Intramuros: A Walk Back In Time (November 17-December 23)

A Walk Back in Time, the Intramuros theater-in-the-round experience begins on November 17 at the Plaza San Ignacio. These series of performances highlighting life during the Philippine colonial period within the Walled City will be held until December 23.

The presentation by Tanghalang Pilipino will show facets of the trade, education, belief systems, religion, and courtship rituals during the period. The theater-in-the-round concept allows visitors to walk into the play and be part of the play itself. The festivity will showcase a band parade, a lantern festival, and a food festival that highlight Filipino and Spanish cuisine as well as those from neighboring countries with whom the Philippines had trade relations during the Spanish colonial period, among them China, India, and Malay.

Intramuros: A Walk Back in Time is a project of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano. Jeannie E. Javelosa, a member of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts serves as artistic consultant. Scriptwriter is Palanca Award winning playwright Rody Vera. Chris Millado, the 2003 Aliw Best Stage Director awardee and CCP performing arts department head, is directing the program. Tanghalang Pilipino outgoing artistic director, Herbie Go and incoming artistic director Dennis Marasigan head the cast of talents.

A Walk Back in Time will give visitors to Intramuros, not only a crash course in history but they also a chance to experience facets of colonial life through theater, dance, music, entertainment, and cuisine within the historic walls.

Secretary Durano said, "Seeking to blend history, culture, and tourism, the artful experience will cut through borders, heighten awareness, and widen interest in the bedrock of the Filipino character."

Intramuros, or within the walls, was the center for the trade of Asian goods before the coming of the Spaniards. It was the native settlement of Maynilad. When it was conquered by the Spaniards, high walls, bulwarks, and moats had to be constructed as defenses against foreign intruders. The walls stretched 4.5 kilometers in length, with an area of 64 hectares wherein residences, churches, palaces, schools, and government buildings were found. It became the political, cultural, educational, religious, and commercial center of Spain’s empire in the East.

But as a result of the Treaty of Paris, the Philippines was ceded to the United States, ending the Spanish colonial era. The Japanese occupied the Philippines at the outbreak of the World War II, which proved the end for Intramuros. During the battle of Manila in 1945, American forces shelled Intramuros where hundreds of Japanese held out in a last-ditch stand. Thousands died. Practically, the whole of Intramuros was leveled to the ground except San Agustin Church, and most importantly the walls that are Intramuros.

A ruined city lay at the feet of a modernizing metropolis through the years. Efforts to restore Intramuros were sporadic. In 1979, a presidential decree created the Intramuros Administration to restore the walled city as a historic site and major tourist attraction.

A walk through the city brings the visitor through the Plaza San Ignacio, Dr. Jose Rizal Shrine in Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church and Museum (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Colegio de Sta Rosa, the Ayuntamiento, Bahay Tsinoy, Plaza de Roma, Hidalgo Monument, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Aduana, Revellin del Parian, Reducto de San Pedro, Manila Bulletin, and Almacenes Ruins among others.

Aside from the theater-in-the-round experience, its proponents are also producing DVDs on Intramuros in an effort to reach a broader audience.

A Walk Back in Time: The Intramuros Theater-in-the-Round will run from 6-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, November 17 to December 23 at Plaza San Ignacio in Intramuros, Manila. The play is staged at 8 and 9 p.m.; band performances begin at 10 p.m. The event is open to the public. Admission is free. For details, please contact Media Meter at 929 3238 loc 108 or visit http://awalkbackintime.multiply.com