I have spent more than eight years of my working life within the historic walls of Intramuros, and yet the Walled City of Manila never ceases to surprise me. Every alleyway, every weathered façade, and every quiet corner breathes history and seems to whisper a new story—one I hadn’t heard before.
Just when one thinks they have seen it all, a hidden restaurant, a newly restored building, or a cultural event reveals another layer.
Intramuros is a living museum that invites people to explore, reflect, and rediscover. It’s a place where the past lingers, interweaving with the contemporary, constantly revealing hidden layers to those who take the time to look.
This year, the Intramuros Administration (IA) celebrated its 46th founding anniversary with the launch of the very first Intramuros Summer Festival, a full-day celebration of Filipino culture, creativity, and community spirit.
From sunrise to evening, the cobbled streets and centuries-old walls of Intramuros became a backdrop to a vibrant, living showcase of everything Filipino, with the main events unfolding at Plaza Moriones in Fort Santiago.
Fitness coaches Jim and Toni Saret led a Zumba session in the morning, followed by a colorful parade featuring student performers from Intramuros-based schools parading in traditional and creative costumes.
Centro de Turismo Intramuros hosted storytelling sessions for children, led by Jeralyn “Ate Posh” Develos of Ang Pinoy Storytellers, who brought Filipino folklore and values to life.
Meanwhile, blurring the line between past and present, Casa Manila transformed into a living museum, with reenactors from IA and Historia Viviente Manila staging scenes from the Spanish colonial era.
Capping the day’s celebration, the Sinag Concert showcased music top-billed by Itchyworms, along with Over October, Earl Agustin, and was hosted by Sephy Francisco and Boobay.
Year-long commitment to cultural tourism
IA saw the festival not just as a one-off event but as the start of an annual tradition that breathes new life into the historic district. In line with this, IA launched the Intramuros Passport, a new initiative to promote cultural tourism.
Both symbolic and practical, the Intramuros Passport encourages exploration while promoting heritage preservation. It grants holders access to five major historical landmarks: Fort Santiago, Baluarte de San Diego, Casa Manila, Museo de Intramuros, and the Centro de Turismo Intramuros. And all for just P350, value for money for such a rich cultural experience.
With a shared goal to promote Filipino national identity, culture, and heritage, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and IA collaborate to bring back Intramuros Evenings, a flagship program that features the best of Philippine artists and performing groups.
“Together with the CCP, we are reviving that flagship program with the staging of four Intramuros Evenings this year as part of our commitment to elevate Intramuros as a premier cultural and touristic destination,” said Rhea Cy, head of the Tourism Promotions Division of the Intramuros Administration.
In the late 1990s, Intramuros regularly presented cultural performances and curated the Intramuros Evenings. In 2023, IA revived the program with the re-staging of CCP Out-Of-The-Box (OTB) Series: Isang Gabi ng Sarsuwela at the Baluarte de San Diego. It was followed by Ang Kasal ni Figaro, another CCP OTB production.
“Intramuros Evenings will delight the community once again with more CCP productions as we continue to collaborate with the Intramuros Administration to preserve what is inherently Filipino and celebrate the best of the best in performing arts through this program,” said CCP VP-artistic director Dennis N. Marasigan.
The CCP supports and celebrates IA’s 46th year of stewardship, preservation, and vibrant promotion of the country’s famous walled city. The long-standing partnership between the two institutions will surely enrich the cultural landscape of Intramuros and the Philippines.
The CCP and IA formalized their partnership during the press launch of IA’s Intramuros Summer Festival and Intramuros Passport, with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement to bring more exciting cultural shows to Intramuros.
For the latest updates on CCP productions under Intramuros Evenings, follow the CCP official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, and visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) for tickets and other inquiries.