This house is historically significant as it is the first
home in the Philippines where two presidents lived
– Diosdado Macapagal, the 9th President, and his
daughter Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the 14th
President. Constructed in 1950, the house is made
of wood and concrete. Former President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo donated the house to the local
government of Iligan City, which has since
maintained it. During Arroyo's presidency (2001–
2010), the house hosted many cabinet meetings
and family gatherings.
MACAPAGAL- MACARAEG HERITAGE
HOUSE
The house is a popular landmark in Iligan, boasting
a rich history and featuring memorabilia of the
Macapagal and Arroyo families. Notable pictures
include Gloria with Bill Clinton and her father
Diosdado, as well as her wedding to Mike Arroyo.
The rooms of Diosdado, his wife, and Gloria's
grandmother remain well-preserved, reflecting the
house's historical importance.

The house gives visitors a glimpse into Gloria's

early life before she became president and
symbolizes the modern governance of the 1950s. It
continues to attract locals and students, making it
a key stop for school field trips and research
projects.
FORT PIKIT
Built in 1893 of stone masonry as part
of the series of military fortification in
Mindanao by the Spanish colonial
government. It was used by the
American colonial government in 1902
and in 1912-1945. It was occupied by
the Japenese Imperial Army and
recovered by the American forces in
their advancement to liberate Eastern
Mendanao during the World War II.
FORT PIKIT
During the Spanish colonial era, trying all their
might, but the Spanish conquistadores were
not able to completely conquer the island of
Mindanao--by trade or by force. Even during
their twilight years, they tried but failed. It
was one of the reasons that they established
military garrisons in some areas like Fort Pilar
in Zamboanga. Much of these fortresses, or
fuerzas, are located besides the sea to guard
the pueblos and barrios from marauding Moro
raids that were frequent in Luzon and the
Visayas. Fort Pikit, on the other hand, is way
inland--in the middle of Mindanao.
TOROGAN HOUSE
The fascinating building known as the Torogan House
can be found in the Philippines, a nation renowned for
its rich cultural heritage and varied architectural styles.
The Torogan House is more than just a physical
structure; within its intricately carved walls are
centuries of tradition, history, and social significance.
We will examine the history, characteristics, and
cultural significance of the Torogan House in the
Philippines in this article. The Maranao people, an
indigenous people living in the Lanao region of
Mindanao, the Philippines, have a traditional home
known as the Torogan House. The name "Torogan"
reflects the house's association with Maranao royalty
and nobility and is derived from the Maranao words
"toro," which means "pillar," and "gan," which denotes
"royal." The Maranao sultans, the local rulers, and their
families historically lived in torogan houses.
TOROGAN HOUSE
Kawayan Torogan has been declared a
National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine
National Museum in 2008. It is located in
Barangay Bubung Malanding and was by
Sultan sa Kawayan Makaantal. Kawayan
Torogan is also considered as the last
remaining habitable torogan in Lanao del Sur.
Since the Torogan Houses has been built a
long time ago, it must've been affected by
different calamities and deterioration effects
due to its age. Most of these houses are made
up of mostly woods, so it is prone to termites.
These are just some of the challenges that our
cultural heritages are facing that can affect its
preservation.
Aside from these historical landmarks and shrines,
other places that can be visited to broaden our
knowledge of Philippinehistory and culture include
government- and private-run museums:

The National Museum Complex is composed of:

The National Museum of Fine Arts (Old Legislative
Buildling)
The National Museum of Fine
Arts in Manila, also known as
the Old Legislative Building, is a
significant cultural and historical
landmark in the Philippines.
Originally designed by Ralph
Harrington Doane, Antonio Mañalac
Toledo, and Juan M.
Arellano, the building was constructe
d between 1918 and 1926
The National Museum of Fine Arts (Old Legislative
Buildling)
The National Museum of Fine Arts, in Padre Burgos,
Manila is comprised of 29 galleries and exhibitions
which feature the works of the great Filipino artists
throughout Philippine history. The structure itself
started its life as the old legislative building which was
home to both the Philippines congress and the senate
at different time periods. During the war, the building
was taken over by Japanese forces and used as a base
which was eventually bombarded by the Americans.
Though heavily damaged, the four-storey Neo-classical
building was painstakingly rebuilt and restored to its
former glory. Over the years it was utilized as the
backdrop of many notable national historical events,
conventions, and presidential inaugurations, just adding
to its status as one of the remarkable settings in the
Philippines' colorful past.
The National Museum of Fine Arts (Old Legislative
Buildling)
Presently the building is home to the National
Museum of Fine Arts, fittingly showcasing
masterpieces from a history it has lived through
the colonial period, the Japanese occupation,
independence, to life as we know it.

One of the more notable pieces in the museum,

Juan Luna's Spoliarium is imposingly displayed in
the main gallery and greets all visitors who are
about to start their tour through the halls of the
museum. The harrowing gladiator scene sets the
stage for a journey through time telling the story of
the Philippines through magnificent artworks as
seen through the lenses of the country's best and
most talented artists throughout history.
The National Museum of Fine Arts (Old Legislative
Building)
The National Museum of Anthropology (Old
Finance Building)
Built between 1916 and 1918, the
museum's Neoclassical design was
created by Canadian-American architect
Ralph Harrington Doane. Originally
housing the Department of Finance, the
building suffered damage during the
Battle of Manila in World War II but was
reconstructed in 1949, maintaining its
original structure and five-story height.
Architecturally, it features a unique
trapezoidal plan with distinctive
Corinthian columns, decorative
entablatures, and ornate fenestration.
The National Museum of Anthropology (Old
Finance Building)
The National Museum of Anthropology
in Manila showcases the diverse
cultural heritage and archaeological
history of the Philippines. It was
previously named the Museum of the
Filipino People and is an integral part
of the National Museum of the
Philippines, focusing on Ethnological
and Archaeological displays. Situated
in the center of Manila within Rizal
Park's Agrifina Circle, it neighbors the
National Museum of Fine Arts, forming
a cultural center in the capital.
The National Museum of Anthropology (Old
Finance Building)

The museum's main goal is to tell the

Philippines' story through its vast
collections of ethnographic and
archaeological artifacts, offering
visitors a journey through time to
understand the origins and
development of Filipino culture. As a
government trust, it is committed to
educating the public and enriching
their understanding of Filipino cultural
heritage and the country's natural
history.
The National Museum of Anthropology (Old
Finance Building)
The National Museum of Natural History (Old
Agriculture and Commerce Building)
The National Museum of Natural History in
Manila, located in Rizal Park, is housed in the
historic Old Agriculture and Commerce
Building. This neoclassical structure was
designed by Filipino architect Antonio Toledo
in the late 1930s and completed in 1940. The
building features grand architectural
elements such as a broad stairway leading to
a columned portico and giant Corinthian
columns. It was renovated between 2015 and
2018 and officially opened to the public as
the National Museum of Natural History in
May 2018. The museum showcases the rich
biodiversity of the Philippines, with exhibits
on flora, fauna, and geological history.
The National Museum of Natural History (Old
Agriculture and Commerce Building)
The building was heavily damaged during
World War II in February 1945 but was
reconstructed in 1949 as part of post-war
rehabilitation efforts. It has an odd
trapezium-shaped plan with a central
courtyard.

In 2013, the building was repurposed

through adaptive reuse architecture into
the National Museum of Natural History,
housing extensive botanical, zoological,
and geological collections. A key feature is
the "Tree of Life", a metal-framed glass
dome over the central courtyard.
The National Museum of Natural History (Old
Agriculture and Commerce Building)
The National Planetarium
The National Planetarium in Manila is a
fascinating place dedicated to
disseminating astronomical information.
Established on September 30, 1975, it
offers full-dome digital and mobile
planetarium shows, lectures,
demonstrations, exhibitions, and actual
celestial observations. The gallery,
"Filipino Life Guided by Skies," focuses on
both modern astronomy and
ethnoastronomy practices used by
Filipino cultural communities. The
exhibition is divided into sections like The
Cosmic Timeline, Cultural Astronomy,
Philippine Night Sky, Time Reckoning,
Farming and Hunting, and Seafaring and
Navigation.
The National Planetarium
Private museums and other institutions also
have their share of contributing to the
preservation of our heritage. Many of these
places are limited to special collections but
are themselves as significant part of history
and in the study of it. Some examples of these
museums are as follows:
UST Museum of Arts and Sciences located at the
University of Santo Tomas campus
The UST Museum of Arts and Sciences,
located at the University of Santo Tomas
campus in Manila, is the oldest existing
museum in the Philippines. Established in
1869, it originally started as a Gabinete de
Fisica, or observation room, for mineral,
botanical, and biological collections. The
museum's collection was initially housed in
the Intramuros campus before being
transferred to the Sampaloc campus in
1936. The museum's mission is to
safeguard its tangible cultural properties
and open education to the public, aligning
with UST's broader mission.
UST Museum of Arts and Sciences located at the
University of Santo Tomas campus
Ayala Museum located in Makati
The Ayala Museum, located in Makati,
Metro Manila, is a prominent cultural
institution in the Philippines. Established
in 1967, it is managed by the Ayala
Foundation. The museum features a
wide range of exhibits, including
archaeological, ethnographic, historical,
fine arts, numismatics, and ecclesiastical
collections. After a two-year renovation,
the museum reopened on December 4,
2021. It is known for its commitment to
showcasing both local and international
art, fostering a global exchange of
cultural and artistic ideas.
Ayala Museum located in Makati
The Lopez Museum and Library located at the
Benpres Building, Ortigas Complex in
Mandaluyong
The Lopez Museum and Library, located at the
Benpres Building in the Ortigas Complex,
Mandaluyong, is the oldest privately owned
and managed museum and library in the
Philippines. Established in 1960 by Eugenio
López Sr., it specializes in Philippine material,
with collections that include books and maps
dating back to the 16th century, works by
renowned Filipino painters Juan Luna and Félix
Resurrección Hidalgo, and personal effects of
Philippine National Hero José Rizal. The
museum's mission is to support scholarly and
artistic production, contributing to the
appreciation of Philippine history, culture, and
heritage.
The Lopez Museum and Library located at the
Benpres Building, Ortigas Complex in
Mandaluyong
The Kaisa Angelo King Heritage Center

The Kaisa Angelo King Heritage Center,

also known as Bahay Tsinoy, is located in
Intramuros, Manila. Established in 1999 by
the Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran Incorporated,
it serves as a repository of the historical
and cultural legacy of the Chinese in the
Philippines. The museum showcases the
contributions, struggles, and lives of the
Chinese-Filipino community through
various exhibits, including photographs,
wax figures, and historical artifacts. It
highlights the intertwining destinies of the
Filipino and Chinese peoples throughout
history.
The Kaisa Angelo King Heritage Center
The Museo Iloilo
Museo Iloilo, located on Bonifacio Drive
in Iloilo City Proper, is the first
government-sponsored museum outside
Metro Manila. Designed by Ilonggo
architect Sergio Penasales, the museum
houses an impressive collection of
Iloilo's cultural heritage. Exhibits include
Stone Age native pottery, fossils,
jewelry, burial sites, trade pottery from
China, Annam, and Siam, as well as
mementos and war relics. The museum
also features a sunken British ship,
Spanish-era Filipino sculpture, and
modern art by Ilonggo artists.
The National Planetarium
The Juan D. Nepomuceno Center

The Juan D. Nepomuceno Center for

Kapampangan Studies, located at Holy
Angel University in Angeles City,
Pampanga, was established in 2001. It
aims to sustain interest in the study of
Kapampangan language, history, and
culture. The center houses a gallery, a
museum, and a library, and it
subscribes to the motto "Be a good
Kapampangan to be a better Filipino“.
The center is named after Don Juan D.
Nepomuceno, a Pampango
philanthropist and former mayor of
Angeles City
The Juan D. Nepomuceno Center
The Cultural Center of the Philippines
The Cultural Center of the Philippines
(CCP), located in Pasay City, Manila, is the
premier institution for promoting and
preserving Filipino arts and culture.
Established in 1966, the CCP complex
spans 62 hectares of reclaimed land from
Manila Bay and features various
performance venues, including the
National Theater and the Little Theater.
Designed by renowned Filipino architect
Leandro Locsin, the CCP showcases music,
dance, theater, visual arts, literature,
cinema, and broadcast arts. It has been at
the forefront of the Philippine cultural
scene for over 50 years.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines
The continuous growth of awareness of the remnants of
our historical and cultural past has made Filipinos place
a large value on preserving the old buildings and
districts around the country. This eventually led to the
passage of the National Cultural Heritage Act (Republic
Act No. 10066) which created the Philippine Registry of
Cultural Property and the rules and regulations to
preserve historic buildings that are over 50 years. It
was signed into law on March 25,2009.
There were earlier attempts to preserve the artifacts of
history and culture. The first district thar was declared
a National Heritage site was the Intramuros district
which was the former Walled City of Manila. This was
followed by Vigan City in Ilocos Sur and later by Silay
City in Negros Occidental. These areas follow heritage
laws formulated to preserve their historic buildings,
open spaces, and local traditions while at the samerime
blending with the modern surroundings.
Historic buildings that dare back to the Spanish and American
colonial periods that survived the Second World War have
also been preserved by either the government or private
institutions. Examples of these are the buildings of the
campuses of the University of the Philippines-Manila and the
University of Santo Tomas, the Philippine Ceneral Hospital,the
capitol buildings of the different provinces such as in Leyte
and Pangasinan, as well as private houses and buildings like
the Gota de Leche Building in Sampaloc, Manila. Spanish
colonial churches that can be found in towns and cities all
over the country are also included in this category.
Monuments that date back to the colonial eras are also
being preserved. Many of these monuments are found in
plazas and parks in different towns and cities in Manila
and the urban areas of provinces. These monuments are
important not only because they commemorate places,
people, ard historic events but also because they are
markers of our past. Examples of these monuments in
Manila are the Carriedo Fountain, King Carlos IV
Monument,the Legazpi-Urdaneta Monument,the Queen
Isabel II of Spain Monument, and the Simon de Anda
Monument.
Other significant places are concrete pieces of evidence of
our precolonial past. These are the archaeological sites that
are mostly found in the provinces. Some of these sites are
already open to public although traveling entails long hikes
since manyof them are in the mountainous areas or in
islands. Exampies ofthese areas are the Ifugao Rice
Terraccs,the Kabayan Mummy Burial Caves, the Neolithic
Shell Midden Sites in Lal-lo and Gattaran Municipalities, and
the Paleolithic Archacological Sites in Cagayan Valley where
the bones of what is believed to be the oldest human being in
the Philippines-Callao Man-was found.
Thank