Intramuros to become 24-hour tourist spot

She may be nearly five centuries old, but she can still party all day and all night.

The Walled City of Intramuros is destined to become the 24-hour tourist destination in the heart of the country’s capital.

Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon said P67.893 million worth of projects to inject life into Intramuros is part of the government’s "Visit the Philippines 2003" campaign.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has mapped out plans to construct a museum within the Walled City as the centerpiece of its grand plan to bring back the old glory of historic Intramuros, originally a Spanish fort founded in 1572 that expanded to accommodate a growing community of expatriate Spaniards and Filipinos.

Intramuros is already experiencing a tourism revival of sorts with trendy restaurants and nightspots open within the Puerta Isabel gate’s old storage depots where one can sip coffee at sidewalk cafes or read poetry by moonlight and listen to impromptu jam sessions by some of the best local bands.

Intramuros boasts of some of the most important historical landmarks of the country: The Manila Cathedral with its solemn beauty in stained glass and wrought iron; the Palacio del Gobernador where the Spanish Governor General once held office; Fort Santiago with its array of cannon and munitions bunkers amid exquisite adobe moldings and wrought iron; the meditative interior of the San Agustin Church shielded by its great carved doors and the many plazas once enjoyed by Spanish nobles that still flourish to this day.

Within the Walled City, the business of arts and crafts still thrives and backpackers still go to see the Casa Manila museum, as well as dine at Ilustrados and Barbara’s, two of Intramuros’ most famous restaurants and bring business to roving photographers by posing at picturesque spots for souvenir photos.

Intramuros is still a favorite wedding location, with couples tying the knot at either Manila Cathedral or San Agustin Church and have their receptions at nearby restaurants.

But Gordon wants to bring Intramuros to a new level of attractiveness to tourists: "We envision Intramuros as the lead in showcasing our rich cultural heritage and the people’s tourist friendly qualities (to) present the best of what our country has to offer next year and beyond."

The Tourism Secretary led the recent groundbreaking ceremonies at Intramuros’ Baluarte de San Diego for the construction of a light and sound museum in the old Walled City.

Gordon made sure that the museum will highlight the vision and values which National Hero Jose Rizal died for. The DOT plans to open the museum to the public on Rizal Day, Dec. 30, this year.

Besides making the Walled City a 24-hour tourist spot, Gordon said the implementation of the Intramuros plans aims to uplift the Filipino spirit – part of the objective of the "Visit the Philippines 2003" project.

The new DOT tourism promotion program intends to boost Filipinos’ self-worth by highlighting the best of our country and people. The museum will feature the story of the Filipino people’s quest for independence from colonial Spain and the country’s struggle for nationhood in the context of Intramuros as the former bastion of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines.

An important part of the DOT plans for Intramuros is a massive cleanliness and beautification drive that will ensure orderliness, safety and continuing cleanliness within the historic site.