Manila Cathedral in the dark

Manila Cathedral or the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica is situated in the district of Intramuros, City of Manila. Originally, this church was the "Church of Manila" which was established under the management of the Diocese of Mexico in 1571, but in 1579 it became a separate diocese. Been here several times, but it's my first time to see the stunning golden lights on its structure after dark.

PACO PARK AND CEMETERY, MANILA

Paco Park is a recreational garden area and served as Manila's municipal cemetery during the Spanish colonial period. This structure was built in the 18th century and was completed in 1822. Its original design is to be a municipal cemetery for the influential and aristocratic Spanish families living in Manila and Intramuros but also served as the peaceful dwelling place for those victims of the cholera epidemic.

Fort Santiago during World Tourism Day

This is part of Celebrating the World Tourism Day 2017 in Intramuros; Fort Santiago was my first destination. Walking beside this gigantic wall is absolutely remarkable as it embarks the significance of the past to current. Just by reading on the writings placed by the management in different corner, you can foresee what have transpired inside this wall centuries ago. Also, we can distinguish who are the prominent people imprisoned and tortured here, like Jose Rizal. Photos below will give you more excitement.

SAN SEBASTIAN CHURCH, MANILA

San Sebastian Church or Basilica Minore de San Sebastian is a Minor Basilica in the City of Manila. The very first structure of this church is situated on a land donated by Don Bernardino Castillo, a devotee of Saint Sebastian, in 1621. It was made up of wood, but was burned in 1651. So it was then replaced by a structure made of bricks but was destroyed again by fire and earthquakes.

Manila Cathedral, Intramuros

Manila Cathedral or the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica is situated in the district of Intramuros in Manila. Originally, this church was the "Church of Manila" which was established and under the management of the Diocese of Mexico in 1571, but later in 1579 it became a separate diocese. 

San Agustin Church, Manila

San Agustin Church in Manila is considered as the oldest church in the Philippines, recognized by the NCCA and UNESCO historical landmark. Like the other old churches in the Philippines, this church faced several natural disasters like earthquakes and was burned several times. The very first structure was built in 1571 made of nipa and bamboo but was destroyed by fire during the invasion of Limahong, a Chinese pirate, in 1574. The same spot, a new structure was built and was made of wood. In 1586, a new structure made of adobe stone was constructed, lead by the Augustinians.

National Museum of Natural History, Manila

Recently, the National Museum of Natural History opened with a bang! Opening their doors, cases and glass cabinets to everyone with items that are extremely rare and can only be found here - absolutely for FREE. The National Museum staff and researchers exerted their effort to preserve and keep these items for the next generation. It is my and your wealth! So, what are you waiting for? Tara na!

CHINESE GARDEN, LUNETA, MANILA

Chinese Garden is one of the tourist spots, attractions and destinations in Rizal Park, Manila. This garden can give you an amazing feeling of what's inside a typical Chinese parks and temples. I was searching for the National Museum Planetarium but Google Map gave me an idea about this place. When I saw its entrance, I was amazed by the artistic and colorful gate, with Chinese characters.

National Museum Planetarium, Manila

Just few days ago, the National Museum Planetarium opened its door to the public for FREE until April 30, 2017, so money is not a problem to see and appreciate the wealth inside its dome. By the way, there are daily presentation showing the facts about planets, satellites, stars, sun, milky way, galaxy, solar system and many other things around the sun that will definitely wake up your sleeping interest about celetial bodies and Science and Technology.

Baluarte de San Diego

This is part of Celebrating the World Tourism Day in Intramuros. From Manila Cathedral, I used Google Maps to locate the exact location of this historical place. I didn't notice that I already passed by its gate. When I entered the gate, a lot of visitors were taking photos, having a picnic, and playing, while others were eating. Because this day is special there's free entrance and activity, stores, arts, and food vendors. The ground is covered with well-maintained grass with bricks and artistic rocks on the pathways. The old cannon displayed by the entrance captured my attention because of its unique appearance.

Inside Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago  is one of the historical landmarks inside Intramuros. It's a fortress which is a part of the structures of  the Walled City. This historical structure was first built by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi for the newly founded City of Manila. This fort is the most important historical sites in Manila as Dr. Jose Rizal was imprisoned here before he was executed in 1896.

QUIAPO CHURCH, MANILA

The Quiapo Church or the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, canonically known as Saint John the Baptist Parish is one of the famounst churches in the Philippines. The first structure Quiapo Church was made of bamboo and nipa palm, built by the Franciscan Missionaries. But in 1574, the pirates lead by Limahong, destroyed and burned the church. In 1588, Fr. Antonio de Nombella, a Franciscan friar, founded this church and declared it as the Parish of St. John the Baptist. It was again burned in 1603 and took over by the “Society of Jesus” or the Jesuits. In 1686, the full construction was started initiated by Gov. Gen. Santiago de Vera.

MALATE CHURCH, MANILA

Malate Church or the Our Lady of Remedies Parish Church or Nuestra Señora de los Remedios is situated in Malate, Manila. When I saw the facade from afar and while crossing the street near Plaza Sulayman, I was really amazed because of its architectural design and the dark color. It looks like really old and here’s what I found.

STA. ANA CHURCH, MANILA

Sta. Ana Church or the Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned was established 300 years ago. The cornerstone was laid in 1720. Sta. Ana is also one of the churches spared by World War II, so most of what you see today, including the Camarin de la Virgen, was what churchgoers saw hundreds of years ago.

BINONDO CHURCH, MANILA

One of the famous districts in Manila is Binondo, it is also known because of the Filipino-Chinese communities in the area. Since this district is said to be one of the centers of the trade and industries centuries ago and even today, some Chinese businessmen were converted to Christianity during the Spanish era, so this church was established in the area in 1587 by the Dominicans for them.

Inside the Walls of Intramuros

You might be thinking about the location where this photo taken from; I have no money to travel abroad so it's not from the ancient Greece or Rome. It is one of the tourist spots and must visit attractions in Manila. Okay, it is from Intramuros or the "Walled City" one of the sites that has significance in Philippine history. I was captivated by the Intramuros Open House in Celebration of World Tourism Day. Entrance fees are for free on three of the must visit spots inside the walled city; these are Fort Santiago, Baluarte de San Diego, and Casa Manila. Not only that, there are free bicycle tour at Plaza Roma, and picnic with performance grounds, food and art at Baluarte de San Diego.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES Offers FREE Admission

National Museum of the Philippines Offers FREE Admission on selected month as part of the Heritage Month celebration. For update, please check the National Museum Facebook Page. The National Museum has the collection of relics, artifacts, and antiques discovered in the Philippines and abroad, combined for the Filipino viewing. Some of these are the following:

Explore Intramuros (History, Guide, Itinerary)

I visited Intramuros and Binondo several times but I thinking am missing something in and outside The Walled City in Manila. Inspired by the question: “Hanggang saan aabot ang isan daang piso mo?” Our journey today explains that budget is not a problem to see the gorgeous artifacts erected centuries ago. Without a formal itinerary, we walked on the streets in Intramuros Manila.

San Sebastian Church, Manila

After meeting up at TIP Manila for my cap distributed by Street Style Originals, my plan was to visit Paco Cemetery but due to unfriendly weather condition, I opted to visit San Sebastian Church, just few meters away. For the second time, when I entered the church, I was still fascinated by its uniqueness; from the walls, columns, floor, glass chandeliers, cabinets and others look really stunning.

Second Visit to Jose Rizal Monument

Rizal Park is the well known landmark in the Philippines because of its historical values and beautiful landscape, near Intramuros in Manila. Its name is derived from Dr. Jose Rizal as a tribute to our national hero's patriotic act. It is also called Luneta (Lunette) because of its shape and was previously called Bagumbayan. This was the place where Rizal was executed by the Spanish Colonial Forces on December 30, 1896 which sparked the fire of the Philippine Revolution against the Spaniards.