[SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH & MANILA CATHEDRAL revisited]

Our 'visita iglesia' this year took us not down south but in Manila & QC.

We have been to these two old churches countless times before, back when we were still living in Manila. In fact, some cousins also got married here.  We had the chance to revisit the place  during the holy week respite.

San Agustin Church is one of four Philippine churches built during the Spanish colonial period designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

This Baroque church

is known for its trompe'loeil murals in the ceiling & wall areas.

Manila Cathedral (Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica) has recently re-opened after undergoing retrofitting works.

This Neo-Romanesque church hasn't lost its charm, especially after the repairs, because the architraves, rose windows,

& the interior colonnades & domes leave one appreciative of classical architecture. 

After saying our prayers, we explored General Luna Street, 

where throngs of devotees

walked on streets made of cobblestones

passed by old buildings

& rode a 'calesa'.

Before leaving for the next church to visit, we tried some street food-tripping.

We raved about the squid balls,

the grilled 'pusit' (squid),

the flour-coated 'isaw' (chicken intestines),

& the warm 'piaya' (muscovado flatbreads) in chocolate, 'ube' (yam) & caramel variants.

We had no qualms buying food there because the concessionaires practiced food safety & good sanitation by keeping their surrounding areas spotless & free from flies. Even the sauces/condiments were with individual dipping spoons. Their cooking equipment were likewise clean. Street food at its best. Kudos to the organizers for this.  :)

The next churches we went to were 

*Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish (along Mindanao Avenue, QC)

*Parish of the Holy Sacrifice (inside the UP Diliman campus)

*Santa Maria Della Strada Parish Church (along Katipunan Avenue, QC)

*Monasterio de Sta. Clara (along C5 Katipunan Avenue, QC)

Next year, we plan to go up north, at nighttime,  in hubby's home province. The Lenten Week activity organizers in churches there go the extra mile by coming up with beautiful altar 'tableaus' to make spiritual reflections more meaningful for the devotees. As for our family, that  would be another trip to look forward to. :)