Eat: San Agustin Church & Manila

Fast Food Delivery, Makati, Manila

I had delicious meals in the Philippines. Before arriving there, I had no idea about Filipino food except fast food is popular.

No meal at Intramuros

Frankly, I did not eat any food while visiting World Heritage Site at San Agustin Church and Intramuros. I just drank a glass of Grape Fruit & 7 Up at dining room of White Knight Hotel because of little timing and hot weather.

Fast Food Kingdom

However, the restaurant chains I see are fast food which I try to avoid. The Philippines is known as the inheritor of American fast food culture. The Philippines was a colony of the United States.

Almost everywhere you will find large fast food restaurants from cities to remote provinces. There are varied from fried chicken, pizza, burger, donut, Chinese and so on. 

Penne wt Meat Sauce, Banapple Restaurant, Ayala Triangle, Makati

Yummy Banoffee, Banapple Restaurant, Ayala Triangle, Makati

"Banapple" the Popular Restaurant and Bakery, Makati, Manila

Museum Cafe, Ayala Museum, Makati, Manila

Restaurant and café I visited 
Banapple 
Ayala Triangle, Makati Avenue, Makati
Long queue in front of this restaurant proof the popularity.
It serves both Filipino and Western including bakery.

Museum Café 
Ground Floor Ayala Museum, Makati
Chic cafes amidst modern atmosphere, connected to luxury mall “Green Belt”.
A glass of mocktail after 3 hrs in Ayala Museum is great.

Stay: San Agustin Church

Our Melting Pot Hostel, A Venue Suiets, Makati

I chose to stay in Makati, which is far from the San Agustin Church, but near the airport. My accommodation is safe, comfortable and affordable.

Accommodations in Manila 
There is not much Accommodations in Manila compared to other countries in Southeast Asia. It is difficult to predict what you will get. It is possible that accommodations may be nice while surrounding area could not trust.

Makati city is the business zone and residence of expats. Staying in the heart of Makati, you can relax even you are wandering or feel less unsafe. It takes 20 -30 minutes from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport or 1 hr in case of traffic jam. Furthermore, the bus terminals are 30-40 min away which is pretty convenient.

Our Melting Pot Hostel

My Accommodation 
Our Melting Pot - www.ourmeltingpot.com
Unit 18-N&O, A.Venue Suites #7829 Makati Avenue cor. General Luna St. Manila
Dorm style with breakfast

***On 2012 they has moved to new location on the opposite side of Makati Avenue at 4th/Floor Mavenue Building, #7844 Makati Avenue co Guerrero Street, 1209 Makati City Manila*** 

This hostel has got highly customer satisfaction. It's is a unit on condominium. Staffs are attentive. They can recommend the trips, both in Manila and other destinations.

Nearby attractions is Ayala Museum, 5-Star Shopping Malls: Green Belt, Gloreitta, SM Makati, and nightlife.

Travel: San Agustin Church

Go

Fast Facts

• Metropolitan Manila has a population of more than 11 million people. 
• Consists of 16 urban cities such as Manila City, Makati City, Quezon City, and Pasay City.
• Transportation is not easy. Traffic jam.Getting around by Jeepney in Manila is very cheap. 
• There are also buses, Light Rail Transit (LRT), Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and so on.
• Foreigners prefer taxis. It's is the most convenient and affordable price.

Cautions: the taxi meter run faster than usual, not use the meter, go around, and take other passengers sharing the same route. I had experienced all.

Manila Metropolitan Theatre, Next to Mehan Park

Manila Post Office, Opposite Mehan Park

Getting There

Makati City - San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila City.
I do as the Filipino do. That's Jeepney and LRT as following.

Guadalupe Jeepney line from Makati - Buendia LRT Station, 8 Peso, 1 hour
Buendia Station - Central Station, 15 Peso, 20 - 30 Min.
Jeepney from Manila Post Office - Plaza Roma, Intramuros, 8 Peso, 10 Min. 

Once down from Central LRT Station, heading north for 100-200 meters, turn left at the Manila Metropolitan Theatre, which is abandoned, walk to Mehan Park. The opposite is the Roman style building of Manila Post Office, cross the street to take Jeepney to go to Intramuros. 

Travel Tips 
If in doubt ask the people waiting for bus or Jeepney drivers. From my experience, Filipinos are willing to help tourists. Jeepney fare is fixed. Unlike the taxi drivers in Manila that ready to take advantages from tourists as much as possible.

Manila is mega city. The passengers should not expect taxi drivers to know your destinations. Please study map. 

Language Tip 
Filipinos speak English with Tagalog accent, and some Spanish words on daily basis such as location titles, pronunciation to match local people making communication easier.

Kalesa Riding, Intramuros

Around 
Intramuros have many entrances. Plaza Roma is the good starting point you can walk to Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church and the Plaza San Luis in the back easily. Not need a vehicle or a guide.

To visit Fort Santiago may need to hire a tricycle. It takes 5 -10 minutes from Plaza Roma. For sightseeing around the walls of Intramuros, visitors need to hire a tricycle or Kalesa which must be cautious hiring.

Nearby Attraction: San Agustin Church

Intramuros "The Walled City"

Casa Manila, Intramuros

Intramuros was the administrative centre of Spain since the 16th century, located between the mouth of Pasig River and Manila Bay, surrounded by walls and forts. Today it is the site of significant churches and historical attractions.

Attractions within the walls of Intramuros  

San Agustin Church: Baroque Church of the Philippines

UNESCO World Heritage Site 

Fort Santiago 
Large fort on the mouth of Pasig River, it was occupied by the Muslim, Spanish and Japanese and served as main fort for spice trade to America and Europe more than 300 years.

Manila Cathedral 
It is the highest seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of the Philippines. The current church is the 6th incarnation after several time damages from typhoon, earthquakes and war. 

Bahny Tsinoy Heritage Center 
Museum displays lifestyle and objects of Chinese immigrants in the past.

Plaza San Luis / Casa Manila 
The colonial style complex, there are  shops, cafe, hotel and museum, such as Casa Manila, White Knight Hotel and Restaurant, café, souvenir shop, travel agent.

Baluarte de San Andres 
One of the forts surrounding Intramuros, providing nice view of Manila City Hall.

Entrance, Fort Santiago, Intramuros

Manila Cathedral, Intramuros

Casa Manila, San Luis Complex, Intramuros

San Luis Complex, Intramuros

Golf Course, Intramuros

My experience in Intramuros 
I reached the old town by 2 Filipino brother and sister who took me riding Jeepney from the Manila Post Office along river to Plaza Roma in front of Manila Cathedral.

I hired a tricycle to tour around Intramuros in the price of 500 pesos for 2 hours. Starting at the San Agustin Church, then go to Fort Santiago. Back in the street around the wall, visited Baluartillo de San Jose a fortress surrounded by golf course, then went to Baluarte de San Andres. It is a fortress overlooking the Manila City Hall and ended the visit at San Agustin Church.

Award Wining Historic Building, Intramuros

Battle of Manila 1945 Monument, Intramuros

Around, Intramuros

Then I spent the rest at Casa Manila within Plaza San Luis opposite San Agustin Church. Casa Manila is colonial style museum displays lifestyle of wealthy Chinese merchants who still keeping Chinese traditions while believing Catholic faith. They love to show off their wealth through the Spanish mansions and luxurious furniture imported from Europe.

Intramuros is currently left a few significant historic sites. Within the city walls, there are new buildings such as university and printing factory. Sightseeing should focuses on specific area not far from the San Agustin Church.

San Agustin Museum: Manila

The Treasure of Religious Art

San Agustin Museum, Intramuros

San Agustin Museum 

Foreigner admission fee 100 Pesos. Photo not allowed. 

The museum is connected to the church, exhibited about the Mission, evangelist biography, religious works of art such as paintings, equipment related to religion and the tombs of the Spanish Conquistadors from Governors-Generals, Archbishops and Filipinos important persons etc. 

I spent just an hour in the museum, even though I needed more. Here is a source of religious knowledge and the relevant art. As the only Spanish colony in Southeast Asia, and have influenced to the Philippines until today.

Stairway, San Agustin Museum, Intramuros

Dome, San Agustin Museum, Intramuros

Paintings along the Corridor, San Agustin Museum

The museum was constructed in the colonial style. There were the use of local wood to build the elements such as doors, windows, floors and furniture. The dome and the stone- made stair leading to the 2nd floor are the Baroque style, definitely stunned to the Asian like me. 

The Exhibitions

First room on 1st floor on the left hand side connected from the church is the biographical exhibition and the journey of the Augustinian priest, Father Fray Andres Urdeneta who entered the priesthood at the age of over 30 (quite late), he had a key role in bringing Christianity to the  Philippines firmly. His journey is the adventure of pioneer, doctor, scientist, astronomer, seafarer and finally God's servant with heart and soul.

The next room is the tombs of famous people and some art objects such as chairs, antiques carts, etc.

On the 2nd floor, although don't not have modern presentation, I still enjoyed the exhibitions. Especially drawing of various churches across the Philippines, the facade of churches have a unique design at all.

My next visit to the Philippines, this museum is one of the memorable places where I will be back.

San Agustin Church: Baroque Churches of the Philippines

UNESCO World Heritage Site, City of Manila

UNESCO: San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila

One thing I like visiting Philippines is different design churches. Facade of each church has its own style. Bring better recognition.

Background 
San Agustin Church is the oldest church in the Philippines, founded in 1571 in Intramuros the administrative centre of Spain by Order of the Augustinians once the Spanish occupied Manila.

The first building was constructed of wood and palm. Later was built with Adobe Stone in 1587, with the Monastery where has been the Augustinians Mother House since then. 

The Church has been resisted typhoons, earthquakes and fires several times. The only building remained from destruction during The Liberation of Manila in 1945 as part of World War 2 in the Pacific region between Filipinos Force and US Army against Japanese Troop.

Altar, San Agustin Church

Hallway, San Agustin Church 

3-D Dome, San Agustin Church 

San Agustin Church  Decoration 

Although the exterior was not appeal to me, the wood-carved door is beautiful Baroque art. The interior is elaborately decorated, dome-shaped building with Latin cross layout. Trompe l'oeil drawing technique by Italian painters creates stunning illusion to the ceiling.

See other Baroque Churches of Philippines and museum I’ve visited.

Paoay Church

Santa Maria Church
San Agustin Museum

Baroque Churches of the Philippines, the Early Chapter

San Agustin Museum, the Baroque Art Treasure of the Philippines

Before understanding Baroque Churches of the Philippines is. We need to understand what Baroque art is. For me, an Asian who has lived in country where Western influences in the way of life not much, it is interesting and requires more effort to study.

What is Baroque?

It is a period and the style. Began around the 16th century in Rome, Italy, and then spread throughout Europe.

The response of the Roman Catholic Church to the Protestant Reformation at that time resulted in the religion that makes use of art to convey the themes distinctly, emotionally, elaborately and gorgeously. 

Baroque art were used extensively from architecture, sculpture, painting, literature, dance to music. Beside architecture in churches and monasteries, Baroque art was style of palaces and mansions as well. 

The Baroque Churches of the Philippines 

When the Spanish Conquistadors occupied the Philippines in the 16th century and Christianity was embarked. The churches were built up in European style in that era. There were any modifications to suit the environment by Chinese and native workers.

Fast Facts: 
Baroque Churches of the Philippines Characteristics

• The interpretation of Baroque style in Europe. 
• The religious and politics implications. 
• Use of local materials, such as Coral Stone.
  
• Its innovative design, leading to a new tradition in the church building. 
• Regard of the strength that is resistant to earthquakes called "Earthquake Baroque". 
  
• Chinese and Filipino construction workers.  

See each Baroque Church I've visited: San Agustin, Paoay Church and Santa Maria Church

My Route: UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Philippines

13 Nights 14 Days 12 Towns 7 World Heritage Sites

Makati City, Manila

Choosing Philippines as first UNESCO World Heritage destination outside my country brought much surprise for the family and friends. Philippines may not be the country with a lot of foreign tourists even Southeast Asians.

However, it did not change my intentions. Although I could not find some travel information from the leading travel websites, travel guidebooks, UNESCO website, tourism brochures, e-mail directs to the Tourism Organization of the Philippines, Philippines Embassy officers in Bangkok or even hostel staffs in Manila who are willing to assist the travelers as well. 

The point is some UNESCO World Heritage sites may not attractive as leading attractions. The destinations published in guidebooks or top travel websites are more accepted as a basis for world travellers’ popularity.

This is a list of UNESCO World Heritage sites I've visited, as following. 

San Agustin Church - The Baroque Church of the Philippines

Intramuros, Manila. 
Paoay Church (San Agustin) - The Baroque Church of the Philippines 
Paoay Municipality, Ilocos Norte Province, North Luzon. 
Vigan Historic Town, North Luzon. 
Santa Maria Church (Nuestra Senora) - The Baroque Church of the Philippines 
Santa Maria Municipality, Ilocos Sur Province, North Luzon. 
Batad Rice Terrace - The Cordilleras Rice Terrace 
Banaue, Ifugao Province, Cordilleras Region, Luzon. 
Bagaan Rice Terrace - The Cordilleras Rice Terrace 
Banaue, Ifugao Province, Cordilleras Region, Luzon. 
Puerto-Princesa Underground River 
Saint Paul National Park, Palawan.

Cities, towns and villages I've visited.

Manila, Laoag, San Nicolas, Paoay, Vigan, Santa Maria, Baguio, Banaue, Batad, Bangaan, Peurto Princesa and Sabang.

The World Heritage sites I missed on this journey. 

Miagao Church (Santo Tomas), - The Baroque Church of the Philippines 

Iloilo Province, Visayas. 

Tubbataha National Reef 

Sulu Sea, Municipality of Cagayancillo, Palawan