Quiapo Church

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

Sta. Cruz Church, Manila

The Sta. Cruz Church, or Our Lady of the Pillar Parish, is situated in the Northern part of the city of Manila. It is said that the original structure was built in the same spot as the current structure. This was constructed by the members of the “Society of Jesus,” known as the Jesuits, from 1608 up to 1768. It is the first Roman Catholic church built in this area. Its structure is made up of blocks of adobe quarried from the nearby provinces. It was dedicated to the newly converted Chinese who lived in Manila.

Malate Church, Manila

The Malate Church, or the Our Lady of Remedies Parish Church, or Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, is situated in Manila. When I saw the façade from afar and while crossing the street near Plaza Sulayman, I was really amazed because of its architectural design and the dark color. When the British landed on the shores of Manila in 1762, they used this church as one of their headquarters. Because of its topography, the structure was damaged and rebuilt several times due to natural calamities like earthquakes and typhoons. During the battle in World War II, this church was destroyed by fire.

Sta. Ana Church, Manila

The Sta. Ana Church, or the Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned, was established more than 300 years ago. The cornerstone was laid in 1720. It 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.

Guadalupe Church Makati – Nuestra Señora de Gracia Heritage Site

Jump to: About Guadalupe Church | Historical Background | How to Get There | What to See | Mass Schedule | Suggested Visit Itinerary | Where to Stay | Travel Tips

About Guadalupe Church

Guadalupe Church, officially known as Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church, is one of the oldest churches in Metro Manila, located in Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City. With its baroque architecture, stone walls, and historic charm, it remains a peaceful sanctuary amid the modern skyline of Makati.

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 Binondo Church was established in the area in 1587 by the Dominicans for them.

Sabang, Puerto Galera

Our group, Batang Hamog Mountaineers, usually makes sure to participate in any Freedom-related activities to celebrate the freedom that was proclaimed on June 12, 1898. This year, to be out of our comfort zone, we organized a Freedom Dive held in Sabang, Puerto Galera, Province of Oriental Mindoro, which is one of the best diving spots in the Philippines. We all know that the Philippines is composed of more than seven thousand islands and is surrounded by water, so scuba diving is just one of the most tried water activities.

Backpacking in Surigao del Sur (5 Best Tourist Spots)

Our original plan was to hike Mt. Dulang-dulang and Mt. Kitanglad, but because of the question: “gusto nyo ba?” it was changed to backpacking in Northern Mindanao. It happened for a very, very short time. So from Malaybalay, Bukidnon, we rode a bus with a Cagayan signboard and alighted at Agora Terminal. Then, we rode another bus with a Butuan signboard and alighted at their central terminal. Then, another bus ride to Bislig, Surigao del Sur. Below was our 5-day backpacking trip in Mindanao covering Surigao, Agusan del Norte, and Camiguin.

Negros Occidental (7 Best Tourist Spots)

1. The Ruins, Talisay

Negros Occidental holds most historical sites in Western Visayas. The first attraction you should visit is The Ruins, a mansion that was owned by the sugar baron Don Mariano “Anoy” Ledesma Lacson (1865-1948). The construction of this mansion was non-stop until the entire structure was completed. It was the largest mansion built during that time; however, it was burned to prevent the Japanese forces from making it their headquarters during World War II. Because of the A-grade mixture of concrete that was used, its ruins remain today.

Isla Reta Beach Resort

Isla Reta Beach Resort is located on Talikud Island, Samal. It is a perfect island for retreat and relaxation, well, if you're just looking for a relaxing ambiance by the beach. This is one of the island paradises in the Davao region that bears a white sand beach and an island that is surrounded by emerald and crystal clear water. In addition, the underwater world is a sanctuary of colorful flora and fauna.