Introduction
I am not a Catholic by faith, but I love going to centuries-old churches because of their historical contribution, unique walls, artistic designs, and cool interiors. They were built or supervised by prominent and powerful people. I've listed below the 9 old churches in Metro Manila that can be visited during Visita Iglesia.
Where We Started
Te Bing and I met in Life Homes, Pasig and we commuted to Crossing. Took an MRT 3 and alighted at EDSA Guadalupe Station. We we walked on the sidewalk to Loyola Memorial Chapel but turned right on the street beside it going down to Guadalupe Church. It was less than 30 minutes kasi sa kabilang side ng EDSA kami napunta, kaya kailangan naming bumalik. But we're here at our first destination
1. Guadalupe Church
The Guadalupe Church, or Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church in Makati City, is a 400-year-old structure with an amazing facade. Founded by the Augustinians, the construction of its foundation was laid in 1601 and was finished in 1629. Some parts of this church were rebuilt several times because of the earthquakes; and in 1880 the masonry roof collapsed because of the earthquake, so it was rebuilt in 1882 by Rev. Jose Corujedo O.S.A. Later, this structure was burnt during the fight between Filipinos and Americans in February 1899. It was reconstructed and re-opened to the public in 1983.
We stayed there for less than 30 minutes. Ang lamig sa loob maybe because of its thick walls. Then, in front of Guadalupe Church, we rode a jeepney and alighted in PRC and took a green tricycle to Sta. Ana Church.
2. Sta. Ana Church
The Sta. Ana Church in Manila, or Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned, was established 300 years ago and its cornerstone was laid in 1720. Most of the churches were destroyed during war but Sta. Ana Church is one of the churches in the country spared by World War II. So, most of what you see today, including the Camarin de la Virgen, is the same with what the churchgoers saw centuries ago.
After that, on the street adjacent to Sta. Church, we rode a jeepney to Malate Church.
3. Malate Church
When the British landed on the shores of Manila in 1762, they used Malate Church as one of their headquarters because of its topography. Also known as the Our Lady of Remedies Parish, this church has a Mexican Baroque-style with a view of Plaza Rajah Sulayman. Its structure was damaged and rebuilt several times due to natural calamities like earthquakes and typhoons, but during the battle of the Second World War, this church was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt again. A statue of Virgin Mary was brought from Spain in 1624 and is currently enshrined at the altar.
At the rear side of Malate Church, we rode a jeepney to Binondo Church.
4. Binondo Church
The Binondo Church is known as the Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, which was named after the first Filipino saint (San Lorenzo Ruiz), who was canonized in 1987. The original structure was destroyed in 1756 but on the same spot, it was replaced by a new granite church completed in 1852. But during World War II, it was severely damaged, leaving the west facade, walls, and bell tower to survive. In front of this church is Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz, where water fountains were perfectly designed that match the ambiance of the church. This church is in the center of the district and is one of the landmarks.
Then, using my phone GPS, we walked on the streets near China Town going to Sta. Cruz and Quiapo Church.
5. Sta. Cruz Church
Sta. Cruz Church was originally built in 1619 by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) to serve the growing suburban population of Chinese residents and indigenous locals living outside the walled city of Intramuros. The Jesuits enshrined the image of Nuestra Señora del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar) in 1643, bringing a deep Marian devotion that has lasted for centuries. It is the first Roman Catholic Church built in this area. Its structure is made up of blocks of adobe quarried from the nearby provinces. It was dedicated to the newly converted Chinese who lived in Manila.
Then, we walked on the streets to Quiapo.
6. Quiapo Church
Quiapo Church was originally established in 1588 by Franciscan friars out of bamboo and nipa materials under the patronage of Saint John the Baptist. The parish was later handed over to secular priests in 1598. Over the centuries, the church faced successive destructions due to fires, military conflicts, and powerful earthquakes—most notably the devastating earthquake of 1863 that reduced the structure to ruins but was rebuilt. Today, distinguished by its classical Mexican Baroque facade, twin bell towers, and bronze domes, the basilica is world-famous for housing the miracle-working image of the Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (The Black Nazarene). It serves not only as a place of profound religious worship but also as a thriving epicenter of traditional Filipino street culture, folk devotion, and vibrant urban commerce.
Beside the church, we rode a jeepney to San Sebastian Church.
7. San Sebastian Church
The San Sebastian Church, officially designated as the Minor Basilica of San Sebastian and the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is an architectural wonder nestled in the district of Quiapo, Manila. Towering over Plaza del Carmen, it holds the distinction of being the only all-steel church in Asia and one of the most prominent prefabricated metal structural edifices in the world. The parish of San Sebastian dates back to 1621 when the land was donated to the Augustinian Recollects. However, the original wooden structure was burned down in 1651 during an uprising. Subsequent brick and stone replacements built in the 18th and 19th centuries were repeatedly destroyed by devastating fires and severe earthquakes—most notably the catastrophic quakes of 1863 and 1880. The streel structure we are seeing today was built from 1890 to 1891.
Then, we walked inside Intramuros to Manila Cathedral.
8. Manila Cathedral
The Manila Cathedral, officially known as the Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, was established as a humble parish made of nipa and bamboo in 1571 by Secular Priest Juan de Vivero, the church was elevated to a cathedral in 1579 by Pope Gregory XIII. Over the next four centuries, the structure earned its reputation as the "Resilient Cathedral," having been destroyed and rebuilt seven times due to fires, typhoons, and devastating earthquakes—most notably the catastrophic 1863 quake that flattened the center of Manila. The seventh iteration of the cathedral was completely reduced to rubble during the 1945 Battle of Manila in World War II. The present eighth structure was designed by renowned Filipino architect Fernando Ocampo between 1954 and 1958, blending Neo-Romanesque proportions with local travertine craftsmanship. Pope John Paul II elevated the cathedral to a Minor Basilica in 1981, cementing its historic and spiritual prominence worldwide.
Then, we walked to San Agustin Church.
9. San Agustin Church
San Agustin Church (officially the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Consolacion y Correa) is the oldest stone church in the Philippines. Originally established by the Order of Saint Augustine in 1571, the first two iterations of the church were built using bamboo, nipa, and timber—both of which were destroyed by fires. Realizing the need for a permanent sanctuary, the Augustinian friars commissioned the construction of a stone church in 1586, designed by Spanish architect Juan Macías. Completed in 1607, the stone structure survived catastrophic earthquakes that flattened most of Manila over the centuries, earning it a reputation as an indestructible fortress of faith. Beyond earthquakes, it weathered the British invasion in 1762, the Spanish-American War in 1898, and the devastating Battle of Manila in 1945—standing as the only one of seven historic Intramuros churches left intact after World War II. Later, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 under the "Baroque Churches of the Philippines" collective inscription, this Spanish colonial monument stands as an architectural triumph.
After San Agustin, naglakad-lakad pa kami pa puntang Rizal Park para makita yung dancing fountain with colorful lights. Tapos, umuwi na kami. Nakakapagod pero worth in lahat!
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