28 November 2003 A New Historical Tourist Attraction Rises in Intramuros
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is all set for the grand opening of the Light and Sound Museum on November 30, the newest historical tourist attraction in Intramuros, that chronicles the Filipino's pursuit for freedom under the leadership of Dr. Jose Rizal, and other revolutionary leaders like Lapu-Lapu, Rajah Soliman and Andres Bonifacio.
The 1,800 square meter Light and Sound Museum structure located at Sta. Lucia Street near Baluartillo de San Diego in Intramuros is completed and ready for public viewing. Now, it is an added tourist come-on at the historic Old Walled City, today's celebrated tourist destination in the heart of the Manila.
It is one of the pet projects of Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon when he opened Intramuros for Visit Philippines 2003. "The Light and Sound Museum is a tribute to the present and future Filipino generations particularly the youth who were lauded by Dr. Jose Rizal as the hope and future of our nations," Gordon stressed.
"Rizal's death ushered in major changes in the country. Rizal broke down the walls in his life and even in his death. Bagumbayan is not a place but an attitude. And we will snap out of that attitude," he said.
He added, "In the case of our country, there are many walls built around us. Intramuros is such a wall. The Spanish built the walls to segregate the Filipinos from their own settlement. Inside the light and sound museum the present generation will see the breaking of walls in Intramuros."
To this date, Gordon has already brought a number of foreign dignitaries to the museum. Among them were Kazakhstan Prime Minister Nursultan Nazarbayev, and Bangladesh and Ukraine's foreign ministers Marshed Khan and Anatoly Zlenko respectively for sneak previews. Gordon himself, guided the visitors and recounts the bits of history in dramatic narration of the Filipino phases of life.
Gordon said that the over-all presentation of the Light and Sound Museum shows the Filipinos resiliency, intelligence and self-worth throughout its history.
The entire ground floor is focus to the Spanish annexation of the Philippines as a province. The second storey recounted Dr. Jose Rizal's saga and describes his prolific days as a student at the Ateneo University as well as his trip to Europe where his burning desire for Filipinos to be treated fairly by the colonizers, was ignited. It also features his two books Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo which exposed the ills of the Spanish society.
There was also a huge room tracing Rizal's martyrdom. The room replicates the scenario at Bagumbayan where Rizal tried to face the executioners to prove his innocence.
While in another area, details of Filipino uprisings steered by Andres Bonifacio are shown. Gat Bonifacio and followers tear up their cedulas as a symbol of Spanish dominance during that time. In addition, there is the Bagumbayan exhibit with its symbolically collapsed walls depicting a prelude to something new for Filipinos.
Towards the end of the tour, the spectators walk along a dim corridor leading through the exit made of heavy wooden doors facing the set up of the new Intramuros overlooking the well-lighted city golf course in the perimeter of the walls.
It will be opened to the public for the entire month of December free of charge.
