Silent Observers

Intramuros is a Latin word that means “within the walls.”

Within these walls, lays remnants of time, preserved or ruined. The paved streets, the heritage churches and houses, the bastions and the puertas (entrances on the walls), Philippines own “Walled City.”

But besides the walls, the churches, the houses, and all the heritage establishments, there are the silent observers, standing proud and erect among us. They are the monuments, sculptured in the likeness of their human models. They tell their stories.

There are some 20 monuments inside Intramuros. Some date back to the Spanish regime. Others were built in the early 19th century when we were a colony of the United States.

Test of time

The more prominent monuments are those dating back from the 18^th century that stood the test of time and uphold the beauty of renaissance art.

Carlos IV Monument (1808)

A monument gilded by the goldsmiths of Santa Cruz and Ermita at a cost of only P3,000. It tells of the gratitude of Filipinos for King Charles IV for his introduction of smallpox vaccine in the country. In 1960 it was replaced by the modern Gomburza monument. It was only returned to its present site in front of the Manila Cathedral in 1981.

Anda Monument (1871)

Located in the Anda Circle along Bonifacio Drive, this monument in memory of Governor General Simon de Anda was originally located in front of Fort Santiago. Simon de Anda fought against invading British troops. 

Legazpi-Urdaneta Monument (1891)

The conqueror of the Philippine archipelago and first Governor General of the Philippines, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, and the first Augustinian monk to set foot in the country, Father Andres de Urdaneta, are honored in this monument. The monument signifies their expedition and arrival. Legazpi carries in his right hand the Spanish flag and holds in his left a rolled-up document symbolizing possession of the city of Manila, while Urdaneta raises on his right hand a crucifix and holds a Bible with his left hand.

Queen Isabel II Monument (1860)

The most traveled monument. The statue was unveiled at Arroceros now Liwasang Bonifacio in 1860, then it was transferred to Malate Church in 1898 until 1970 when it was blown down by Typhoon Yoling. It has been in Puerta Isabel or the Isabel Gate in Intramuros since 1975.

Benavides Monument (1891)

A monument made in Paris by Tony Noel in 1889 and inaugurated in 1891 in the Philippines. This statue of Archbishop Miguel de Benavides of the Dominican Order stands in the spot where it faces the old site of the original University of Santo Tomas inside Intramuros. 

In memoriam

These monuments mark certain events in Philippine history. They remind us of the lives lost in war, tragedies, etc.

Memorare-Manila 1945 Monument

The monument serves as memorial to the hundred-thousands lives of Filipino men, women and children that perished during the World War II Battle in Manila in 1945. The woman in the middle is purposefully oversized because she represents the Motherland. The baby she caries represents hope.

Squadron 201 Monument

Squadron 201, was a group of fighter planes from the Mexican Air Force, that joined the Philippines in resisting Japanese forces during World War II. This monument recognizes the courage of some 35 officers and 300 cadets. This was the only time the Mexican military fought outside its own territory.

Laging Handa Monument

A monument created by the Colegio de San Juan de Letran to remember the three Letran Boy Scouts who died in a plane crash on July 1963 on their way to the Eleventh World Jamboree. A total of 24 boy scouts perished and a monument representing all 24 is in Timog Avenue.

Filipino heroes

Jose Rizal Monument inside Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago is where Rizal was imprisoned prior to his execution. A lifesize Rizal is shown writing perhaps his Mi Ultimo Adios.

Monument to Filipino icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino

The first monument to commemorate late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino stands beside her martyred husband’s—late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.—monument. The Cory monument is sculpted by the same man who sculpted the first Ninoy monument in Tarlac, Ed Castrillo. Originally, the Cory monument had straight hair, but her son, who was to become President Benigno Aquino 3rd made a comment to Castrillo that his “mom had curly hair.”

President Diosdado Macapagal

Gat Antonio de Jesus Villegas
Gat Andres Bonifacio, Gat Antonio de Jesus Villegas and President Diosdado Macapagal monuments

All three monuments are located inside the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

Juan Luna Monument

The monument is a gift from the Philippine-Italian Association to the City of Manila.

Jose P. Laurel Monument

The monument was inaugurated March 9, 1991 at the Lyceum of the Philippines. 

Others

Monument of Jose Marti of Cuba

A monument in reciprocity of Jose Rizal’s monument in Cuba. Jose Marti, also a national hero, is known for his anti-imperialism and internationalism. 

Monument of President Adolfo Lopez Mateos of Mexico

This statue of a sitting Lopez Mateos looks like our own late President Manuel L. Quezon. The Mexican government donated the monument during the 42nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Mexico. President Mateos visited our country in 1962.

Hidalgo Monument

Another gift from the Mexican government, the hero Father Miguel Hidalgo’s monument celebrates the foundation of Philippine-Mexican friendship. 

Monument of King Philip II

It is a bronze statue erected in honor of Philip II, King of Spain, during the centennial celebration of the independence of the Philippines in 1998. The statue was unveiled by the Spanish monarch Queen Sophia. 

Note: Photos by Jamie Marie Elona, a friend and colleague at work. Thanks girl! Original story published at The Manila Times.