The Intramuros Administration is seen to better preserve heritage sites within Manila’s walled city as it completes its conservation management plan.
Source: Intramuros conservation management plan completed | Philstar.com
Church marvels for dawn Mass; Ana Roa, Arianne Suarez & Marielle Medina; Inquirer Business
Christmas is the most awaited season in the Philippines with the Catholic faithful joyfully recalling the birth of Jesus Christ through religious and historical traditions. The church is usually at the center of the Christmas festivities with Filipino Catholics filling these spaces to the brim to take part in solemn celebrations.
Centuries-old San Agustin Church in Intramuros gets free restoration cleanup with German technology; Lorenzo Cruz; Good News Pilipinas
What you need to know about the San Agustin Church and the efforts to preserve it; Margaret Claire Layug; GMA Network
Hot water and steam, and not pressure were used to clean the San Agustin Church.
Source: SUNDAY’S BEST: What you need to know about the San Agustin Church and the efforts to preserve it
Unesco tells Philippines to protect Baroque churches from China-funded bridge; Noel Tan; Southeast Asian Archaeology
The construction of a bridge near Intramuros is a source of concern as it potentially affects San Agustin Church and subsequently three other churches which are jointly listed as World Heritage sites.
Unesco tells Philippines to protect Baroque churches from China-funded bridge; Edgar Allan M Sembrano; Inquirer Lifestyle
Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar has admitted that the construction of the controversial Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is ongoing, but Unesco National Commission of the Philippines (Unacom) has allayed fears of the possible delisting of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines from the World Heritage List.
Source: Unesco tells Philippines to protect Baroque churches from China-funded bridge | Inquirer Lifestyle
The 5 Oldest Churches in the Philippines; Noel Tan; Southeast Asian Archaeology
The Christian Holy Week was last week, and this article from Esquire Philippines features the oldest churches in the Philippines, some of which are Unesco World Heritage Sites.
Source: The 5 Oldest Churches in the Philippines | SEAArch – Southeast Asian Archaeology
Guide to Visita Iglesia 2019 – 7 Churches To Visit in Metro Manila; Melo Villareal; Out of Town Blog
Visita Iglesia is an annual tradition observed by Catholics during the Lenten […]
Source: Guide to Visita Iglesia 2019 – 7 Churches To Visit in Metro Manila – Out of Town Blog
20 Philippine Churches You Can Visit for New Year’s Eve; Lamudi
Palace promises China-funded bridge will not affect heritage churches; Rosette Adel; Philstar.com
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo on Thursday assured the public that Malacañang will not allow the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge to endanger centuries-old churches there.
Source: Palace promises China-funded bridge will not affect heritage churches | Philstar.com
China-funded bridge risks Unesco World Heritage status of San Agustin church, 3 others; Edgar Allan Sembrano; Inquirer Lifestyle
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) has warned that San Agustin Church and three other Baroque churches around the Philippines may be delisted from the prestigious World Heritage List as a result of the construction of the controversial Binondo-Intramuros Bridge across the Pasig River in Manila.
VIDEO: Do we really need the Binondo-Intramuros Friendship Bridge?; Ces Orina-Drilon; ABS-CBN
The ongoing construction of the bridge has not stopped those opposed to it from voicing their concerns, topmost of which is the protection of structures within the Walled City.
Source: VIDEO: Do we really need the Binondo-Intramuros Friendship Bridge?
Live Iloilo’s Historical Past Through Its Churches; Belle Piccio; CHoose Philippines
Iloilo is a one of the provinces in the Philippines where most towns are greatly influenced by Spanish architecture.
Gem of the North: The Quiet Yet Charming Ilocos Norte; Sarinah Soliano; Tours4Fun
Want to head north?
Take a break from the big, bustling city of Manila and let the winds of the north guide you to Ilocos Norte.
The hometown of former President Marcos, Ilocos Norte is a great vacation destination for travelers. There’s lush vegetation, rich history, pristine beaches, and well –adventure!
It wouldn’t come as a surprise if this region is included as one of the top Philippine travel destinations among Filipino tourists. The place is seriously getting a lot of attention lately.
Eager to visit? Let your mind drift to the most fascinating spots in this quiet yet charming faraway town.
Malacañang of the North
The official residence of the Marcoses when the late Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. was still the president, Malacañang of the North sits on the shores of Paoay Lake and has well-tendered gardens. Former First Lady Imelda Marcos gave this house to her husband as a gift. It was one of the properties sequestered from the Marcoses after Marcos Sr. was ousted as president.
After 20 years in the care of the government, Malacañang of the North was given back to the Ilocos Norte local government.
Visita Iglesia in Ilocandia: Seven Churches of Ilocos; Angel Juarez; Lakwatsero
The first time I went to Ilocandia was in 2005 when we embarked on a Northern Luzon road trip covering Pagudpud, Kalinga and Cagayan. There wasn’t enough time to explore the other parts of Ilocos apart from Pagudpud so I made a promise to return.
I went back during the Holy Week of 2011, where I endured the holiday exodus and 12-hour bus ride from Manila to Laoag with the main purpose of visiting old churches. I braved the throngs of commuters, the summer heat and the uncertainties of not having a concrete plan and itinerary.
So I found myself in Laoag at noon of Maundy Thursday, and immediately fell in love with its quaintness and beauty.
I stayed in a transient room for P300 per night, it is conveniently located near the downtown. It would serve as my home for the entire trip. Dora, the owner of the room was already waiting for me when I arrived. I had my lunch with them before taking a mid-day siesta prior tony planned Visit Iglesia.
Source: Visita Iglesia in Ilocandia: Seven Churches of Ilocos
Long Weekend: Five-Day Suggested Itineraries in Luzon; Lakwatsero
So you have five-day off and thinking where to go in mainland Luzon? These five itineraries will come in handy!
Ilocandia: Time Machine to Northern Treasures
Walk back in time and explore the best of Ilocos Region. From old chuches, heritage towns, beautiful beaches, waterfalls, food and more, Ilocos will definitely not disappoint.
Day 1: Pagudpud
Depart Manila the night before and arrive in Pagudpud in the morning and check in at your hotel. In the afternoon, hire a trike to take you around the town. See Kabigan Falls, Patapat Viaduct, Bantay-Abot Cave and the sunset at Saud Beach.
Day 2: Pagudpud
Wake-up early and proceed to Maira-ira Beach or Blue Lagoon in the morning. In the afternoon, see Kapurpurawan Rocks, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse and end your day in Bangui Windmills.
Day 3: Laoag
Mysterious World Heritage Sites From Every Continent; Jake; Nothing Familiar
What makes a place so peculiar, so jaw dropping, that we are barely able to put it into words?? Of the 1,073 current sites, we’ve found a few crazy places that will surely make your head spin. Here’s 7 Mysterious World Heritage Sites From Every Continent!!
Peru, South America
Sacred City of Caral-Supe
The first World Heritage Site on our list just happens to also be the first center of civilization in the Americas. The Sacred City of Caral-Supe is almost 5,000 years old, but extremely well preserved for its age. Once home to an estimated 3,000 people, this ancient metropolis was complete with an amphitheater, courtyards, and even top level rooms for its elite craftsman. Way ahead of its time, Caral-Supe would be used as a model for other civilizations and cities for years to come.
Philippines, Asia
The Baroque Churches
April quakes damage San Agustin Church in Intramuros; Edgar Allan M. Sembrano; Inquirer lifestyle
400 year-old structure also assessed to be disaster-prone.
Unknown to the public, the series of medium-size earthquakes that shook Batangas and neighboring provinces in April, and damaged a number of structures including the centuries-old churches of Batangas City and Taal, also affected the Unesco World Heritage Church of San Agustin in Intramuros, Manila.
This was revealed by Fr. Ricky Villar, OSA, director of San Agustin Museum, during the recent Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church (ECCHC) 10th National Biennial Convention of Church Cultural Heritage Practitioners in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Father Villar said the church suffered huge cracks particularly on the area supporting the choir loft.
Built in 1595, San Agustin is the oldest church in the Philippines.
Via Crucis via cruises: Visita Iglesia on the cruise route; Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo; The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines — Every Holy Week, Filipinos, who are mostly Roman Catholic, observe religious traditions such as Via Crucis or 14 Stations of the Cross, wherein they commemorate every step in Jesus Christ’s passion and suffering by offering prayers to every station of the cross found in different churches or holy locations.
Every Holy Thursday, Roman Catholic Filipinos also visit seven churches and offer their prayers to God in each church, a custom known as the Visita Iglesia (literally, “church visit” in Spanish).
The traditional means of doing Via Crucis and Visita Iglesia is by foot or by land travel. There are also those who have found unusual ways such as stopping by the churches along the Manila-Laoag-Kaohsiung-Hong Kong route of Superstar Virgo, arguably the first cruise ship to make Manila its home port.
Get to know these centers of worship and their historical relevance.
Visit the great Baroque churches of the Philippines; Daniel Esparza; Aleteia
Built in the 16th and 17th centuries by Spanish colonial missionaries, all 4 are all included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Spanish colonists arrived in the Philippines in the 16th century with two main goals: getting a slice of the Pacific spice trade mainly dominated by the Portuguese, and spreading Catholicism both in the Philippines and China. They were following the order given by King Phillip II, from whom the colonized islands took their name: to occupy the islands with the least possible conflict and bloodshed.
There is still discussion about where and when the first Mass in the Philippines was celebrated. Some claim it was on a small island near Bukindon Province on Easter Sunday of 1521; others affirm it was instead celebrated in Mazaua, on the very same date; documents from the Magellan expedition back the second claim.
