LESSON 11:

THE HISTORIC SITES AND LANDMARKS RECOGNIZED BY THE NATIONAL HISTORICAL

COMMISSION OF THE PHILIPPINES

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Outline of Topics
1. Historical Sites and Landmarks of the Philippines

Specific Intended Learning outcomes

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Identify historical sites and landmarks recognized by the National Historical Commission of the
Philippines
2. Recognize the value of these historic sites and landmarks in the study and
preservation of our history and culture
3. Curate a photo gallery of historic sites and landmarks in your own locale
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Introduction
Hundreds of sites all over the Philippines became part of our history and culture. Many of these
sites as well as landmarks are recognized by the NHCP. as stated in Republic Act No. 10086, the NHCP is
“responsible for the conservation and preservation of the country’s historical legacies. Its major thrusts
encompass an ambitious cultural program on historical studies, curatorial works, architectural conservation,
Philippine heraldry, historical information dissemination activities, restoration and preservation of relics and
memorabilia of heroes and other renowned Filipinos. The NHCP undertakes the commemoration of
significant events and personages in Philippine history and safeguards the blazoning of the national
government and its political divisions and instrumentalities.” Historical information dissemination activities
also include the recognition of historical sites and landmarks, turning them into museums and parks, and
making them open to visitors such as students to promote historical awareness among the youth.

LUZON

Northern Landmark Town/City

Luzon
Provinces

Ilocos Norte Juan Luna Shrine Badoc

Gregorio Aglipay Batac

National Shrine

Artemio Recarte Shirne Batac

Paoay Church Paoay

Bacarra Church Bacarra

Cape Bojeador Burgos

Lighthouse National
Historical Landmark

Ilocos Sur Santa Maria Church Santa Maria

Tirad Pass national Del Pilar
Shrine

Syquia Mansion Vigan

Isabela Church of Tumauini Tumauini

Pangasinan Old Casa real and Lingayen

Provincial Capitol

Abra Teodoro Brillantes House Tayum

Ifugao Surrender Site of Kiangan

General Tomuyuki
Yamashita

Batanes Church, Convent Site of Sabtang

the Beaterio of Sabtang

Church of Ivana Ivana

CENTRAL LUZON PROVINCES

Bulacan Barasoain Church Malolos

Historical Landmark

Casa Real Shrine Malolos

Malolos Heritage Town Malolos

Alberta Uitangcoy House Malolos

Biak-na-Bato Historic San Miguel

Site

Birth Site of Marcelo H. Bulakan

del Pilar

Birthplace of General Bulakan

Gregorio del Pilar

Pampanga Birthplace of President Lubao

Diosdado P. Macapagal

Lubao Church Historical Lubao

Landmark

Henson-Hizon Heritage San Fernando

House

Singian-Hizon heritage San Fernando

House
Cuyugan-Dayrit Heritage San Fernado
House

Lazatin Heritage House San Fernando

Augusto P. Hizon House San Fernando

Tarlac Aquino Ancestral House Tarlac

Capas Prisoners-of-War Capas

Memorial Shrine

Bataan Abucay Church Historical Abucay

Landmark

Mt. Samat National Park Mt. Samat

Zambales Pres. Ramon Magsaysay Castillejos

Historical Landmark

Aurora Church of Baler Baler

Historical Landmark

SOUTHERN LUZON PROVINCES

Batangas Taal Church Historical Taal

Landmark

Marcela Agoncillo Taal

Historical Landmark

Leon Apacible Historical Taal

Landmark

Taal Historical Landmark Taal

Ylagan-de la Rosa Taal

House

Goco Ancestral House Taal

Apolinario Mabini Shrine Tanauan

Miguel Malvar Historical Santo Tomas

Landmark

Jose P. laurel Monument Santo Tomas

Luz – Katigbak House Lipa City

Punta de Malabrigo Lobo

Lighthouse

Cavite Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine Kawit

Baldomero Aguinaldo Binakayan, Kawit
Shrine

Casa Hacienda and Its Rosarion and

Environs, the Site of the Genral Trias
Tejeros Conventin

Site of the Battle of Bo. Alapan, Imus

Alapan Historical
Landmark

Site of the Battle of Imus Imus

Fort San Felipe Historical Cavite City

Site

Bonifacio Trial House Maragondon

Corregidor Corregidor Island

Sarayba House General Trias

Sta. Cruz Parish Tanza

Convent

Laguna Rizal Shrine Calamba

Calamba Church Calamba

Historical Landmark

Paciano Rizal Shrine Los Banos

Nagcarlan Underground Nagcarlan

Cemetery Historical
Landmark

Pila Historical Landmark Pila

Cuartel de Santo Santo Rosa City

Domingo

Rizal Vicente Manansala Binangonan

Historical Landmark

Pamitinan Cave Historic Sitio Wawa, San

Site Rafael, Rodriguez

Quezon Birthplace of Claro M. Tiaong

Recto Historical Site

Natalio Enriquez House Sariaya

Rodriguez House Sariaya

Gala-Rodriguez House Sariaya

Tayabas Provincial Tayaba
Capitol Buiding

Marinduque Cathedral of Boac Boac

Historical Landmark

Battle Site Memorial of Torrijos

Pulang Lupa Historical
Landmark

Casa Narvas Boac

Mindoro Kuta Church Ruins Brgy. Anilao,

Oriental Bongabong

Palawan Cape Melville Lighthouse Cape Melville,

Historical Landmark Balabac

Iwahig Penal Prison and Puerto Princesa

Farm Historical
Landmark

BICOL REGION

Camarines Wenceslao Q. Vinzons Vinzons

Norte Historical Landmark

Jose Rizal Monument Daet

Camarines Holy Rosary Minor Naga City

Sur Seminary Historical
Landmark

Jorge Barlin National Baao

Monument

Filipino-Japanese Boncao Hiil, Mt.

Friendship Historical Isarog, Pili
Landmark

Quipayo Church Calabanga

Historical Landmark

VISAYAS

Aklan Kalantiaw Shrine Batan

Antique General Leandro Fullon Hamtic

National Shrine

Capiz Church of Sta Monica Pan-ay

Historical Landmark
Iloilo Rosendo Mejica Historical Iloilo City
Landmark

Plaza Libertad National Iloilo City

Historical Landmark

Old Iloilo City Hall Iloilo City

Portion of Iloilo City Iloilo City

Central Business District

Dumangas Church Dumangas

Historical Landmark

Santa Barbara Church Santa Barbara

and Convent Historical
Landmark

Jaro Belfry Historical Jaro

Landmark

Balantang Memorial Jaro

Cemetery Shrine

Miagao Church Historical Miagao

Landmark

Molo Church Historical Molo

Landmark

Barotac Nuevo Church Barotac Nuevo

Convent and Cemetery
Historical Landmark

Lopez Heritage House Lapaz, Iloilo

Guimaras Roca Encantada Heritage Buenavista

House

Negros Gen. Juan Araneta Bago City

Occidental Historical Landmark

Victor Fernandez Gaston Silay City

Historical House

Carlos Arceo Ledesma Silay City

Heritage House

Jose Benedicto Gamboa Silay City

Angel Araneta Ledesma Silay City

Heritage House

Benita Jara Heritage Silay City

House
Amelia Hilado Flores Silay City
Heritage House

Alejandro Amechazura Silay City

Heritage House

Jose Corteza Locsin Silay City

Heritage House

Augusto Hilado Severino Silay City

Heritage House

Severino Silay City

Building/Heritage House

Manuel Severino Hofilena Silay City

House

Claudio Hilado Akol Silay City

Heritage House

Manuel de la Rama Silay City

Locsin Heritage House

Felix Tad-y Lacson Silay

Heritage House

Soledad and Maria Silay City

Montelibano Heritage
House

Kapitan Marciano Silay City

Montelibano Lacson
Heritage House

Vicente Conlu Silay City

Montelibano Heritage
House

Maria Ledesma Golez Silay City

Heritage House

Jose Ledesma Heritage Silay City

House

Teodoro Morada Heritage Silay City

House

Generoso Reyes Gamboa Silay City

Heritage House

Digna Locsin Consing Silay City

Heritage House
German Lacson Gaston Silay City
Heritage House

Modesto Reyes Hojilla Silay City

Heritage House

Dr. Jose Corteza Locsin Silay City

Heritage House

Bernardo Lopez Silay City

Jalandoni Ancestral
House

German Locsin Unson Silay City

Heritage House

Delfin Ledesma Heritage Silay City

House

Infante Heritage House La Carlota City

Ge. Aniceto Lacson Talisay City

Historical Landmark

Negros Occidental Bacolod City

Provincial Capitol

Negros Siliman University Dumaguete City

Oriental Historical Landmark

Cebu Liberty Shrine/Site of the Lapu-lapu City

Battle of Mactan

Church and Convent of Cebu City

Sto. Nino

Matilde Bradford Cebu City

Memorial Church
Historical Landmark

Sergio Osmena House Cebu City

Historical Landmark

Bank of the Philippine Cebu City

Island Historical
Landmark

Casa Gorordo Historical Cebu City

Landmark

Cebu Provincial Capitol Cebu City

Boljoon Church Historical Boljoon

Landmark
Church of San Guillermo Dalaguete
de Aquitania Historical
Landmark

Church of Nuestra Senora Argao

de la Consolacion
Historical Landmark

Bagacay Point Lighthouse Liloan

Historical Landmark

Silva House Carcar

Balay na Tisa Carcar

Sa Dakong Balay (Don Carcar

Florencio Noel House)

Mercado Mansion Carcar

Mt. Manunggal, Cebu, Brgy. Magsaysay,

Crash Site of Mt. Balamban
Pinatubo (the plane
carrying Pres.
Magsaysay)

Bohol Baclayon Church Baclayon

Historical Landmark

San Pedro Apostol Curch Loboc

Historical Landmark

Church of the Most Holy Loay

Trinity Historical
Landmark

Clarin Heritage House Loay

Church of Dauis and Its Dauis

Complex

Punta Cruz Watchtower Punta Cruz

Pres. Carlos P. Garcia Tagbilaran City

House

Church of Loon Loon

Siquijor Lazi Church and Convent Lazi

Historical Landmark

Leyte Leyte Landing Site Bo. Baras, Palo

MacArthur Landing Site Palo

Oppus Ancestral House/ Maasin City
Southern Leyte Provincial
Library

Southern Limasawa Shrine Limasawa

Leyte

Maasin Church Maasin City

Northern Capul Lighthouse Capul

Samar

MINDANAO

Zamboanga Rizal Shrine Dapitan City

del Norte

Dapitan Plaza Historical Dapitan City

Landmark

Old Town of Dapitan Dapitan

Misamis Fuerta de la Concepcion Ozamis City

Occidental y del Triunfo Historical
Landmark

Lanao del Macapagal-Macaraeg Buru-un Iligan City

Norte Heritage House

Cotabato Site of the Church of the Cotabato City

Immaculate Conception
of Tamontaka

Fort Pikit Pikit North Cotabato

Lanao del Sur Torogan House Pompongan-a-Mara

ntao, Marawi City

Tawi-Tawi Sheik Karimol Mahkdum Tubig Indangan,

Mosque Simunul

Sheik Karimol Mahkdum Tandu, Banak

Shrine Sibutu

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

Manila Rizal Shrine Fort Santiago,

Intramuros

Fort Santiago Freedom Intramuros

Shrine (Dambana ng
Kalayaan)
San Agustin Church and Intramuros
Convent

Mabini Shrine Pandacan

Zamora Histoprical Pandacan

Landmark

Army and Navy Club South Boulevard,

Historical Landmark Ermita

Elks Club Building Roxas Boulevard

Historical Landmark

Luneta Hotel Historical Ermita

Landmark

Jose Rizal National Rizal Park Manila

Monument

Rizal Park Historical Rizal Park Manila

Site

Andres Bonifacio Mehan Gardens,

National Shrine Ermita

Metropolitan Theater Liwasang Bonifacio

Historical Landmark Ermita

San Sebastian Church Quiapo

Historical Landmark

Bahay Nakpil-Bautista Quiapo

Historical Landmark

University of Santo Sampaloc

Tomas Historical
landmark

Malacanang Palace San Miguel

Historical Landmark

Mausoleo de los North Cemetery,

Veteranos de la Santa Cruz
Revolucion Historical
Landmark

Intramuros and Its Wall Manila

(Declared a national
Heritage Site)

Andres Bonifacio Shrine P. Burgos cor.

Concepcion
Birthplace of Antonio San Nicolas
Luna

Manila Hotel Ermita

Old Legislative Building Ermita

(now National Museum)

Lichauco Residence Santa Ana

A Portion of Santa Ana Santa Ana

Bahay Nakpil-Bautista 432-A Bautista St.,

Quiapo

Manila Central Office Manila

Building and Liwasang
Bonifacio

Manila Bay and Manila

Waterfront from Del Pan
Bridge to the CCP

Apolinario Mabini National Library of

Monument the Phil. Manila

Rizal Memorial Sports Malate

Complex (Declared a
National Historical
Landmark

Quezon City Quezon Memorial Diliman

Shrine

Quezon Monument Quezon City

Cry of Pugadlawin Bahay Toro

Historical Landmark

Church of the Holy UP Diliman

Sacrifice

Mira-Nila Heritage Cubao

House

Resting Place of the Banlat

Remains of Melchora
“Tandang Sora” Aquino

Pasay City P. Burgos Elementary P. Burgos Street

School Historical
Landmark
Caloocan City Bonifacio National Caloocan City
Monument Rotonda

Las Pinas Saint Joseph Parish Las Pinas City

Church Complex

Zapote Battlefield and Las Pinas

Zapote Bridge

Pinaglabanan Memorial Pinaglabanan Road

Shrine

Libingan ng mga Bayani Fort Bonifacio

National Shrine

Birthplace of Felix Tipas

Manalo Historical
Landmark

Aside from these landmarks and shrines, other places that can be visited to broaden our knowledge
of Philippine history and culture include government and private -run museums:
The National Museum Complex is composed of:
a. The National Museum of Fine Arts (Old Legislative Building)
b. The National Museum of Anthropology (Old Finance Building)
c. The National Museum of natural History (Old Agriculture and Commerce Building) and
d. The National Planetarium

Private museums and other institutions also have their share of contributing to the preservation of
our heritage. Many of these places are limited to special collections but are themselves a significant part of
history and in the study of it. Some examples of these museums are as follows:

a. UST Museum of Arts and Sciences located at the University of Santo Tomas campus.
b. Ayala Museum located in Makati
c. The Lopez Museum and Library located at the Benpres Building, Ortigas Complex in Madaluyong
d. The Kaisa Angelo King Heritage Center located in Intramuros which highlights our Tsinoy or
Chinese Filipino Heritage
e. The Museo Iloilo in Iloilo City which focuses on cultural and historical artifacts not only from
Iloilo but also from Panay Island
f. The Juan D. Nepomuceno Center for Kapangpangan Studies, which focuses on the study of
Kapangangan language, history and culture, located in the campus of the Holy Angel University
in Angeles City, Pampanga
g. The Cultural Center of the Philippines, though recognized as a performance venue, which
houses art galleries for exhibits and a collection of artworks by recognized Filipino artists
including those by the National Artists of the Philippines

The continuous growth of awareness of the remnants of our historical and cultural past has made
Filipinos place a large value on preserving the old buildings and dsitricts around the country. This eventually
le to the passage of the national Cultural Heritage Act (RA No. 10066) which created the Philippine Registry
of Cultural Property and the rules and regulations to preserve historic buildings that are over 50 years. It
was signed into law on March 25,2009.
There were earlier attempts to preserve the artifacts of history and culture. The first district that was
declared a National Heritage site was the Intramuros district which was the former Walled City of Manila.
This was followed by Vigan City in Ilocos Sur and later by Silay City in Negros Occidental. These areas
follow heritage laws formulated to preserve their historic buildings, open spaces, and local traditions while
at the same time blending with the modern surroundings.
Historic buildings that date back to the Spanish and American colonial periods that survived the WW
II have also been preserved by either the government or private Institutions. Example of these are the
buildings of the campuses of the University of the Philippines-Manila and the University of Santo Tomas,
the Philippine General Hospital, the capitol buildings of the different provinces such as in Leyte and
Pangasinan, as well as private houses and buildings like the Gota de Leche Building in Sampaloc, Manila.
Spanish colonial churches that can be found in towns and cities all over the country are also included in this
category.
Monuments that date back to the colonial eras are also being preserved. Many of these monuments
are found in plazas and parks of provinces. These monuments are important not only because they are
markers of our past. Examples of these monuments in Manila are the Carriedo Fountain, King Carlos IV
Monument, the Legazpi-Urdaneta Monument, the Queen Isabel II of Spain Monument, and the Simon de
Anda Monument.
Other significant places are concrete pieces of evidence of our precolonial past. These are
archeological sites that are mostly found in the provinces. Some of these sites are already open to public
although traveling entails long hikes since many of them are in the mountainous areas or in islands.
Examples of these areas are the Ifugao Rice Terraces, the Kabayan Mummy Burial Caves, the Neolithic
Shell Midden Sites in Lal-lo and Gattaran Municipalities, and the Paleolithic Archeological Sites in Cagayan
Valley where the bones of what is believed to be the oldest human being in the Philippines – Callao
Man-was found.

THE END