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📍 LA MADRE FILIPINA STATUES

1. PROGRESS

This La Madre Filipina is the third statue namely Progress. Located on the front of the Court of Appeals. But, before it was transferred there it was located on the northwest Binondo side of the bridge. The statue is depicted with an exhausted man holding a hammer. It symbolizes labor, and a child who is holding an orb, which represents power. The La Madre holds a torch which symbolizes truth and education, while looking at the child. The statues really imply a strong message upon the Filipinos, the children will have power over their future through the hard work of their elders who provides them with the education that they needed. Like what Rizal said, the youth are the hope of this country. On the other hand, since the Jones bridge is under the rehabilitation and beautification under the governance of Isko Moreno, It is now awaiting for its legal confirmation on returning the statue back to its original place.

REFERENCE:

Limos, M. A. (2015) “ These La Madre Filipina Statues Were Returned to Jones Bridge, But What Do They Mean? “ retrieved from the website https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/meaning-of-la-madre-statues-a00293-20191125-lfrm?fbclid=IwAR1YURwO6kZG8oVYNmWAIjP2FGOdtWR4kLDq2Ir48V8eszysnjCh1X-zJVM

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📍 LA MADRE FILIPINA STATUES

2. JUSTICE

Located on the northeast side of the Jones Bridge is the fourth La Madre Filipina namely Justice. Now it is located on the front of the Court of Appeals together with the third La Madre Filipina which is Progress. La Madre is depicted sitting in a stately manner with two children genuflecting on her sides. The child on her left is depicted with fasces, the symbol of collective governance, while the child on her right is depicted with a key and the tablet of the 10 Commandments, which represent law and order. The equal height of the two youths and the symmetry of this particular statue represents equality under the law.

REFERENCE:

Limos, M. A. (2015) “ These La Madre Filipina Statues Were Returned to Jones Bridge, But What Do They Mean? “ retrieved from the website https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/meaning-of-la-madre-statues-a00293-20191125-lfrm?fbclid=IwAR1YURwO6kZG8oVYNmWAIjP2FGOdtWR4kLDq2Ir48V8eszysnjCh1X-zJVM

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📍 LA MADRE FILIPINA STATUES

3. GRATITUDE

  On the southwest of the Jone’s bridge is the second La Madre Filipina statue namely Gratitude. The statue depicts a mother who is comforting the crying man on one side, while embracing a child holding a dove to her right. "This statue instructs the younger generation to be grateful to the older generation who suffered so that the next generation may live a rewarding and peaceful life," said Bukas. The statue was displayed in Rizal Park and recently reinstalled on the Jones Bridge.

 REFERENCE:

Limos, M. A. (2015) “ These La Madre Filipina Statues Were Returned to Jones Bridge, But What Do They Mean? “ retrieved from the website https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/meaning-of-la-madre-statues-a00293-20191125-lfrm?fbclid=IwAR1YURwO6kZG8oVYNmWAIjP2FGOdtWR4kLDq2Ir48V8eszysnjCh1X-zJVM

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LA MADRE FILIPINA STATUES

4. DEMOCRACY

 Located on the southeast of the Jones’ bridge is the first La Madre Filipina statue. It symbolized the aspiration of the Filipino’s democractic rule. According to Lorenzo Bukas, a history enthusiast, this La Madre is holding a torch, it symbolizes truth and enlightenment. on her right hand and a bouquet of flowers in her left arm. Kneeling in front of her are two young Filipinos holding a laurel wreath that symbolizes triumph. It simply describes that our fellow Filipino will triumph through education and also a reminder for us. However, The current statue on the Jones’ bridge is only a replica because during the Battle of Manila, it was one of the statues that were destroyed and its ruins are lost at the bottom of the Pasig River.

REFERENCE:

Limos, M. A. (2015) “ These La Madre Filipina Statues Were Returned to Jones Bridge, But What Do They Mean? “ retrieved from the website https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/meaning-of-la-madre-statues-a00293-20191125-lfrm?fbclid=IwAR1YURwO6kZG8oVYNmWAIjP2FGOdtWR4kLDq2Ir48V8eszysnjCh1X-zJVM

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📍 Memorare Manila

1945

Located a few steps away from the Manila Cathedral, Plazuela de Santa Isabel used to form part of the old campus of Santa Isabel College before it was erased from existence during the Battle of Manila, along with almost everything else in the city. In its place, a memorial was placed which was first unveiled during the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Manila in February 18, 1995.

The memorial features a work by Peter de Guzman (who, incidentally, also made the sculpture dedicated to the La Sallian brothers who were killed in the Battle of Manila during the De La Salle Massacre) which shows various figures representing the victims of the battle: those who have died, wounded, raped, tortured, distraught, weakened by hunger. Comforting them is a cloaked figure whose face is unseen, representing a mother who mourns their loss.

 One may be reminded of the famed sculpture by Michelangelo, The Pieta, upon seeing this sculpture, which can be taken as an inspiration for this work, only that this one bears more gloom and a sense of lost hope for what was lost and could never be regained.

 For an event as massive on a scale and tragedy as the Battle of Manila, the Memorare Manila 1945 stands today as an overlooked landmark in the Walled City, which somehow reflects the sad state of things today as far as how we remember the events of Manila1945. The least we can do at this point is pay a visit to this landmark and take time to remember and pay tribute to the victims of this dark chapter in our history that we and future generations would never go through the suffering that they went through.

(2015) “Memore Manila” retrieved from the website https://www.theurbanroamer.com/memorare-manila-1945/

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📍 Jones Bridge

Manila is dissected north and south by the Pasig River and of course, many esteros. As a matter of fact in the early 1900s, Manila had been referred to as “Venice of the Orient”, I guess before they called it the Pearl of the Orient, but I digress.

Living in Manila in the early Fifties and Sixties, we used to make our way to the stores, restaurants and theaters in the Binondo and Santa Cruz districts and specifically, the Escolta. Practically every day I would cross the Jones Bridge towards Plaza Moraga, turn right and head down to our store, the Gem Gift Shop, as well as all the great stores of the time (see my post on the Escolta). I took the Jones Bridge for granted, just another way of getting from one spot to another, not realizing its great history. So, in doing some research, I’ve been enlightened and delighted by what I’ve uncovered.

The Jones Bridge was designed by Juan M. Arellano (see his story on my post of the Manila Post Office). It was started in 1916 and finished in 1921, however, to really appreciate this once beautiful pre-war structure, we have to mention its forefather, the Bridge of Spain (Puente de España) so let’s go back in history a bit.

The first bridge to ever cross the Pasig River was the Puente Grande, a ten-span bridge opened in 1630 by the Spanish colonial government. Work on the bridge started in 1626 under the rule of Spanish Governor Fernando de Silva who reported that the city had decided to build a stone bridge over the river. The beam bridge connected Intramuros with the business district of Binondo, making the travel across much easier and faster than the ferry service that existed before.

The bridge was completed in 1630, under the rule of Juan Niño de Tabora. The bridge was built without cost to the treasury, as the Sangleys (Chinese) had paid for it since it relieved them of ferryboat charges during their frequent daily business travels to Binondo.

In 1814, the wooden superstructures were replaced with stone arches and the stone piers were strengthened. The bridge was also called Puente de Piedra (Stone Bridge), while the old name remained popular. The bridge was damaged when the center piers of the bridge sank during the earthquake of June 3, 1863, one of the strongest to hit the Philippines that leveled most of Manila,

REFERENCE:

Lougopal (2013) “Manila Nostalgia” retrieved fromthe website http://www.lougopal.com/manila/?paged=39

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📍 SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH

Intramuros, Manila

The San Agustin Church was the only building left intact after the destruction of Intramuros in WWII. Built between 1587 and 1606, it is the oldest church in the Philippines. The massive facade conceals an ornate interior filled with objects of great historical and cultural merit. Note the intricate trompe l’oeil frescos on the vaulted ceiling. Be sure to check out the tropical cloisters as well as the slightly shabby gardens out the back.

The present structure is actually the third to stand on the site and has weathered seven major earthquakes, as well as the Battle of Manila. It’s an active church and much in demand for weddings and other ceremonies.

You can access the church through the newly renovated San Agustin Museum, a treasure house of antiquities that give the visitor tantalising glimpses of the fabled riches of Old Manila. Check out the vaguely Chinese–looking Immaculate Conception statue in ethereal ivory.

The church is closed to tourists during Mass, though you may be able to sneak in.

The History of the Church


The San Agustin Church was under the auspices of the Agustinian Order. The friars took the cudgels in building the church. Like many structures during that time, the church of San Agustin was built with the use of nipa and bamboo. The building of the church started in 1571, it was then officially named as Iglesia y Convento de San Pablo.

In 1574, the Chinese pirate, Limahong invaded Manila. The invasion led to the burning of the city and the San Agustin Church was not spared. This led to the first reconstruction of the church a year later. The second church was made of wooden materials. Because of the choice of the structural material used, it remained risky to fire accidents. True enough, another fire caused the destruction of the church in 1583.

The Augustinian friars made sure not to commit the same mistakes and so they decided to build the new church using adobe stones. In 1586, they appointed Juan Macias to lead the design and construction of the church. It was only in 1607 that the declaration of its official completion was made. The structure endured even on the strongest earthquake that hit Manila from the 16th to 17th century. The only major damaged that the San Agustin endured was the collapse of one of the church’s bell tower, which was then permanently removed therafter.

Because of the church’s age, it has become a witness to many significant events in Philippine history during the Spanish period. In 1762, during the Seven Year’s War, British forces looted the church. In 1898, the church became a venue for American and Spaniards to discuss and sign the surrender of Manila to the Americans.

During the Second World War, the Japanese forces turned the San Agustin Church into a concentration camp for prisoners. As the Battle of Manila in 1945 draw to close, the Japanese held hostage priests and hundreds of residents inside the church. To drive out the remaining Japanese, American and Filipino forces conducted an air raid inside Intramuros. The bombardment led to the death of several civilians. After the shelling of Intramuros, structures in the walled city was reduced to rubbles but the San Agustin Church remained one of the standing churches after the war.

Today, the church remains a charm of the Walled City of Intramuros. It is also home to the tomb of the first governor-general Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and other Spanish conquistadors including Juan de Salcedo and Martin de Goiti. Its façade is massive like those found in Ilocos churches but San Agustin’s facade appears lighter because of its ornamentation and elaborate curves. The ornate interior is filled with intricate trompe l’oeil frescoes. Notwithstanding, the San Agustin Museum is home to a collection of Spanish era artifacts, furniture, paintings, statues and other church ornaments.

San Agustin church has been one of the premier churches during the Spanish period. It served as the source of the political influence of the Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines. Today, its contribution to nationhood will forever be embedded in the history of our country.

REFERENCES

“About San Agustin.” San Agustin Church Official Website, 2011. Web. 4 Nov. 2011.

Chan, Peter. Christianities in Asia. United Kingdom: John Wiley and Sons Ltd. 2011

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📍 ARCHDIOCESAN SHRINE OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT - STA CRUZ PARISH

Carriedo St, Binondo, Manila, 1008 Metro Manila The Sta. Cruz Parish Church in Manila has been elevated and is now known as the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament through the decree of Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. Sta. Cruz Church is a baroque Roman Catholic church located in Santa Cruz district in Manila. It was built when the arrabal (suburb) of Santa Cruz was established by the Jesuit Order in the early 17th century. The church had undergone many repairs and reconstruction, with the last reconstruction done in the 1950s. The church’s façade is topped with an image of Our Lady of the Pillar, the patroness of the church, whose feast is held every third Sunday of October. On December 7 last year, Pope Francis granted the canonical coronation of the venerated image. The Jesuits built the first Catholic church in the area where the present Santa Cruz Parish stands on June 20, 1619. The original church design was made of stone and wood. The Jesuits enshrined the image of Our Lady of Pilar in 1643 to serve the predominantly Chinese residents in the area. The first church was made of stone and wood was built in the 17th century. On June 3, 1863 an earthquake destroyed the church. Fr. Agustin de Mendoza began reconstruction work on the church in 1868. The church facade is characteristically Baroque with Ionic piers vertically dividing the first two levels in three parts. Three semicircular arch doorways form as main entrance to the church. A Celtic-like window flanked by small semicircular windows is found at the center of the second level. Forming as the pediment, the topmost level has its raking cornice in undulating liens emanating from the broken pediment found above the statued niche. The domed belfry rises on the right in six levels The original structure of the church was twice damaged by earthquakes and then completely destroyed during the Battle of Manila. The present building of the church, reconstructed in 1957, was designed to reflect the Spanish baroque style.

REFERENCE:

Retrieved from the website https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Cruz_Church_(Manila)

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📍 MANILA CATHEDRAL

Intramuros, Manila

also known as Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica (Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception) is a magnificent church completed in 1959. Originally, it was first established in 1571 as the church in Manila (at that time, it was made of wood) but after years of events, earthquakes and calamities; it was destroyed and rebuilt for many times– and this is the eighth cathedral still wonderfully standing until now.

The main facade of the cathedral is graced by statues of famous saints sculpted in Roman travertine stone.

Located at the southern bank of Pasig River and just north of Rizal Park, Intramuros is the oldest district in the city of Manila. It was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century and as such, you can see Spanish architecture and influences there.

However, according to the Manila Cathedral’s official website, the present cathedral is actually the eighth. Now I am confused! If it is true that this is the eighth cathedral, then that means the marker placed on the facade is giving the wrong information

The Manila Cathedral had hosted the funerals of two former Presidents of the Philippines, namely Carlos P. Garcia, the 8th President of the Philippines in 1961 and Corazon Aquino, the 11th President of the Philippines (and the mother of the current Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III) in 2009.

The cathedral also has a crypt below the main altar that houses the remains of past Archbishops of Manila.

SCHEDULE OF MASSES:

Monday to Friday: 7:30 - 8:30AM; 12:15 - 1:15PM

Saturday: 7:30 - 8:30AM

Sunday:

7:00 - 8:00AM

8:30 - 9:30AM

10:00 - 11:00AM

11:30 - 12:30NN

6:00 - 7:00PM

CONFESSION:

Monday to Friday: 7AM and 11:30AM

Saturday: 7AM

Sunday:7:00AM, 8:30AM, 10:00AM, 11:30 AM

A travel that satisfies the heart

and fills the brain with cherished memories.

This is Manilatour_fm2b

REFERENCE:

Jessrosete (2012) “Manila Cathedral” retrieved from the website http://travel-licious.blogspot.com/2012/01/manila-cathedral.html

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📍 SAN SEBASTIAN CHURCH MANILA

In 1621, Don Bernardino Castillo, a generous patron and a devotee of the Christian martyr Saint Sebastian, donated the land upon which the church stands now. The original church, made of wood, burned in 1651 during a Chinese uprising. The succeeding structures, which were built of brick, were destroyed by fire and earthquakes in 1859, 1863, and 1880.

In the 1880s, Estebán Martínez, the parish priest of the ruined church, approached the Spanish architect, Genaro Palacios, with a plan to build a fire and earthquake-resistant structure made entirely of steel. Palacios completed a design that fused Earthquake Baroque with the Neo-Gothic style. His final design was said to have been inspired by the famed Gothic Burgos Cathedral in Burgos, Spain.

According to The Rustic Nomad , San Sebastian Church also known as Basilica Menor de San Sebastian is the Philippines’ one and only church made entirely of steel and a perfect example of a neo-Gothic architecture. The current structure of the church was completed in 1891 , the entire church is made from fabricated steel that came all the way from Belgium . It is one of the few major structures in Manila that wasn’t completely damaged during World War II and the intricate details inside is as impressive as what you’ll see in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. In 2006 , San Sebastian Church was included in the Tentative List for possible designation as a World Heritage Site . It was designated as a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine Government in 1973

Upon entering the door , the vast interior , warmly lit crystal chandeliers and light entering from the church door radiates a warm feel. On the sides , the animated colors of stained glass windows where it is painted about the life of Jesus Christ.

The walls of the church were a mix of sand , gravel and cement. The interior of the Basiica are made of exquisite groined vaults , a true Gothic architecture – style . The façade is painted in light blue with towering aspires . Inside is mostly in shades of brown. It has a majestic murals on top of the dome with images of saints.

San Sebastián Church has two openwork towers and steel vaulting. The basilica’s central nave is twelve meters from the floor to the dome, and thirty-two meters to the tip of the spires.

The interior of the church displays groined vaults in the Gothic architecture style. The steel columns, walls and ceiling were painted by Lorenzo Rocha and his students to give the appearance of marble and jasper. Trompe l'oeil paintings were used to decorate the interiors of the church. True to the Gothic revival spirit of the church are its confessionals, pulpit, altars and five retablos designed by Lorenzo Guerrero and Rocha. The sculptor Eusebio García carved the statues of holy men and women. Six holy water fonts were constructed for the church, each crafted from marble obtained from Romblon.

Above the main altar is an image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, given to the church by Carmelite sisters from Mexico City in 1617. The image withstood all the earthquakes and fires which had destroyed previous incarnations of San Sebastián Church, but its ivory head was stolen in 1975.

REFERENCE:

Dacumos, J. (2012) “Basilica of San Sebastian in Manila” retreieved from the website https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/Basilica-of-San-Sebastian-in-Manila

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📍 MINOR BASILICA OF SAINT LORENZO RUIZ

Binondo, Manila

The Minor Basilica of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, also known as the Binondo Church and formerly known as Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish. It is located in the district of Binondo, Manila in front of Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz. In the year 1596 it was founded by Dominican priests to serve their Chinese converts to Christianity. During the British bombardment in 1762, the original building was destroyed. On the same site, a new granite church was completed. However, during the Second World War it was greatly damaged, and the only surviving structure on the building was the western facade and the octagonal belfry surviving.

Before the Spanish invasion in the Philippines,there was already a community of Chinese traders living in Manila. It was increased with the advent of Spanish colonization. Due to the upsurge population, Catholic missionaries manage the conversions of Chinese population to the Catholic Faith.

In the 18th Century the church was transferred to its present site, a new church was built to accomodate the new Christian community. In 1778, due to the attack of termites, the wooden roof was replaced by nipa because it was destroyed. In 1863, the earthquake caused slight damage to the structure. It continued to sustain damages during wars and various natural disasters. Before the war, it was considered as one of the most beautiful churches in the country. Its bell tower was composed of five stories, octagonal in shape. Its too was a mirador or also called as viewing window. However this roof was destroyed during the 1863 earthquake.

The structure was destroyed during the American bombing on September 22, 1944. Everything including the archives of the parish. Except the stone walls of the church amd the fire tiered octagonal belltower. The original facade, with few renovations, is similar of the Italian High Renaissance churches. The facade is buttressed on the sides by pilaster mass terminated by urn-like decorations. The altas of the church was inspired and loosely modeled after the St. Peter’s Basilica located in Vatican City. Also, Andres Bonufacio and Gregoria de Jesus were married through a Catholic ceremony on March 1893 or 1894.

REFERENCE:

Retrieved from the website https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binondo_Church

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📍 MT. CARMEL SHRINE

(Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel) The Quezon City district of New Manila is a haven for various Catholic orders, with many chapels and convents scattered around the area. The Mount Carmel Parish is part of the third wave of Discalced Carmelites missions to the Philippines, which started in 1923, with the arrival of four French nuns from Hue, Vietnam, to the shores of Jaro, Iloilo. In this first wave, the Convent Carmel of Thérèse of Lisieux was founded in 1926, along Gilmore Avenue, in New Manila. The second wave also began in Infanta, Quezon Province, in 1946; and this time the Discalced Carmelite friars were now leading the wave. Part of the third wave that started in Jaro, Iloilo, the Anglo-Irish Carmelite friars established a foundation in 1954, in New Manila, Quezon City, and on December 30 of the same year, the cornerstone was laid for the new church. The new church was dedicated as a shrine to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which the first Carmelites named in the construction of their first monastery on Mount Karmel (Har HaKarmel) in the northern territories of Israel, during the 12th Century. The order of Carmelite started with Christian hermits living in Har HaKarmel, during the Crusades, who chose the mountain where the prophet Elijah had lived and challenged the priests of the god Baal, as a reflection of their faith against the Muslims who have taken over the holy city of Jerusalem. The old friary is built around the cave, which is believed to be where Elijah had stayed. The Marian incarnation the Carmelite hermits first sought patronage was the “Stella Maris” (Star of the Sea), as to guide them in their pious life. The Catholic order of the Discalced Carmelites was established in 1593 by the Spaniards Saint John of the Cross (San Juan de la Cruz; 1542-1591) and Saint Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus (1515-1582), as part of the Catholic Church’s Counter Reformation. An emphasis to the devotion to these founding saints was emphasized in the Mount Carmel Parish, with the installation of two sculptures of the saints, near the entrance of the church, in 2004. The erection of these sculptures was part of the church’s celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the founding of church. There are also icons of the two saints at the transepts of the church. Construction of the church started in 1954, and it was designed by Arch. Maximo Vicente, Jr., while his father, Maximo Sr., carved many of the religious icons throughout the church. Maximo Jr.’s beautiful modernist approach to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish has strong influence for his work under the National Artist for Architecture, José María Velez Zaragoza (1912-1994), whom the father and son team work for, in the creation of the Santo Domingo Church (1952-1954), along Quezon Avenue. While still under construction, the first mass was held on December 21, 1958; and the church was finally completed and blessed on July 16, 1964.For his design of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Maximo Jr. received the Philippine Institute of Architects (PIA) Gold Medal of Merit.

REFERENCE:

Resurrection, L. (2019) “ Mount Carmel national shrine now a minor basilica “ retrieved from the website https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/03/31/mount-carmel-national-shrine-now-a-minor-basilica/ 

THE GROUP MEMBERS:

BALBIDO, LAUREN

CAGURUNGAN, KRIZZA

MENDOZA, GABRIEL

SIOCO, YLORA

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