The epistle side of San Agustin have the following cryptocollateral chapels:
Chapel of Sta. Monica - the chapel was originally dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel and was acquired in 1595 as the final resting place of Colonel Jeronimo Tiado and his family. The baroque retablo was commissionied in 1756.

Chapel of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva - this chapel was acquired by Sebastian Ochoa de Villafranca. The neoclassic retablo may have been placed together with the main altar retablo in 1854, a replacement of a baroque one that is now located along …

From a marker placed at the chapel:
Capilla de Legazpi
Here lies a Basque Captain and Mariner, a Spaniard whom destiny made a Conquistador, although his calling was that a man of peace. Spain pays homage to the memory of Legazpi and to the Order of Saint Augustine which in this historic temple has preserved through the centuries the validity of the mission which brought Legazpi and Urdaneta to these Isles.
The Chapel of Legazpi was originally dedicated to St. Faustus which was sold in 1594 as the final …

There are more than a dozen chapels inside the church of San Agustin with altars from various periods and architectural styles (baroque and neoclassical) with dedicatees varying over time depending on their patrons and changes done by the friars.
Above, the chapels located at the far ends of the transept both gospel and epistle sides:
Chapel of Sta. Rita of Cascia (far end, gospel side) - said to be the chapel which changed dedicatees the most. Previously, it was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, then to St. Ursula, the Santo Cristo de …

The week after the launching of the book Philippine Church Facades, I sent Fr. Pedro Galende, OSA, the author*, a few questions about his recent publication. Below are his answers to my queries.
Estan (EC): Father, can you tell me about your new book?
Fr. Pedro Galende, OSA (PG): In the first place, I am very thankful to you for your prompt reply to help me in the photographing of the facades (EC: I am the primary photographer) I know that the book would be very interesting and useful to the …

It was the practice in previous centuries that the mortal remains of, usually, prominent persons were buried inside the church. This was so since these families were patrons or benefactors who, in one way or another, contributed to its construction, donated precious jewels, saints, vestments and other church decorations or even paid for the upkeep of a chapel. In some instances, they sponsored the priests who were assigned there. In some other instances, they paid for the chapel or a slot for their final resting place.
San Agustin is no …

Below is the list of the churches that is included in the book Philippine Church Facades:
Metro Manila
San Agustin, Manila Cathedral, Malate, San Sebastian, Binondo, Santa Ana, Quiapo, Tondo, Gaudalupe in Makati, Malabon, Pasig
Northern Luzon
Ilocos Norte Laoag, Bacarra, Sarrat, Piddig, Batac, Badoc, Paoay, San Nicolas, Dingras
Ilocos Sur Tagudin, Sta. Lucia, Candon, Santa Maria, Narvacan, Bantay, Vigan, Magsingal, Cabugao, Sinait, San Vicente, Santiago, San Esteban
La Union Bauang, San Fernando, Bacnotan, Luna, Balaoan, Bangar
Pangasinan Manaog, Dagupan, Calasiao
Abra Tayum
Batanes Mahatao, Basco, Sabtang, Ivana
Cagayan Tuguegarao, Rizal,
Isabela Tumauini
Nueva Vizcaya Bayombong, Bambang, Dupax del Sur

At the far end of the church interior is the presbitery where one can find the altar mayor or main altar. It is made of carara marble and was installed in 1934 which replaced the original made of wood.
The huge retablo just behind it catches the eye. Its top is crowned by the image of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove with Saint Augustin at the lower center dressed in white robes flanked by two angels. The grand niche contains the statue of St. Paul (done …

Trompe l’oeil is French for fools the eye. It first appeared in the Philippines in San Agustin church in Intramuros where the ceilings and walls are decorated with it. At first, one would think that these are carved decorations, a perfect play of light and shadows until upon close scrutiny, the three dimensional effect, are infact just painted on the ceiling.
It was the rage in Victorian Europe during the 19th century and in keeping up with the times, the Augustinians, immediately set up a meeting with the scenographers …