my Secret Garden

Father Blanco’s botanical garden is located at the back of the San Agustin church’s museum inside Intramuros. I first knew of this from my brother’s gf’s multiply page. I got curious so I decided to check it out myself. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to bring my camera with me so I ended up with these photos I got using my phone instead.

The last time I went there, half of the garden had been cleared in preparation for the restoration of one of the monastery’s wings. Though I was a bit disappointed on seeing excavations and a huge mound of earth in place of a walkway and half of the beautiful garden, I still am looking forward to how it’ll turn out.

I suggest that you visit the place after the completion of its renovation project to avoid any more disappointments..

There’s an entrance fee to the museum so do prepare P75 if you ever decide to go here.

Philippine history 101 inside the walled city

I finally had the chance to join one of the much lauded oldmanilawalks‘ walking tours last Sunday. It was the Manila day’s edition of Ivan’s walls of discontent 3-hour tour which was fantabulously entertaining and educational! I was a bit hesitant about asking my friends to join me since I knew that it wasn’t really their thing so I was glad when I found out that they enjoyed it. We’re now even planning to join their Binondo walk with more friends.

I’ve been to all the places he brought us to beforehand but I didn’t mind seeing them again in a different light. It wouldn’t have been better if I was able to join a tour scheduled on an earlier date since I had been looking forward to taking more beautiful photos of Fr. Blanco’s garden, but I guess that won’t ever happen again as the place had now been demolished in preparation for the re-building of a monastery wing in its place.

Roland, Leah and I got to Intramuros early so we decided to walk around and take pictures first before heading to Bahay Tsinoy.

Plaza Roma

Manila Cathedral

its lovely wooden door

inside the Cathedral

Palacio del Gobernador

Manila Cathedral again, but at a different angle

The tour started here, where we had our early Philippine history crash course complete with interesting tidbits that you’d probably never get from any of your high school teachers.

We made a quickstop here before heading to San Agustin Church.

a memorial for the WWII victims

We then proceeded to the only establishment in Intramuros that was spared by the WWII bombings.

one of the oldest Church of the Philippines

inside the church of San Agustin

half of the garden have been cleared already…

good thing they spared her

the stairway that leads to the 2nd floor

The tour didn’t end there yet, but I’ve ran out of photos (hehe..) so I’m leaving you with this one I took of the Filipino shop we found beside the Church.

this is where the parish I go to once stood

Sanctuario del Santo Nino or Church of San Juan del Monte

One of the nicest churches I’ve been to is Sanctuario del Santo Nino tucked away in San Juan, Metro Manila. I first passed by this Church when I went with my mom to pick up my sister currently working as a nurse at the St. Martin de Porres Charity Hospital situated beside the church. I was awed by the simple but compelling beauty of the church since then.A bit of history.The marker found beside the entrance to the convent shares a bit of history about the chuch known also as the Church of San Juan Del Monte.

The church and convent were built in 1602 to 1604 by the Dominican Province
of the Most Holy Rosary on a site donated by Capitan Julian de Cuenca. Both
buildings were burned during the Chinese uprising of 1639. The new church and
convent constructed in 1641 were set on fire in July 1763 during the British
occupation of Manila. The present church and convent constructed in 1774 were
used by the insurgent forces of the revolution of 1898. This Sactuary is the
seat of the cofraternity of Santisimo Cristo de San Juan Del Monte approved by
Pope Innocent X on March 4, 1648.

- Historical Research and Markers Committee

inside the Church

Hmm.. Come to think of it, the town of San Juan could actually have been named after this Church.

The long wooden beams give a rustic feel. I loved the stained glass windows too.

So how do you get here?

Sanctuario del Santo Nino is tucked away in the middle of San Juan. Coming from Quezon Avenue, you’d need to make a turn for Araneta Avenue. Just follow the road til you reach the end of it where you’d have to take a left turn. Make a right turn at F. Blumentritt St. (you won’t miss it, there’s a 711 convenience store by the corner) and go straight ahead. It’s right after the Dominican College. You’d definitely see it right away.