0 MANILA STREET HERITAGE FESTIVAL, SELFIE AT #SELFIESCOLTA

It is indeed the Manila’s Queen of Streets. Calle de la Escolta back then was the posh district for business biz before the affluent Makati’s towering skyline. The eminence had past but the memories shall live forever. The Manila Street Heritage Festival or #selfiEscolta initially scheduled on June 28 but due to unpredictable weather, it has been moved to July 5, 2014. The intention of this movement is to promote the conservation and appreciation of old buildings in Manila. Also to remember that this is once Manila’s premiere business and shopping district, a historical footnote, and has a huge part in the development of Philippine economy.

Last Saturday I had the chance to be part of the said event; though it was only quick but enough to witness the wealth of the street. Escolta is geographically part of Binondo – one of the old downtown districts in Manila. That’s why it’s not really hard to get there. Accessible via LRT line near Carriedo Station, public utility jeeps are also passing by right at the corner of Escolta Street near Don Roman Santos Building (BPI signage).

Why #selfiEScolta? Nowadays, thru social media, everyone can create and share content into website which make everybody part of social networking. Applications like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest are now the least part of daily lives, that’s why the hashtag aims to create an online buzz encouraging all the participants to post their best selfie shot.

Through the effort of Escolta Revival Movement; there are free guided tours starting from the ferry at the Pasig River Station and tranvia ride tours that will tour around the prominent spots of Escolta. Participants are cheered to take the self-taken photographs with the fostered building at the background or any symptomatic image of the street. Unfortunately the registration was closed when I learned about this festival so I only stayed at the entryway.

At the entryway where the street fair was assembled filled with food bazaar, shops of different arts and crafts, pieces and paintings from the memories of the past. There were also different organization occupied the street with just music. Another group that brought my attention is the use of Philippine Musical Instruments, this group used an instrument made of bamboo, a chordophone that you wouldn’t imagine it will create music.

Here are my photographs of the old buildings along Escolta. My apologies, since I wasn’t able to join with the tour I don’t know the names. Nevertheless, it just feels so much proud that we have these buildings that we usually see in parts of European countries.  I can’t imagine how beautiful the place was bursting with old cars, a vibrant street stuffed with non-neon lights yet the spirit seems lift into an endless-like entertainment.

  

2 CHURCHES: VISITING THE MANILA METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL - BASILICA

The Manila Cathedral is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Immaculate Conception located inside the Walled City – Intramuros, Manila. This church with a complete name of The Manila Metropolitan Cathedral – Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is the official seat of the present Manila Archbishop – Luis Antonio Tagle. I’ve been wandering inside Intramuros and visited places like Casa Manila and San Agustin Church for a reason that requirement for school projects but never came in my mind to stop over at the Manila Cathedral. And this made me realized that it should be part in my seven churches visitation.

This is the fourth church after Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, and Parañaque. I was already thinking to take cab from Baclaran Church all the way to Manila Cathedral. Luckily one of the vendors told me that there are FX’s and vans traveling all the way to Intramuros. Then after a couple of minutes waiting on the side of the road under the fiery sun, I saw UV Express van approaching going to Intramuros. I paid Php 25 and thanks to the driver because he brought me right in front of the cathedral.

When I get at the façade of the cathedral, I was surprised by the countless people visiting the church. I was just expecting of local devotees but there were also a huge number of foreign tourists taking pictures and observing holy week in the country. People were coming in and out, there were vendors outside hawking different dollies for the youngsters and photographers with huge cameras hanging on their necks. Getting near the entrance I’m quite amazed with the architecture especially the inscription of the tympanum on the main door.

The cathedral reopened to the general public on April 9, 2014 after two years of renovation, the mass then led by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle attended by President Ninoy Aquino. Upon entering the basilica, the architecture is pretty amazing, the structural design still in line with the original pattern but added with interior LED lightings. These lightings enhance the exquisiteness of the basilica with yellow lights on the pillars. I am also captivated and focus most of my attention by the stained glass windows pinned all over the ceilings and on the sides. It is made of different colors and when the sun focuses its sunlight into these glasses it will surely made some astonishing lights that will envelop the whole church. There are also flat screen monitors that will cover the mass so people at the back can still the ministers in front. 

Manila Cathedral is just one of the places to check inside the rich history of the walled city. Intramuros has monuments and shrines that were witness in the past and yet still standing in the present-day telling the young generation how the people fought to attain the freedom. And so will have to start in the churches of San Agustin and Manila Cathedral. I should visit one of these days to attend mass.

THE MANILA METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL - BASILICA

Cathedral - Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

Address: Cabildo cor., Beaterio St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

Telephone: +63.2.527.1796 / +63.2.527.3093 / +63.2.528.3876

Email: mlacathedral@yahoo.com / mlacathedral@gmail.com

Website: www.manilacathedral.org