By Nickky Faustine P. de Guzman
7 Churches in Metro Manila for your Visita Iglesia
THERE ARE only two instances when Metro Manila is relaxed and at ease without its hellish traffic, when Manny Pacquiao has a widely anticipated fight and when it’s Holy Week, which, just in case you’re unaware, is next week. Whether you’re a devotee of history and architecture or simply a devout Catholic who observes the traditional visita iglesia, here are seven churches within Metro Manila worth visiting (and revisiting).
SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH, INTRAMUROS
Declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a heritage site in 1993, San Agustin is the oldest stone church in the Philippines, built in 1589. Old yet strong, San Agustin has survived war and earthquakes -- and our history is filled with both. Besides its centuries of stories to tell, the San Agustin Church boasts solemn, sometimes eerie, but altogether beautiful interiors. There are 12 chapels in this complex with their neoclassical retablo, or devotional iconography. A gilded pulpit which dates to 1627 complements the elegance of the interiors. It isn’t surprising that many couples choose to tie the knot in this majestic church, and that the writer Gemma Cruz-Araneta made this church a setting in one of her poignant and illicit love stories.
Fun fact: While San Agustin accommodates the daily churchgoers, it is also home to the dead. On the left side of the altar is a museum where lies the tomb of the Spanish pioneer linked to the history of the city of Manila, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. The church also houses the remains of deceased members of the Zobel de Ayalas, Sorianos, and Roxases, among other families.
STA. ANA CHURCH, MANILA
The church’s splendor lies in its simplicity. Look up and see a dome that features a painting of 16 holy men and women. To its sides, one appreciates the elaborate stained glass window. The altar features a retablo too. But perhaps the main feature of Sta. Ana Church, built in 1578, is the replica of the Our Lady of the Abandoned brought from Valencia, Spain to Manila in 1717. In October 1966, the inner patio and surrounding areas of the church were excavated after children playing in the patio were seen holding portions of pottery and china. National Museum archeologist Doctor Robert Fox led an excavation that yielded a blue and white floral Chinese bowl from the 11th century, the oldest artifact in this find. The artifacts are now in the National Museum.
Fun fact: There was a time in the Pacific War that Japanese soldiers ordered the bells of Sta. Ana silent for months. The bells were rung to herald the arrival of the Americans.
SAN SEBASTIAN, QUIAPO
Devotees should include in their visita a trip to this church, for a more peaceful visit. You may take photos of the church and its interiors and admire its unique beauty. Declared by the UNESCO as a National Historical Landmark, San Sebastian or the Basilica Minore de San Sebastian, was constructed in 1890 and inaugurated the next year. It is the only neo-gothic steel church in Asia. According to the UNESCO website, the steel parts were manufactured in Belgium and shipped to Manila in 1888. Upon entrance, chandeliers light up the interiors, amplifying the colors of the stained glass windows. The spiral staircases add a touch of elegance too.
Fun fact: Filipino artists were responsible for the magnificence of San Sebastian. Artist Lorenzo Rocha and his students painted the steel parts of the walls, ceiling, and columns to resemble marble and jasper. Another Filipino artist, Lorenzo Guerrero, designed the altar, pulpit, and confessionals, and also made the statues together with fellow artist Eulogio Garcia.
MANILA CATHEDRAL, INTRAMUROS
A visita iglesia wouldn’t be complete without visiting the premier cathedral and basilica in the country. Recently restored and reopened, the Manila Cathedral is still the favorite must-see among local and international pilgrims, the most notable so far being Pope Francis. The church was constructed in 1581 by Domingo de Salazar, the first archbishop of Manila. It was first made from wood, bamboo, and nipa.
Fun fact: The current Manila Cathedral (1958-present) is now on its eighth reconstruction, after a long history of disasters. The first cathedral was ravished by fire. The second cathedral was almost destroyed by a strong earthquake. An earthquake also caused the renovation of the third cathedral. The succeeding renovations were also impeded by strong typhoons and earthquakes.
SANTUARIO DE STO. DOMINGO, QUEZON CITY
If Sto. Domingo had a diary, it would be filled with entries because of the many events in this church. Disaster struck its original location in Manila time and again through the centuries, from fires and earthquakes to the bombings during the Pacific War. In its new location along Quezon Avenue, the church withstood another fire, which the great artist Fernando Amorsolo depicted on canvas. The church is also noted for being the home of the image of Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval, the oldest Marian icon in the country. And in our modern political history, this church was the scene of the biggest funeral attendance for a slain opposition leader, Benigno S. Aquino Jr.
Fun fact: National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco made the eight murals seen in the church, which represented some of the important events in the life of St. Dominic de Guzman, the church patron. Gala Ocampo designed the stained glass windows.
ST. PANCRATIUS PARISH, LA LOMA
Never make St. Pancratius Parish your last stop for church hopping. Unless you’re up for a spooky kind of adventure. No, the small parish with its 600-seating capacity isn’t scary at all, but it is right in La Loma Cemetery. “Although there isn’t any bad spirits inside the church, the locals said there are some sightings within the area,” pastoral worker Menandro Guinto said.
Fun fact: Despite the spooky aura, the parish has its own gym, open to the barangay. Mr. Guinto said the parish wants its people to divert their attention from vices.
MINOR BASILICA DE SAN LORENZO RUIZ (BINONDO CHURCH), MANILA
Founded by Dominican priests to serve their Chinese converts, the Binondo Church is evidence of the Philippines being a melting pot of cultures. Built in 1596, the church was renamed in our time after Lorenzo Ruiz, the first canonized Filipino. Look up and appreciate the biblical images on the ceiling. Mass is held in Filipino, English, Mandarin, and Hokkien.
Fun fact: Designed by Spanish architect Domingo de la Cruz Gonzales, the church has an octagonal bell tower that signifies the Chinese culture rooted in Binondo.
Declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a heritage site in 1993, San Agustin is the oldest stone church in the Philippines, built in 1589. Old yet strong, San Agustin has survived war and earthquakes -- and our history is filled with both. Besides its centuries of stories to tell, the San Agustin Church boasts solemn, sometimes eerie, but altogether beautiful interiors. There are 12 chapels in this complex with their neoclassical retablo, or devotional iconography. A gilded pulpit which dates to 1627 complements the elegance of the interiors. It isn’t surprising that many couples choose to tie the knot in this majestic church, and that the writer Gemma Cruz-Araneta made this church a setting in one of her poignant and illicit love stories.
Fun fact: While San Agustin accommodates the daily churchgoers, it is also home to the dead. On the left side of the altar is a museum where lies the tomb of the Spanish pioneer linked to the history of the city of Manila, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. The church also houses the remains of deceased members of the Zobel de Ayalas, Sorianos, and Roxases, among other families.
STA. ANA CHURCH, MANILA
The church’s splendor lies in its simplicity. Look up and see a dome that features a painting of 16 holy men and women. To its sides, one appreciates the elaborate stained glass window. The altar features a retablo too. But perhaps the main feature of Sta. Ana Church, built in 1578, is the replica of the Our Lady of the Abandoned brought from Valencia, Spain to Manila in 1717. In October 1966, the inner patio and surrounding areas of the church were excavated after children playing in the patio were seen holding portions of pottery and china. National Museum archeologist Doctor Robert Fox led an excavation that yielded a blue and white floral Chinese bowl from the 11th century, the oldest artifact in this find. The artifacts are now in the National Museum.
Fun fact: There was a time in the Pacific War that Japanese soldiers ordered the bells of Sta. Ana silent for months. The bells were rung to herald the arrival of the Americans.
SAN SEBASTIAN, QUIAPO
Devotees should include in their visita a trip to this church, for a more peaceful visit. You may take photos of the church and its interiors and admire its unique beauty. Declared by the UNESCO as a National Historical Landmark, San Sebastian or the Basilica Minore de San Sebastian, was constructed in 1890 and inaugurated the next year. It is the only neo-gothic steel church in Asia. According to the UNESCO website, the steel parts were manufactured in Belgium and shipped to Manila in 1888. Upon entrance, chandeliers light up the interiors, amplifying the colors of the stained glass windows. The spiral staircases add a touch of elegance too.
Fun fact: Filipino artists were responsible for the magnificence of San Sebastian. Artist Lorenzo Rocha and his students painted the steel parts of the walls, ceiling, and columns to resemble marble and jasper. Another Filipino artist, Lorenzo Guerrero, designed the altar, pulpit, and confessionals, and also made the statues together with fellow artist Eulogio Garcia.
MANILA CATHEDRAL, INTRAMUROS
A visita iglesia wouldn’t be complete without visiting the premier cathedral and basilica in the country. Recently restored and reopened, the Manila Cathedral is still the favorite must-see among local and international pilgrims, the most notable so far being Pope Francis. The church was constructed in 1581 by Domingo de Salazar, the first archbishop of Manila. It was first made from wood, bamboo, and nipa.
Fun fact: The current Manila Cathedral (1958-present) is now on its eighth reconstruction, after a long history of disasters. The first cathedral was ravished by fire. The second cathedral was almost destroyed by a strong earthquake. An earthquake also caused the renovation of the third cathedral. The succeeding renovations were also impeded by strong typhoons and earthquakes.
SANTUARIO DE STO. DOMINGO, QUEZON CITY
If Sto. Domingo had a diary, it would be filled with entries because of the many events in this church. Disaster struck its original location in Manila time and again through the centuries, from fires and earthquakes to the bombings during the Pacific War. In its new location along Quezon Avenue, the church withstood another fire, which the great artist Fernando Amorsolo depicted on canvas. The church is also noted for being the home of the image of Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval, the oldest Marian icon in the country. And in our modern political history, this church was the scene of the biggest funeral attendance for a slain opposition leader, Benigno S. Aquino Jr.
Fun fact: National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco made the eight murals seen in the church, which represented some of the important events in the life of St. Dominic de Guzman, the church patron. Gala Ocampo designed the stained glass windows.
ST. PANCRATIUS PARISH, LA LOMA
Never make St. Pancratius Parish your last stop for church hopping. Unless you’re up for a spooky kind of adventure. No, the small parish with its 600-seating capacity isn’t scary at all, but it is right in La Loma Cemetery. “Although there isn’t any bad spirits inside the church, the locals said there are some sightings within the area,” pastoral worker Menandro Guinto said.
Fun fact: Despite the spooky aura, the parish has its own gym, open to the barangay. Mr. Guinto said the parish wants its people to divert their attention from vices.
MINOR BASILICA DE SAN LORENZO RUIZ (BINONDO CHURCH), MANILA
Founded by Dominican priests to serve their Chinese converts, the Binondo Church is evidence of the Philippines being a melting pot of cultures. Built in 1596, the church was renamed in our time after Lorenzo Ruiz, the first canonized Filipino. Look up and appreciate the biblical images on the ceiling. Mass is held in Filipino, English, Mandarin, and Hokkien.
Fun fact: Designed by Spanish architect Domingo de la Cruz Gonzales, the church has an octagonal bell tower that signifies the Chinese culture rooted in Binondo.
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