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.

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).

The gran escalera or the main stairway is the access path connecting the ground and second floors and it is one part of the monastery complex that always awes. Maybe it is because of the impressive brick vault atop, said to have special acoustical characteristics, the solid and wide granite slabs and everything in it that gives one a feeling of being transported to some bygone era.

How the original ceiling paintings of the nave of San Agustin is not known, or I haven’t come across a document that details it, yet. Galende and Trota in their book San Agustin Art and History 1571 - 2000 however included a photo (left) of a portion of a corinthian capital in bright greens, yellows, reds and oranges that the authors wrote is reminiscent of baroque Mexico.

The Sala de Profundis was where the Augustinian friar community used to gather to pray for their brethren and benefactors as well as for the souls of the dead. This was also the antechamber to the refectorio where the community gathered for their meals and snacks.
In 1933, after a petition by many prominent families in Manila, the Sala de Profundis was transformed into the pantheon for the dead. Many prominent people are interred here including the famed painter and national hero Juan Luna (right), Pardo de Tavera and Teodoro …

The cloister of San Agustin conforms to the design found in Europe as well as the Americas prevalent during the colonial period. The four corridors in the cloister have at each corner ornately carved baroque retablos with reliefs/paintings of saints believed to have been added in the 18th century. Here, processions as well as the friars used to pass and stop for prayers and rituals.
Lining one of the corridors near the Sala de Profundis are (left)18th century carrozas that are used during processions. One of these is the glass-encased …

One of the most elegant woodwork in the entire church must be the exquisite pulpit located at the corner of the transept and nave, epistle side of the church. The intricacies of the carvings, its uniqueness and age alone are worthy of mention. Commissioned in 1627, it cost 2, 413 pesos and is made from narra, a hardwood tree.
The pulpit is hexagonal. The upper part is the tornavoz, or the sound board topped by an image of a blindfolded figure carrying a cross. Just below it is …

Chapel of the Immaculate Concepcion - originally dedicated to Sta. Lucia then to Sta. Monica, it was only in the 19th century that this was dedicated to the Immaculate Concepcion. The baroque retablo was commissioned in 1754. The builder of San Agustin church, Juan Macias and his family are said to be interred here.
Chapel of Sta. Clara de Montefalco - this chapel was originally dedicated to San Juan de Sahagun then to the Holy Trinity. Later, in the late 19th century, it was dedicated to Sta. Rita. then at around …