We mothers tend to
underestimate our children. We’re reluctant to be away for very long for fear
they might be lonely or cry for hours on end. We refuse to let them play
outside because they might get their knees scratched. But sometimes when we
try, we’ll find they’re actually stronger and more self-sufficient than we give
them credit for.
underestimate our children. We’re reluctant to be away for very long for fear
they might be lonely or cry for hours on end. We refuse to let them play
outside because they might get their knees scratched. But sometimes when we
try, we’ll find they’re actually stronger and more self-sufficient than we give
them credit for.
This, a wise mother once
told me.
told me.
Back in our pre-Sundates
days, I used to worry if my daughter could handle the rigor of traveling: the
public commutes, the heat, the stress of traipsing one new place to another. I
carried a remnant of that doubt for quite some time.
Till we went to Fort
Santiago in Intramuros.
The whole compound entails
a two-hour long walkathon. Lia was strong enough to walk on her own, but two
hours under the sun maybe torture. But I am a Manilena (and one who studied for
four years in a university in Intramuros at that!) and it was sort of sacrilege
that up to that point I didn’t even know Fort Santiago from outside the interwebs.
a two-hour long walkathon. Lia was strong enough to walk on her own, but two
hours under the sun maybe torture. But I am a Manilena (and one who studied for
four years in a university in Intramuros at that!) and it was sort of sacrilege
that up to that point I didn’t even know Fort Santiago from outside the interwebs.
 |
| Rajah Sulayman Theater ruins. Ghostly and beautifully haunting. |
Fort Santiago’s magnificent,
ornate facade is kingly to say the least. Surreal, even. Outside it are
beautiful Hispanic ruins, granitic beasts that hide like shadows behind leaves
and sunlight. The exteriors reveal age but remain nonetheless fascinating. WWII
cannons sit beside benches as well as a pre-war tramvia. It’s solemn even on
such given Sunday, like the heroic stories it’s kept hidden for centuries.
ornate facade is kingly to say the least. Surreal, even. Outside it are
beautiful Hispanic ruins, granitic beasts that hide like shadows behind leaves
and sunlight. The exteriors reveal age but remain nonetheless fascinating. WWII
cannons sit beside benches as well as a pre-war tramvia. It’s solemn even on
such given Sunday, like the heroic stories it’s kept hidden for centuries.
We stepped out of a
commissioned kalesa (P50/head
for two rounds of joy riding around the gated Fort Santiago premises, on top of
the P75 entrance fee; P500/ head if you’re touring the entire Intramuros
compound) and followed Rizal’s footsteps into Plaza de Armas. That’s what’s wonderful about historical
attractions, the six degrees of separation. Wow, I murmured.
I didn’t even know where to start. It was that huge.
 |
| Plaza del Moriones (Plaza de Armas). Said to be the heart of the fort. |
Surrounding the various
dungeons, prison chambers and baluartes are bricked mammoth
walls. This was the constant in the fort: an endless clutch of solid and
towering walls; stone alleys high-up, under trees from where birds flying
over the Pasig River seemed miniscule. A drop of a pin would echo from a
distance. That’s how quiet and secure it was.
dungeons, prison chambers and baluartes are bricked mammoth
walls. This was the constant in the fort: an endless clutch of solid and
towering walls; stone alleys high-up, under trees from where birds flying
over the Pasig River seemed miniscule. A drop of a pin would echo from a
distance. That’s how quiet and secure it was.
 |
| Erected cross in honor of Filipinos who died during the Spanish Colonial Period and WWII. |
 |
| Underground dungeons and baluartes where Filipino prisoners were held back in the Spanish days. |
It’s a real masterpiece,
this fortified gem, so easily understandable how efficient it was in defending
the city during the era of world conquerors. It’s one of those rarities in
maze-like, chaotic Manila that make the city not so scraggly after all.
this fortified gem, so easily understandable how efficient it was in defending
the city during the era of world conquerors. It’s one of those rarities in
maze-like, chaotic Manila that make the city not so scraggly after all.
As we cap off our two-hour
journey, I looked at my 17-month old giddily chasing the sun. Never once did
she ask for candy bars or to be carried around. And that’s when I knew, I was
the one who’s frail to doubt. She has always been home wherever adventure
is. A resilient, delightful travel buddy, really.
And thus, the impetus for farther,
greater adventures – which she happily obliges to every time.
greater adventures – which she happily obliges to every time.
My husband and I had our prenup shoot here. It truly is a magical place. We haven't taken our two kids here because we feel they might not be able to take the heat and the long walk. I am guilty of underestimating the kiddies! Hehe!
Sounds like a cool prenup 🙂
Oh, don't we all? It comes with the motherly territory, I guess 🙂