Yesterday, I joined the Manilakad walking tour. The experience covers Quiapo, Intramuros, and Binondo. Our tour guide, JP Ordono, has grown an organic following on Facebook based on his popular tours around Manila. His fast-paced walking tours have been known to be engaging and entertaining, and it certainly did not disappoint!
According to JP, “the objective of this tour is to prove that Manila is a safe place to walk in. It is also rich in history and culture”.
His wife Pura helps him with his tours and keeps everyone in the group together
Our tour began at San Sebastian Church, which I first toured a couple of years ago.
San Sebastian is the only gothic church in the country
It is especially beautiful when all the chandeliers are on
The church is undergoing an extensive restoration
The tour commences in front of the church
Our group was comprised of different folks who were united by our love for history and culture.
The group is a varied group of people
We all appreciated the old houses along San Sebastian Street, which used to be an elite area.
The former Monaco Consulate proudly strands along San Sebastian Street
The house remains beautiful despite its ruined state
The side of San Sebastian braves the electric wires of the modern times
Despite the challenges of dilapidation and modernity, the street remains to be a poetic souvenir from a bygone era.
San Sebastian Street is dotted with charming old homes
A few steps away is the University of the East (UE) which was my late father’s alma mater. He graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering, and commuted to this uni from his hometown of Malabon (and back) everyday.
The University of the East is the author’s late father’s alma mater
Manila is still festively lit for the holidays
Isko keeps Manila clean
Right beside UE is the Youniversity Suites, the retrofitted Laperal Apartments. It is now a hip dorm, food court, and mini mall.
The pun-ny name is evident of the crowd it caters to
The Youniversity Suites is a hip dorm and food court at University Belt.
Some of our groupmates had merienda at Binondo Lumpia House to prepare for our three-hour tour.
Binondo Lumpia House inside Youniversity Suites is known for their fresh lumpia
Manila continues to surprise with lovely details amidst its grittiness
We also passed by Bilibid Viejo, where a prison used to stand. Old houses such as this one still dot the street.
Bilibid Viejo is known to a bygone prison and its old residences
It is also known for the Pagoda Mansion, which is a distinct property in the area of esteros and colonial architecture.
The Pagoda Mansion continues to survive the modern times
This mini Nazarene inspires e faithful to continue praying
I was particularly glad to find this mini Nazarene chapel. I am a devotee of Jesus the Nazarene, and it was an honor to pray in front of this statue.
The author, herself a Nazarene devotee, prays in front of this statue of Jesus
Interestingly, the Pagoda Mansion is still visible from a few blocks away.
The Pagoda Mansion or the Ocampo Mansion, is still seen from a few blocks away
Since it was subdivided decades ago, the mansion’s extended property has since been owned by different people. However, intricate details of the original property can still be seen today.
The Pagoda or Ocampo Mansion’s extended property has since been subdivided, but its grand details are still visible
The author enjoys a light moment at the Ocampo Mansion
We passed by Hidalgo Street, where a tranvia used to pass through. It also used to be a wealthy street back in the day.
Old and new blend together at Hidalgo Street
The Paterno house is still evident of the owners’ wealth
The beautiful Padilla house is now an art gallery
No visit to Hidalgo Street is complete without a visit to Bakerite, where the tasty loaf bread was invented.
Bakerite is the home to the famous tasty bread
The author buys tasty bread to enjoy at home
Some houses along Hidalgo Street contain a courtyard
This 7-Eleven is the site of the original UP College of Fine Arts
The former Manuel L. Quezon University is still beautiful
Another home with a courtyard
This property is now home to many renters
Hidalgo Street is also home to the old Araneta mansion, which is now a parochial school.
The Nazarene Catholic School stands on the site of the original Araneta Mansion
The Aranetas originally owned this home
Ruins cannot reduce the beauty of old homes along Hidalgo Street
The tranvia line used to pass through this very street
At present, Hidalgo Street is home to apartment dwellers and Manileños.
Filipinos are really pun-ny
We then rode the jeepney to our next stop.
The author onboard a jeepney to the tour’s next stop
The jeepney ride is also the perfect break from all that walking
Our next stop was the Manila City Hall.
The Manila City Hall is an imposing presence amidst its neighboring mall
Beside it is the Arroceros Park, the last lung of Manila.
This was also the site of the Parian, the old Chinese settlement during the Spanish colonial period.
It is a beautiful evening to explore Manila
We also got to visit the Bonifacio Monument. It is now clean and free from garbage, thanks to Mayor Isko Moreno.
The Kartilya ng Katipunan
At the Bonifacio Monument
The City Hall also has a statue of Arsenio H. Lacson, who was the mayor of Manila from 1952 to 1962.
The statue of Arsenio H. Lacson is a tribute to the late colorful mayor of Manila
I was also surprised to see these historical markers which explain the importance of Manila during the Second World War.
World War II Manila historical marker
World War II Manila Historical Marker
From there, we walked to the National Museum’s exterior.
The imposing National Museum is framed by the LRT tracks and trees
The National Museum is so pretty at night
The National Museum of Anthropology
The tour continued way into the night. This was already past 9:00PM.
The group continues their tour by the National Museum’s exterior
Manila is a city that never sleeps
Manila’s energy is electric at night
Our National Museum
The author is in awe of the lighted National Museum
The Gomburza Monument
Our group continued our tour with a brief stop at Intramuros to regroup and appreciate the legacy of the colonial period.
The Bayleaf Hotel at Intramuros
The Mapua Chapel
Puerta del Parian harkens back to the Spanish colonial heritage of the Walled City
The former site of The Philippine Herald is now a Starbucks and McDonald’s
Letran
Our group walks to Lawton
Our group makes a quick stop to Lawton, where we appreciate another monument to Andres Bonifacio
Andres Bonifacio
Right behind Bonifacio’s statue is the Manila Central Office, which I toured last year.
Manila Central Post Office
And a few steps away is the Jones Bridge. It was recently restored, and the La Madre Filipina statues are currently being moved atop the bridge’s pillars.
La Madre Filipina
The gorgeous Jones Bridge
The author at Jones Bridge
The Post Office as seen from Jones Bridge
The author enjoys the lighted Jones Bridge
Our last stop was Binondo for late dinner and drinks.
Binondo promises yummy eats and lucky charms
We were taken by our guide to Ying Ying, which is open from 7:00AM to 2:00AM. It offers delicious and value for money Chinese food.
Ying Ying offers delicious Chinese food
Ying Ying also offers rice toppings which are served fast
The author enjoys dinner with tour groupmate Maria
This does not look delicious, but their beef curry rice is delicious!
I ordered their beef curry rice and a cold one for good measure. The combo was delicious!
A cold one is always a good idea
Binondo at night
It was one of the best tours I’ve ever had, and I highly recommend it! Follow Manilakad on Facebook for upcoming tour schedules. You may also contact the tour guide JP Ordona and his wife Pura on their number +63 916 359 7888 for custom private tours.
I hope that you will also walk around Manila this 2020!