Philippines - San Augustin Church, Manila

My last stop in Manila before heading to the airport was San Augustin Church. I dropped by the church, which is right in the heritage enclave of Intramuros, on my first day in Philippines but it was not open. So, I thought I want to try my luck again on my last day with the chances of it opening its doors were higher since it was Sunday and I was right. It was indeed a good thing for the interior of the church was astounding. Definitely among the best I'd seen in the country.

San Augustin Church

San Augustin Church, together with Paoay Church and Santa Maria Church, formed the Baroque Churches of Philippines, protected under the UNESCO World Heritage list. The missing church under the list that I did not visit is the Miag-ao Church in Iloilo. 

Sign of renovation works still ongoing

Renovation works for the church were underway when I was there. It was evident with the half-painted exterior which can be quite unappealing. However, if you looked aside the works in progress, you will be amazed by the craftsmanship appeared in the church. The main door itself is a work of art, with intricate carvings on them.

The main gate

As I mentioned earlier, thanks to the Sunday services, I managed to enter the church and had a peek at its interior. A lot of travellers did the same as well. However, do be respectful while exploring the church as there are locals praying.

The interior

Grand altar

I have yet to visit any European countries, well known for their grand churches, but upon stepping my feet into San Augustin Church, for a moment I thought I was transported to some medieval churches in the continent. Of all the churches I went to in the country - not much, but still - this has to be the most beautiful of them all.

Look at the intricate carvings on the ceiling

The wall is pristine white while the high ceiling has detailed carvings that you should spend at least a few hours to appreciate them. Unfortunately, I can't do what I preached as I was in a rush that day and I barely enjoyed my brief stay in the church. All I did was take a few shots and ran off to catch my bus. A big mistake.

The chandelier

I toured around the church, taking in as many images as I can into my brain, and when the time came, I took the transit to the bus station and began my journey to the airport. One unfortunate aspect of this trip was that AirAsia flies to Clark instead of Manila, which is about 2 hours away. Luckily, the low cost carrier decided to move its hub back to Manila, making my future visits much easier.

*THE END*

Philippines - Fort Santiago

I spent 2 days in Vigan City and by the end of the second day, I took the night bus back to Manila for a quick stop at Fort Santiago before heading to the airport for my afternoon flight. It was rather rush though I calculated that I will have about 6 hours of exploration in Intramuros. That amount of time was cut short when the bus broke down halfway along the ride and we had to wait for a new bus. Luckily, it did not derail my plan and I still manage to visit Fort Santiago.

Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago is one of Philippines' oldest stone fortresses built during the Spanish colonization. Located in the northern part of Intramuros, the fortress has undergone many reconstructions after sustaining heavy damages over the years, especially during World War II. Today, this national monument is part of a historical park and a popular tourist attraction.

The fortress, up close

Ruins left during the war

The park encompasses the fort, ruins, bastions and plazas. However, the main attraction, besides the Fort Santiago gate, is the Rizal Shrine. After all, this fortress also served as the prison site for Jose Rizal, Philippines' national hero, before his execution.

Some of his works

Jose Rizal was a nationalist beloved by his countrymen. He was also a man of many talents. Besides being a doctor, he was also a novelist, poet and sculptor. However, his greatest gift to the country has to be his revolutionary works.

The room where Jose Rizal was held captive before being executed

The reconstructed building that was used to imprison him before execution is now a museum dedicated to his life's works. Rizal Shrine has an extensive collections of memorabilia of Jose Rizal. His works and sculptures are on display for the public to admire. This is also the place where he penned his last poem, Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell), concealed in an oil lamp that his family discovered. You can also traced the trail he took towards his execution which was imprinted in bronze plate on the road.

Other than Rizal Shrine, Fort Santiago also offers the one of the best views of Pasig River. Head to Baluarte de Santa Barbara which now houses the Rizaliana Furniture Exhibit (entrance fee required) and you get to see the river from the best point of view.

Pasig River

The entrance fee to Fort Santiago costs PHP 75 for adult and PHP 50 for student or children. It opens daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Philippines - Intramuros

I have a clear idea of what I wanted to visit during my brief time in Manila before boarding domestic flight to Laoag, Ilocos Norte. I wanted to go to Intramuros, an ancient walled city, deep in the central of Manila. This is the place to be if you want to get a glimpse of the colonial era and how the country looked like while in Spanish Empire. It is also where San Augustin Church, one of the four churches listed under UNESCO World Heritage Site, located at.

One of its few main gates to Intramuros

You can walk on top of the walk and have a good view of its surroundings

The walls were built to defend the city from foreign invasion back in the colonial days. However, it was heavily damaged in World War II and major reconstruction was done to rebuild to its current state. As you walked along the cobbled streets, you feel like being transported to the old times, with calesa (horse drawn carriages) passing by you.

Calesa goes perfectly with the colonial buildings

I didn't get to see the Baroque church as it was closed. Luckily, on my last day, I managed to sneak in during their Sunday Mass and suffice to say, I was awestruck by its interior. More on that later. There is the San Augustin Museum where artifacts from the church as well as its collections are on display. Entrance fee applies for the museum, though I am not sure how much it is as I did not enter.

San Augustin Church, undergoing paint job

Besides the San Augustin Church, another majestic religious site worth a visit is the Manila Cathedral. However, this cathedral was closed indefinitely for urgent repair works. Such was my luck.

Statue of King Carlos IV looking at Manila Cathedral

Other attractions that are in Intramuros are Casa Manila, a beautifully reconstructed colonial mansion of wealthy Spanish families, Plaza de Roma, the walled city's own plaza mayor or main square with a monument of King Carlos IV of Spain stood in the centre, Fort Santiago, a defense ground of the old empire, and Rizal Shrine, a moving museum dedicated to the life and works of Jose Rizal, Philippines' national hero.

Casa Manila

Again, I just briefly explored Casa Manila while I pushed back Fort Santiago to the last day of the trip. I just wanted to walk around Intramuros and sunk into its deep historical values. I left Intramuros about 4 p.m. and took first UV Express Taxi outside of Intramuros before changing to another taxi which took me directly to Terminal 3 airport for my flight with Cebu Pacific to Laoag.

2 hours is not enough to explore Intramuros

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport is the country's largest airport and a major transportation hub. There are 4 terminals to the airport, namely Terminal 1, 2, 3 and 4, also known as Manila Domestic Passenger Terminal. All terminals are not within close proximity and taxis are required to move around them. There is no specific rules towards which airlines flying to and out of which terminals but generally, all international airlines enter Terminal 1 while Terminal 2 and 3 are specifically for Philippines Airlines and Cebu Pacific respectively. Terminal 4 caters to domestic and international flights from AirAsia Zest and Tigerair Philippines. Therefore, make sure you are at the right terminal when you fly out of Manila.

Philippines - Arrival in Clark and Off to Manila

Today's the second day of a brand new year! How's it been going for you? Well, I realize my lazy bone will most likely my biggest setback in achieving my resolutions for the year. Well, I simply have to overcome it.

Let's start a new travelogue in this new year and coincidentally, it was the fourth day of Chinese New Year when I was on AirAsia on my way to Philippines. I have a precise objection for my Philippines trip and it all has to do with the UNESCO Heritage Sites in the country. First off, I want to visit the Baroque Churches the country is famous for as well as the historic town of Vigan, one of the few Spanish colonial towns in Asia.

Local mode of transportation, jeepney

It took 4 hours from Kuala Lumpur to reach Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, Philippines. When the whole immigration process was over, I took a bus ride to Manila, which is about 2 hours away. Located in Angeles City in Pampanga province, Central Luzon, this was the landing ground for AirAsia back then. However, since Zest Air has been taken over by the airline company, there are now direct flights to Manila itself.

Once I reached Pasay Terminal in Manila, I began my exploration in the capital city for just a few hours for I had another flight to catch later that day to Laoag, Ilocos Norte. More on that later. My first stop, Intramuros. In fact, this ancient walled city was my playground on both the first and the last day in Philippines.

Train to Central Station

I took the Strong Republic Transit System (SRTS), their version of our LRT in Kuala Lumpur, from EDSA Station to Central Station, where Intramuros is within walking distance. I stumbled upon Manila Central Post Office on my way there and since I was already there, why not stop by and buy some stamps for my postcards. I'll continue later on the sights in Intramuros in the next post.

Manila Central Post Office at the background

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

AirAsia Philippines provides free shuttle bus service from Clark airport to Marquee Mall and Dau bus terminal and vice versa. From there, you will be able to find buses to Metro Manila. Bus fare from Marquee Mall and Dau bus terminal is at a much lower rate. There is also direct buses to the capital city from Clark airport through Philtranco bus company for PHP 450 (RM 35) one way.