The Urban Roamer

Manila Cathedral: the church with 8 lives

March 24, 2018December 3, 2011 by The Urban Roamer

There are a lot of interesting places to see in Intramuros, but perhaps one thing that would stand out in this part of the city is the imposing structure that is the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception AKA the Manila Cathedral, the seat of power of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila.

Given the vast influence of the Roman Catholic Church especially during the Spanish colonial era, it is but fitting that its seat in power in the capital city should be the most imposing of them all. Before Rizal monument, the Cathedral was the original “Kilometer 0” where all will begin, so to speak. Even today, as a sign of respect to the heritage of Intramuros, it is decreed under law that no building in the Walled City should exceed the height limit which is the height of the cathedral itself, up to its belltower.

the Liwasan formerly known as Lawton

August 3, 2014November 26, 2011 by The Urban Roamer

There are a few places I can think of as “complex” as Central Manila, which by itself is considered the city’s intersecting point. On one hand, this place is home to two of the city’s iconic landmarks: the Post Office Building and the Metropolitan Theater. On the flipside, it’s one of the most convoluted places in the city, overtowered by flyovers which doesn’t really help relieve the area from unbearable traffic especially during rush hour. Then there is the open, green space straddling between the Post Office and Metropolitan Theater, which is interesting in itself.

Back in the Spanish colonial era, this area was once known as part of Plaza Arroceros, by itself a large open, green space which extended all the way to the present Manila City Hall. It is also significant as it is located near the old Chinese quarters or Parian, where Chinese immigrants first settled and did their business before they were moved to present Binondo.

The Aduana/Intendencia Building

August 3, 2014November 19, 2011 by The Urban Roamer

If there’s one thing that is disappointing to see other than disappeared landmarks, it would be those that have been neglected or being left to its own sad state. Sadly there are a number of such examples one can see in the metropolis. Manila’s historic walled city district we call Intramuros is home to some of these “neglected” structures. One of them which I am writing about today is a landmark that’s hard to miss, a few meters away from the southern bank of the Pasig River.

the food bazaars at Ortigas Center

August 3, 2014November 12, 2011 by The Urban Roamer

It’s been a while since I wrote about Banchetto. And a lot have happened since then.

Foremost of which was the end of the Banchetto at the former Emerald Avenue on May 7, 2011, which according to one of the organizers, was a result of “collateral damage” between the area’s barangay government (Brgy. San Antonio in this case) and Ortigas Center.

For a time, the Banchetto Fridays were held near the Forum Robinsons Mall in Pioneer St. in Mandaluyong, where Banchetto has been holding an overnight food market every Wednesday and Thursday nights.