4.23.2014

[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. :)




21 comments:

  1. The last time I visited San Agustin was summer of 2012 when hubby and I attended a wedding. But believe it or not, I have never been inside the Manila Cathedral. Must go there one day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. These churches are so load and have withstand the test of time. I am so glad to know that they have renovated the Manila Cathedral.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am all for the restoration of old edifices. i am glad they did that. pero yung sa metropolitan theater, they didn't. sayang. :(

      Delete
  3. The only church that we visit every Holy Week is Caleruega. I've been to Manila Cathedral when I attended my friend's wedding.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had visita iglesia in Silang, Cavite but never reached Caleruega. Maybe we would take that route in the future.

      Delete
  4. I love the restoration work they did on Manila Cathedral.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I haven't been to this two churches and haven't done Vista Inglesia this year. Next year, these two churches will be on my list of churches to visit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it is always nice to revisit that part of Manila once in a while. :)

      Delete
  6. I haven't been to any of these churches. Hope to go to any of these in the near future..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. if you're into visita iglesia, try to go there, too. or if you just want to see the churches, Mitch. include the Malate Church, too.:)

      Delete
  7. I really love your photos! I hope to do a visita iglesia in the future when my kids get a little more bigger. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I get to visit these churches during friends weddings and they are simply stunning! Reminded me of the sad event that hit the many beautiful churches in Bohol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sayang nga when those old Bohol churches collapsed. :(

      Delete
  9. I want to see the Manila cathedral now and see the improvements as well. NICE visita iglesia!:)

    ReplyDelete
  10. We also went to San Agustin and Manila Cathedral during Visita Iglesia. We might have crossed paths in Intramuros..hehe

    ReplyDelete
  11. You got me on the food! Specially the piyaya!

    Where are planning your Visita Iglesia next year? where in North? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Our next visita iglesia will be in Pampanga, hubby's hometown. :)

      Delete

i would love to hear your thoughts about this post, :)