Weekends with Archie

Visita Iglesias in Manila

March 21, 2008

It’s Holy Thursday today and as the tradition goes, Jekki, Doryll and I spent the whole day visiting seven churches, this time in the city of Manila. Initially, the plan was to go to Sagada for reflection and trekking however due to time and accomodation constraints, we ended up going to historical and famous cathedrals of the metro. The experience? Truly worthwhile!

1. Quiapo

  

 Our first stop - Quiapo Church. And it’s like we’re really meant to take pictures because there is an open free space in front. By the way, we initially planned to go to Manila through the Pasig River Ferry for the experience and we went to Hulo Station only to find out it’s closed. So we just rode jeepneys, not knowing where exactly it’s going until eventually, we found ourselves walking along Quiapo! Meant to be here first! 

 

 Jekki and I before Quiapo.

 

Inside the church where I started praying for my intentions.

 

  

 Outside the church again with Doryll.

2. Sta. Cruz Church

 

  Walking a few meters from Quiapo, we reached Sta. Cruz Church. I also visited this church with my cousins in Manila last year.

  

 I got chubby cheeks here. >_<

  

  

Doryll and Jekki’s turn - too bad we really couldn’t ask anyone to take pictures of us three. With a lot of people around, we didn’t know who to trust.

 

3. Binondo Church

  

Ah, Binondo Church. Very nice! From Sta. Cruz, we walked past Chinatown and in the end reached this old yet well-preserved cathedral! Trivia from Jekki, San Lorenzo Ruiz used to serve inside this church.

 

  

Doryll and me and our powershot pic in Binondo. 

 

  

Just imagine the two are wearing wedding suits instead - perfect right? 

 

  

Inside Binondo Church - truyly breath-taking! 

 

  

Me contemplating. 

 

  

These kids were very friendly. Their innocence and meekness would truly put smiles on your face. It’s like going back to the area again - ah memories!

 

4. Manila Cathedral

  

Manila Cathedral at it’s grandeur! Doryll said weddings here are very expensive and need to be booked at least 2 years in advance. Most artistas get married here, too bad most of them get separated too.

 

  

Are we in Europe? It’s like Europe, right?

  

The stained glass windows inside.

 

  

Me and Doryll in front of the church. 

 

  

Again, imagine the two in their wedding outfit. Hmm, remember guys, weddings here should be 2 years in the making. 

 

  

Jekki and me below the arc. By the way, the cathedral doorway is very narrow that traffic builds up heavily inside out. Well, that’s what you get with air-conditioned churches.

 

5. San Agustin Church

  

 Ah, San Agustin Church. According to Jekki ‘the historian’ (hehe), this church is the oldest church in the Philippines - as in even older than the Vigan churches. Didn’t know that!

 

  

 Inside San Agustin, priests and lay ministers were then preparing for the Holy Thursday mass.

 

6. Malate Church

  

 The Malate Church and some twilight.

 

  

Inside Malate Church. Small but elegant! 

 

7. Shrine of Jesus

 

 You can find this church beside Mall of Asia. It is the newest church among the seven we have visited. We were supposed to go to Baclaran but for some reasons we ended up going in this church. Shrine of Jesus is also known for wedding ceremonies.

 

   

 

Doryll and Jekki again. I think it’s drizzling already at this point.

 

  

Me and Doryll. There you go, visita iglesias done. 

 

Aside from the seven churches, we also walked past through Chinatown and Binondo. It’s like going back to the past. It’s like making yourself part of the real world again. Saying your prayers in different churches makes you feel that the world is by far larger than what you think it is. And in the process of traveling through these historical places, I had my rediscovery of faith. I have a lot to say in my prayers, but in summary I expressed my intention to love more, to do more, and to be more.

Thank you Manila for the experience.

 


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