Puerto Princesa's Plaza Cuartel

by lakwatserong tatay

After our visit to Immaculate Conception Cathedral, before going back to Manny's Guest House, to get some of our remaining stuffs, and also to have our final lunch at Puerto Princesa in Balinsasayaw Restaurant. We had a quick stop and roamed around a historical place called now as Plaza Cuartel.

Plaza Cuartel is near the wharf of Puerto Princesa fronting a good view of the blue ocean. Right nowm this place is part of town plaza complex. It is easy to locate by going to the opposite side of Immaculate Conception Cathedral, the city's main cathedral.

Entrance of Plaza Cuartel

The plaza has a bronze marker that contains the name of the evelen prisoners of war (POW) who managed to survive the horrible massacre that happened in this place. The bronze marker serves as the marker of the main underground bunker existed. These bunkers became the cage of the fortunate prisoners.

Tribute Marker to the POW's

 This tragic event happened when the World War II was about to end. The Plaza Cuartel was a garrison of Spaniards, overtook by the Americans and then by Japanese Regime. When this Japanese soldiers realized that they were losing the war, they put all of their prisoners in the dungeon, poured out drums of petroleum over them and lite them up alive. This story was narrated by the eleven survivors....

Historical Marker

This is the words from the marker......

"Sa pool na ito na dating tanggulang militar noong Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig naganap ang pagsunog ng mga sundalong hapon sa humigit kumulang 150 amerikanong bihag ng digma noong 14 Disyembre 1944. Ilang nakaligtas ay lumangoy sa dagat patungong Iwahig. Ang mga labi ng nasawi ay dinala at inilibing sa St. Louis County sa isang panlahatang libingan sa Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery Missouri, Estados Unidos, 1952."

Ttranslated to English words....



"In this place which was a military fort of World War II, the burning of more or less 150 American POW was done by the Japanese soldiers on December 14, 1944. Some managed to survive by swimming their way out from the sea to Iwahig. The remains of those who died were brought and buried in St. Louis County, used to be an overall cemetery in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery Missouri, United States, 1952."

After the World War, the Americans took control of the place once again until it was passed to the Constabulary. Later on, it was given to the National Police. In 1997, this place was renovated and became a leisure park of Palaweños.

The Plaza Cuartel

This park is open daily from 8am to 6pm, admission is free. Strolling and enjoying the scenery of the plaza, is one of the best reason why locals visit the park daily. This park is a good spot to take a rest and enjoy the beauty of nature by looking out to the clear blue sea of Palawan. Aside from being a nature lover, the park also has a lot of story to tell, that until now some are not revealed. Plaza Cuartel has a colorful history because of the events that happened here during the World War II.

Lakwatserong Tatay x-plored this place...^_^

As i start to create this blog for Palawan, specially this Plaza Cuartel, i'm just thinking that i got a photo opps of this park, but as my research gone thru, this place is really one significant place that should be marked on our history, due to the tragic event happened wayback December 14, 1944. To be more specific of this date and sad to say, this was also my birthdate that's why this park would be always on my mind, reminding me that in the same month and day, almost 150 person was burned out alive. It is a sad reality but it is our remains of our past, that we should always be thank of.

Two more to go and my Palawan series would be finished.....^_^.

This story is part of: Five Days Trip at Palawan

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

The Century Old Cathedral of Puerto Princesa

by lakwatserong tatay

In every place that i've visited, i never missed out to visit this spot, a church. Aside from seeking guidance and asking for a safety trip. Seeing different churches makes me always wondering how it was built and constructed, of course this kind of churches that is century-old and considered as a historical evidence for our culture and our past...^_^

Catholicism is one of the influences of the Spaniards that still remains up to this day and one big reason why we do have so many old churches on our country. Cathedrals that are built wayback 1800's is still existing today, which this church belongs.

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

The cathedral was built during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines in the late part of 1800's. Since then, it has become part of every Palaweños spiritual refuge. Father Antonio Muro leveled a portion of a hill to make way for a chapel, where the same location of the cathedral, this used to be a small church during the Spanisih occupation (1872).

In 1961, it was developed to become a cathedral. Although there were developments made, the church edifice was preserved. Its design, as you may have notice, has angular structures. The arches inside and outside the church are pointed.

Historically, the place was named after Princess Eulalia of Spain, born in 1864 to Quenn Isabel II and her consort. Dr. Francisco de Asis. When the princess suffered an untimely death, the Queen changed the name to Puerto de la Princesa. In years, the name was eventually reduced to Puerto Princesa.

Church Altar

Immaculate Conception Cathedral stands on a hill near the pier and its spires serve as a landmark for navigating your way around Puerto Princesa, located exactly in Rizal Street, Brgy. Liwanag. This church is one of the tourist attractions in the city because of its architectural site aside from being a historical place, because of its angular structures and the color combination decoration of white and blue. Yet, it is so simple but its angular structures made it simply amazing.

Choir Area

During our visit to the cathedral, I saw a handful of locals and even tourist, that are reciting their prayers and offering some sampaguitas to different saints in the church. According to Kuya Manny, this is one of the reasons why this church became popular due to its countless blessings and miracles granted by the town patroness.

Different saint are present inside this Church

In line with this, and if your lucky to be on this place during the Feast of Immaculate Conception, it is celebrated every November 28 to December 8, which coincides with the founding anniversary of Puerto Princesa City.

Bowl of Blessed Holy Water

Tips on how to get to the cathedral is by riding a tricycle, and just tell the driver to drop you off in the cathedral.

One last shot....^_^

Lakwatserong Tatay is here...^_^

Wow, o diba ngaun makadiyos naman ako...^_^. But seriously speaking, in every time i'm going out of towns, this spot is the most important on my itinerary. It's always a good habit reciting prayers and asking for the guidance of our Lord in each of our trips. Because he is only the one who could see what could happen on each of our trips and even daily routines.

At last, 3 more stories to go......finish na po un Palawan Series ko...^_^.
This story is part of: Five Days Trip at Palawan