Exploring Old Churches in Metro Manila

Many of the historical treasures of Manila, as well as its most stunning buildings can be found in the metro's numerous churches.

I probably missed at least a few wonderful and historic churches, but i assure you the churches i visited is a true Philippine Institution and should be on every "things-to-do-list" while touring Metro Manila.

By the grace of God, together with Jackie (my best climbing/travel/adventure/kumare buddy),i had the privilege to visit these churches within Metro Manila, churches rises into the sky, a romanesque and gothic-style masterpiece that is sure to impress. This church is one of the most important religious structure in the country, as well as one of the city's top tourist attractions. As such, it is a great place to begin walking and exploring Metro Manila. Including this magnificent churches on the itinerary is ideal for anyone who likes history and architecture. And, even if you are not a fan of such subjects, this churches is bound to convert you. And if you will be doing "visita Iglesia", these are the spots you'll definitely want to have on your lists.

This entry is for people who are serious about traveling cheap. In a couple weeks i will have several entries of my travel -cheap series. I'll cover some of the places that is merely within the Metro, but will take saving money to a cheaper level.

Thanks so much Jackie sa pagsama sa akin.. nakapili ka na ba which church ? LM i appreciate the instructions/directions na binigay mo di kmi naligaw.

Daytour itinerary:

With this day tour you of all the old churches,you will walk the unruly, chaotic alleys of Metro Manila from Kalentong to Sta Ana going to Padre Faura ,Pedro Gil, Malate,  Intramuros, Divisoria,Binondo, and  Quiapo  where every turn is a cacophony of sight, sound, smell & taste. Ang pagkakasunod sunod ng churches ay ayun sa unang pinuntahan hanggang sa huli.

1. Santuario de Santo Cristo 

183 F. Blumentritt St. San Juan, Metro Manila

Tel: (02) 724-5466 to 69

Quick Info: The Santuario del Santo Cristo, situated in San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines, also known as the Church of San Juan del Monte, was a church and convent that was built in 1602-1604 by the Dominican Friars of the most holy rosary on a land that was donated to them by Capitan Julian De Cuenca. During the Chinese uprising 1639, both structures were destroyed and burned during the Chinese uprising in 1639 and was rebuilt in 1641. It was again set on fire in July 1763 during the brief 18-month British occupation of Manila. The current church and convent were constructed in 1774 and has been renovated many times during the mid-1900. It is noted for its historical importance when it was used as a shelter by the Katipuneros during the 1898 Philippine Revolution.

Fast facts that may help you on the tour: To go to this church coming from EDSA-Crossing, ride a jeep bound Kalentong. Get off the jeep when you reach JRU. From Jose Rizal University (which is a landmark) you may ride  a jeep going to Puregold San Juan, it passes right in front of the church or you may also walk like what we did. It is just about an ten minute walk. 

2. San Felipe Neri Church

Boni Ave. cor Aglipay St, Mandaluyong City

Tel: (02) 531-4827 / 531-2931

Quick Info: San Felipe Neri Church is one of the oldest churches in the metropolis. It was run by hostile Spanish friars. For sometime, it was the site of bloody encounters between Filipino revolutionaries and Spanish soldiers. Its facade has a semicircular arch main entrance flanked by niches and twin bell towere with pyramid roofs.In October 30,1863 the Parish was erected Canonically with Reverend Father Francisco Gimenez as Parish Priest. In 1870, Father Gavino Ruiz, the incumbent Parish Priest was authorized to purchase a new Church site from the Augustinian Fathers for 475 Pesos con 35 Centimos. The corner stone of the Church was blessed on March 25,1870.

Fast facts that may help you on the tour:  To go here, you can ride a jeep in JRU (beside jollibee kalentong) going to Gabby's (still a part of Mandaluyong), then got off the jeep when you reached Gabby's. You'll see the church on your right side.Crossed the street towards Boni Ave (Talipapa) and walked for about 10 minutes.

3. Our Lady of the Abandoned (Sta Ana)

Pedro Gil St., Sta Ana, Manila

Tel: (02) 564-4203

Quick Info: The Santa Ana Church, also known as the Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned (Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados), is a Spanish colonial period church located in the district of Santa Ana in Manila, the Philippines. It houses two National Cultural Treasures declared by the National Museum of the Philippines; the Santa Ana Site Museum located in the convent patio and the Camarín de la Virgen. The Santa Ana church has been designated by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (then Philippine Historical Research and Markers Committee) as a Historic Building in 1936[1] with a historical marker for being the first Franciscan mission established outside Manila (see List of Historical Markers in the Philippines). It has also been included among the List of Cultural Properties of the Philippines in Metro Manila.

Fast facts that may help you on the tour: Coming from Gabby's, ride a jeep going to Padre Faura, and you will see the church on the left side of the street.

4. St. Pancratius Chapel

959 San Marcelino St.,

Paco, Manila (c/o St. Vincent de Paul Parish)

Tel: (02) 525-7853, (02) 524-2022 loc. 119

Quick Info: According to an on-site inscription, an order for the construction of a cemetery in Bagumbayan was issued in 1807, due to the outbreak of a cholera epidemic in Manila. Maestro de Obras Don Nicolas Ruiz developed a plan for the Paco Cemetery, while Don Jose Coll served as supervisor of the construction work. The cemetery was primarily designed as a municipal cemetery for the affluent and established aristocratic Spanish families who resided in the old Manila, or the city within the walls of Intramuros during the Spanish colonial era. It was on April 22, 1822 when the cemetery was officially inaugurated, although it had been in use for two years prior to its completion.

Fast facts that may help you on the tour: To reach this church, ride a jeep in Pedro Gil (street in front of Sta. Ana Church) going to Padre Faura, then just remind the driver to drop you off Paco Park. The jeep passes almost in front of the park.There is a 10 peso entrance by the way. 

5. Malate Church

2000 M. H. Del Pilar St., Malate, Manila

Tel: (02) 523-2593; 523-3168; 400-5876

Quick Info: Malate Church (formally known as Malate Catholic Church) is a church in Manila, Philippines. It is a Baroque-style church fronted by Plaza Rajah Sulayman and, ultimately, Manila Bay. The church is dedicated to Nuestra Señora de los Remedios ("Our Lady of Remedies"), the patroness of childbirth.A revered statue of the Virgin Mary in her role as Our Lady of Remedies was brought from Spain in 1624 and stands at the altar.

Malate used to be known as Maalat due to the saline waters of the bay; and as Laguio or Lagunoi, the name of the street which separated it from Ermita. it is located by Manila Bay, very close to the sea. One main street crosses it at the center; it is wide and beautiful and leas up to Cavite. The numerous trees make this road a pleasant walk. It lies just three kilometers from the center of Manila.

Fast facts that may help you on the tour: From Taft Ave Ride a Mabini or, take a Vito Cruz or Baclaran jeep (P8). Or, confirm with driver if jeep is passing by Malate Church.Or,  If you can walk thru Luneta from kalaw ave, then a short walk through Roxas Boulevard southward would bring you to the place.

6. CHURCH OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL 

959 San Marcelino Streetermita, Metro Manila

(02) 525 7853

Quick Info:The Church of San Vicente de Paul was originally built as a chapel in 1883 and used as parish church of Paco from 1898 to 1909. The concrete parish church was built in 1912 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of the Vicentians and Sisters of Charity in the Philippines.This Church was totally renovated - interior and exterior - in 2010. This Church was almost razed to the ground when the American forces entered Manila in 1945. The Jaapanese Army burned the interior of the Church in February 1945 when their defeat was imminent.Its is established as a communion of life. The church established to honor Saint Vincent de Paul for his charitable work.

Fast facts that may help you on the tour: To reach this church you have to walk 10 minutes from Paco church all the way to Adamson University in San Marcelino street.Coming from Paco church St. Vincent de Paul is at the left side of the street.

7. Manila Cathedral

Cabildo corner Beaterio, Intramuros, Manila, Metro Manila 1002

(02) 527 3093

Quick Info: The Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica, informally known as the Manila Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic basilica located in Manila, Philippines, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Principal Patroness of the Philippines. The cathedral serves as the see of the Archbishop of Manila, the de facto Primate of the Philippines.

Located at Plaza de Roma in the Intramuros district of Manila, the cathedral was originally a parish church owned and governed by the Diocese of Mexico in 1571, until it became a separate diocese on February 6, 1579 upon the issuance of the papal bull, Illius Fulti Praesido by Pope Gregory XIII.

The cathedral was damaged and destroyed several times since the original structure was built in 1581. The eighth and current instance of the cathedral was completed in 1958, [2] with the Archbishop officially becoming the country's Metropolitan after full sovereignty was regained from the United States in 1946.

Fast facts that may help you on the tour: From Taft Ave., ride a jeep to Divisoria and get off before it cross the bridge. Walk for eight minutes and you will see the church at the end of the street.

8.San Agustin Church

Gen. Luna St, Manila, Maynila, Kalakhang Maynila

(02) 527 4060

Quick Info: San Agustin Church is a Roman Catholic church under the auspices of The Order of St. Augustine, located inside the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila.In 1993, San Agustin Church was one of four Philippine churches constructed during the Spanish colonial period to be designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, under the collective title Baroque Churches of the Philippines.[1] It was named a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1976.The present structure is actually the third Augustinian church erected on the site.[3] The first San Agustin Church was the first religious structure constructed by the Spaniards on the island of Luzon.[4] Made of bamboo and nipa, it was completed in 1571, but destroyed by fire in December, 1574 during the attempted invasion of Manila by the forces of Limahong. A second church made of wood was constructed on the site.[6] This was destroyed in February 1583, in a fire that started when a candle set ablaze the drapes of the funeral bier during the interment of the Spanish Governor-General Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa.

Fast facts that may help you on the tour: coming from manila cathedral Walk along Gen. Luna St., the road on the left of the cathedral, San Agustin Church is about two blocks away on your right.

9.Santo Niño de Tondo Church

600 L. Chacon St., Manila

Quick Info: The convent in Tondo, which one of the first structures built by the Spaniards in Luzon, was accepted on May 3, 1572 by the Provincial Chapter. It has more or less 2,000 inhabitants including its first visitas, namely Lubao, Betis ,Malolos and Calumpit. The first parish priest was Fr. Agustin de Albuquerque with Fr. Pedro Holgado acting as the resident priest. In 1575, its jurisdiction extended to Naga (Navotas), Misic (the small island Maysilo), and Bulakan (town) and became its visitas. During 1578, Fr. Geronimo Marin helped arrange peaceful dialogues and mediated the conflict between Lacandola and Maestro de Ocampo Juan de Salcedo in Nabotas.The Tondo convent housed the Franciscans when their monastery got burned in 1583. It served as a Studium Grammaticae in 1587 because the San Agustin monastery was being rebuilt following a fire. By 1591, the convent of Tondo had two priests to minister to the 6,000 souls in the towns of Nabotas and Tambobong (Malabon).

Fast facts that may help you on the tour: To go here from Manila City hall, ride a divisoria jeepney,from tutuban mall, walk straight (on the opposite direction of Claro M. Recto Ave.) then turn right in Ylaya St., you will see the church where the street ended.

10.Binondo Church

Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz, Binondo, Manila

Tel: (02) 242-4850

Quick Info: Binondo Church, also known as Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish , is located in the District of Binondo, Manila fronting Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, in the Philippines. This church was founded by Dominican priests in 1596[1] to serve their Chinese converts to Christianity.[2] The original building was destroyed in 1762 by British bombardment. A new granite church was completed on the same site in 1852 however it was greatly damaged during the Second World War, with only the western facade and the octagonal bell tower surviving.San Lorenzo Ruiz, who was born of a Chinese father and a Filipino mother, trained in this church and afterwards went as a missionary to Japan and was executed there for refusing to renounce his religion. San Lorenzo Ruiz was to be the Philippines' first saint and he was canonized in 1987. A large statue of the martyr stands in front of the church.

Fast facts that may help you on the tour: To go here from Divisoria, just hail any jeep going to Taft Ave, it will pass right in front of the church. Or, you can simply walked from Divi going to the church.

11.Sta. Cruz Church 

Plaza Lacson, Sta. Cruz, Manila

Tel: (02) 733-0245 to 46

Quick Info: Prior to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors to the Philippine Islands, the district of Santa Cruz was partly a marshland, patches of greeneries, orchards and partly rice fields. A Spanish expedition in 1581 claimed the territory and awarded to the Society of Jesus whose members are known as 'Jesuits'.The Jesuits built the first Roman Catholic church in the area where the present Santa Cruz Parish stands on June 20, 1619. The Jesuits enshrined the image of the Our Lady of The Pillar in 1643 to serve the pre-dominantly Chinese residents in the area. The image drew a lot of devotees and a popular cult grew around it.On June 24, 1784, King Carlos III of Spain gave the deeds to about 2 km² of land that was part of the Hacienda de Mayhaligue to the San Lazaro Hospital which served as a caring home for lepers in Manila at that time.At the Santa Cruz Parish, a small park was built that linked the area into the headquarters of the Spanish cavalry, the building that once was the Colegio de San Ildefonso, operated by the Jesuits. The district in the Spanish times also had a slaughter house and a meat market and up north was the Chinese cemetery.

Fast facts that may help you on the tour: Coming from Binondo Church you need to walk atleast 10 minutes towards Escolta through Quintin Paredes St. It is a great experience walking the streets of Binondo and seeing more old yet glamorous structures before arriving the Sta Cruz Bridge where Sta Cruz church is located.

12.Quiapo Church 

Quezon Blvd, Maynila, Kalakhang Maynila

(02) 733 4434

Quick Info: The early church built by the Franciscan Missionaries was made of bamboo for the frame and nipa palm as thatching.[1][2] In 1574, Limahong and his soldiers destroyed and burned the church. Formerly a visita of Santa Ana, Quiapo Church, a Franciscan friar, Fr. Antonio de Nombella founded the church in 1588 which was declared the Parish of St. John the Baptist, the precursor of Christ who called everyone to penance before one can receive Him. It was burned in 1603 and the parish was temporarily handed over to the Jesuits till the secular priests objected.[1] Gov. Gen. Santiago de Vera initiated the full construction of the church in 1686.[2] On April 8, 1639, the administration of the Church was returned to the seculars who had always taking care of the church’s welfare.The English attempted to destroy the church in 1762. An earthquake in 1863 destroyed the church and in its place a temporary church was built. Fr. Eusebio de Leon reconstructed the ruined church in 1879.[1] Rev. Eusebio de León and Rev. Manuel Roxas completed the reconstruction of the church in 1889. Roxas had raised the unprecedented amount of ₱40,000.00 from donations and lay contributions. On 30 October 1928, the church caught fire again which destroyed the church’s wooden ceiling and the sacristy at the rear of the main altar.

Fast facts that may help you on the tour: Coming from Quiapo Church you need to walk atleast 12 minutes crossing C.M. Recto Avenue and right up ahead the Carriedo Station,go straight on Carriedo Street. Quiapo Church is to the end of the road, very visible from the corner of Carriedo and Avenida Avenue.Take extra precaution while you're in Quiapo. There are lots of bad elements in the area in the forms of snatchers, robbers, holdapers, bag & pocket slashers and the like.

13.San sebastian church 

 Plaza Del Carmen, City of Manila, Metro Manila. +63(2)7348931

Quick Info: The Basilica Minore de San Sebastian, better known as San Sebastian Church, is a Roman Catholic minor basilica in Manila, Philippines and the seat of the Parish of San Sebastian.Completed in 1891, San Sebastian Church is noted for its architectural features. an example of the revival of Gothic architecture in the Philippines, it is the only all-steel church or basilica in asia,[1][2] and claimed as the only prefabricated steel church in the world.[3] In 2006, San Sebastian Church was included in the Tentative List for possible designation as a World Heritage Site. It was designated as a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1973.San Sebastian Church is under the care of The Order of the Augustinian Recollects, who also operate a college adjacent to the basilica. It is located at Plaza del Carmen, at the eastern end of Claro M. Recto Street, in Quiapo, Manila.

Fast facts that may help you on the tour: Fast facts that may help you on the tour: From Quiapo Church, Plaza Miranda, or Carriedo LRT Station, walk along Felix Resurreccion-Hidalgo St. for about 15 minutes. You will see the church on your left side.

Source of info: Wikipedia
Note: Credits to the owner of some photos.

My Travelogue to amazing lighthouse edition 4 : Cape Engaño Lighthouse

Cape Engaño Lighthouse

Choosing a travel destination may be the easiest part when planning a getaway, but sometimes i just don’t wanna be caught up with too much of established or familiar destination. Most of the time I opted to go to where everybody else is not going.

Cape Engaño Lighthouse also known as Faro de Cabo Engaño is a historic lighthouse located on the Palaui Island in the town of Santa Ana, in the province of Cagayan, in the Philippines. Located on the northernmost part of Luzon Island and situated atop the summit of a hill, 92 meters above sea-level, the lighthouse makes a 360 degrees view of Babuyan Island and the Dos Hermanas Island (Two Sisters) on the North, Pacific Ocean on the West and Engaño cove on the East. Cape Engano Lighthouse was constructed back in 1888. What remains at Cape Engano are the wall-structures surrounding the lighthouse and the lighthouse itself which is still operational.

Aside from the lighthouse, it's got beaches. You can snorkel, get a tan or you can trek up to the waterfalls.

The place is beautiful and uncrowded. It was delightful.

Fast facts that may help you on the trip:

1.Coming from Manila you have to travel to Sta Ana, Cagayan.

2.From Sta Ana, boats can be hired to Palaui to cape Engano

3.There are two options going to cape engano, via a long hike from the main entry point or a short hike from engano cove.

It’s not goodbye but au revoir - Mt.Makiling Traverse

Completing Mount Makiling traverse was always going to happen.When I am determined, dedicated and driven the mountain is mine! It was on my bucket lists long before I even stepped foot to another mountain and it just so happened that my cousin Reynald is in town for vacation and ask for a climb.

I like to be fully prepared when I decided to do makiling traverse, unfortunately jackie cant make it so i have to reorganize and ask assistance from other mountaineers ( Thanks so much Madam Cheng).

And so I had my plan locked down within a couple of hours. Sir Ernie Fines and i agreed that we will be doing the Sipit Trail and he will meet us at Brgy. San Miguel by 6 am.


APRIL 27, 2014

8:00 Am. On our way to the jumpoff at San Miguel , we were greeted with a nice view of Mt. Makiling, we passed a variety of mountaineers going both ways.Looking at the mountain i couldn't help but think if i can finish the traverse due to fever and severe headache.

The path began easy enough.We walked along on flat grounds , introducing ourselves to one another since this is the first time that i will be doing a climb with Sir Ernie together with his twin brother Sir Rommel and Sir Melvin.Soon enough, the terrain began to change. It also rained on our way up and silly me didn't pack a rain coat.The first half of the trail is a private property, and after 30 minutes the real trail will come into way.The trees in this forest are tall and the trail paths are relatively muddy and open with some obstacles like fallen trees, branches in your way and the steps are quite high. I began panting after a fair bit as it has been quite a while since I have my last climb.

At first,station 1 to 6 is relatively easy. and, from station 7 we took our lunch before continuing our trek ( Ang Daming Limatik Dito sa station 7).From station 7 this is where the upward ascend starts, craggy rockscapes to virgin forest is visible.One step missed means a few hundred meters of rolling down the mountain.So i have to be very careful with my every step , but throughout the trek, there were occasions i can almost feel that i am going to drop off the edge.The climb is steep and strenuous in parts, and it’s only when you look down that you will understand how sharp an incline you are in.The thin tree trunks and branches are the only support we have to balance ourselves.and I also noticed that the ground is wet, and I started seeing moss on the trees and dew forming on them and on spiderwebs. They made really pretty patterns of droplets.I took short breaks when I reached every new mountain station, I factored in small stops to refuel my energy with snacks and gatorade, I walked at a steady pace and drank lots of water.

I proceeded the rest of the way alone.I climbed into a tree and perched on a branch for a while since the group left me behind already, and I enjoyed the remoteness of being miles up into the forest alone.But, Why was I so nervous? Because I was alone?,  Though I’d done plenty of crazy things in my life before, this one took the cake.

I Do note though, the summit is constantly blanketed by clouds of cool mist so i know from there might not be a clear view. This didn’t deter me, my mild asthma and fever never stopped me from climbing, and it did mean that I had to take care to know my limits.Then, I took my chance to finish the traverse and catch up with the group at the summit.

Over the difficult trail full of steep drops, rope-ascents and descents, and ankle-twisting narrow ledges of rock and slopes of loose dirt and mud I plunged ahead without nervousness but with readiness, thank god the group is supportive of me.

It wasnt a easy walk though.The descent was steep and slippery.When we started our descend i started feeling it.I would gasp for air and collapse to the ground trying to catch my breath during short breaks we had,but i still carried on. And from Agila base the trail going down is actually much different from the summit,though going downhill is always a little hard on the knees.Anyways, this is what happened to me, but i think i climbed better that i expected.

Simply said - Makiling traverse was awesome and amazing. Although I’m sad at the prospect that I may not return for a couple years.

It’s not goodbye but au revoir - Mt.Makiling Traverse. As the saying goes, let us not say goodbye, but as the French have it, "Au Revoir! ...Till we meet again.

My Strawberry Shortcake from Vizco's

Baguio is one special place for me and my wife Rochelle, and when i say special it means a lot. And one of the many places that i often visit when i go to the city of Pines is Vizco’s restaurant. Vizco's Restaurant and Cake Shop is a convenient location for a great snack and home of the best desserts in town.

The restaurant is located along the infamous Session Road.

As many of you know, it can be difficult to decide how to get the best value with your money for food while in Baguio City. And while you can get a lot of fastfoods and restaurant, i really wanted eating  at vizco's for a big treat.

Upon entering at Vizco's, the first thing that would catch your eye is the delectable display of cakes and pastries that will make you want to have your dessert right away. One of my very favorites is this Strawberry Shortcake, which has quickly reached mania favorite status for repeat guests like me. Cant decide what to order ? The Strawberry Shortcake is the right option. A slice of cake is very light, soft and moist, not really too sweet, and the cake was topped with fresh strawberry slices, the cream is also light.  Everything is perfect.  My every bite of the cake makes me want to have more of it. 

If you want to bring one home for pasalubong, it's best to call ahead to make sure you get a fresh one upon pick-up since they sold out quickly.

Having trouble picking "pasalubong" for your loved ones from baguio? Strawberry Shortcake from vizco's is a real treat.

My Heaven Bar... Rebel bar from Purple Oven

Who doesn’t love a sweet, little piece of brownies? My sister texted me that she brought something for me a box of rebel bars from Purple Oven.

What else can I say, I love chocolate! I was always been a huge fan of brownies or any other chocolate bar cookies,and the more chocolate involved, the bigger the likelihood that I will enjoy it.

Revel bars consist of two layers of oatmeal cookie dough sandwiching a fudge-like chocolate filling. It's crunchy on the outside & moist on the inside. I love the taste of that fudgey filling! These are crazy delicious. They are like the oat fudge bars at Starbucks, but purple oven's only better.

Revel bars is a sure blockbuster! Actually...anything and everything in Purple Oven are worth trying and eating! Surely a value for your money! :-)

It's been a while and I always have some sort of excuse when I disappear for an extended period of time, but I really do think that this one is valid. WHY ? My  trips is not just to complete the climb/traverse but to also bring smile to little kids in their community. Why is it that this children makes my heart leap? Believe me this children can change you profoundly.

I learned a lot from this kids.. seeing them smile makes me jump for joy. My trip is over but the smiles from this little kids stays with me forever.