Gov't to revive Intramuros as night destination

MANILA, Philippines - To lure more foreign and local tourists to Metro Manila, the government yesterday announced plans to revive Intramuros as a night destination.

Intramuros Administration (IA) chief Jose Capistrano Jr. said he has been tasked by Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez to come up with a new tourism package to promote Intramuros.

“As part of the promotion, we will be reopening Intramuros to tourists at night, probably before the end of the year,” Capistrano said.

He said the IA will start with the reopening of Fort Santiago in October. He said Fort Santiago had been a popular dating place and entertainment destination of Metro Manila residents.

“We used to have (Philippine Educational Theater Association) artists perform there and we will just be inviting them again to do cultural shows,” he said.

According to Capistrano, the IA is also initiating the lighting up of churches and other buildings within the Walled City. The Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church would be the first to be lighted up and next would be the Ayuntamiento building.

He said they would also work toward the opening of new cafés and restaurants in Intramuros, particularly along the newly restored Maestranza wall. “It would be like the WOW Philippines initiated by former tourism secretary Richard Gordon,” Capistrano said.