Metro Manila is known as the place where there are plenty of traffic jams, busy metropolitan scenario, hectic schedule of the people and the urban atmosphere. Despite of the city ambiance in the Metro, there are preserved religious treasures that played an important role in the history of the region and the fact that National Capital Region (NCR) is an ideal place for Visita Iglesia. The urban area is populous yet accessible to transportation modes.
 |
| The San Sepulcro Parish Church in Laguna was visited by many devotees during Holy Week. |
The first church that I visited which is located outside the south of Metro Manila is the San Sepulcro Parish Church in San Pedro City, Laguna. The church is near in my home town. In addition, the church is popular among religious devotees especially during the Holy Week where the miraculous Jesus in Holy Sepulchre, also known as Lolo Uweng can be found here. It is a pilgrim's place for healing since some devotees believed that Lolo Uweng may grant your wishes and heal your illnesses through praying.
 |
| Saint Peregrine Laziosi Church |
I also visited the Saint Peregrine Laziosi Church in Tunasan, Muntinlupa City. Saint Peregrine is the patron saint of the cancer patients. It became a parish on 1985 and it is under the pastoral care of the Order of Servants of Mary. In addition, there are many testimonies of healing happened in this church.
 |
| Saint Joseph Parish Church, the home of Las Pinas Bamboo Organ |
From Muntinlupa, I went to Las Pinas City to visit one of the historical churches, the Saint Joseph Parish Church. It houses the cultural treasure, the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ a pipe organ made mostly with bamboo pipes. It was completed by Father Diego Cera in 1824, the builder of the town's stone church and the first resident Catholic parish priest. It was shipped to Germany in 1972 for restoration because it was unplayable for a long period of time due to ages and numerous disasters. The organ was returned in 1975 and it became a National Cultural Treasure in 2003.
 |
| The Las Pinas Bamboo Organ, a National Cultural Treasure. |
The Saint Andrew Cathedral in Paranaque City is the next stop for this pilgrimage. Built in 1590, it is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. The church is the seat of Roman Catholic Diocese of Paranaque that comprises the cities of Paranaque, Las Pinas and Muntinlupa.
 |
| Saint Andrew Cathedral |
A few minutes away from the town proper, the National Shrine of Our Mother or Perpetual Help also known as the Redemptorist Church located in Baclaran. It is a prominent Catholic national shrine located in Roxas Boulevard, it enshrines the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. It is also historical where the late Pope John Paul II visited the church on 1981. Prior to that, he first celebrated the Holy Eucharist here as the Cardinal - Archbishop of Krakow as Karol Jozef Wojtyla on 1973.
 |
| Baclaran Church |
I visited again the Malate Church, Santa Cruz Church and Binondo Church after two years which was my first Visita Iglesia in Manila. There are renovations made in the church especially in Malate and Binondo as part of the restoration program of the heritage sites in Manila. In addition, I also walked from Santa Cruz Church passing the Chinatown in order to make it in Binondo Church.
 |
| Malate Church |
 |
| The facade of Santa Cruz Church |
 |
| The Binondo Church with its renovated facade. |
Lastly, I also visited the San Sebastian Church in Quiapo. Recently, the church has encountered threats to structural integrity where there are rust and corrosion in its steel structure due to sea breeze near the Manila Bay. In fact, the San Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation Inc. holds day tours in the church. During the visit, there are tour guides who tell us the story of the church and the advocacy of preserving the National Cultural Treasure.
 |
| The Basilica Minore de San Sebastian is the only steel church in the Philippines. |
 |
| The tour guide is telling the advocacy of preserving the San Sebastian Church. |
 |
| The interior of the steel church. |
Despite of the urban life in the Metro, these religious structures are still treasured by the local government and the Catholic church. They went to restoration programs by doing major renovations in their structure because they want to preserve these cultural treasures in order to save our heritage not just from natural disasters but also to continue the Filipino cultural legacy in our society up to the future.
Date: March 24, 2016
The triangular roof or Saint Peregrine Laziosi Church looks fascinating. The structure looks like Earthquake-proof.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to the music produced by that Bamboo Organ. I wonder if Saint Joseph Parish use it during their Mass. The sound must be magnificus.
If I'm going to pick the best Church facade from your post, I'd pick The Binondo Church. I like how they partly painted it red.
Great list! I'll definitely bookmark this post- next on my list is Visita Iglesia sa Metro Manila churches.
ReplyDeleteI think the San Sepulcro Church you were referring to is the one located in Landayan.
ReplyDeleteI have been to the Binondo Church recently and I learned that San Lorenzo Ruiz shrine is housed there.
Yup it is located in Brgy Landayan, San Pedro, Laguna :)
Delete