From 7 to 15 (Part 1)| Visita Iglesia 2018

The 29th of March this year marked the Holy Week's Maundy Thursday. This is the day, alongside Good Friday, where roman catholics do Visita Iglesia. Visita Iglesia is usually done by visiting 7 churches and reciting the stations of the cross. This has been planned but like most plans, it hasn't gone according to plan. But it has changed for the better, from 7 churches we actually got to go to 15!! That is more than what was planned hahaha!!

Without further ado, here is what happened to our Visita Iglesia:

Woke up at around 6am because I will be meeting with tita ria at Mendiola in Manila at 10 am. Being paranoid about being late I decided to leave at 7:30 to allow at least 2hrs and 30mins travel time. Boy was I wrong about that... Arrived at Mendiola at around 8:30 am. I had 1hr and 30mins to kill, so I walked around and saw The Malacañang Palace, the Laperal Mansion, the place where the Presidential Security stays, and a lot of other things! The first church on our list was the National Shrine of St. Jude Thadeus.

1. THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF SAINT JUDE THADEUS

Location: Dr Jose P Laurel Sr, San Miguel, Maynila, 1005 Kalakhang Maynila

This was not the first time I have been to this church. We often come here during Thursdays at 9am because they have a blessing for religious items like rosaries, bibles, etc... after the mass. I have always loved the second floor of the church. This is where we stay when we attend mass here, it provides a great view of the altar from all angles! Outside of the church near the entrance there was a lot of stalls selling food varying from local street food, to rice based desserts (kakanin), pasta, breads (there was a lot of garlic bread on that one stall! Heaven!!!), drinks like lemonades, etc... If this is your last stop or you were just tired from walking from the Mendiola peace arch to the church, you can fill up at the stalls!

'The facade of the church'

'The inside of the church. Someone was giving a mid morning talk when we got there'

'You can light small floating candles for 2 pesos a piece'

After the shrine of saint Jude we went to the next church:

2. REGAL PARISH AND THE SHRINE OF SAINT MICHAEL AND THE ARCHANGELS

(SAN MIGUEL CHURCH)

Location: 1000 Gen. Solano St, San Miguel, Manila, Metro Manila

This church was not really part of our plan. I just found it while walking because I had the 1hr and 30min extra time. I suggested to go here and we did. This is when our plan started to change. hahaha I really love this church especially the big statue outside right in front of the church. It was so beautiful. Also they have a Garden ossuary, a beautiful fountain, an a cave like design for an outside altar. Overall the church was beautiful and amazing! Also as per tradition, if you go to a church for the first time, you can make a wish!

'This is the front of the church and to the right you can see the statue I mentioned, I didn't get a closer picture damn'

'It's actually a very pretty, but small, church. Despite this, a lot of people come here when doing their visita. The altar kinda reminds me of our own parish in taytay'

Next was:

3. OUR LADY OF MONTSERRAT ABBEY (SAN BEDA CHURCH)

Location: Mendiola St, San Miguel, Manila, Metro Manila (In San Beda grounds)

I really loved this church! When we entered it It looked like one of those churches at the Vatican! and the ceiling was just divine! The artwork was very outstanding.

'The facade featuring my aunt mama Ria!'

After San Beda church we had to walk a lot to get to one of my new favorite churches of all time:

4. BASILICA MENOR DE SAN SEBASTIAN (SAN SEBASTIAN PARISH)

Location: Pasaje del Carmen St, Quiapo, Manila, Metro Manila

OMG I CAN'T EVEN START TO DESCRIBE MY FEELINGS FOR THIS CHURCH!!! A TRUE MARVEL OF ARCHITECTURE!!!! When mama Ria told me that it was made of metal I didn't believe it at first but when we actually got there, sorry for this, Kinatok ko talaga yung pader (I really knocked on the walls) IT WAS REALLY METAL!!! Though the foundations was cement, the walls, columns, pillars, were metal! It was really amazing. Napa, OMG ako ng malakas, angdaming tumingin hahahahahaha sorry na. I really love this church!

'A real beauty!!! The facade of the church!'

'Yup those are all metal!'

After San Sebastian, we decided to walk to Quiapo to visit Quiapo church, but plans change... We found a small church along the way:

5. SHRINE OF THE HOLY FACE OF JESUS

Location: 1111 F-R. Hidalgo St, Quiapo, Manila, Metro Manila

Okay, This church was not part of the plan, we just saw some people walking to Quiapo, followed them, and stumbled upon this quaint church! It has a very comfy feeling. When you enter through the entrance (alangan namang exit) you are immediately directed to the parking lot. You have to go through staircases on the side to get to the church itself. The church was small, more of a chapel if you must. But it has this comforting feeling that overwhelms you. There is also a wishing fountain outside that is quite cool! People had this mentality, that I also had, that if they land their coins on the seashells their wishes will come true. I didn't land it on the shell if you were wondering. :(

'This is the facade of the church. To the right, where there is an umbrella, is where the fountain is located.'

'A view from the second floor of the church'

'The cool wishing fountain!'

After this, we finally arrive at Quiapo.

6. MINOR BASILICA OF THE BLACK NAZARENE (QUIAPO CHURCH)

Location: 363 Quezon Blvd, Quiapo, Manila, 1001 Metro Manila

I have been to this church a lot of times already. Especially lately because this is near Raon where we buy electronics components for school and we use this church as our meet up place. I love how big this church is! It has great architecture! They were kinda strict with taking pictures inside the church so I didn't get much pictures from inside.

'The facade of the church! It may look small from this side but once you enter it's really big!'

After Quiapo we headed to Cariedo because that is where the next church on the list is located:

7. STA. CRUZ PARISH CHURCH

Location: Carriedo St, Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila

I kept calling this church Cariedo church because it is in the Cariedo area, Sorry! I have also been to this church multiple times already.

'The facade of the church'

'The inside of the church! I have always found the design of this church to be lovely but sometimes, the lamb painting in the altar confuses me'

This was supposed to be our last church for the Manila area but we remembered that we are in the Binondo area already, so why not go to:

8. MINOR BASILICA OF SAINT LORENZO RUIZ AND THE OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY PARISH (BINONDO CHURCH)

Location: Ongpin St. corner Quintin Paredes St., Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz, Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila

This is actually the second time I have been to this church. I really loved the inside of the church, great architecture! One thing that will make me always remember this place were the volunteers giving away free water and, wait for it, TIKOY! It just made the visit more memorable.