cemetery battleground

This is the 19th century chapel inside the La Loma cemetery. I really wanted to know what’s inside this beautiful church but it is closed and is no longer used…. a newer chapel was erected near the cemeteries entrance. And would you believe that this chapel is dedicated to St. Pancratius as well?

When I visited the Paco Park and found out that the patron of the cemetery’s church is St. Pancratius I immediately thought of this chapel inside the La Loma Cemetery. I wonder if St. Pancratius is the patron of cemeteries. I’ve searched about him and here’s what I found out : Born as a roman citizen who converted to Christianity and was beheaded for his faith at the age of 14 in the year 304. Anyone knows why he guards the chapels inside the cemeteries?

I guess I’m really odd because most people find cemeteries eerie and disturbing but not me… I have always been fascinated with cemeteries, I love looking at those beautiful mausoleums and old tombs, heck I even enjoy reading epitaphs. But I guess you’d love cemeteries as well if you’ve been inside the La Loma and Chinese Cemeteries. The mausoleums inside the cemeteries are exquisite and I believe it has been a tourist attraction already.

When I was a kid I often wonder why is there a cannon inside the cemetery, that cannon serves as our landmark, and when I searched the net I found out that the La Loma cemetery became a battleground in 1899, just before the turn of the century. Guess a lot of people didn’t know the historical significance of the cemetery because there are no historical markers about that battle. Read the battle story here.

paco park

Paco Park was once a cemetery during the Spanish period and was constructed in the late 18th century and was used to inter victims of the cholera epidemic which ravaged Manila in 1822. The cemetery stopped interment and burial in 1912 (don’t know why) and in 1966 it was converted into a national park.. This beautiful chapel was built inside the walls of the Paco Park and it was dedicated to St. Pancratius.



The cemetery is circular in shape with an inner circular fort that was the original cemetery and with the niches (three level of built-in-vaults) that were placed or located within the hollow walls. Originally the niches cost Php 20 for a 3-year renewable lease (no one was allowed to own the niches). The remains of our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, was interred here after his execution at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) on December 30, 1896.



During the WWII, Japanese forces used Paco Park as a central supply and ammunition depot. The high thick adobe walls around the park was ideal for defensive positions of the Japanese. Paco Park’s grandeur was slowly restored after the war and since then has remained as a public park and promenade for many teen age sweethearts who could spend quiet moments along the park’s benches and private alcoves.

pambansang museo

National Museum of the Philippines is located at Padre Burgos Street, Ermita and it was established on October 4, 1901. The museum proper shares its space with the courts and jail of Manila and the Senate of the Republic. The person responsible for the growth and expansion of the museum was an American who fell in love with the archipelago while serving in the US Navy during World War II. The foundations of its ethnographic collection date back to the St. Louis World's Fair of 1904.

Sorry if the the image is blurry coz this photo was taken using my cellphone's camera. Took it from inside the LRT, the train got some technical problems and it stopped midstation to UN station. I have a confession to make, i still haven't visited this museum. I know i ought to visit this place, but i always find some lame excuse not to. Have you visited a museum lately?

MacArthur bridge

Still at the MacArthur Bridge. Of the 8 major bridges that spans Manila, this bridge is my favorite.

Photo below was taken at the center of the bridge, with LRT1 and the Pasig River ferry.

i shall return

Gen. Douglas MacArthur famous quote, his statement after leaving the Philippines in 1942 during the World War II and he did return two years later. This statue depicts his return. This statue can be found at the foot of MacArthur Bridge (from Ermita to Sta. Cruz)

Trivia: This statue used to be at the grounds of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, just right at the entrance... when i was in freshman i used to wonder why does MacAthur have a statue in my school? Then on my senior year, the statue "walked" to its rightful place.

436th araw ng maynila

Today is the 436th foundation anniversary of the City of Manila. Let me share with you the anthem of the Manila called "Awit sa Maynila"... as a student of Manila, we were required to memorize this song.

Tanging Lungsod naming mahal/ Tampok ng Silanganan/ Patungo sa kaunlaran/ At kaligayahan./ Nasa kanya ang pangarap/ Dunong, lakas, pag-unlad/ Ang Maynila'y tanging Perlas Ng Bayan ngayo't bukas./ MAYNILA, O, MAYNILA/ Dalhin mo ang Bandila/ MAYNILA, O, MAYNILA/ At itanghal itong Bansa.

Photo: MacArthur Bridge (from Sta. Cruz to Ermita)

the met

This is the Metropolitan Theatre on P. Burgos Street near the Manila Central Post Office Building. This art deco building was completed in 1935 by the design of Filipino architect Juan Arellano. This was once the main venue of operas and plays in Manila, but the building was destroyed during the Liberation of Manila in 1945. Reconstructions were made but as time goes by the building fell into desrepair in the 1960s, maybe because plays no longer holds the interest of the Filipinos at that time.

But even in its present state, the building still looks magnificent and the city of Manila is doing renovation to keep this beautiful architecture standing. If you would click on the image for a larger view, you would see men in red shirts at the roof working...changing the roof, and they're almost finished now.

Actually this building is my personal favorite not only because of its beauty but because this is where our high school graduation took place. This is where my friends and I said our goodbyes… a silent witness to the tears that we shed in farewell to our wonderful high school life.

Update (09/24/07): Mayor Alfredo Lim is spearheading the renovation of this theater back to its old grandeur. And that the Manila government is willing to ask big companies to to lend financial support in the restoration. Good news indeed!

Hotel reservations in Manila

manila central post office

The beautiful post office building at night... and at broad daylight.


The post office is located at Liwasang Bonifacio (formerly Plaza Lawton), just in case you want to send snail mails.

chinatown

Welcome to chinatown...I know you've seen this arch a thousand times already but it would be remiss of me not to post this... and its guardian.


The ongpin street... the place to find authentic chinese cuisine, medicine, and of course gold jewelries!

by calesa or by foot?

When i took this photo i didnt realized that there was a man in front of me because i was so intent in capturing the calesa passing by, but the man made my photo more beautiful i think... it looked like the calesa and the man were on a race.

I have always been fascinated with calesas, and i really love riding them. Maybe its because they are so scarce now a days that you only get to see them at escolta, binondo, divisoria, and at intramuros. Let me share with you this beautiful calesa song that we used to sing during elementary days.

Kalesa'y may pang-akit na taglay
Maginhawa't di maalinsangan
Nakahahalina kung pagmasdan
Kalesa ay pambayang sasakyan

Kabayo ay di natin problema
Pulot at damo lang ay tama na
Matulin din sa kalsada
Tumatakbong maginhawa
Wala pang gasolina

Kalesa ay panghatid tuwina
Nung panahon nina maria clara
Mga bayani nitong bayan
Sa kalesa'y dinuduyan

Kalesa'y nakaaaliw
Lalo na pag gumagabi
At kung kasama ko ang aking giliw
Mangangalesa na rin kami

Matulin din sa kalsada
Tumatakbong maginhawa
Wala pang gasolina