Category Archives: Architecture

Arch of the Centuries (University of Santo Tomas, Manila)

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The Baroque-style Arch of the Centuries, the arched gate at Plaza Intramuros, University of Santo Tomas (UST), is a landmark which symbolizes UST’s role as a “gateway in history to the finest breed of Filipinos.”  It is one of the few relics left from original UST campus in the walled city of Intramuros which was destroyed in 1945 during the Battle of Manila in World War II, leaving the 17th-century campus completely destroyed.  This arch door, called Puerta del Colegio, faced the first Benavides Statue, which was located at Calle Postigo and Calle de Santo Tomas.

The Arch of the Centuries

In 1927, the university transferred here at its present Sampaloc site and the central lower section of the original facade of the first campus in Intramuros (the side facing the UST Main Building), built in 1680, was dismantle, piece by piece, in 1953, under orders of UST rector Jesus Castañon, by Carmelo Flavier Pablo of C.F. Pablo and Son, a precast contractor, and transferred to the present campus, taking a year to complete.  Carmelo Flavier Pablo also did the other half of the current structure (the side facing España Boulevard), a replica of the arch door inaugurated in 1954, as well as the statues, and the bas-relief panels. The arch became formally known as the Arch of the Centuries.

The original facade

On January 25, 2010, , along with the UST Main Building, the UST Central Seminary Building, and the university field, it was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines. On January 18, 2015, during his visit to the university, Pope Francis passed through the arch.

Check out “UST Main Building”

One of the cultural icons of the University of Santo Tomas, it is often the site of important campus events such as the Thomasian Welcome Walk, UST’s tradition of welcoming the freshmen to the university by passing through the arch. The passing through also signifies the completion of their student life in the university when, after the baccalaureate Mass, the candidates for graduation exit through the arch during a parade.  There is an urban legend that claims prematurely exiting the arch, before graduation, would lead to a student’s debarment.

Jose Rizal commemorative plaque

Commemorative plaques, on its lower pillars, facing España Boulevard, honors two distinguished alumni, Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon (1878-1944), on the right and  José Rizal (1861-1896), on the left. The bronze marker, on the side of the left pier, tells the history of the arch. The words underneath it read, Gateway to the history of the finest breed of Filipinos, a reference to the UST alumni.

Manuel L. Quezon commemorative plaque

The statue of Thomas Aquinas, above the attic storey, portrayed as a young and energetic man seated on a chair (a depiction similar to the painting by Justus van Gent and Pedro Berruguete), was inaugurated on December 21, 1955. Flanking it are two female figures, the one facing west holding a cross, in her right hand, and an admiralty pattern anchor in her left hand while the one facing east holds a torch, in her left hand, while her right arm rests on a winged wheel.

Fountain of Divine Wisdom

These two figures correspond to the Fountain of Divine Wisdom (also called the Fountain of Divine Wisdom) and the Fountain of Human Wisdom (Fountain of Knowledge) that flank the arch. The Fountain of Wisdom, surrounded by four deer and open shells, consists of a barbed, quatrefoil-shaped basin featuring a sculpture of a lady standing on top of a lotus flower (its bowl carried by four phoenixes) while holding a Bible who’s cover depicts the image of the Lamb of God.   The Fountain of Knowledge, surrounded by four owls of Athena and open shells, also features a sculpture of a lady (standing on a cylindrical pedestal adorned by the early disciplines offered in the university) on top of a lotus flower (its bowl carried by four sphinxes) while holding a globe.

Fountain of Knowledge

The main inscription, directly above the arch, is different on both sides. Four bas-relief panels, depicting the life of Thomas Aquinas, flank the main inscriptions.  The southwest panel depicts two angels giving him the girdle of chastity; the southeast panel depicts Thomas Aquinas speaking to an icon of the crucified Christ; the northeast panel depicts Thomas Aquinas and the Eucharist; and the northwest panel depicts Thomas Aquinas taught by Saints Peter and Paul.

Bronze plaque that tells the history of the arch

A coat of arms, below the main inscription, features a double-headed eagle similar to the one used by Charles I, the King of Spain when the Philippines was discovered. The main façade consists of two columns, of the Doric order, on each side of the archway and the spandrels  consists of Baroque reliefs.

Arch of the Centuries: Plaza Intramuros, University of Santo Tomas, Manila.

UST Main Building (University of Santo Tomas, Manila)

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University of Santo Tomas Main Building

The  majestic, 4-storey, Renaissance Revival-style Main Building of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), functioning as the university’s administrative center, is home of the Faculty of Civil Law, Faculty of Pharmacy, the College of Science and the Museum of Arts and Sciences. Designed by Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P., this building, influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright‘s Imperial Hotel, Tokyo (which survived the Great Kantō earthquake of September 1, 1923 which flattened Tokyo and Yokohama), is the first earthquake-resistant building in the Philippines.

The author with the Main Building in the background

Construction of the building began on 1924 and, before it inauguration on November 12, 1927, the first classes were held there on July 2, 1927. Since then, it has been the focal point of the campus and all succeeding structures revolved around the Main Building.

Historical Research and Markers Committee plaque (1935)

Starting on January 4, 1942, during World War II, the Japanese converted the university into the Santo Tomas Internment Camp for Americans and other non-Filipinos, the internees occupying three floors of the building (465 died there from hunger and malnutrition). On February 3, 1945, during the Battle for Manila the university and its around 4,000 Allied POWs and civilian internees were liberated by the 1st Cavalry Division, tanks from the 44th Tank Battalion and Filipino guerrillas led by Capt. Manuel Colayco (a UST faculty member who died securing the place), the first building in Manila to be liberated.  After the war, UST resumed operation, holding classes in the building.

National Historical Commission plaque (2012)

The university and the building was visited by three popes: Pope Paul VI on November 28, 1970, Pope John Paul II on February 18, 1981 and January 13, 1995 (when UST hosted World Youth Day 1995) and Pope Francis on January 18, 2015 (though he did not enter the building). Queen Sofia of Spain also visited the building on July 6, 2012. On January 25, 2010, the National Museum of the Philippines declared it as a National Cultural Treasure.

Pope Paul IV Papal Visit Plaque

This 86 m. long, 74 m. wide and 51.5 m. (169 ft.) high, rectangular structure, with two patios  (interior courtyards), is actually made up of 40 separate structures independent from one another, with the only opportunity provided by pre-cast stab flooring. There are four corner units, two midsection units (rear and front entrance), one tower (including two elevator cores) and one entrance canopy.  Another 26 units consists of seven units for the Padre Noval Street side, seven units for the Arsenio H. Lacson Avenue (formerly Gov. Forbes) side, six units for the Dapitan Street side, six units for the España Boulevard side, four for the middle section (or paraninfo) and two stair sections adjacent to the tower and elevator core.

Tria Haec

Statues, standing on the pedestals on the fourth floor of the building, symbolize the spiritual and intellectual aspiration of the university. Designed by Italian sculptor Francesco Riccardo Monti, a faculty member of the College of Architecture, they were installed between 1949 and 1953.  The so-called “Tria Haec” (Latin for “These Three”), surrounding the clock, are three statues representing Hope (Spe), Faith (Fides, on top of the clock) and Love (Caritas).

Grand Staircase

To the right of the “Tria Haec” are theologians and historians such as St. Augustine, St. Raymond of Peñafort and Vincent of Beauvais (Dominican monk and writer of Speculum Maius). To their right, facing Padre Noval Street, are the tragedians Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Sophocles and William Shakespeare, while to the left are the philosophers Aristotle, Saint Albert the Great and Plato.  To the left of the philosophers, facing Arsenio Lacson Avenue, are the playwrights Lope de Vega, Aristophanes and Molière.

First two panels of History of the University of Santo Tomas Mural (Antonio Garcia Llamas)
Third and fourth panel of History of the University of Santo Tomas Mural (Antonio Garcia Llamas)

At the ground floor lobby is the four-panel mural “The History of the University of Santo Tomas,” painted by Antonio Garcia Llamas between 1952 and 1954.  It depicts significant milestones of the university including its declaration as a Pontifical University on September 17, 1902 by Pope Leo XIII and the advent of co-education.  At the second floor staircase are paintings by Filipino masters Galo Ocampo and Carlos “Botong” Francisco.

The Foundation of the University of Santo Tomas by Archbishop Benavides (Domingo Celis)

Main Building: University of Santo Tomas (UST), España, Sampaloc, Manila. Coordinates: 14°36′37″N 120°59′21″E.

Sun Plaza Sapa (Vietnam)

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Sun Plaza Sapa

Come morning of our second day in Sapa, after breakfast at Bora Hotel, we walked along Cau May Walking Street, towards Sapa Square and the stunning, instantly recognizable four-storey Sun Plaza Sapa, a shopping and entertainment complex and the essential hub and crucial starting point for our visit to Mount Fansipan, the “Rooftop of Indochina” as it houses, at the first floor, the ticket office for the iconic Muong Hoa funicular.  Offering a unique way to travel through the clouds while taking in breathtaking views of the stunning mountain scenery, the train has a classic design and luxury vibe.

Check out “Cau May Walking Street” and “Sapa Square“

The Muong Hoa Funicular

The building, in itself, is a must-see spot in the heart of the beautiful town of Sapa. Sun Plaza Sapa is a place with great views, a shopping center and dining options, including a bar, at the first, second and third floors, and a parking area at the ground floor.

The clock tower

Designed in a grand, classic, luxurious and beautiful French-style architecture (by architect Bill Bensley of the international architectural firm Chapman Taylor) that brings a touch of Europe to the Sapa mountains, it was built by Sun Group and completed in late 2018.

L-R (front row): Des, Grace, Lourdes, Lorraine. L-R (Back row): Jandy and the author

The building, with its striking yellow and green façade, also features large glass windows, which create a bright and inviting atmosphere, especially at night. The clock tower at the entrance, one of the main attractions and a symbol at Sun Plaza Sapa, attracts many visitors for photos.  Inspired by the famous Big Ben clock tower in the United Kingdom, it has three large clocks with a round, lantern-like design.

The circular central hall

Upon stepping into the large circular hall of Sun Plaza Sapa, its floor decorated with motifs such as centrally located bronze drums, we felt like we were entering a European royal palace or a castle without leaving Vietnam.  Showcasing unique French-style of architecture with an interesting Vietnamese touch, its delicate interiors features a dome, large columns, stunning lights, grand corridors with intricately decorated walls, elegant glass doors, European-style lamps, arches, and metal railings.

The funicular ticket office

The symmetrical design adds to the elegance, and the delicately painted artwork on the ceiling in the main lobby, with flowers and leaves, along with bright, sparkling light beams, is particularly eye-catching. This place is a perfect spot offering countless beautiful spots to snap amazing, Instagram-worthy photos.

The dome with its delicately painted artwork on the ceiling

Shopping is a must at here as this shopping center is full of fashion (shoes, clothing, bags, cosmetics, etc.), local souvenirs, and regional specialties, ranging from budget-friendly to luxury items. As a food paradise, it offers delicious European dishes, prepared by professional chefs, to make your dining experience unforgettable. There are also cozy cafés and eateries, including a Starbucks.

Passing by the Starbucks on the left

De la Coupole Sapa – MGaller, a luxury 5-star hotel inside Sun Plaza known for its elegance and charm, offers a unique, unforgettable experience, with 249 stunning and creatively designed rooms inspired by local Northwest culture and French and Indochinese design. A perfect spot for a special and relaxing getaway, the hotel also has restaurants, bars, a spa, and event spaces.  

Passing the Highlands Coffee shop on the right

Absinthe, a cafe on the 10th floor, next to Sun Plaza, with French design and art creating a cozy vibe, is a great spot to relax and the perfect place to sit down for a coffee either inside, to enjoy the blended artistic interior space and French fashion style, or outside to take in the beauty of Sapa, enjoying nature and the amazing views of Sapa’s majestic mountains and forests hidden in the flying clouds.

Stairway with intricately designed metal railings

Sun Plaza Sapa: 1 Ng. Cau May, Sa Pa Town, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.  Tel: +84 948 309 999. Open daily, 7:30 AM to 10 PM. Website: www.sunworld.vn.

Church of the Holy Rosary (Sapa, Vietnam)

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Church of the Holy Rosary

As a visitor come to Sapa, we must have at least once photo opportunity with the Church of the Holy Rosary. This symbol is an indispensable check-in point for visitors when coming to the city in the mist.  Located at Sapa Square in the center of town, Sapa stone church at the foot of the Ham Rong Mountain Range, was started in 1926 and completed in 1935.

Check out “Sapa Square“

L-R: the author, Lourdes, Grace, Jandy and Lorraine

During World War II, the church was closed and, after the war, was used for storing rice and agricultural produce. In 1995, local governors started to restore and repair this church more than 5 times (the last in 2007) and the parish began to come back here to practice their religion. The church yard has become a familiar gathering point for the Mong and Dao people.

The left side of the church

This impressive church, also called the Sapa Stone Church, is the main religious activity point of parishioners in Sapa.  Designed by a French architect, it is one of three significant buildings in Sapa that remain intact from the period of French rule (the other two are what are now Hoang Lien Hotel and the main Sapa Tourism Information Centre) and is also one of the few remaining works to this day that still retains the original Roman Gothic architectural style which is boldly reflected in the pyramidal roof, bell tower, arches, and windows.

The right side of the church

It was built with monolithic, roughly hewn sandstone blocks linked by a mortar of sand, lime and molasses and is the only remained structure in Sapa which still preserves the soul and beauty of Catholic architecture. At night, vibrant LED lights cover the church.

Historical plaque

With a total area of ​​6,400 square meters, it is divided into 7 compartments (the church area, the angel house, a row of parish cottages, the parish house, the holy garden, etc.) each of 500 square meters. The angel house consists of three floors and one basement while the five-section parish house is equal to the church site. The holy garden has 5 (four of which grow on rocks) big trees which are more than one hundred years old.

The main altar

The church features 32 colorful stained-glass windows, depicting the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, the Saints and the journey to the Cross, and an elegant, cross-shaped, 20-meter high and more than 80-year old bell tower, facing towards the west (Christ‘s birthplace), with and a 1.5-meter high bell weighing 500kgs..

View towards the choir loft

The white-painted interior, with a striking use of white, yellow and brown tones from the varnished wood, features a ceiling made of a combination of iron, straw and lime.

Daytime view of the church

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary: P. Hàm Rồng, TT. Sa Pa, Sa Pa, Lào Cai 333100, Vietnam. Open daily, 6 AM to 8:30 PM. Admission is free.

How to Get There: from Tran Quy Cap station in Hanoi, tourists can take the train for the 8-hour trip to get to Lao Cai province. Choose the train with departures at 8-10 PM to get to Lao Cai Province at around 5-6 AM the next morning. From Lao Cai Train Station, take a bus or a taxi to Sapa. Tourists can also get to Sapa Stone Church via motorbike, private car or sleeper buses, which usually leave at 7 AM or 9 PM, for the 6-hour journey to the center of Sapa without any transshipment. The church is located approximately 1 kilometer from the town center.

Sapa Square (Sapa, Vietnam)

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Our visit to the north of Vietnam was never complete without a visit to the cool highland town of Sapa.  From Hanoi, the capital city, it was a six-hour drive, via coach, to this highland destination and it was already evening when we arrived. We still had time to tour Sapa Square (Quang Truong Square), also called Love Square.  As it was evening, the weather outside was chilly.

Sapa Square with Hotel Sapa Square in the background

Too bad we arrived on a Thursday as we missed the Sapa Love Market, a cultural event and traditional gathering, held every Saturday night, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, where young men and women from the geographically dispersed H’Mong and Dao meet, socialize, and find potential partners or lovers through music and dance to show their love and affection. 

The sunken square’s perimeter, reminiscent of the Sunken Garden of the University of the Philippines Diliman, features distinct, concrete tiered seating area akin to that of a classic amphitheater (and similar to the rice terraces surrounding the town) which is perfect for watching events.  Even in the evening, it was well illuminated, creating a charming spot for locals and tourists alike.

The square reflects Sapa’s French colonial past.  In front of the square is the impressive Church of the Holy Rosary, also called the Sapa Stone Church, designed by a French architect and one of three significant buildings in Sapa that remain intact from the period of French rule (the other two are what are now Hoang Lien Hotel and the main Sapa Tourism Information Centre). 

It is also one of the few remaining works to this day that still retains the original Roman Gothic architectural style which is boldly reflected in the pyramidal roof, bell tower, arches, and windows.

Check out “Church of the Holy Rosary” and “Sun Plaza Sapa”

Church of the Holy Rosary

Also around the square are the distinctive Sun Plaza Building (a stunning backdrop often used for photos), Sapa Convention Center and Hotel Sapa Square, all modern buildings built in the charming French Colonial style.  The square also serves as a general gathering place for locals and tourists, with activities like sports, concerts and performances. The Lantern Festival is also held there.

Sun Plaza Building

Sapa Square: D. Thach Son,Sapa, Lao Cai 31786 Vietnam.

Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Candles (Silang, Cavite)

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Church of Our Lady of Candles

This church, under the Diocese of Imus, is the oldest existing stone church in the province of Cavite, having been completed in 1639.  The church and school was first built in 1585 by Franciscan missionaries through forced labor but was destroyed by fire on August 30, 1603. That same year, the church was then rebuilt in wood by Jesuit friars, damaged by an earthquake and rebuilt in stone by Fr. Juan Salazar from 1637 to 1639 and was dedicated to the Nuestra Senora de Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles) in 1640.

During the July 1880 earthquake, the fourth storey of the belfry was destroyed and, during the Philippine Revolution, the church was used by the Guardia Civil (Civil Guards) until they were expelled by Gen. Vito Belarmino on from September 5-6, 1896. In 1937, the original wooden floor was replaced by red clay tiles. Due to a fire in 1950, the ceiling was replaced one meter away from the original location. In 1989, the bell tower restored to its original height. On February 3, 2017, the church and retablo of the Our Lady of Candelaria Parish was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines and, on May 4, 2021, the church was elevated into a Diocesan Shrine.

National Historical Institute plaque (2008)

The church has a cruciform plan with lateral walls supported by buttresses. The two-storey convent, adjacent to the church, is located on the northeast.

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS:

The church’s simple,  two-level Baroque façade, without any elaborate and magnificent ornamentation, is divided, horizontally, by moldings.  It has a semicircular arched main entrance with large wooden doors at the first level, a semicircular arched niche, flanked by rectangular windows, with a statue of the patroness, and a triangular pediment with a centrally located rose window and topped by a cross. The massive pilasters at the ends are topped by urn-like finials. The four-storey belfry, connected to the main church, has a quadrilateral first floor while the rest of the floors are octagonal.

The church’s four-storey bell tower on the right

Inside are three ornate Baroque-style altars, with distinct, Rococo-influenced retablos with multi-level platforms – one main altar (retablo mayor) and two side altars (colaterales) in each side of the transepts which are mirror images of each other.  All are noted for the presence of local styles such as plants, fruits, flowers, volutes or circular designs and millipedes; and decorative motifs of foliage, angel heads, acanthus crenelations, cartouches and empty rectangles.

National Museum of the Philippines plaque

The altars, built from 1643 to 1663, were restored, through application of varnish, during the 1970s by Talleres de Maximo Vicente. In 1989, revarnishing, for preservation, was done. In 2002, the original pastel color of the retablo was restored by carefully removing layers of lacquer, modern varnish, paraffin and soot. In 2004, to complement the modern-day adobe wall-cladding, the golden pillars were restored to beige, with a hint of avocado green, and its rouge flowers to pink.   The ceiling height was also restored to its original location. During the 21st century restoration, a statue of St. Paul holding a sword, located at the right-most portion of the retablo, was stolen, never recovered and a replica was used to replace the original statue.

The churc’s interior

The two three-level side altars have fluted Ionic columns and Corinthian columns;  statues of angels, holding shields, on top of the altars;  and three niches, at the first and second levels, and a single niche at the third level. They contain reliefs except for the central niche of the second storey. One side altar is dedicated to women saints, saints in the New Testaments and martyrs, while the other is dedicated to the Jesuit saints.

The main altar and retablo

The three-level altar mayor, the largest and highest altar among the three altars, has six reliefs; seven alternating niches for saints; reliefs and same divisions like the side altars; and garlanded Corinthians and salomonicas, separating the retablo sections, instead of fluted Corinthian columns.

The left side altar

The six reliefs, depicting the story of Jesus in the life of Mary based on the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary are Ang Pagbisita (Visitation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary), Ang Panunulúyan (Re-enactment of the journey of St. Joseph and Mary in search for lodging in Bethlehem), Ang mga Mago (The Three Kings), Ang Presentasyon sa Templo (The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple), Ang Koronasyon (The Coronation of Mary) and, on the topmost level, a relief of the Sto, Niño de Ternate. At the central niche of the first level is the image of the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles), the patroness of Silang. Found in the mountains, the statue would always get lost.  When she was transferred, she was then called La Anuncieta. 

Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Candles: J.P. Rizal St., Poblacion, Silang, 4188 Cavite.  Tel: (046) 414-0352.  Feast of Our Lady of Candles: February 2.

How to Get There: Silang is located 63.3 kms. (a 1.5-hour drive) from Manila and 19.7 kms. (a 30-min. drive) from Trece Martires City.

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.