Manila Local Custom Tips by D._Pepper Top 5 Page for this destination

Saint Andrew the Apostle Church

This is how the church looks from outside.

Visit a Modern Church

Well, fairly modern, anyway. This is the interior of the Saint Andrew the Apostle Church in Bel Air, Makati City.

San Agustin Church Facade

San Agustin (Saint Augustine) is inside Intramuros, the old Walled City. I can't remember the exact date, but this church was built in the 1600's. Of course, it's been rebuilt a couple of times, but it retains a lot of its history to make a trip to this old church a must for tourists. There is a museum in a separate building to the side of the church.

Check out the pulpit too

Many churches in Manila were built to accomodate long "sermons" given from pulpits. Many people listen to these "sermons" or homilies during Sunday service, but most doze off after a while. Maybe that's because they are no longer delivered from these ornate pulpits where the priest would definitely catch inattentive parishioners! :o)

Look up from time to time...

Inside churches, that is... This is the ceiling inside San Agustin Church. Not quite the Sistine Chapel, but beautiful just the same.

Smile!

Filipinos are a smiley lot. Even during religious festivals. You can take as many pictures as you want of people. Just remember to smile, smile, smile. :o)

This was taken inside San Agustin Church - the oldest surviving Catholic Church in Manila. Built in the 1600's.

Go Inside the Church

Churches can be more interesting from inside. People won't mind your taking pictures of the interiors and of them. Just be discreet, quiet, and smile when you do make eye contact with the church goers.

Join a Parade (or a procession)

Processions are a big thing during the lenten season, peaking on Easter Sunday. You could head for the province (San Fernando de Cutud) where actual crucifixions are held. For the faint of heart, maybe a run of the mill procession like this one in Intramuros will do. :o)

Visit a Church

Locals visit at least seven churches on Holy Thursday and Good Friday before Easter. If you're in town and want to feel some of the local flavor, this is a must do. Some churches are architecturally beautiful, and seeing the parade of people church hopping is very interesting!

Malling. Manila is one super...

Malling. Manila is one super mall after another. One of the biggest - if not the biggest - is SM Megamall on EDSA in Ortigas Center. You can spend a whole day inside Megamall without wanting to leave it, nor needing to. It has hundreds of specialty shops, restaurants, cinemas, art galleries, medical and dental clinics, name it, you'll probably find it - inside Megamall. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Megamall is the white building complex shown in the photo - Buildings A & B. San Miguel (the beer) Corporation is headquartered in the building shown in the foreground, and another huge mall - the Robinson's Galleria - is about two big blocks past the twin towers you see in the background.