Filipino Sojourner: San Agustin Church

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Wedding Prep: The Hunt for Churches

Finding a church was our top priority during our wedding preparations. Everything is dependent upon it that we didn't book other suppliers while we searched for the “perfect” wedding church.

There are plenty of churches that we considered but one thing that My Beloved Wife required was that the church must have a beautiful altar.

Here are some of the churches that we considered:

Caleruega Church

The Transfiguration Chapel, or more popularly known either as Caleruega Church or Calaruega Church, is the most sought after when it comes to wedding. The first reason for its popularity is its being in Tagaytay. The second, I think, is the bandwagon effect: its popularity attracts more soon-to-be-wed to its door.

My Office Buddy personally saw the beauty of this church when they visited it. We had to drop this from our list because (1) it is far away because we both work in Metro Manila, (2) I heard that it is very expensive as wedding venue, and (3) the queue is very long and it should be booked one year before the wedding day to get the desired date.

Read more information about Calaruega or Caleruega at BridalBook.Ph.

San Agustin Church

Interior of San Agustin Church.

This is another popular church for weddings. It's altar and ceiling are beautiful. This church is also full of history and it is located inside Intramuros. Another plus point is its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

We attended a Sunday mass at this church and also made a sort of “ocular inspection”. I personally liked this church. Unfortunately, we didn't chose this church because we think that it is also expensive. Also, the reception venues in its vicinity (and those inside Intramuros) are expensive as well.

Please read my post about San Agustin Church for more photos and info. You may also visit the San Agustin Church website. Average Jane had her wedding in San Agustin Church. You may visit her blog and ask her about her wedding experience in San Agustin Church.

St. Peter's Church

St. Peter Church, Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City

This is a big church located along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. It is dedicated to the Apostle Peter and bears the weird name “Shrine of Leaders”.

I witnessed one wedding in this church. The priest that officiated that wedding gave a good homily. The wedding ceremony went well. I will talk about St. Peter's Church in next post.

I considered St. Peter's Church as our wedding venue because we attended a few masses here. Thus is has a sort of connection to us. I think that it didn't got the approval of my Beloved Wife that's why it didn't made the cut.

Binondo Church

I considered this church, which is dedicated to San Lorenzo Ruiz, because I frequent it. It is a big church and also has a beautiful altar. I know, however, that my Beloved Wife will not select it because the image of the crucified Christ is not at the center.

I observed that weddings are held in this church almost weekly. Most of those who wed here are of Chinese descent because it is located at Binondo Chinatown. This church is recommended for those who want to have their wedding officiated in the Chinese language. Binondo Church has priests that can speak Chinese.

Read more info and see more photos on my blog post about Binondo Church.

Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

The altar of the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.

My Beloved Wife instantly like this church the moment she saw its altar in the Internet.The crucified image of Jesus Christ is at the center and the dove image of the Holy Spirit is at the top. In short, this is the church that we chose for our wedding.

This church, which is dedicated to St. Therese, is starting to become a popular venue for wedding. It is very big and can hold hundred of visitors. Some rich and famous people got married in this church. I heard from our florist that President Gloria attended a wedding in this church as ninang.

This church is also expensive. My Beloved Wife still want to get married in this church despite of that. Good thing that we chose this church. Reverend Smith, one of the admin of the shrine, was very helpful. A priest also helped us during the wedding ceremony even if he is not the one who will officiate it. Read more of our experiences by reading my post about the Shrine of St. Therese.

If you want to know more about weddings in the Shrine of St. Therese, please visit their website.

Hunting for the “perfect” wedding church is both challenging and fun but one thing you must not forget is the spiritual aspect of your hunt. The church is not an accessory but should be the centerpiece to your wedding. The wedding ceremony in the church is more important than the reception that will come after. This where the union of husband and wife is made holy and blessed by the Lord.
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End of the Month Roundup - August 2013

We are now at the brink of the Ber months, which means that we are at the dawn of the longest Christmas Season in the Philippines. Radio DJs and morning shows will start the countdown to Christmas tomorrow. Christmas songs and jingles will invade the airwaves very early.

If September is the start of Philippine Christmas Season then August is the month of doom and gloom for the our country. It is the month when Metro Manila and nearby provinces sunk, once again, by the habagat rains.

Jeepney stranded due to flood caused by habagat rains

I am one of those who experienced the horrible rainy days. I almost wade through the flood just to go home. But I'm fortunate that I don't have to get wet by the filthy flood waters of Manila. My predicament was insignificant compared to my kababayans who had their houses and properties sunk. Some even died because of the floods.

Another horrible event is the sinking of a passenger ferry off the island of Cebu. Many people died because of the incident while other lost their loved ones.

Another gloomy event is the revelation that our congressmen, senators and even the President used taxpayers' money, our money, for their personal gain. Yes, folks, our leaders made the government their milking cow.

(Source: Cebu Daily News)

Janet Lim-Napoles' fake NGOs and corrupt practices of some of our legislators are just tip of the iceberg. The Philippine government is corrupt to the core and the revelations are sickening as the issue progresses.

Common citizens, like me, feel so helpless with all the horrible things that are happening. Many are angry and want to beat our politicians to death. As for me, I just tried to inject fun to this issues through my satire blog.

I continued posting about my trip around Thailand and also about our wedding preparation adventures. I posted about two places of worship that I visited in Thailand: the Catholic church in Rangsit and the UFO-shaped Buddhist temple.

Aliens came to abduct me.

The Our Lady Mother of God Parish Church in Rangsit served is my second home in Thailand. It became my refuge whenever I miss home.

Our Lady Mother of God Parish Church in Rangsit, Pathumthani, Thailand

I posted about two beautiful places during our wedding preparation adventures. One features old warplanes while the other one is an ancient church in the heart of Intramuros.

In my serious blog, I posted about what I felt after watching an anime series. I admitted that I'm very affected by this anime even though it is a comedy.

Finally, in Ahab Reviewsand Tips I posted mostly about the useful things that you can do with BPI Express Online.

That's all that I have for August. Now let's get ready to deal with the Ber months. I do hope that all of you will be happy as the Christmas Season gets near.

By the way, I'll be talking about my adventures around Bangkok with a Malaysian friend. I promise that you will enjoy my posts next month so please stay tuned.

Wedding Prep: San Agustin Church

I believe that our wedding preparation started long time ago when my Beloved said that she wanted to attend Sunday mass in San Agustin Church. I had an inkling that my wife-to-be is scouting for the church for our wedding.

San Agustin Church, located within Intramuros, is touted by its website as the wedding capital of the Philippines. I guess that there is a basis for this claim because this church is usually in the list of couples who are planning for their wedding.

San Agustin Church at night

I visited San Agustin Church twice in the past but it was my first time to see the interior of this church. I admit that I like what I saw inside. This old church is beautiful.

The design made the ceiling of San Agustin Church look very high but that is just an illusion. I bet that it will make wedding photos to look good.

The altar of San Agustin Church looks good too. My only complaint is that the Crucifix is not at the center. Well, at least the tabernacle is at the center.

Some friends told me that wedding in San Agustin Church is expensive. That it became too commercialized. I have no comment about it since we didn't asked about the rates for getting married in this church. We didn't choose San Agustin Church because we know that the reception venues in the area are way above our budget.

Tin Solis-Kiok, my friend and fellow blogger, had her wedding in San Agustin Church. I think that their wedding ceremony went smoothly. Her only negative comment is that her entourage were barred from entering the San Agustin Museum for a photoshoot. Couples who are considering San Agustin Church should clarify with the church admin every details, including the things that are allowed and not allowed within the church premises.

San Agustin Church is the oldest stone church in the Philippines and is involved and many historical events. The tomb of the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi is under the roof of this church. The terms of American occupation of the Philippines and the First Plenary Council of the country were held within this church.*

I think that this rich history and the fact that it is located in the historical Intramuros are the plus points for couples who are considering San Agustin Church for their wedding. Many want to write the history of their love in this historical church.

But for me and my Beloved we chose another church.

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*Historical information was obtained from the website of San Agustin Church.

Read about my visit to the San Agustin Church Museum.

Short Stop at San Agustin Museum

Our office had a foreign visitor and after visiting our office, he asked the bosses for a tour around some interesting places in Manila before he go back to the USA. Fortunately, my boss appointed me as the visitor's tour guide. I brought him in Intramuros and the first place that we visited is the Manila Cathedral, where we were awed of its magnificent pipe organ.

The next place that we visited is the San Agustin Museum located right beside the San Agustin Church. I already visited San Agustin Church during my previous tours inside Intramuros. I can't remember what the interior of San Agustin looks like because I just saw it briefly during my second visit. What I do recall is the outside of San Agustin Church, with its stone statues of lions.

Front of San Agustin Church.

I brought our visitor to San Agsutin Museum to show the Philippines' rich Catholic heritage. Just like my visitor, it is my first time to enter the museum. Entrance fee to San Agustin Museum is 100 pesos per person. There are few people during our visit so there is no queue at the ticket booth.

We were greeted by a giant bell when we passed through the main entrance of San Agustin Museum. The giant bell is similar to the one I saw at Puerta Real and Revellin de Real during my first visit to Intramuros.

Giant bell of San Agustin Museum.

Embossed on the bell is the year 1829. It may mean that the bell was made in 1829, which made the bell about 182 years old.

We then entered a room that is full of Catholic religious items that were obviously crafted hundred or so years ago. We saw statues of Mama Mary that is made of ivory. We saw crosses that are made of precious metals like gold. Most of the religious items we saw were made of ivory or gold that will make thieves drool. I am awed by the fact that people during those times venerated Mama Mary and the saints so much that they are willing to offer up their ivory and gold to make images in their honor. The fact that many old images of Mama Mary and saints are of precious items made them the favorite targets of thieves who just want to sell them at the black market at high prices.

Taking photos is not allowed inside the room where the precious religious items are located.

We just walked inside the San Agustin Museum where we saw few interesting things like a painting of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi's landing on the Philippines:

San Agustin Museum: painting of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi's landing

What caught the attention of our visitor is this painting:

Painting of a nun saint at San Agustin Museum

He thought that the lady in the painting is a Muslim woman because of her dress. I told him that the lady is a nun and it is one of the usual garbs of some nuns up until now. His is reaction is not surprising because it is very rare, nowadays, to see a nun in public wearing a dress that is similar with the one in the painting.

The area at the back of San Agustin Church.

We decided to get out of the museum when we reached the garden at the back of San Agustin Church. Too bad that we didn't know that the San Agustin Museum has a second floor and there are other areas worth visiting.

The next time I visit San Agustin museum, I will make sure that I will look at its every nook and crannies.

The next place we visited is the walls of Intramuros and Fort Santiago. I have no new blog post about those two places. So if you are interested, just read my first visit to Intramuros.

You can contact the San Agustin Museum at telephone numbers 527-4060 and 527-4061 for more information.

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The Walled City of Intramuros

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At last I got the chance to visit the most historical site in Metro Manila. That site, of course, is Intramuros. It is located at the heart of Manila and stores the large part of Philippine history.

Intramuros is the center of the Spanish colonial government during the time when the Philippines is under the rule of the Spanish Empire. Intramuros is both a city and a fort and is protected by thick walls made of adobe and cannons that were used to repel foreign invaders and Filipino revolutionaries. Now, Intramuros serves as the country’s largest open-air museum showcasing different relics of the past.

I visited Intramuros during my birthday, accompanied by a friend. I thought that I will tour the whole Intramuros by foot. Thankfully, a pedicab driver / tour guide offered us a ride.
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View of Manila City Hall on the walls of Intramuros

Touring Inside Intramuros

A visitor of Intramuros can visit the many points of interest by walking. However, this is not recommended for those who have a limited time to tour the place. Intramuros is a big place and walking will tire you out before you enjoy the sites and the relics within the whole city.

What I recommend is that you hire a pedicab driver (note: pedicab is a bicycle with a sidecar covered from sunlight and rain) to take you to the many places in Intramuros. The pedicab driver/tour guide knows the ins and outs of Intramuros. The one we hired, for instance, is armed with a pamphlet showing the historical places within the walled city. Thus, you could rely to the pedicab driver to tour you around the place if you are not sure where to go. The pedicab driver charges 100 pesos per hour. In the end of the tour I paid him 200 pesos for the two hours of service plus a tip of 50 pesos.

Aside for the pedicab, you could also hire a “kalesa” (a horse drawn carriage) to tour you around the city, but it is more expensive than hiring a pedicab. You may also opt for a formal tour offered by established tour companies and associations in Intramuros. The formal tour offers a ride on nice kalesa (probably a model of kalesa used by the affluent during the Spanish period) and a certified tour guide. However, it is the most expensive of all the touring options in Intramuros.
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A foreigner enjoying her tour on a “kalesa”

Baluarte de San Andres

Our first stop is Baluarte de San Andres. It was built in 1903 to protect the Old Real Gate (the gate facing the Manila City Hall) and reinforce the Southeastern part of Intramuros. The Baluarte suffered two major destructions; the first is during the British siege of Manila (1762) and the Battle of Manila (1945). What I like most in this site is the set of cannons that were preserved since Spanish times. I couldn’t help but imagine a scene where our Katipuneros were being bombarded by these deadly cannons.

Here are some of my pictures of the cannons in this baluarte:

Puerta Real and Revellin de Real

These two places serve as a mini-museum of Intramuros. Puerta Real and Revellin de Real contain old bells, samurais and kabutos (armor of a Japanese warrior), ancient guns, small cannons and cannon balls. These ancient relics were unearthed within Intramuros. However, you could only look through the window to see these relics since entering the room holding these things is prohibited.

A room filled with cannons, guns, and helmets. The ball on the table on the lower left corner is a cannonball.

This is the largest of all the bells present in the room.

Here’s the few of the samurais unearthed within Intramuros.

San Agustin Church

The San Agustin Church is one of the churches that were built inside the walled city. Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to see the altar and the other things inside the church because it was locked. Because of this, I just contented myself at looking at the beautifully engraved doors of the church.

The locked doors of San Agustin Church.

Attempts to enter the church were thwarted by the threat of being eaten by the Church’s guards.

(Note: After 4 years since uploading this post, I got the chance to enter this church during our wedding preparations. Read my post about San Agustin Church. Also read about my visit to San Agustin Museum)
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Manila Cathedral

The Manila Cathedral was the place where the late President Cory Aquino was interned before she was sent to her final resting place. The cathedral serves as the office of the Archbishop of Manila. Located at the heart of Intramuros, the cathedral symbolizes the importance of the Church in the Philippine society.

The entrance to the Manila Cathedral.

Inside Manila Cathedral. The altar is too far be seen.

This is the best church door that I had ever seen.

Engravings on the doors of Manila Cathedral

The Church, the ship of salvation.

(Note: In other posts, I talked about the giant bells of Manila Cathedral and also its pipe organ)
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Fort Santiago

Our last stop is none other than Fort Santiago. The fort is the oldest fortification in Manila and dates back to the time of Rajah Soliman. Various places could be found inside Fort Santiago like Jose Rizal’s prison cell before he was sent to his execution in Bagumbayan (now known as Rizal Park), Rizal’s last footsteps, and the Dungeons. There is also a well-maintained park with food and souvenir shops. There is an entrance fee of seventy-five (75) Philippine pesos to enter the fort.