I’m a history buff and I love to visit places that hold historical value. One such place is Pinaglabanan Shrine, which we visited during Miguel’s first educational tour. If you are thinking of a historical spot within Metro Manila to bring your kids to, then you might want to consider Pinaglabanan Shrine.

The Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine (or simply Ponaglabanan Shrine) is a shrine and public park located along Pinaglabanan Street in San Juan City, Metro Manila. This shrine is meant to commemorate the valor of the Katipuneros (revolutionaries) who seized the Spanish armory and which also signaled the first battle of the Philippine revolution against Spanish rule. The Pinaglabanan Shrine was built in 1976.

The entrance to El Deposito

Here are some of the things that you can do at Pinaglabanan Shrine with your kids. Keep in mind as well that visitors will be admitted starting at 9:00 AM, hence, you might want to consider going to Pinaglabanan Shrine before this time to avoid the long queue.

The park located at Pinaglabanan Shrine is one of the biggest local parks I’ve seen. I like that it’s also bustling with activities early in the morning with people jogging or walking to work up some sweat. You and your kids will also enjoy the spacious park if you intend to play games like frisbee, badminton, jump rope, and so on.

The Museo ng Katipunan is a great venue if you want to have a grasp of what transpired during the time when the Katipuneros tried to seize the Almacen de Polvorin or the Spanish armory. There are dioramas, photographs, stories, and sculptures that depict the battle that ensued during that fateful day.

The El Deposito is an old underground water reservoir that was built by Spanish authorities to supply water to Manila as well as nearby areas. 

The museum, meanwhile, features a depiction of the intricate waterworks system, including water hydrants and fountains in Manila. There are also illustrations that portray daily life in old Manila.

Your visit to Pinaglabanan Shrine wouldn’t be complete without going down to the Spanish-era chambers of  El Deposito. However, for those visiting here with children, the first question that might pop into your head would be “Is it safe for kids to go down El Deposito?” and the short answer is “Yes, it’s perfectly safe for kids to go down El Deposito.”

While the guards on duty would recommend wearing a face mask to avoid the possibility of inhaling underground fumes, not doing so isn’t a deal-breaker. That being said, it’s still very much advisable to exercise caution on your way down to avoid possibly falling down the stairs or falling off the railing when you visit the reservoir.

The chambers are also lighted but it’s generally dark inside; your children might get scared, as such, it’s always a good idea not to force them to go down when they don’t want to.

As in any trip, make sure that your kids are comfortable when you go to Pinaglabanan Shrine. Here are some items that you can bring to ensure the comfort of your children:

1. Comfortable clothes - buy them HERE.

2. Comfy footwear - buy them HERE.

3. Children's bag - buy it HERE.

4. Water bottle - buy it HERE.

5. Insect repellent spray - buy it HERE.

The Pinaglabanan Shrine is a great weekend destination for you and your family. It’s a good way to instill a love of history in your kids. If you haven’t been to Pinaglabanan Shrine yourself, you can include this in your weekend plans to reconnect with the past and discover something new.

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