Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church)

Quiapo Church in Manila holds a special place in our hearts. My late mother-in-law, Mama De was a Black Nazarene devotee and also served at Quiapo Church. She went there everyday so D practically grew up there.    

On my part, my late Mom was a devotee of the Sacred Heart. It is a specific devotion that involves attending Mass and receiving the Holy Eucharist for nine consecutive First Fridays of the month. It is a tradition which I still honor to this day. Today being the first Friday of March, I will hear mass later.

Every Fridays, Mommy and I would hear mass at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Sta. Mesa which was just one jeepney ride away from our residence in Mandaluyong near Maysilo Circle. When I was already studying at UST, Mommy and I would go to Quiapo Church to hear mass during First Fridays.

I don't remember my schedule at UST but somehow I was free during Fridays. We took the Boni - Stop n Shop jeepney route, alighted at Stop n Shop (Sta. Mesa) then transferred to any jeepneys going to Quiapo. On Quezon Boulevard, we would take the underpass and get out at Plaza Miranda which is right in front of the Church. 

Back then (the late 1980s - early 1990s), it was quite an 'adventure' to get to Quiapo. Best option is to commute because of traffic and parking spaces were far and few between. The whole area was really crowded with vendors, parishioners and commuters. The streets were dark and dirty. It wasn't safe as snatchers were everywhere. If you were going to Quiapo, it is best to 'dress down', not wear any flashy jewellery and just bring the basics like a small handbag with an abaniko fan and hankies because it was really warm and humid.

Nowadays, the place has cleaned up well, thankfully. The underpass is now airconditioned. The streets are well lighted, vendors are no longer allowed to sell their wares on the streets. There is quite an improvement, and hopefully the city government will be able to sustain and maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of Quiapo. After all, "orderliness is holiness" as the saying goes. 

After our Sta. Cruz and Binondo sojourn, we decided to drop by Quiapo Church so we could hear the 5:00 PM mass. It was a nostalgic and special moment for us as it brought back so much fond memories of our Moms, who we both miss so much. A rare quality bonding time together and a nice way to cap a long December day.

Binondo: Manila Chinatown

Yes, Chinatown in Binondo Manila is the oldest chinatown in the entire world. It was established in 1594 by Spanish governor general Luis Perez Dasmarinas as a settlement for Chinese immigrants (known as Sangleys) who converted to Catholicism. It became an important business and cultural hub, and it still thrives till present day.

After a quick stop at Salazar Bakery to buy some pasalubongs, it was already lunch time. We went looking for a suitable place to eat. Since it was a public holiday, it was beginning to get crowded with a sea and the scent of humanity. 

Salazar Bakery

Ramon Lee Panciteria is an institution in Manila.
It is one of the oldest and iconic restaurants which offer
comfort Filipino - Chinese food, founded in 1929.

A few days before 2026 so an abundance of fruit stalls selling those "bilog" fruits

We ate lunch at the Great Buddha Restaurant which is located on the second floor of the flag ship store of Eng Bee Tin shop on Ongpin Road.

Yang Chow Fried Rice and Honey Glazed Pork Ribs

Jasmine Tea

West lake with minced beef soup

Xiao Long Bao

Lumpiang Shanghai

Naturally, we had to pass by the Binondo Church aka the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz. We also crossed the street for some photos of Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz which was all decked for the Chinese New Year. 

Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz

In Binondo, there are a myriad of activities to enjoy like eating good Chinese food in numerous restaurants which have withstood the passage of time. You can visit museums, shop at bakeries that sell different pasalubong items such as hopia and toasted siopaos, you can say a prayer at the places of worship. Just be adventurous, as it can get crowded, hot and humid amidst squalid surroundings. Yet Binondo never fails to regale you with its unique charm. An enriching and wonderful experience that never disappoints.

Escolta, Manila

Last December 29, 2025 (Monday) was declared a holiday for government employees to allow them to travel for the New Year holidays.  So off we went to stroll, explore and experience Escolta, Sta. Cruz area and Chinatown in Binondo, Manila. It has been a while since we were there, together.

Original plan was to take the Pasig Ferry from Guadalupe all the way to Escolta, the station nearest to Binondo. But unfortunately, the ferry schedule is quite erratic. So we drove and parked at one of the paid parking slots on Quentin Paredes street and walked. 

First, we made our way all the way towards Jones Bridge in Escolta which used to be the main business district of Manila until the late 1960s when it slowly lost its prime spot. My late parents worked in Escolta area for many years and told us of its beautiful buildings and their historical significance.

It was a nostalgic walk down memory lane to see these now old buildings of business establishments (some of them still thriving). They continue to serve as architectural wonders because they were designed by famous Filipino architecture masters of the 20th century.

Calvo Building was erected in 1938 by Fernando Ocampo & Thomas Arguelles.
It was owned by real estate businesswoman Dona Emiliana Calvo

Regina Building was designed by architect Andres Luna de San Pedro, 
the son of Juan Luna, the painter of the Spoliarium, anong others.

Syvel's department store is where I used to buy shoes during the 1980s. 
Their main branch is now abandoned and condemned.

The Land Management Bureau is where my late father in law worked for many years.
The building has been condemned and abandoned.

The original Savory Restaurant is now closed permanently after it caught fire.

Perez Samanillo building was designed by Andres Luna de San Pedro in 1928

At the end of the road, you will reach the Sta. Cruz area where the Our Lady of the Pillar Church (Sta. Cruz Church) holds fort. We were told that when we were toddlers, we used to hear Mass in this Spanish baroque style place of worship that was erected in 1619 by the Jesuits to minister to the growing Chinese population in Binondo. It was reconstructed in 1957 and is now run by the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. In 2018, Cardinal Tagle declared it as an Archdiocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament.

Carriedo Fountain (1882) is the oldest fountain in the Philippines

Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park, HK

Today, exactly a year ago (January 24, 2025), sister dearest and I discovered this park that is walking distance from her residence. It is located along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in the Sai Ying Pun district. Easily accessible from the Hong Kong - Macau ferry terminal in Sheung Wan with a scenic path which leads all the way to Sai Ying Pun.

The park is named after the historic Chinese figure and it spans an area of 4.2 hectares. Its facilities include a playground, a soccer pitch, two basketball courts, a public swimming pool with changing rooms as well as a sports center with squash courts.

It was my go to place when I needed to clear my head and heal my broken heart. After lunch, I would walk about 5 minutes to the park and sit on one of the numerous benches. Watch people jogging, families playing soccer, see the HK - Macau ferries sail by, while enjoying the cold winter breeze. I would pray incessantly and sometimes even cried my heart out. It was a really miserable period in my life. So much anguish, self doubt, very low self esteem, weighing my options, questioning my life decisions. I still cherish those really precious moments at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park because I was able to reflect and contemplate in peace.