next stop was supposedly Paco Church located near Padre Faura, according to our list (a list which came from the internet, i might add). however, after walking the whole block from Mabini St. to Padre Faura, around Taft then back to UN Avenue, we didn't find it so decided to go next to Malate Church. Again, we took a Mabini jeep at San Marcelino St. (since the road was one-way). in less than ten minutes, the driver dropped us off in front of the Church. this one is an old church reminiscent of the Spanish era. in front of the church is another plaza with a fountain. this venue is probably famous since this had been a site of many movies where people throw coins on the fountain to make wishes. i just wonder if their wishes came true, though.
next was the Binondo Church. we took a jeep that would take us to Manila City Hall and from there, take a jeep to Binondo. however, i don't know what we were both thinking but the jeep we took at the back of Malate Church was already going to Binondo in the first place! so we had one extra ride for us but it doesn't really matter because i discovered another underpass at manila aside from the one near the city hall. this other underpass is located near the Park and Ride! Yey! what is amazing however is that i learned from C that the Binondo Church is named after San Lorenzo Ruiz who was a former altar boy there when he was a kid. isn't that amazing?!
Quiapo Church was the next on the list. From Binondo, we took a Taft jeep that will take us back to the City Hall and from there, a jeepney ride to Quiapo. Here, we had another go at an underpass and I'd say that, if this underpass isn't just too crowded and dirty, this would be the best underpass in the whole of Manila! Amazing! the Church is another old one with a baroque style and dome-type roof. It was only in here that we lighted some candles. the candles cost us PhP20 each.
Back to the northbound lane of Quiapo, we took a jeep at Hidalgo St. this jeep will drop us off at San Sebastian Church. the church is said to be made of steel and is related to the Eiffel Tower. it has two spires (like the ones of Iglesia ni Cristo) but the inside of the church is totally breathtaking! it reminded me of the Catholic Church at Cambridge. isn't that cool?!
For the last two churches, we walked the main road from San Sebastian to Mendiola Plaza. it was only my second time to see this place and i was glad to see this again with a more "history mature" view of the place. it's role as an entrance to the Malacanang Palace is very evident as it was still barricaded by rolled chicken wires to keep protesters away. walking towards the palace, the San Beda chapel is towards the left. the entrance wasn't really amazing but when we found ourselves inside, it was a scene to behold. the church is very beautiful and very quiet. a solemn prayer will just go right out of you and you can't just help but thank God for a beautiful place - truly a house of the Lord.
the last one is the St. Jude Church. at this point, C had made me feel guilty because i haven't been back here after my board exam in 2003. you see, when i had to take the exam that year, i went to St. Jude to ask him to pray for me so that i'd pass my exam. but at least, it's better late than never. when i was there last 2003, the church was still under repair but now, it is a very beautiful church which is very well lighted. the crucifix of Jesus is a unique one, you had to go there to see for yourself. the image is angular, unlike the ones we are familiar of.
so! that's it! at around 2p, we finished our Visita Iglesia. it was a great time to spend with my bestfriend and to see the Houses of the Lord. God is so amazing! Alleluiah!
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