Visitors to Intramuros in the City of Manila hoped that its administration would inform its security personnel about the policy on the use of DSLR cameras at the tourist destination following their recent experiences.
The Intramuros Administration (IA), the agency responsible for the development of the Walled City, on Wednesday, February 18, shared a list of reminders about taking photos at the historic site, which regularly receives visitors. The reminders are as follows:
- Using DSLRs for souvenir purposes and personal use is allowed and free of charge.
- Taking photos while wearing Filipiniana is allowed as long as it’s for souvenir purposes and personal use only.
- Shooting for milestone moments like prenuptial, pre-debut, birthday shoots and using equipment (like reflectors, lighting equipment, backdrop, etc.) qualify as non-commercial shoots and will require a permit.
- Students are allowed to shoot for their academic requirements, provided they fill out the Student Shoot Registration.
The reminder about the use of DSLR cameras, or Digital Single-Lens Reflex cameras, drew the attention of some Filipinos, who hoped the IA would brief its security personnel on the policy.
“Please also inform your security guards properly of this. I’ve seen too many tourists told to stop taking pictures in Intramuros just because they have a bigger camera,” a Facebook user commented.
“Please lang, paki discuss ‘yan sa guards niyo. At kung pwede bigyan sila ng seminar sa differences ng personal at commercial shoot. Masyado silang maangas at makakita lang ng DSLR, pinagbabawalan na agad,” another wrote.
“One time during our tour with my relatives, gumamit kami ng tripod for a group photo, hinarang kami at hinahanapan ng permit. Commercial shoot daw ginagawa namin dahil lang may bitbit kaming tripod. Nakakat*nga lang at nakakahiya sa relatives kong first timer sa Intramuros,” the Facebook user added.
“Yes, kindly inform guards about this. I usually do photowalks with my students from Mapua for academic use, but we usually are called off by guards that it’s not allowed… even if I myself is with my students,” another Pinoy commented.
“Pag nasa Intramuros kami, hindi ko na nilalabas DSLR ko, panira lang ng mood, cellphone na lang, masaya lang sana nagpi-picturan kasama mga kamag-anak na balikbayan, biglang lalapit ang gwardya sibil at pagbabawalan na kasi DSLR gamit,” a different Facebook user said.
“Try niyo pong ipaintindi muna sa mga gwardiya sibil niyo ang mga rules, kasi sayang ang pagdala ng camera kapag makita mong parang sila may ari ng Intra,” another Pinoy commented.
“Sana disseminated ‘yan sa lahat ng guards. Matagal na kayo may post na ganto pero naninita pa rin. Kahit ipakita ‘yan post niyo, ‘di pa rin ubra,” a different Facebook user said.
The IA also shared a link to a separate post that contains details photographers need to know for doing commercial, non-commercial and student photoshoots.
RELATED: Planning to film in Intramuros? Here are the pictorial, shooting guidelines to follow
Intramuros is among the top tourist destinations in the country and regularly attracts both foreign and local visitors to its expansive grounds.
The old-world district is a vestige of the Spanish regime’s 300-year colonization of the Philippines, where visitors can explore heritage sites and cultural attractions that offer a glimpse of life during the colonial period.
Attractions include Fort Santiago, Baluarte de San Diego, Casa Manila Museum and Museo de Intramuros.
Intramuros was once the seat of political and religious power during the Spanish era.
As Manila’s oldest district, it remains a sanctuary for the capital’s most iconic and historic sites.
