Category Archives: Metropolitan Manila

Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Niño (Tondo, Manila)

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Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Nino de Tondo

This church, also known as Santo Niño de Tondo Parish or Tondo Church, is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Manila.  The church is home to the second oldest Sto. Niño (which originally came from Acapulco, Mexico) in the Philippines, next to the Sto. Niño De Cebu (1521).

The Neo-Classical façade

It was first built around 1625, damaged during the November 30, 1645 Luzon earthquake, and destroyed in 1661 for fear that Koseng (Koxinga), a Chinese pirate from Hermosa Island (Formosa, now Taiwan) might use it as its headquarters.

Historical plaque installed by Philippines Historical Committee in 1939

It was rebuilt that same year and completed in 1695.  In 1734, its facade and two bell towers were rebuilt during the term of Father Diego Bergaño.  The church was damaged during the 1740 earthquake, rebuilt, for the third time, by Fr. Manuel Diez Gonzalez in 1741, heavily damaged during the June 3, 1863 earthquake, rebuilt for the third time by Father Manuel Diez Gonzalez and completed around 1874 by Father Casimiro Herrero (parish priest of Tondo from 1874 to 1880) who followed the plans of architect Luciano Oliver in 1873.

Historical plaque of Decree of Erection as a Archdiocesan Shrine

In 1893, an organ imported from the renowned Amezua Organeros of Barcelona, Spain and was installed. It had one main keyboard with 56 keys and a pédalier with 19 keys and four combinations. During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, the church was used as a cuartel. In 1997, aside from major repairs, carillon bells were installed by Msgr. Emmanuel Sunga.

The shrines interior

Measuring 65 meters (213 feet) long, 22 meters (72 feet) wide and 17 meters (56 feet) high, this church has a majestic, adobe stone-faced and scantily ornamented Neo-Classical facade with a recessed main entrance, rectangular  Ionic  pilasters, semicircular arched open and blind windows, pedimented square blind windows and a triangular pediment with a centrally located clock at the tympanum and topped by a belfry tempietto.

The main altar and retablo

Massive buttresses support the discordant domes of the flanking bell towers and its bases have openings to the side aisles.    There are also blind arched openings that contrast with the rectangular voids and a triangular pediment. Its interiors is composed of a main central nave  flanked by two aisles that are linked by solid columns.

Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Niño: 600 Lorenzo Chacon Street, Tondo, Manila. Tel: (632) 245-5412.  Fax: (632) 245-5417. Feast of the Holy Child: Third Sunday of January.

Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Joseph of Navotas (Navotas City, Metro Manila)

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Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Joseph of Navotas

This city’s church had its beginning as a temporary chapel started in November 1859 and finished the next year. In 1860, bell tower was added and the convent rebuilt by Fr. Matias Novoa (and continued by Fr. Julian Diez).

A stronger stone structure was started in January 1868 by Fr. Manuel Perez and finished by Fr. Guillermo Cuevas on October 23, 1877. The strong July 1880 earthquake destroyed the convent. In 1889, the present church was started by Fr. Mariano Rivas and continued and finished by Fr. Tomas Agudo from 1892 to August 1895.

Historical plaque installed by the National Historical Commission in 2021

The February 14, 1934 earthquake destroyed the sanctuary and ceiling of the church. During World War II, the church was used by the Japanese as their headquarters and as a prison.  From 1964 to March 1968, the church was renovated with two wings for side altars built.  The facade was plastered with white cement which concealed the richness of the original stone which was probably secured from Malabon quarries.

The church interior

On June 28, 2003, the church was placed under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Caloocan and, on May 1, 2021, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, the church was declared as a Diocesan Shrine.

Main altar and retablo

The church has a simple, massive Neo-Classic facade with three main openings, two pairs of attached pilasters supporting a Greek pediment with a rose window and semicircular arched arcade.  Latticework (calado) above the main entrance allows light and ventilation inside the church.  On the upper part of the church facade is the inscription of the year “1892.”

Side altar

Inside are a main nave and two aisles.  On the upper panel of the main wooden floor are four bas-reliefs depicting Augustinian symbols.  On pedestals are the statues of St. Monica and St. Augustine.  The old retablo was removed during the 1964 to 1968 renovation and the main altar has been restored.

Choir loft

Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Joseph of Navotas: Mariano Naval St., Brgy. San Jose, 1485 Navotas City. Tel: (02) 8282-9126.  Feast of St. Joseph of Navotas: First Sunday of May.

How to Get There: Navotas City is located 14.3 kms. (a 35-min. drive) from Manila and 6.3 kms. (a 25-min. drive) from Malabon City.

Church of St. Bartholomew the Apostle (Malabon City, Metro Manila)

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Church of St. Bartholomew the Apostle)

This church, one of the most beautiful examples of Spanish ecclesiastical architecture in the country, was first built in 1621 by Fr. Diego de Robles and Fr. Francisco Valencia added the transept in 1835.  In 1854, Fr. Raymundo Cueto added the two lateral aisles and the barrel vault (media naranja) dome under the direction of Architects Viña and Urquiza.  The construction of the Parthenon-like facade and the two bell towers was supervised by Father Martin Ruiz and directed by Architect Luciano Oliver.

Historical plaque installed by the National Historical Commission in 2015

The church was heavily damaged during World War II and its facade was restored in 1951 by Filipino secular Fr. Trinidad.  In 1958, the dome, transept, main altar and bell tower were repaired by Father Reyes.  The church measures 70.14 m. (230.1 ft.) long, 20.05 m. (82.2 ft.) wide and has a central nave, two lateral aisles, a transept and a barrel vault dome topped by a campanile.

The entrance porch with imposing colonnade

Its Graeco-Roman temple facade has an entrance porch supported by an imposing colonnade with eight Ionic columns which, in turn, supports a protruding triangular pediment.    Above the main entrance (a Jubilee door decorated with wood carvings) is the inscribed Augustinian  symbol and the year “1861.”

The church interior

Two three-storey bell towers, with seven bells, flank the recessed front facade. One bell is dedicated to St. Rita of Cascia, another to St. Bartholomew the Apostle while another bell has the name of Fr. Guillermo Diaz, OSA (minister of Tambobong from 1881 to 1885) inscribed on it.

The numerous paintings, framed with gold leaf, lining the church ceiling 

The church ceiling is lined with numerous paintings framed with gold leaf. The sanctuary has a simple yet elegant retablo with an image of St. Bartholomew the Apostle above which is the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the tabernacle below, and the images of St. Augustine and St. Nicholas de Tolentine on both sides.

The main altar and retablo

Church of St. Bartholomew the Apostle: Rizal Ave. Extension, Brgy. San Agustin, Malabon City. Tel/Fax: (632) 281-1266.  Feast of St. Bartholomew the Apostle: August 24. Coordinates: 14°39′32″N 120°57′05″E.

How to Get There: Malabon City is located 10.1 kms. (a 25-min. drive) north of Manila, 6.3 kms. (a 20-min. drive) from Navotas City and 5.5 kms. (a 15-min. drive) from Valenzuela City.

Cathedral Parish of St. Roch (Caloocan City, Metro Manila)

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Cathedral Parish of St. Roch

Commonly known as Caloocan Cathedral, it is the cathedral or seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalookan.  The cathedral, dedicated St. Roch (San Roque in the Philippines), started as a small visita (chapel-of-ease) initiated by Manuel Vaquero (assistant priest of Tondo, Manila) in 1765 in Libis Aromahan (Sitio de Espinas), one of the districts of Caloocan. In 1819, a new and bigger church was constructed by Vicente de San Francisco Xavier on its present site in Paltok, an elevated district in the town of Caloocan, and was finished in 1847 under Cipriano Garcia.

Historical plaque installed by the National Historical Commission in 2022

During the Philippine Revolution against the Spaniards, San Roque Church served as the meeting place of the Katipuneros coming from the west coast of Manila going to Balintawak. On February 10, 1899, during the Philippine–American War, the church was partly destroyed by US forces when Gen. Antonio Luna sought refuge at the church.

The main entrance

After its capture, the Americans used the whole area around the church as a field hospital. In 1900, American Gen. Arthur MacArthur, Jr. invaded Caloocan and San Roque Church was made caballeriza by the regiment of Col. Frederick Funston.

Entrance portico and driveway

In 1914, after the war, the church was reconstructed by the Confradia de Sagrado Corazon de Jesus under the administration of parish priest Fr.Victor Raymundo.

In 1934, Eusebio Carreon put black and white tiles along the aisles and, in 1947, Pedro Abad renovated the façade.  In 1962, Pedro Vicedo built additional wings on both sides of the church. In 1979, Fr. Boanerges “Ben” A. Lechuga renovated the church and, on November 30, 1981, it was blessed by Manila Cardinal Jaime Sin.

The new cathedral wing

In the Jubilee Year 2000, San Roque Church was declared one of the Jubilee Churches in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila.  After the new Diocese of Kalookan was created by Pope John Paul II on June 28, 2003, the church was elevated to a cathedral. On December 11, 2015, a relic from the bone of St. Roch, a gift from Pope Francis for the 200th anniversary of the parish, was brought out for public veneration in a vigil and deposited to the altar table during the dedication rite of the cathedral. On August 13, 2017, another bone relic of St. Roch was given to the cathedral from the Chapel of the Holy Relics in Cebu.

1899 photo of the church facade

AUTHOR’S NOTES:

The 1947 and 1979 renovations may have made a number of changes to church’s 1899 Baroque-style façade.   The first level still features statued niches and Tuscan and flat pilasters.  However, the entrance portico and flanking undulating walls and wings are new additions. The portico features Composite columns and is topped by a triangular pediment with a raking cornice topped by a balustrade.  The main entrance, formerly semicircular arched, now has a segmental arch.  

The second level, with its original massive flat pilasters, now features semicircular arched windows instead of rectangular ones.  The pediment still has its massive, central, two-level bell tower with semicircular blind and open windows.  The second level, with a balustrade, houses the bell. However, the tower is now topped by an empty niche and a cross.

The cathedral interior

Cathedral Parish of St. Roch: cor. of 10th Ave. and A. Mabini St., Poblacion, 1400 Caloocan City,  Tel: 8288-5252 and 8287-3693.  Feast of St. Roch: August 16.

How to Get There: Callocan City is located 27.7 kms. (a 50-mins. drive from Manila, 19.2 kms. (a 45-min. drive) from Malabon City and 10.5 kms. (a 35-min. drive) from Valenzuela City.

Sanctuario de Santo Cristo (San Juan City, Metro Manila)

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Sanctuario de Santo Cristo

This church, also known as the Church of San Juan del Monte, is an excellent example of Colonial church architecture.  The first church and convent, built from 1602 to 1604, was burned during the Chinese uprising in 1639.  The second adobe church and convent, built in 1641, was burned on July 1763 during the British Occupation of Manila.

The Earthquake Baroque façade

A massive stone church, built in 1774, was used by the Katipuneros in 1898 as a place of refuge.  It has since been renovated many times until the 1990s. The present church, designed by Architect Lorenzo del Castillo, retained the old Earthquake Baroque façade but a twin of the existing tower was built at the right side.

Plaque installed by the Historical Research and Markers Committee in 1937

Both towers, linked by two arches and surmounted by a shrine containing a cross, has one bell weighing 267 kgs. (589 lbs.) and the other 207 kgs. (456 lbs.).  Cast at the Quintana Factory in Saldaña, Palencia, Spain, one is named, following tradition, after the Santo Cristo and the other after Our Lady of the Rosary..

The convent with the two century-old acacia trees in front

Work on the façade began on October 10, 1977 with stones from the old convent used in the new parts of the façade. The niches of the façade were installed (on November 1990) with concrete statues of eight Dominican saints—Louis Bertrand, Antoninus of Florence, Albertus Magnus, Catherine of Siena, Saint Dominic, Thomas Aquinas, Rose of Lima (a patron saint of the Philippines) and Vincent Ferrer.

It has an attractively renovated interior.  The ceiling, designed by Architect Adolfo Benavides, was started on May 8, 1973 and finished by December 12 that same year.

Four concrete statues of Dominican saints in niches at the narthex

The 16 beautiful stained glass windows, designed by Cenon Rivera (former Dean of Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas) and made by Kraut Art and Co., depict the fourteen Stations of the Cross, Our Lady of the Rosary and the Dominican saints Thomas Aquinas, Albert the Great and Vincent Ferrer. Six smaller windows, later mounted in the apse, depict Saints Matthew and Luke; an allegory of the Sermon on the Mount; Saint Paul Preaching to the Gentiles; and Saints Mark and John.

The beautiful church interior featuring a ceiling designed by Arch. Adolfo Benavides, and stained-glass windows designed by Cenon Rivera

The sanctuary and exedra, featuring a mosaic of the Resurrection executed by Ireneo Robles, a young artist from the University of Santo Tomas, was started on February 6, 1974 and finished on April 6 that same year.

The exedra featuring a mosaic of the Resurrection executed by Ireneo Robles

The church, under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Manila, is the seat of the Confraternity of Santisimo Cristo de San Juan del Monte, approved by Pope Innocent X on March 4, 1648.  On April 24, 2016, two century-old acacia trees beside the church were declared as heritage trees by DENR NCR.

 

Sanctuario de Santo Cristo: 183 F. Blumentritt cor. of A. Bonifacio St., 1500 San Juan City.  Tel: (02) 8724-5466 to 69. Feast of the Santo Cristo: May 3.  Feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary: October 6.  Coordinates:14°35′54″N 121°01′50″E.

How to Get There: San Juan City is located 7.1 kms. (a 20-min.drive) from Manila and 7.8 kms. (a 25-min.drive) from Pasig City.

Diocesan Shrine of St. Martha and Parish of St. Roch (Pateros, Metro Manila)

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Diocesan Shrine of St. Martha and Parish of St. Roch

Starting as a temporary chapel made of light materials; the town’s present stone church was started in 1815 by Fathers Andres Vehil (or Veil) and Manuel Pelaes following the plans drawn by Father Santos Gomez Marañon. In 1821, Father Raymundo Martinez built the bell tower.

Historical plaque installed by National Historical Commission in 2015

It was damaged during the June 3, 1863 earthquake where the roof sank, the walls cracked and the bell tower crumbled from the dome down to the second level.  The church was repaired in 1892 by Father Nicolas Gonzalez and its restoration was completed by Father Tomas Espejo in 1893.

Historical plaque installed by National Museum of the Philippines in 2017

On March 14, 1899, during the Battle of Pateros, the church was destroyed for the second time.   During World War II, the church served as a prison and, in December 1944, Japanese soldiers killed many civilians inside the church.

The church interior

On August 21, 2003, the church was placed under the jurisdiction of the newly-established Diocese of Pasig and, on February 7, 2009, the church was declared as a Diocesan Shrine.  In 2014, the original Spanish-style altar was replaced. On September 28, 2017, the church was declared as an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum of the Philippines.

The main altar and retablo

The church’s plain, Baroque-style facade has a protruding portico, centrally located coupled columns, single columns at the sides (ending in finials), a triangular pediment, a center window with balustrade at the second level and segmental and semicircular arched openings.  On its right is a four-storey bell tower.  The masonry convent, now a school, was where General Emilio Aguinaldo spent the night (January 1-2, 1897) as a guest of Father Tomas Espejo.

The four-storey bell tower

Diocesan Shrine of St. Martha and Parish of St. Roch: B. Morcilla Street, Barangay San Roque, 1620 Pateros.  Tel: 8642-8219.  Feast of St. Martha of Bethany: Second Sunday of February. Feast of St. Roch: August 16.

How to Get There: Pateros is located 19.5 kilometers (a 45-minute drive) from Manila and 3.8 kilometers (a 15-minute drive) from Pasig City.

Mixing Hospitality and Sustainability at Savoy Hotel Manila

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Savoy Hotel Manila

The 4-star, 11-storey, 684-room Savoy Hotel Manila (SHM), the Philippines’ Leading Airport Hotel for four consecutive years (2021 to 2024) is, aside from hospitality, also dedicated to sustainability through practices that contribute meaningfully to environmental solutions and the Philippines’ ongoing efforts against food scarcity.

Check out “Hotel and Inn Review: Savoy Hotel Manila“

A proud advocate of sustainable tourism, the hotel is an official signatory of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, launched on November 4, 2021. The declaration’s goals include cutting greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030, achieving Net Zero by 2050 or earlier, and annually reporting progress on climate action plans.

The Vertical garden overlooking the swimming pool

A testament to this is its Vertical and Rooftop Gardens, where guests enjoy fresh, locally grown produce such tomatoes, eggplant, Chinese kale, red amarante, cucumber, romaine lettuce and herbs (such as dill), all grown through a sustainable hybrid farming system and watered through a clever catchment system, thus reducing the hotel’s dependence on external food sources. Since 2022, they’ve grown 456 kgs. of herbs and vegetables.  To further reduce waste, the hotel recycled and repurposed over 500 laundry chemical containers from its Housekeeping Department and used plant boxes made from scrap materials, minimizing the carbon footprint between garden and plate.

The Rooftop Garden of SHM

In line with these goals, the hotel has introduced the innovative WeSave Sustainability Program, which aims to reduce its operational impact, such as greenhouse gas emissions, measure its carbon footprint, reach carbon neutrality by 2030, foster a culture of recycling, and integrate eco-friendly practices into daily operations.

Sign encouraging guests to reuse towels and linens (photo: Mr. Monch Henares)

The in-room Green Program encourages guests to reuse towels and linens to significantly reduce water and energy consumption.

The wooden magnetic key card (photo: Ms. Maria Rona Beltran)

In lieu the usual single-use plastic  sachets, SHM also utilizes refillable body wash, conditioner and shampoo dispensers in the showers. To promote proper waste disposal, the trash bins are also segregated.  Even the magnetic card keys are made of wood instead of plastic.

Refillable body wash, conditioner and shampoo dispenser (photo: Ms. Nicole Paler)

The program also answers to the sustainability campaign of Megaworld Corporation, MEGreen, in contributing to greener townships. In fact, Megaworld maintains a 9-hectare, solar-powered Central Nursery in Tanza, Cavite, opened in 2016, that propagates sampaguita as well as provide all of the tree seedlings, plants and flowers for their Luzon townships.  The project intertwines Filipino culture, sustainability, and social responsibility through activities such as sampaguita planting, storytelling, and livelihood programs that have benefited over 5,000 families.

The dedicated staff, the backbone of the hotel’s sustainability efforts, embody this commitment by making eco-friendly practices a natural part of their daily routines both at work and at home. A rigorous food waste management system measures waste and identifies spoilage patterns by analyzing every aspect of the food handling process. Future menus align servings with actual consumption, reducing waste and optimizing efficiency for both guests and the environment.  Through its “Waste We Can” Program, they successfully  diverted 2.5 tons of recyclable waste from landfills.

SHM General Manager Ferdinand “Den” Navarro

Since 2021, under the forward thinking and energetic leadership of General Manager Ferdinand “Den” Navarro, SHM has embrace a comprehensive, heartfelt and holistic sustainability program anchored on three core pillars: People, Planet, and Business—a testament to their dedication to responsible and community-driven hospitality and deep commitment to positive impact, both within and beyond its walls.  Navarro, an OFW for 17 years and a seasoned hotelier, explains, “Our unwavering commitment to being the Philippines’ Leading Airport Hotel ensures that every guest receives exceptional service and comprehensive amenities while actively participating in our sustainability efforts.”

Sustainability champion Mr. Karlo Evangelista, SHM’s Compliance Manager, also added “It’s easy to think of what projects to implement and spend money on, but if people don’t embrace these initiatives then they won’t be sustainable. So it’s about culture, not just the program.”

The “Farm On” Program of SHM

Since 2022, to nurture a culture of sustainability internally, SHM integrated programs  into its employee orientation.  Employees participate in a range of fun and impactful activities such as “Farm On,” a farming challenge that promotes growing food in urban spaces; the “Trashion Show,” a fashion event featuring upcycled materials; “We Race For Green,” a sustainability-themed Amazing Race; and an annual eco-concious Christmas decorating contest.

In 2022, they took part in the “Trash to Can” Program, they transformed waste into value while promoting recycling awareness.  In 2024, they turned over an incredible 12,695.7 kilos of recyclables to BEST (Basic Environmental Systems & Technologies, Inc.).

Plaque of Appreciation given by BEST to SHM for their “Trash to Cash Back” Program

On May 20 that same year, SHM also collaborated with Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) , a food rescue organization, to help combat food insecurity and reduce food waste.

Another testament to the hotel’s commitment to sustainability is the Sampaguita Project, an initiative by Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR) launched in 2023. It aims to revitalize the sampaguita (Jasminum sambac) industry by incorporating the Philippines’ national flower into its branding and supporting communities in the City of San Pedro, Laguna, once known as the “Sampaguita Capital of the Philippines.”

Megaworld’s Central Nursery in Tanza, Cavite

In fact, Megaworld maintains a 9-hectare, solar-powered Central Nursery in Tanza, Cavite, opened in 2016, that propagates sampaguita as well provides all of the tree seedlings, plants and flowers for their Luzon townships.  On October 10, 2024, the Sampaguita Project was recognized as the Most Outstanding Marketing Campaign at the prestigious 10th Virtus Awards, standing out among 14 campaigns. 

Megaworld Hotels and Resorts executives at the 10th Virtus Awards

SHM Executive Chef Christian “Kit” T. Carpio, also the F&B Chairman for Sustainability of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, is also involved in the hotel’s sustainability initiatives through culinary -related activities.  He infused and enhanced Savoy Cafe’s menu with sampaguita, adding a fresh flavor to a meal or drink.  

SHM Executive Chef Christian “Kit” T. Carpio

Some of their signature dishes include the Sampaguita Boursin & Salmon Tartlets, Roasted Vegetable and Sampaguita Terrine, the Sampaguita Rubbed Pork Barbeque, Sampaguita Polvoron, Gambas Royale and Mango Sampaguita Cheesecake.

Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Rice Pilaf (photo: Mr. Teddy Pelaez)

Sampaguita-infused non-alcoholic drinks include the Sampaguita Mojito, Sampaguita Orange,  Sampaguita Bliss, Sampa-Lamigulaman ( a usual welcome drink) and  Sampaguita Fruit Punch. Sampaguita is also infused with pantry items such as the Sampaguita Butterscotch Spread, the Sampaguita Gourmet Tuyo, the Sampaguita Olive Tapenade, the Sampaguita Bacon & Onion Marmalade and the Sampaguita Salsa Rosa.  

Barbecue Rubbed Pork Belly (photo: Mr. Teddy Pelaez)

SHM not only redefining hospitality but also left an indelible mark on sustainability’s future by forging an innovative collaboration and partnership with Diversey, a global leader in hygiene and cleaning solutions. Actively redefining the way the hospitality sector interacts with the world, at the heart of this partnership are Diversey’s transformative sustainability projects: Linens for Life: Weaving Threads of Compassion, Soap for Hope: Recycling Cleanliness, and Coffee Briquettes: Brewing Sustainability. These initiatives, not merely about reducing waste and sustainability, are designed to create a lasting impact on both the environment and the communities that surround SHM.

L-R: Mr. Jigz Violan (SHM Senior Supervisor), Mr. Gerson D. Damayo (SHM Landscaper), Ms. Ma Theresa “Thess” dela Paz (SHM Director for Marketing and Communications), Mr. Greg de Garriz (SHM Director of Human Resources), Mr. Ferdinand “Den” Navarro (SHM General Manager), Mr. Karlo Evangelista (SHM Compliance Manager), Mr. Noel Bigornia (SHM Area Chief Steward), Ms. Vyva Corpus (Diversey Sector Manager), Ms. Evangeline Andres (NML community sewer) and Mr. Daniel Zarraga (Diversey Territory Manager).

In Linens for Life, instead of discarding its used and worn-out linens, SHM chose a more compassionate path by repurposing these linens which find a second life in the hands of the Nagkakaisang Mamayan ng Legarda (NML) community who transform them into tote bags, cart linens, and more, reducing waste, creating a sustainable livelihood and fostering an atmosphere of shared responsibility and collaboration.

Soap for Hope Program.  Second and fifth from left are Mr, Daniel Zarraga (DIversey Territory Manager) and Mr. Karlo Evangelista (SHM Compliance Manager)

In the Soap for Hope program, instead of discarding used soap bars generated from its operations, SHM collects them, giving them a new lease on life by recycling them for distribution to countless individuals in the underserved communities in need, thus promoting, not only hygiene, but also a sense of well-being. This initiative and simple act of kindness not only showcases SHM’s dedication to reducing waste but also its resolve to extend a helping hand to those less fortunate.

In the Coffee Briquettes program, SHM collects its used wet coffee grounds (which, when discarded as waste, emits methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more damaging than carbon dioxide), upcycling them by ingeniously transforming them into charcoal briquettes, a valuable resource which emits a much lower carbon footprint than other other traditional and commercialized charcoal.

The author (center) at the Rooftop Garden of SHM

For its sustainability efforts, SHM has been the recipient of a number of awards and citations such as the following:

  • In November 2022, their WeSave Sustainability Program received a “Badge of Honor” from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Inc.
  • Additionally, the program’s dedication to reducing food waste earned it the “Guardians of the Grub Badge” from the UK-based Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), a testament to the hotel’s commitment to sustainability.
  • Most recently, SHM was named one of the top six finalists in the Business Marketing category of the Green Destinations Story Awards 2024 at the ITB Berlin tourism conference.
  • Their Good Travel Story, “WeSave – Empowering Sustainability, Transforming Lives in Pasay City,” has also been nominated for the 2024 “People’s Choice Award,” allowing the public to vote for their favorite destination and Good Practice Story from the 2023 Green Destinations Top 100 competition.

SHM General Manager Mr. Ferdinand “Den” Navarro and Compliance Manager Mr. Karlo Evangelista holding the UNEP Badge of Honor

Savoy Hotel Manila: 101 Andrews Ave., Newport City, 1309 Pasay City. Tel: +63 (02) 5317-2869.  E-mail: stay@savoymanila.com. Website: www.savoyhotelmanila.com.

Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Manila)

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Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Church of St. Vincent de Paul)

The airy and relatively cool Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (the original and established center for the propagation of the Miraculous Medal and the Vista Domiciliaria), formerly the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, had its beginning in 1872 when the Vincentians bought a piece of land in the barrio of San Marcelino (a part of the Parish of San Fernando de Dilao in Paco) which was a rice field near the Pasig River.

Plaque installed by the Historical Research and Markers Committee in 1935

The house they built served as refuge to the seminarians and Vincentians housed in the San Carlos Seminary which was destroyed, together with most buildings in Intramuros, by the July 1880 earthquake.

The church portico

A chapel, adjacent to the Vincentian Central House, was built in 1883.  Later, the chapel was used as a church, from 1898 to 1909, when the church and convent of Paco were destroyed by the American forces in retaliation for their initial defeat by the Filipino forces following the declaration of war against the Americans in 1899. The parish was canonically established on December 6 1909 by Archbishop Jeremiah Harty (an alumnus of the Diocesan Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri which was under the direction of the Vincentians).

Historical plaque installed by the National Museum in 2018 declaring the church as an Important Cultural Property

The present concrete church was designed by Architect Andres Luna de San Pedro (son of the great Filipino painter Juan N. Luna) and built in 1912 (the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Vincentians and the Sisters of Charity in the Philippines) by Belgian missionaries.

Decree of Erection

During World War II, the Japanese occupied the church for almost 7 months and, during the Battle of Manila in February 1945, was badly damaged when the Japanese burned the interior of the church, massacring scholars, professors and Vincentian Fathers who were living there.

Dedication of the archdiocesan shrine

From 1946, the dome, belfries and roof were restored and fitted with a stained glass windows. From 2007 to 2010, the pillars and walls were retrofitted; the galvanized iron of the roof was replaced with long-span, blue-colored sheets; the wooden trusses were replaced with steel trusses; and the entire exterior and interior walls of the church were repainted.

Interior of the church

On September 10, 2022, seismic base isolators (acting like wheels to stabilize the building during earthquakes) were mounted, by RBRA Consulting Firm, on the pillars of the church, making it the first earthquake-resistant church in the Philippines.

Painting of St. Vincent de Paul flanked by stained glass windows

On December 5, 2018, the church was declared as an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum of the Philippines and, on July 16, 2023, it was elevated into an archdiocesan shrine by Manila Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula.  On that same date, the newly-renovated retablo (altar backpiece) was also blessed.

 

AUTHOR’S NOTES:

The church has a Latin Cross layout and a dome.  Its two-level Baroque façade has balustraded portico with semicircular arched main entrance flanked by flat pilasters (with Corinthian capitals) and two smaller, semicircular arched entrances (topped by festoons) at the first level.  Above the main entrance, at the second level, is a rose window flanked by two semicircular arched windows.  

The triangular pediment, topped by a statue of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, has a centrally located bas relief also of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Flanking the façade are two four-storey, square bell towers with semicircular arched windows. The receding fourth level has a balustrade.

The main altar with its newly-renovated retablo (altar backpiece)

Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal: 959 San Marcelino St., Ermita, Manila 1000, Metro Manila.  Telefax: 2525-7853 and 2524-2022 local 101.  Feast of St. Vincent de Paul: September 27.  Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal: November 27.

How to Get There: The church is located within Adamson University (the church is commonly called Adamson Church), beside the university’s CS Walkway and SV Building.  The nearest bus stop to Adamson University is D. Romualdez Sr./United Nations Ave..

Club Filipino (San Juan City, Metro Manila)

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Club Filipino

Club Filipino (pronounced as “Cloob”), the first exclusive social club in the Philippines, was founded as an elite Filipino country gentlemen’s organization on November 6, 1898 by Filipino high society, including Spanish mestizos and members of the illiustrados (prestigious or rich Filipinos) as well as influential politicians.

The current building, with its Spanish-era style of architecture, was designed by the late architect Gabriel Formoso

Some of its members were Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo (he served as its honorary president) and Gen. Antonio Luna. Originally called Club Filipino Independiente, its name was later changed, four years later, to Club Internationale (after the turnover of power to the Americans) and, finally, Club Filipino in 1905.

the club lobby

This storied exclusive, members only club and recreational facility was originally located at the house (along Manga Ave cor. Buenos Aires St., in Santa Mesa, Manila) of Russian–American Jew Emil Bachrach, a successful businessman in Manila during the Philippine Commonwealth. Upon his assignment in the Philippines during World War II, Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita commandeered the house.  Later on, it was taken up as residence by Gen. Douglas MacArthur and his family.

The National Historical Institute plaque installed in 1997

On September 21, 1956, after arriving directly from a very rough flight from Davao City, President Ramon Magsaysay (who himself joined the exclusive club the very same day) inaugurated it at the Bachrach Mansion. On October 18, 1970, the club was inaugurated on its current building, designed by Arch. Gabriel Formoso, between North Greenhills subdivision and the Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan.

The National Historical Institute plaque installed in 1988

Throughout its history, the club developed a reputation as a meeting ground for Filipino political progressives.  On November 27, 1907, the club hosted a Velada Artistica to honor the 59 winning candidates of the First Philippine Assembly who were members of the Nacionalista Party. A National Historical Institute (NHI, now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines) plaque, installed in 1996, commemorates that event.  It was the site of several political events immediately prior and during the country’s Post-Martial Law Era.

Painting depicting events during the People Power Revolution. Flanking it are the two NHI plaques

On February 25 1986, at the height of the People Power Revolution, it served as the venue for the inauguration of President Corazon Aquino (her oath of office was administer by Supreme Court Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee), with her mother-in-law Aurora Aquino in attendance, together with Vice-Pres. Salvador Laurel (his oath of office was administered by Supreme Court Associate Justice Vicente Abad Santos).

The Cory C. Aquino Kalayaan Hall

The “Corazon C. Aquino Kalayaan Hall,” the site of her inauguration, was renamed as such on August 25, 2009.  It is now an indoor events/reception room.  Outside the hall is a huge painting depicting scenes (including the inauguration) from the People Power Revolution flanked by the 1996 NHI plaque and another NHI plaque, installed in 1988, commemorating the inauguration.

The Cory C. Aquino Kalayaan Hall, now an events place

On October 9, 2000, at a press conference held here, embattled Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson went public with an alleged illegal gambling (jueteng) payroll scam involving then-President Joseph Ejercito Estrada.

Terrace overlooking the swimming pool

On September 9, 2009, then-Senator Benigno Aquino III (Corazon Aquino’s son) announced his bid at the club to run as the presidential candidate for the Liberal Party in the 2010 general election. Six years later, on July 31, 2015, then-President Aquino III formally endorsed Mar Roxas as the LP’s presidential candidate for the 2016 elections in the “Gathering of Friends” held at the venue itself.

Terrace Cafe

Presently, the club’s amenities include the 1898 Dining Room; an outdoor restaurant; coffee shop (Terrace Café); board room; a swimming pool (adult and children); jacuzzi; tennis, badminton, volleyball and squash courts; bowling alleys; table tennis; gym; men’s and ladies’ locker rooms; pro shop; library; gift shop; bar; beauty salon; and children’s pavilion.

1898 Dining Room

Club Filipino: Club Filipino Ave. cor. Eisenhower St., Greenhills, San Juan 1502, Metro Manila.  Tel:  (632) 8722-2001, 8722-2022 and 8726-9389. E-mail: clubfilipino@yahoo.com.

Fort San Antonio Abad (Manila)

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Fort San Antonio Abad

Relatively unknown to many, Manila has another Spanish-era fort, aside from the well-known Fort Santiago, located south of Intramuros and this one is not easy to visit as it is located within the confines of the high-security Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)  Complex – the 1.2-hectare, trapezoid-shaped  and equally historic but hidden Fort San Antonio Abad.

Exploring the fort with our guides

Considering its current location, tightly sandwiched between the imposing main tower of the BSP and the old Manila Metropolitan Museum  Building (now transferred to its new home at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City), the fort is understandably overlooked these days.

Check out “Metropolitan Museum of Manila”

Stairs leading up to the ramparts

Visits to the fort are by appointment and my son Jandy and I had to arrange our visit in advance via email.  It was only upon approval of our request that we were allowed to proceed to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex.  Upon registering ourselves, we met up with our guides, Ms. Regyn Avena and Mr. Lauro E. de los Santos, Jr. who were to tour us around the fort.

The view of the South Wall from the East Bastion

Also known as Fort Malate or Fort San Antonio, this fortification was completed in 1584 and named in honor of its patron saint, Saint Anthony the Abbot (feast day: January 17).   Like the walled city, the fort evolved into a variety of stone fortress popularized by renowned French military architect Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban, with two signature bastions at the corners of the canted walls.

The canted South Wall

Though relatively small in size, it certainly occupies a significant place in the history of Manila as it played a role in three great conflicts – the Seven Years’ War,e vents prior and during the Philippine–American War and World War II.  Located in what was then a separate hamlet of Malate, the fort served as a rear protection for the Manila as well as to guard the Manila–Cavite route.

The West Bastion at the North Wall

The Spanish used the fort as a polvorista (“little fortress” or gunpowder magazine to safely store gunpowder) known as Fuerte de Polverina.  On September 26, 1762, during the Seven Years’ War, it was captured by British forces under Rear-Admiral Samuel Cornish and Brigadier-General William Draper when they invaded Manila. They transformed the fort into a garrison, setting up an artillery battery.  From here, the British forces launched their land offensive against the Spaniards defending Intramuros.

The exquisitely designed North Entrance

On March 26, 1764, upon the end of the British occupation of Manila, the fort was returned to Spanish control and rebuilt, again becoming a gunpowder storage facility. On August 13, 1898, after bombardment by U.S. warships during the sham Battle of Manila, the fort was captured and the first American flag hoisted by the First Battalion of the First Colorado Volunteer Regiment under the command of Lt.-Col. Henry Bayard McCoy.

The grassy courtyard. On the left are the square embrasures

Also, during the Philippine–American War, U.S. military authorities used the prison to carry out multiple executions by hanging. Harry Cline, an American civilian under the employment of the United States Army, was the first American to be executed by U.S. authorities after he shot, with a revolver, four small Filipino boys from Parañaque gathering grass, wounding three and killing the fourth (Agaton Rivera) on April 8, 1901. Cline was tried by an American military court, found guilty of murder and three counts of assault with intent to kill, and sentenced to death by hanging which was carried out  on September 20, 1901.

The fort ramparts

During World War II, Fort San Antonio Abad was seized by occupying Japanese  troops and it was used as a bunker, with a cannon installed. During the Liberation of Manila, the fort suffered considerable damage.  After World War II, the very young Offshore Patrol, with the Manila Naval Station (MNS) as its main support unit, set up its headquarters at the fort. They vacated the place in 1965.

The now unused well with windlass

On June 1974, coinciding with the establishment of the new main office complex of the BSP, the restoration of the fort was again started (the first restoration was at the beginning of the 19th century) by Architect Carlos E. Da Silva, during the term of former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Gregorio S. Licaros, and completed in 1976.

1976 Restoration Plaque

This battle-weary and proud structure is now a beautiful little park and events place with paved walkways and street lamps. Where guards once stood, there are now roaming gardeners keeping the manicured garden trim. Within the garden is a now unused well with a windlass for raising water.

National Historical Treasure plaque

In 2018, together with Intramuros (collectively known as the “Fortifications of Manila”), the fort was named a National Cultural Treasure (NCT), for their architectural, historical, scientific and archaeological significance, by the National Museum of the Philippines. Both forts were essential parts of the defense of Spanish Colonial Manila and scientifically important in terms of military and structural engineering. The NCT marker is now installed there and in Plaza Roma in Intramuros.

The unadorned south entrance. In my opinion, this entrance seems like a recent addition as there as its walls show no signs of weathering

At the fort’s south entrance, two historical plaques (the 1976 renovation plaque and the NCT plaque) are mounted.  A Historical Research and Markers Committee (now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines) marker, installed  in 1937, is mounted on the wall to the right of this entrance, is topped by a semicircular arch niche, flanked by Doric columns, with an antique wooden statue of St. Anthony Abbot within.

Niche with statue of St. Anthony Abbot

In turn, the niche is framed by a decorative moldings ending in scrolls. The original segmental arched main entrance of the fort, with its quaint iron gate, faces north.  This latter entrance is decorated with a bas-relief of the traditional Spanish coat of arms of Leon (the lion) and Castille (the castle) and topped by finials.

Bas-relief bearing the Spanish coat of arms at the North Entrance

The fort can be quickly explored in less than half an hour. At the lower level of the fort are a series of square embrasures, openings in fort’s walls where cannons can be fired.  These openings, flared outward to enlarge their field of fire, once faced the sea but are now facing the back of the museum.

One of the fort’s embrasures

You can walk around the entire wall perimeter via very narrow, 2-foot wide ramparts which can be reached via stone steps. Standing on either side of the fort, on arrowhead-shaped bulwarks (East and West), are two large, sea-facing naval guns which were damaged when the American Air Force bombed the fort during the 1945 Liberation of Manila in World War II.

William Armstrong gun at the East Bastion

Cast by Sir William Armstrong & Co. (England), these two 19th century, rifled breech-loading guns, weighing 20,238 and 20,220 pounds respectively, had a bore of 8 inches.  The original gun carriages are now gone (probably destroyed during the bombing or have rotted away) and have been replaced by concrete supports.

Pockmarked William Armstrong gun at West Bastion

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS:

After our visit to the fort, I can’t help but notice the differences between the plain looking south entrance and the exuberantly decorated north entrance.  Plus, I also can’t help but notice the seemingly misplaced bas-re;ief, with its statued niche, to the right of the south entrance.  This has got me thinking.

Could the south entrance have been originally located just below this bas-relief? It would make sense as statues of saints in niches or in bas-reliefs are usually placed above the entrances of churches and forts (even Fort Santiago has a bas relief of St. James the Moor Slayer, its patron saint, above its main entrance) to watch over those who enter.  Probably the lower and narrower entrance (suitable for wagons), with its pilasters, must have been walled up and a new, simple but higher and wider square opening was created, during the American era, a few meters beside it, possibly to allow tall and wide-bodied vehicles such as trucks to pass through.  I wonder ……..

For me, this makes sense…..

Fort San Antonio Abad: Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Malate, Manila 1004.  E-mail corporateaffairs@bsp.gov.ph (to arrange for a visit).