Manila City, Metro Manila, Philippines

II. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Historical - Cultural - Religious - Man Made

1. San Agustin Church

Location: General Luna St. corner Real St., Intramuros, Manila

Description: The oldest stone chruch in Metro Manila dates back to 1571. An intricately carved door opens to the church of great interest are the Baroque pulpit, molave choir stalls and an 18th century pipe organ. Like an impregnable fortress, San Agustin has withstood the ravages of time both wrought by nature and by man: earthquakes and typhoons, Chinese and Dutch attacks, the British Occupation Force and the Philippine-Spanish War, Dewey's bombardment and the bloody and destructive Japanese Occupation and the equally devastating return of MacArthur's troops.

How to get there?: From Mabini and Pedro Gil Sts., hail a PUJ bound for the pier and get off at Bonifacio Drive Intersection. The San Agustin Church is a 10-minite walk going towards Aduana Street. As an alternative route, take any pier-bound PUJ in Quezon City and get off at Aduana Street.

Travel Time: Approximately 25 minutes.

2. Manila Cathedral

Location: Plaza Roma, Intramuros, Manila (across Palacio del Gobernador)

Description: The seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, is presently the 6th cathedral to rise on the site since 1581. Previous structures were destroyed by typhoons, earthquakes, fire and the last war. Rebuilt on the second half of the 50's through the efforts of architect Fernando Ocampo and Archbishop Rufino J. Santos. The cathedral incorporated the stone carvings and rosette windows of the old cathedral. Stained glass windows celebrating the Christianization of the Philippines light up with its clerestory. Mosaic artwork decorate three of its side chapels.

How to get there?: From Mabini and Pedro Gil Sts., ahil a PUJ bound for the pier and get off at Bonifacio Drive Intersection. the Manila Cathedral is a 10-minute walk going towards Aduana St. As an alternative route, take any pier-bound jeepney in Quezon City and get off at Aduana Street.

Travel Time: Approximately 25 minutes.

3. Malate Church

Location: Malate, Manila

Description: Built on the second half of the 18th century, this unique church with Moslem-Baroque architecture is considered as one of the oldest churches outside the walled city. Founded by the Augustinian Friars as a simple stone church. Archival records show that the foundation of the Malate Mission was under the patronageof Nuestra Señora delos Remedios. The original image of the saints was brought from Spain in 1624 by Reverend Father Juan Guevarra. The statue which was destroyed during World War II was fashioned to its original by prominent sculptor Maximo Vicente. The church also served as the stone fortress of the British Occupation Force against the Spaniards in Intramuros.

How to get there?: From Maria Orosa St., hail a PUJ bound for Mabini and get off at Malate Church.

Travel Time: Approximately 25 minutes.

4. Ermita Church

Location: Ermita, Manila

Description: the church of Ermita which was founded in 1591 as a small chapel has Nuestra Señora de Guia as its patroness. The saint which was dredged up in a fisherman's net about 400 years ago was installed as the patron saint of Ermita by the Spaniards.

How to get there?: From Ma. Orosa St., hail a PUJ bound for Mabini. Get off at Ermita Church.

Travel Time: Approximately 15 minutes.

5. Paco Church

Location: Paco, Manila

Description: Paco's Saint Pancratius Chapel, a small circular chapel, it the site of many quiet weddings. The park around it was declared a national park in 1966 it is a charming spot where visitors promenade.

How to get there?: From Taft Avenue corner Padre Faira St., hail a PUJ bound Paco and get off along P. Faura, and take a 7-minute walk to the chapel.

Travel Time: Approximately 20 minutes.

6. Quiapo Church

Location: Plaza Miranda, Quiapo, Manila

Description: Records reveal that the district of Quiapo and its church were founded in 1586. Originally constructed of bamboo and nipa was founded by Franciscan Missionaries headed by Pedro Bautista. Stone reconstructions of the church followed in 1899 but was burned down in 1929. It was again rebuilt in the 1930's and it took 3 decades to complete.

How to get there?: From T.M. Kalaw St., hail a PUJ bound for Quiapo. Get off right across Quiapo Church.

Travel Time: Approximately 15 minutes.

7. Santa Ana Church

Location: The church was founded by the Franciscan Missionaries in 1578. It was the first mission outside the walled city of Manila. The present church and convent were built in 1720.

How to get there?: Take the LRT at UN Avenue Station and get off at Herran or Pedro Gil Station. Hail a PUJ along Herran Street with the signboard "Sta. Ana" and get off right in front of the church.

Travel Time: Approximately 30 minutes.

8. San Sebastian Church

Location: Plaza del Carmen, Quiapo, Manila

Description: This small, jewelbox church is the first all-steel church in the Philippines and in Asia; and the second in the world. Design for the church was finished in 1883 and was prefabricated in Belgium. the completely knocked-down church was shipped backed to the Philippines in 6 ships. It weighed closed to 50,000 tons while its stained-glass windows which are intact until now were, according to Father Ceniza, done in France. The best time to appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the church, its towering spires and stained-glass windows, is at dusk.

How to get there?: From T.M. Kalaw St., hail a PUJ bound for Quiapo and take another PUJ going to San Miguel. Get off right after the PUJ has come down from Ayala Bridge. A 10-minute walk going to the church.

Travel Time: Approximately 30 minutes.

9. Binondo Church

Location: Plaza dela Basco, Binondo, Manila

Description: Founded by the Dominican Friars in 1596, is a fine example of Spanish colonial architecture. The church was badly damaged during World War II and was only restored in 1972. Only the octagonal bell tower and some foundations remain of the original structure.

How to get there?: From Taft Avenue of Ma. Orosa Sts., hail a PUJ bound for Divisoria. The PUJ goes straight to Binondo. Get off right infront of the church.

Travel Time: Approximately 20 minutes.

10. Sta. Cruz Church

Location: Plaza Lacson, Sta. Cruz, Manila

Description: The original church of Sta. Cruz was built in 1608 for the Chinese converted to Christianity by the priests of the Society of Jesus. When the Jesuits were expelled from the Philippines, the church became Dominican. The structure was damaged by the earthquake, and then during the Battle of Manila in 1945. The present structure was rebuilt in 1957.

How to get there?: From Taft Avenue, hail a PUJ bound for Sta. Cruz. Get off right infront of the church.

Travel Time: Approximately 15 minutes.

Historical - Cultural - Religious - Man Made

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