Shrine Of Nuestra Senora De Guia
The church was built in 1606, it was made of bamboo, nipa and mulawen at first. The church was oftentimes damaged by eartquake. It was rebuilt again in 1810 and damaged again in 1945 during “World War II”. The image of Nuestra Senora De Guia was originally homed at Manila Cathedral and transferred here in 1918. The present church was built in 1947.
Her image is the oldest in the Philippines having been discovered on May 19, 1571 around the seashore which is now the site of the Ermita Church by soldiers of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi after he took over possession of the city in honor of King Felipe II of Spain. It is said that the image must have been one of those brought to the country by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 and must have been sent by the Cebu native chiefs as a gift to one of the rajahs in Manila.
The Shrine of Nuestra Senora De Guia is popularly known as Ermita Church. That’s the best picture I can show you, it was dark already and this was my sixth church on my list. Remember, Visita Iglesia is at night time. The picture of the Altar of Repose from my Visita Iglesia article was taken here at Ermita Church or Nuestra Senora De Guia Church. Their Altar of Repose is really beautiful highlighted with all the flowers, curtains and lights.
Anyway, from Intramuros, another jeepney ride bound to Harrison or Baclaran will take you to Ermita, Manila. You can see the shrine at your left, few blocks from UN Avenue.
San Agustin Church
San Agustin Church originally known as Iglesia de San Pablo, founded in 1571 is the oldest stone church in the Philippines (built in 1586). It has withstood many earthquakes from 1645 up to the present and survived the British Invasion in 1762, the Spanish-American War in 1898 and the Japanese Invasion in 1942. In this church – the ashes of early Spanish Conquistadores Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, Salcedo, Lavezares and Blessed Pedro de Zuniga and others now rest in the easternmost chapel of the transept.
It was also declared by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as a World Heritage Site in 1993. In fact, it is one of the four Baroque Churches in the Philippines declared by UNESCO.
San Agustin Church is the fifth church I’ve visited. If I wasn’t mistaken, I think its three blocks away from Manila Cathedral. You’ll surely enjoy walking when you can see the old spanish buildings and walkway of Intramuros.
Manila Cathedral
From Sta. Cruz Church, take a jeepney ride heading to Pier. You can see from your left the Manila Cathedral. Actually, I’m happy that I finally saw the Cathedral with my own eyes on my first visit. Manila Cathedral is the fourth church on my Visita Iglesia list.
Upon seeing the official website of Manila Cathedral, I learned that I haven’t explore some parts of the cathedral. I didn’t saw the Chapels of St. Joseph, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Sacred Heart, Blessed Sacrament, St. Pius X, Ina Poon Bato, Sta. Potenciana, Sto. Nino, St. Jude, St. Peter and many more. I’m looking forward to my next visit to the Cathedral this summer.
Sta. Cruz Church
There were many people in Minor Basilica of Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church), the home of the miraculous Black Nazarene. Its not possible for me to take pictures of the church. From Quiapo church (2nd church), I walked into the streets of Raon to Sta. Cruz, you can take a pedicab ride to go to Sta. Cruz Church (3rd church).
Like Quiapo, there were many people at Sta. Cruz Church. Aside from offering a prayer, I did lit candles on this church, its my 2nd time to visit this church. The first time was one of my Visita Iglesia.
St Vincent De Paul Parish Church
Saint Vincent De Paul Parish Church is the first on my Visita Iglesia list. It is located at San Marcelino Street, Manila, Philippines near Kalaw Ave. The parish church is one of the favorite church for weddings for its solemnity and beautiful altar.
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