Philippines Travel Guide

Binondo, Quiapo and Santa Cruz. The sharp end of the visit going east on the street and then spring Customs River, close to the Pasig River to the bridge Jones. We crossed to get into the districts of Binondo and Santa Cruz, where the bustling Chinatown of Manila. On the street we Dasmariñas Plaza Santa Cruz, with European-style fountain in the center and the rebuilt church of Santa Cruz on one side. The huge rush of people, many of Chinese origin, and the chaos of vehicles reminds us that we are in an Asian city.

Across the square are the Goodwill Arches, a large Chinese-style gate that marks the onset of Ongpin Street, the heart of the Chinatown, with a wide variety of businesses and shops in China. Returning to the Plaza de Santa Ana took Carriedo Street to get into Quiapo. It’s the weekend and on this street are a colorful outdoor market with many people here and there. For a moment it seems that everything Manila has been concentrated here. In this market you can find everything imaginable.

We were surprised to see many stalls with natural remedies for diseases that did not even know existed (!). Crossing through the crowd we enter the Quiapo Church, where there is a mass at the time. So many people attend the church service that does not fit inside the church (and this will be a constant in any Filipino Mass in a church …) In this church is the famous Black Nazarene, an image of Christ to actual size which you are supposed miraculous properties and is taken in a procession through the streets of Manila twice a year.