# National Historical Shrines in the Philippines

National Historical Shrines, more commonly known as National Shrines, are sites or structures in the Philippines that have been declared hallowed and revered due to their historical association to certain figures or events. Their designation are done by presidential decrees and executive orders, acts of congress (or by their predecessors) and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

## Background

Presidential Decree No. 105, issued in 1973 defines national shrines as sites associated with significant events in the lives of great and eminent leaders of the nation, such as sites of their birth, exile, imprisonment and/ or death. While this definition provides a foundational understanding, it could be expanded to encompass a broader range of historical and cultural significance, which have extended to military sites and battlefields.
RA 10066, sec. 22 reinforces the protection of national shrines (as with other declared cultural property) by prohibiting the renaming of sites unless a written approval by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and only after due hearing on the matter. This measure ensures that these historical sites retain their original identities and the sacredness of the site.
The NHCP plays a pivotal role in preserving and managing national shrines. The commission's board oversees the declaration of these sites and ensures their protection. It is of note that many national shrines have been declared by Republic Acts.
However, it's important to note that military memorials and battle monuments designated as national shrines fall under the purview of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), operating within the Department of National Defense. Moreover, local government units often play a significant role in the establishment, maintenance, and preservation of national shrines. A notable example is the Melchora (Tandang Sora) Aquino National Shrine, which was developed through the initiative and efforts of the local government.

## Privileges and Protections of declared National Historical shrines

The privileges and protections to National Historical Shrines are as follows

### Privileges

* Identification, maintenance, restoration, conservation, preservation and protection of shrines
* Collection of fees for the use of the NHCP's resources and for technical services rendered, as well as entrance fees to its Shrines

### Protections

* Protection from modification, alteration, destruction, construction or real estate development, which includes its buffer zones, without written permission from the NHCP
* Prohibition and fines for desecration of national shrines by disturbing their peace and serenity through digging, excavating, defacing, causing unnecessary noise, and committing unbecoming acts within their premises.

## Declared National Historical Shrines in the Philippines

| Image | Official National Historical Shrine/ National Shrine name | Description | Location | Legal Basis | Year declared |
| | Shrine of Freedom (Dambana ng Kalayaan) | Declares Fort Santiago as Shrine of Freedom. Dedicated to the memory of Rizal and a Legion of National Heroes and Martyrs who had been confined as lost their lives within said premises Includes National Plaza of the Unknown Hero (Unbuilt) Ayuntamiento Former site of the Palacio Del Gobernador-Heneral | Intramuros, Manila | Declaration: RA 597 s. 1951, RA 1607, s. 1956 | 1951 |
| | All battlefields of Corregidor and Bataan province | Site of WW2 Battlefields | Corregidor Island Bataan Province | Declaration: EO no. 58, 1954 | 1954 |
| | The Site in Magallanes, Limasawa Island in the Province Of Leyte, Where The First Mass In The Philippines | Also known as the National Shrine to the First Mass, more commonly known as Limasawa Shrine, this site commemorates the birth of Christianity in the Philippines | Limasawa Island, Leyte | Declaration: RA 2733 | 1960 |
| | Freedom Shrine (Aguinaldo Shrine) | The site is the largely renovated ancestral house and land donated to by General Emilio Aguinaldo- First President of the Philippines, to the nation in 1963. Also contains his tomb. Inclusions from RA 4039 include: Freedom house- which would depict, stage by stage important events in the Philippine revolution (unbuilt) | Kawit, Cavite | Declaration: RA 4039 | 1964 |
| | Casa Real | A Spanish-era building which, among other things housed the First printing press of the First Republic of the Philippines | Malolos, Bulacan | Declaration: EO 173 s. 1965 | 1965 |
| | Mt. Samat National Shrine (Dambana ng Kagitingan) | Built in honor and in the memory of soldiers who fought and perished during WW2 | Pilar, Bataan | Exclusion of land from the Bataan National Park reservation to create the Mt. Samat National Shrine: Proclamation No. 25, s. 1966 | 1966 |
| | Fort San Antonio Abad | Spanish colonial era fortification | Malate, Manila | Reservation for National Shrine purposes: Proclamation no. 207, s. 1967 | 1967 |
| | Libingan ng mga Bayani | First established as Republic Memorial Cemetery as a tribute to soldiers who died during WW2. Final resting place of Philippine presidents, Medal of valor recipients and other persons entitled to internment at this National Shrine | Taguig | Act to construct a Pantheon of Illustrious Filipinos: Act no. 1856 s. 1908 Providing for the construction of a National Pantheon: RA 289 Reservation of land for National Shrine Purposes: Proclamation no. 208, s. 1967 | Site reserved for National Shrine purposes: 1967 |
| | Tirad Pass National Shrine | Site and Memorial to the Battle of Tirad Pass | Gregorio Del Pilar, Sigay, Quirino, Cervantes and Suyo, Ilocos Sur | Declaration: Proclamation no. 433, s. 1968 | 1968 |
| | Mabini Shrine | Replica House of where Apolinario Mabini-First Prime Minister of the Philippines lived when he studied law and where he died. Contains the | Pandacan, Manila Sta. Mesa, Manila | Reservation of Pandacan site: Proclamation 324, s. 1968 Declaring the Sta Mesa site as the permanent home of the Mabini Shrine: Proclamation 1992, s. 2010 | 1968 |
| | Liberty Shrine | More commonly known as Mactan Shrine, the site commemorates what is believed to be the environs where the Battle of Mactan occurred Includes: Magellan Monument Lapulapu Monument Liberty House Other improvements made on the site | Mactan Island, Cebu | Declaration: RA 5695, PD 260 s. 1973 | 1969 |
| | Ricarte Shrine | Birth site of Artemio Ricarte- General of the Philippine Revolution | Batac, Ilocos Norte | Declaration: RA 5648 | 1969 |
| | Aglipay Shrine | Birthplace of Gregorio Aglipay- reformer and firstObispo Maximo of the Philippine Independent church | Batac, Ilocos Norte | Declaration: RA 5649 | 1969 |
| | Birthplace of Dr. Jose Rizal in Calamba, Laguna | Reconstructed birthplace on the land once owned by the Rizals. Also the reinterment site of Francisco and Teodora Rizal. | Calamba, Laguna | Declaration: PD 105 1973 | 1973 |
| | Talisay, Dapitan City, where the hero (Jose Rizal) was exiled for four years | More popularly known as the Rizal National Shrine. Site where Rizal lived and developed during his exile from 1982 to 1986. The site is integrated in the Jose Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape | Dapitan City, Zamboanga Del Norte | Declaration: PD 105 1973 | 1973 |
| | Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas where Apolinario Mabini was born | Birthplace and final resting place of Apolinario Mabini, first prime minister of the Philippines | Tanauan, Batangas | Declaration: PD 105 1973 | 1973 |
| Pinaglabanan Shrine 01 | Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine | Site of the Battle of Pinaglabanan- first battle of the Filipino people against the Spanish | San Juan City | Declaration: PD 260, s. 1973 | 1973 |
| | Kiangan War Memorial Shrine | Commemorates the site where Tomoyuki Yamashita and in his capacity, the Japanese Imperial forces surrendered, signaling the end of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines | Kiangan, Ifugao | Declaration as Military Shrine: Proclamation No. 1460, s. 1975 Declaration as National Shrine: Proclamation No. 1682, s. 1977 | 1975 |
| | Karim Ul-Makhdum Mosque of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi | Mosque built by Sheikh Karim Ul-Makhdum- Arab missionary, in 1380. Current structure was rebuilt in the 1960s as the original was burned during WW2. | Simunul, Tawi-Tawi | Declaration: BP 150 | 1982 |
| | General Leandro Locsin Fullon National Shrine | Final resting place of Leandro Locsin Fullon, Filipino General of the Philippine Revolution and Liberator of Antique Includes: The monument of General Fullon The public plaza of Hamtic, Antique | Hamtic, Antique | Declaration: BP no. 309 s. 1982 | 1982 |
| | Capas National Shrine | Memorial to the Allied soldiers who were incarcerated and died in Camp O'donell | Capas, Tarlac | Reservation of Land for National Shrine Purposes: Proclamation no. 842 | 1991 |
| | Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine | Burial ground dedicated to the memory of Panay and Romblon soldiers who fought in WW2 | Jaro, Iloilo | Declaration: NHI Resolution no. 7, s. 1991 | 1991 |
| | Don Paciano Rizal House | Retirement home of Paciano Rizal- general of the Philippine Revolution and Filipino- American War. His final resting place, together with sisters Trinidad and Narcisa. | Los Baños, Laguna | Declaration: NHI Resolution no. 1, s. 1992 | 1992 |
| | The Burial Site Of Sheik Karimol Makhdum in Tandu Banak, Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi | Burial Site of Sheik Karimol Makhdum, Arab Missionary who brought Islam to Tawi-tawi | Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi | Declaration: NHI Resolution No. 6, S. 1993 | 1993 |
| | Andres Bonifacio Shrine | Shrine dedicated to Andres Bonifacio- Father of the Katipunan, in recognition for starting and leading the 1896 Philippine Revolution. Declared during the centenary of his death | Manila | Declaration: Proclamation No. 1132, s. 1997 | 1997 |
| | Marcelo H. Del Pilar Shrine | Birthsite and re-internment site of Marcelo H. Del Pilar- Filipino reformist and nationalist | Bulakan, Bulacan | Declaration: Resolution No. 1, S. 2006 | 2006 |
| | Melchora (Tandang Sora) Aquino National Shrine | Birthplace and re-internment site of Melchora "Tandang Sora" Aquino, Mother of the Katipunan. | Bo. Banlat, Quezon city | Declaration: NHCP Resolution No. 04, S. 2012 | 2012 |
| | Balete Pass National shrine | Site of the Battle of Balete Pass | Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya | Declaration: RA 10796 | 2016 |
| | Aklan Freedom Shrine | Final resting place of the Nineteen Martyrs of Aklan | Kalibo, Aklan | Declaration: NHCP Resolution No. 8, s. 2019 | 2019 |

## Unbuilt/ reclassified/ delisted National Historical Shrines

| Name of site | Description | Status | References |
| Rizal Cultural shrine | RA 1427 stipulates the construction of the Rizal Cultural shrine (which was to be dubbed a National Cultural shrine) consisting of a national theater, national museum and a national library. Debates over the site of the shrine and the slow funding made the shrine in its entirety unrealized. Only the National Library was inaugurated in time for the Jose Rizal Centennial celebrations. Plans for the national theater was redesigned to create the Rizal Theater in Makati. | Partially built | |
| Bessang Pass National Shrine | Site of the Battle of Bessang Pass. Declared as National Shrine by virtue of Proclamation no. 54, s. 1954. Reclassified pursuant to Proclamation no. 284, s. 2000 as Bessang Pass Natural Monument. | Reclassified | Reclassification: Proclamation no. 284, s. 2000 |
| “Red Beach,” the landing point of General Douglas MacArthur and the liberating forces | Site in Palo, Leyte where General Douglas MacArthur and the liberating forces arrived to start the recapture of the Philippines from the Japanese. Site first reserved for National Shrine purposes by virtue of Proclamation No. 1272, s. 1974. Reclassified as National Park through Letter of Instructions No. 572, s. 1977 as Macarthur Landing Memorial Park. | Reclassified | Reservation for National Shrine purposes: Proclamation No. 1272, s. 1974 Reclassification: Letter of Instructions No. 572, s. 1977 |
| Where the Code of Kalantiaw was promulgated in 1443 | Site in Aklan, where the Code of Kalantiaw- a supposed legal code, was promulgated. Discovered to be a hoax created by Jose E. Marco. Delisted by virtue of NHI resolution No. 12, S. 2004 which found the Code of Kalantiaw to have no valid historical basis. | Delisted | Declaration: EO 234 s. 1957 Delisted:NHI resolution No. 12, S. 2004 |

## Sites commonly associated as National Historical Shrines

* Bahay ni Luna (Juan Luna Shrine) in Badoc, Ilocos Norte is expressed to as a National Landmark
* Quezon Memorial Shrine and National Monument in Quezon city is expressed to as National Monument

## Others

* The City of Dapitan is declared to as Shrine city due to the many cultural and historical objects associated with Jose Rizal