It’s easy to overlook Manila when one lives close to it. Most days, the city feels like a blur of traffic, glass towers, and hurried errands. But through “Lakbay Manila,” an initiative by NLEX Corporation, the Philippine capital revealed a quieter side, one that carries centuries of history within its walls.
Part of NLEX’s long-running “Lakbay Norte” program, “Lakbay Manila” marked the project’s first foray into the capital. The two-day trip, held from Sept. 24 to Sept. 25, invited media and content creators to rediscover Manila not as mere commuters but as travelers, starting where the city itself began—in Intramuros.
At the Centro de Turismo Intramuros, information officer Diego Gabriel Torres of the Intramuros Administration guided the group through the cobblestone streets of the former Spanish enclave.
“This was where the city of Manila began. The name of the district came from ispilil—the town of light. Within these walls, they built churches, schools, and centers of power,” said Torres.
Inside the Museo de Intramuros, participants traced the country’s artistic and religious evolution—from pre-colonial carvings to elaborate Catholic imagery that once adorned churches across Luzon and the Visayas.
“The Immaculate Conception became the patron of the Philippines because she represented purity. It was an ideal taught by missionaries through art and ritual,” he continued.
Each gallery revealed how faith and identity intertwined in everyday life. The ringing of a restored bronze bell—once used to summon townspeople to prayer—offered a sensory link between past and present, a sound that lingered like memory.
Torres emphasized that the Museo de Intramuros houses one of the most extensive government-owned collections of religious artifacts in the nation. Among the exhibits were ancient bells, meticulously carved wooden reliefs, and silver and gold religious items, each conveying stories of faith, craftsmanship, and perseverance.
“The artifacts aren’t just historical objects. They collectively tell the story of Manila’s adaptation, culture, and the ingenuity of its people,” he explained.
The museum tour also highlighted the role of women in the colonial era and how religious images were used to express values like purity and devotion.
Torres further emphasized the significance of Marian images and ancient bells, which were once integral to community life, serving as indicators for religious ceremonies and emergencies.
The tour explored Manila’s religious history, showing how religious orders like the Augustinians, Franciscans, Jesuits, Dominicans, and Recollects shaped the city’s educational institutions, religious buildings, and public discourse. Participants also learned about the meticulous restoration efforts to preserve these structures after World War II.
Beyond the tour, Lakbay Manila emphasized how progress continues to shape the city’s story.
At the NLEX Connector site in Sta. Mesa, NLEX Corporation project manager Engr. Ronnie Lacsamana discussed how infrastructure now bridges heritage and modern mobility.
“If you’re a motorist from Pampanga or Pangasinan heading to Manila, your travel time is much shorter because of the Connector. It’s really about mobility—connecting places, but also connecting people to culture and opportunity,” he explained.
Lakbay Manila highlighted how Intramuros is not just a historical site but a living testament to Manila’s resilience and culture, where streets, walls, and artifacts invite reflection and discovery.
