This day woould have been the 160th anniversary of Jose Rizal’s birth. This prominent Philppine intellectual inspired a reloution against the Spanish colonial masters, although he was against it for being premature. This sculpture is by Juan Sajid Imao and stands inside Fort Santiago, the garrison where Rizal was confined before being executed.
Photo by I.R. Arenas
The early sunrise light is just beginning to blanket the urban ground of skyscraoers, waterway, bridge, and grasses. This man, probably coming out from a work shift, immerses in his social media world. Tranquility.
Photo by I.R. Arenas
Namesake to the apostle Saint James, the patron saint of Spain, the citadel of Fort Santiago has been synonymous with military power in Spanish Philippines. Here, the figure of James tramples the Moors according to Catholic tradition. In a similar way, Spanish conquistadors defeated the Tagalog Muslim rulers of Manila in 1570. They must have thought it apt to honour James by naming the fort to him.
Photo by I.R. Arenas
Visual Tales 