Las Pinas Bamboo Organ

The Las Pinas Bamboo Organ (St. Joseph Church)

The St. Joseph Church in this town capital houses the famous Bamboo Organ. The building of this church in 1762 establish the township of Las Pinas separating itself from Paranaque. As for the organ itself, it was made from 902 pieces of wooden bamboo and 129 metal tubes

HOW TO GET THERE:
****From the Baclaran LRT Station, go to the side or behind Baclaran Church, take a jeep going to Zapote via Kabihasnan (do not take the jeep with a Coastal sign) tell the jeepney driver to drop you off at the Bamboo Organ. Its just around 20 to 30 minutes jeepney ride from Baclaran. If you accidentally took the jeepney via coastal road, just drop off at Zapote and take another jeep back to Baclaran with sign via Kabihasnan.
****From the Magallanes MRT Station. Take a bus going toAlabang, go to the Market area and take a jeep going to Baclaran via Kabihasnan. Tell the Driver to drop you off at the Bamboo Organ.

Plaza San Luiz and Casa Manila

Plaza San Luiz and Casa Manila

To experience living during the Spanish time, Plaza San Luis will give you a glimpse of what it is like being a rich businessman on that era. Located just beside the San Agustin Church accross Calle Real. Plaza San Luiz or Barrio San Luiz as it is used to be called is one of the four original villages in Intramuros which now consist of five reconstructed Spanish colonial houses. Namely Casa Urdaneta, Casa Blanca, Los Hidalgos, El Hogar Filipino and the famous Casa Manila. Casa Manila is a three story recreation of a 19th-century house of a Filipino "Ilustrado". A living museum with well-kept treasures, furnitures and accessories, and a highly restored architectural designs, it will trigger your imagination and will put you back in time.

HOW TO GET THERE:

**** Plaza San Luis is just accross the street of Gen Luna beside the San Agustin Church. ****from the CARRIEDO LRT STATION, take a walk to the front of the Sta. Cruz Church. Take a jeepney that goes to "pier", this jeepney will pass directly in front of the Cathedral. Plaza Roma is just in front. Walk straight at Gen Luna at the right side of the Cathedral, Casa Manila is just three blocks away.

San Agustin Church & Museum

San Agustin Church & Museum

Built by the Spaniards in 1586 and was completed in 1606, considered to be the oldest stone church in the Philippines. With the church facade that is baroque in style, it was adorned by Fu Dogs, a feature that makes this church so unique, meaning that Chinese also have a prominent influence to the Spaniards during those times. Once inside, the very first thing that will catch your attention is the artistically designed interiors. Its trompe l'oeil murals on its ceiling and walls survived major earthquakes and the Second World War. The church has fourteen side chapels which also serves as burial sites to some of the prominent residents of Manila. Still under the care of the Augustinians, a museum showcasing antique artifacts is located adjacent to the church itself.



HOW TO GET THERE:

****from the CARRIEDO LRT STATION, take a walk to the front of the Sta. Cruz Church. Take a jeepney that goes to "pier", this jeepney will pass directly in front of the Cathedral. Plaza Roma is just in front. Walk straight at Gen Luna at the right side of the Cathedral, the church and museum is just three blocks away. ****if you are on a walking trip, from the CENTRA LRT STATION, walk pass the Manila City Hall take the pedestrian underpass and enter the gate through the walled city of Intramuros. At the left before the entrance is Revellin De Recoletos and at the right is Baluarte de Dilao which is accesible once inside the wall. Walk straight Victoria St. at the right side of the Manila High School,a block away after turning right at Gen. Luna is the church.

The Manila Cathedral & Plaza Roma

The Manila Cathedral

This cathedral is also known as the Minore Basilica of the Immaculate Concepcion. This cathedral has been rebuilt seven times. the first church made of nipa and bamboo was constructed in 1581 but was destroyed by typhoon the next year, rebuilt but burned the following year. The stone cathedral was completed in 1592. destroyed by earthquake in 1600, 1645 and 1863. The sixth version of the cathedral was completed in 1879 but was destroyed during the Second World War. The present church was constructed in 1954 to 1958. The octagonal dome is the main feature of this magnificent edifice with a pair of stained glass on each side. Stained glasses are also prominent on each chapel at the right and left nave of the cathedral depicting acts of faith. Stone sculpture of famous saints adorned the facade of the cathedral.



Plaza Roma

Just in front of the Manila Cathedral is Plaza Roma, where the statue of King Carlos IV now stands, it was erected in 1824 as a tribute to the King for bringing the very first smallpox vaccine here in the Philippines. Used to be called Plaza Mayor during the Spanish regime, the plaza was used for public events and bullfights but was converted into a garden in 1797. Named Plaza Roma in the 1960 after an agreement between the Vatican and the Philippine government



HOW TO GET THERE:

****from the CARRIEDO LRT STATION, take a walk to the front of the Sta. Cruz Church. Take a jeepney that goes to "pier", this jeepney will pass directly in front of the Cathedral. Plaza Roma is just in front.****if you are on a walking trip, from the CENTRA LRT STATION, walk pass the Manila City Hall take the pedestrian underpass and enter the gate through the walled city of Intramuros. At the left before the entrance is Revellin De Recoletos and at the right is Baluarte de Dilao which is acesible once inside the wall. Walk straight Victoria St. at the right side of the Manila High School, turn right at Gen. Luna. You will pass by San Agustin Church and Plazuela De Sta. Isabel. The back of the Cathedral is right after the parking area.