Urban Scenes

Old Spanish fort that still has some of its original moat.  When the Americans took over the Philippines after the Spanish American war they filled up most of the moats as they considered them health hazards.

When the Japanese were attaching Manila the Americans declared it an open city and left so it would not be damaged.  When the Americans were retaking the Philippines the Japanese made the Americans fight for every bit of the country including Manila.  In fighting for Manila the Americans had to widen this opening in one of the old Spanish fortications.

Downtown Manila, looking at the traditional entry gate to Chinatown.

Back