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18 Apr 2011 | No Comment
<em>Visita Iglesia:</em> Pre-war Intramuros, Manila

A free downloadable and printable PDF guide is now available for those who would want to tour Intramuros and the places where the seven major churches, except for two, used to be found within the walls. This freebie showcases the eight structures in the historic walled city, all archival images.

Luzon, Manila, Metro Manila, published, Regions, San Sebastian »

25 Jun 2010 | No Comment
San Sebastian Basilica in Bluprint Magazine

In the June 2010 issue of Bluprint Magazine, San Sebastian Minor Basilica is the main feature entitled: Prefab Gothic Revival: Saving the All-Steel San Sebastian Basilica in Manila. The article is written by Tina Paterno, a New York based conservator, who is in the country spearheading, as project head, the restoration of this stunning and historic edifice. I’ve contributed images.

Luzon, Manila, Metro Manila, Regions, San Sebastian, Simbahan »

6 May 2010 | 4 Comments
Coming soon: <em>San Sebastian Basilica Minore</em>

I’ve always been fascinated with the all-steel structure of the San Sebastian Minor Basilica in Quiapo, Manila and when the opportunity came to document it inside and out, I grabbed it.

Downloads, intramuros, Luzon, Malate, Manila, Manila Cathedral, Metro Manila, Quiapo, Regions, San Sebastian, Simbahan, Sta. Ana, Tondo »

3 Mar 2010 | 8 Comments
Visita Iglesia in Manila guide free download

A free downloadable and printable PDF guide is now available for those who would want to do the traditional visita iglesia in Manila! This freebie features the remaining eight still existing Spanish colonial era churches in the historic city, either wholly built or with it’s façade intact.

Featured, intramuros, Luzon, Manila, Metro Manila, Regions, Simbahan »

2 Apr 2009 | 4 Comments
Visita Iglesia: 8 Old Manila Churches

This segment of the visita iglesia series features seven of the important churches within Manila.

intramuros, Luzon, Manila, Ruins, Simbahan »

6 Mar 2008 | 3 Comments
Pre-war <em>visita iglesia</em> in Intramuros

The seven major churches of the different religious Orders in Intramuros before WWII.

intramuros, Manila, Metro Manila, Simbahan »

26 Dec 2007 | 2 Comments
The architecture of San Agustin

The beautiful and ancient church of San Agustin San Agustin, the oldest stone church in the country has the distinction of being made entirely of stone and the first earthquake-proof structure to be erected on Philippine soil. It is solid, compact and well executed that it has survived earthquakes, bombings and both natural and man-made disasters in its 400 years of existence.

intramuros, Luzon, Manila, Metro Manila, Regions, Simbahan »

10 Dec 2007 | One Comment
San Agustin’s <em>fu</em> dogs and fence

Chinese fu dogs/lions guard the portals and the patio of San Agustin: four located at the facade with one (not shown) have a broken part of the head, and two at the front entrance of the low fence around the patio. One figure is holding its baby while two other figures seem to be playing and holding a ball. These are interesting since these are clearly Chinese in origin but is part of a Christian religious structure.

intramuros, Luzon, Manila, Metro Manila, Regions, Simbahan »

7 Dec 2007 | 2 Comments
San Agustin’s richly carved exterior portals

Just before one enters San Agustin, one is already introduced to the massive and richly carved portal bearing the symbols of the Augustinian order as well as the carvings of the order’s founder and his mother. It awes. Its rocaille embellishments, said to be a characteristic of Rococo, a successor to the Baroque style, are highly stylized forms of leaves, rocks and shells.

intramuros, Luzon, Manila, Metro Manila, Regions, Simbahan »

26 Nov 2007 | One Comment
Some <em>trompe l’oeil</em> details at San Agustin

The trompe l’oeil paintings found inside of San Agustin is just impressive and awe inspiring. However because of the height of the ceiling and the often unlighted interior especially if there are no masses, some wonderful details can often be missed. Take for example at the crossing of the transept and nave where a faux dome is painted, two doves (left) can be seen between two pillars.

intramuros, Luzon, Manila, Metro Manila, Regions, Simbahan »

19 Nov 2007 | No Comment
Three of San Agustin’s bells

The bell El D. Nombre de Jesus (The Most Sweet Name of Jesus – a reference to the Augustinian province) (left) inscribed with the words FECIT BENITVS REGIBVS, the latinized name of its caster, Benito de los Reyes, used to hang from the now demolished belfry. This bell is dated 1829 during the incumbency of the prior Fray Manuel Grijalbo. Three other names of Augustinian friars can be discerned but quite faintly.

intramuros, Luzon, Manila, Metro Manila, Regions, Simbahan »

12 Nov 2007 | 2 Comments
San Agustin’s belfry

The belfry can be accessed through a narrow but short passageway at the antecoro, the room just before the choirloft. This passageway is a spiral staircase of adobe with a balustrade at the upperhalf made of hardwood. The first level leads to the rooftop while the bells can be found at the second level. Note that in 1854, it was agreed in a meeting that this second level be added for aesthetic reasons.

intramuros, Luzon, Manila, Metro Manila, Regions, Simbahan »

7 Nov 2007 | One Comment
San Agustin’s <em>facistol</em> at the choirloft

Upon entering the choirloft, one is greeted with the massive facistol or lectern rising to a few meters at the center. It is believed to have been carved between the years 1728 – 1734 during the term of Fray Felix Trillo who was prior and then provincial during that time.

intramuros, Luzon, Manila, Metro Manila, Regions, Simbahan »

2 Nov 2007 | One Comment
San Agustin’s <em>mesirecordias</em> at the choirloft

The choirstalls (left) at the choirloft is one of the intriguing works at San Agustin. The detailed woodwork calls to mind the intricacies of the pulpit and the motifs found makes it all the more valuable. Just imagine, strapwork done in the Renaissance style combined with Oriental emblems that attests to the uniqueness of religious art in this part of the world.

intramuros, Luzon, Manila, Metro Manila, Regions, Simbahan »

30 Oct 2007 | No Comment
San Agustin’s choirloft

The choirloft of San Agustin is another notable part of the church that should be seen and visited not only for a closer look of the trompe l’oeil and the organ but, more importantly, a peek of the original colors of the church that was fortunately preserved and the exquisite and very detailed carvings of, circa 17th century silleria or choirstalls and lectern (18th century).