Discovering Colors With History: The Quiapo Adventure!!

- March 31, 2011, Thursday.

- In order to have another adventure this summer, and to help my friend Abi with her thesis regarding Manila's architectural heritage, Charmaine, Abi, and I planned to visit Quiapo today.

- I have gone to Quiapo numerous times, whether to tour or shop, but I had yet to discover some parts of Quiapo, until today. Abi insisted on visiting the San Sebastian Church, which from the maps online or my mapbook looked extremely far from the "mainland" Quiapo. The part of Hidalgo street that led to the big historical steel church was a bit "quiet," and my mom told us to see if it was safe to walk to the church. Still, I read through the net that Hidalgo was also peppered with old buildings, which could be a nice treat for Abigail, the future architect.

- This morning, we rode a jeep to Sta. Cruz, passed by the Sta. Cruz church, and walked towards Hidalgo, so we could visit the San Sebastian Church first. The seemingly far church was just a ten-to-fifteen-minute leisurely walk along Hidalgo Street, starting from the Hidalgo underpass opening. The street was indeed quiet, but not scary, because many small stores are everywhere, even a few schools. We all had a nice time looking at the old houses, that are now residential areas, small stores, or small offices.

- Upon arriving at the San Sebastian Church, we took pictures of the blue exterior. What marvelled all of us though, was the Gothic interior of the steel church. The heavily detailed carvings, chandeliers, and stained glass windows painted details to the rather "old and creepy-looking" church.

- Before proceeding to Muslim Town, we had a (long) side trip to the Ocampo Pagoda in Bilibid Viejo Street (the street in front of the San Sebastian Church.) The Ocampo Pagoda is an interesting architectural piece because of its East-meets-West look. It is a Japanese pagoda with a European-style castle tower at the side. According to my research, it was owned by Don Jose Mariano Ocampo, and was used to beautify his garden. Currently, it is used as a dormitory by seamen.

- After some quick shots of the exterior (we can't go in,) we had another procession back to "mainland" Quiapo, taking a short sidetrip to the Bahay Nakpil-Bautista, in A. Bautista Street. This old house is protected by the government, though someone lives in it, and is a must-see when going to Quiapo. The A. Bautista Street is perpendicular to Hidalgo Street, near the Plaza Miranda side.

- The three of us proceeded to Muslim Town, where we had lunch at Mofara's. We had authentic, spicy, hot, coconut-y, Maranao (halal) food. I was glad that Charmaine and Abi liked the food. The beef rendang might have been a bit too hot, but we still liked it.

- After lunch, we stopped by at the "Ilalim ng Tulay," where Charmaine bought some Filipino souvenirs for her Sinaporean friends; she'll be visiting Singapore soon. Afterwards, we visited Ate Yoly's Islamic clothing store, where I bought my black kurta pajama last January (refer to my earlier album, "Quiapo Journey And Dimsum Heaven :) :) :) :).") Although I was not able to find something to buy, I was glad that Ate Yoly still recognized me, and entertained the three of us warmly. She advised us to go to the Golden Mosque (which we would really visit afterwards,) but warned us that my girl companions needed to cover their head. I told Ate Yoly that I bought cloths that may serve as an "alternative" jilbab/hijab. She told me to keep my cloths, and offered to let Charmaine and Abi borrow hijabs. She even found hijabs that matched their clothing. Of course, we promised to return them after our short mosque visit.

- I was glad to see that the mosque was being repainted, although the former details of the main dome could not be restored; it just was repainted plain gold. The three of us had a fun time taking pictures in front of the mosque, jump shots, and all, and hurried back to Ate Yoly's store.

- Ate Yoly thanked us for returning the hijabs (75 pesos each, both from China,) and chatted with us regarding her sentiments about the current situation of the mosuqe. She told us that she was sad that the minaret (a tall tower located outside mosques) was sold by someone before (and therefore, a minaret can't be seen beside the golden mosque.) A small squatter area can also be seen beside the mosque, disrupting people praying inside. "Where can you find a mosque like this? People are not cleaning up after themselves!!" She said. She was party upset about the painters not being able to restore the former details of the dome of the mosque. Still, she was really happy that the government had taken action, such as driving away the illegal residents beside the mosque, beautifying the mosque, and if I remember correctly, a new minaret will soon stand beside the mosque. (By the way, we also found out that Ate Yoly was a former Catholic, but she converted to Islam because of her husband. Haha. interesting.)

- We left Ate Yoly's store after a short heart-to-heart talk, and walked to the Catholic side of Quiapo. We visited the Quiapo church, looked at the anting-antings outiside the church, and the other religious items being sold. A really annoying vendor kept on "invading my privacy" by constantly moving near me, asking me to hold the Black Nazarene necklace "to bless me." I told him numerous times that I was not interested, but I gave in anyway. It was only twenty pesos, and I liked the necklace anyway. Hope it blesses me, like what the vendor told me.

- The three of us visited Villalobos Street, the bead heaven where I spent my shopaholic January. (Yay for not being a shopaholic anymore!!) We bought a few things, before buying ham from Excelente in Carlos Palanca Street (the Street behind Villalobos.) Charmaine's mom asked her to buy ham before we left this morning. Haha.

- Instead of going to Golden Fortune to have dimsum, we had a big detour to UST. Abi needed to pick up her thesis proposal asap, and was told short notice. We took a jeep to UST from Quiapo. Charmaine and I took some pictures, and rested, while Abi disappeared for several minutes to pick up her thesis proposal from the dean's office.

- Soon, we took a trike back home, where Charmaine left her kilo-heavy ham slices, and the three of us marched towards Golden Fortune to end the day with a hearty dimsum meal. :D:D:D:D

- I am very glad that I was able to visit many different places in Quiapo today. Abigail was also able to add some historical and architectural input. I really think Manila has a lot to give to her own countrymen, as well as tourists. The three of us acted as tourists today, and were able to discover a lot. It's interesting how weird it felt to be both a local and a tourist in our OWN city. Still, we were happy that we took the extra mile to get to know our city, while we still have strong knees!! :D:D:D:D



PS: This is the first time that I officially used my new Canon 220 camera. I bought it a few days ago, since I needed to replace my old Sony Cybershot (I still love it though!!) My old camera is acting up, and my dad told me to buy a new one. I knew I had to give up my Sony Cybershot, it was with me during a lot of firsts (first adventure, first debut that I hosted, first out-of-town trip with friends only, first Pasig ferry ride, etc.,) but it will forever be in my heart. My Canon 220 will continue to make discoveries for my Sony Cybershot, while the Sony Cybershot will be used by my dad. The Cybershot is still usable, but it can't be frequently used. The camera's system "gets tired," and acts up, by having a violently-shaking LCD, and a noisy machine-like sound inside. Tsk tsk tsk tsk.