Manila Central Post Office Building-a Neo-Classical Architecture

During our postal heritage walking tour we had the opportunity to explore the Manila Central Post Office Building. It is located along the river banks of Pasig River  near the Lawton Plaza and Manila metropolitan theater. I was amazed with the 14 huge columns and a beautiful facade. Manila central post office building is rectangular shape with two drum like on both side. While we were having a lecture amazingly it has natural ventilation, no fan but cooler inside and enough sunlight coming in, that is why  we didn't have to turn on the lights.

Exhibit of Post Stamps

Auction

Auction

Every third Sunday there is walking heritage tour and this building is part of that tour. At the same time there is an auction being held inside the building for collectors of post stamps, post cards, coins, toys and other collectibles. It becomes the place for different exhibits too.

This building is a perfect example of neo-classical architecture.  Manila central post office is part of the history. It withstood the test of time from World War II to people power 1 until at present time.

The Manila central Post Office Building became a Japanese soldiers' fortress  but the artillery coming from the American forces bombarded the Post Office until the Japanese soldiers retreated. After the war, the United States of America aided the Philippines to repair all d damages from the said war. That made the Manila central post office building restored to its original beauty.

In year 2012 there was a foreign company wanted to convert this building into a five star hotel. Some concerned groups rallied to preserve this heritage.

Arroceros Forest Park- the last lung of Manila

It’s called as “the  last Lung” of the Manila City. Arroceros is a Spanish word means Rice Traders.  It was a place where rice traders met in old times. This park is near the river bank of Pasig River, to the right side ayala bridge and to the left side quezon bridge can be seen. it has a 2.2 hectares land area but in 1992 there was a construction of a building, some of the oldest trees were cut. There were environmentalists and concerned groups opposed but it was still pursued. At this moment the land area of the Forest left is 1.1 hectare.  

While we were walking towards the Arroceros Forest Park, we passed by the Manila Metropolitan Theater and we noticed too many informal settlers. Specially along the side walk of the forest park.

Mr. Tony Magno was our tour guide inside the Forest Park. He is a member of the Winners Foundation, which take care of the park together with Catholic Women’s Club. He is urging  Filipinos to move and get involve in preserving the forest park. It has a key role in providing fresh air to the people plus it’s also a sanctuary for some animals. Mr. Magno and some organizations continuously plant trees, he said he will not see the forest in the next decade but it has to be preserved for the future generations.

We noticed concrete roads and path inside the forest park and some trees have wrought iron and bricks covered, it could be better if they can preserve the Forest Park in its natural beauty. Bed forest is much better. There is a fish pond inside the park, visitors can feed them.

It’s great to know that we still have forest right in the heart of the busy Manila. We need to preserve and help bring back its glory.  

Malate Church

Malate Church also known as Malate Catholic Church is a Baroque-style church, which faces the Rajah Sulaiman park and Manila Bay. The church is dedicated to  the patroness of childbirth, Our Lady of Remedies or Nuestra Señora de Remedios.  The statue of the Virgin Mary in her role as Our Lady of Remedies was brought from Spain in 1624 and to this day it is still there.

At this moment it is undergoing a restoration that’s why it is bare.

This church is popular place for wedding and baptism.

2000 M.H. Del Pilar St., Malate, Manila City, Metro Manila

Telephone Number:  523-2593 / 523-3168 / 400-5876

Malate Shrine or Nuestra Señora de Guia Church

The Our Lady of Guidance or Nuestra Señora de Guia Church enshrined the 16th-century Roman Catholic image of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the traditional image of the Immaculate Conception that is widely venerated by Filipino Roman Catholics. It is believed to be the oldest Marian image in the Philippines, the wooden statue have been originally brought by Ferdinand Magellan along with Santo Niño de Cebú. The saint is venerated as patroness of navigators and travellers. It is Located in Ermita, Manila City. This church is also known as Malate shrine.

I happened to see this when I went to the St. Lukes Medical Center Extension, it is near the United States Embassy and other Maritime Company, which makes this Church a place to pray for those who want to work overseas or who want to travel.

 

The Central United Methodist Church-Metro Manila

The Central United Methodist Church is the first Protestant church in the Philippines. It is located along T.M. Kalaw Street,Ermita, Manila, founded on 5 March 1899 during the American Occupation. Central Methodist Episcopal Church was its originally named.

St. Augustin Church - Intramuros, Manila

San Agustin Church is located inside the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila City, a Roman Catholic church under the auspices of The Order of St. Augustine.

In 1993, San Agustin Church was designated as World Heritage Site  by UNESCO . It  was one of four Baroque Churches of the Philippines which was constructed during the Spanish colonial regime.  This church was named a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1976.

Inside the church there are gravestones.

Gen. Luna St, Maynila
(02) 527 4060