Among the remnants of Spain’s 300-year occupation of the Philippines, which ended when the 20th century came to a close, are breathtaking churches. Among these old churches are San Sebastian Church (Plaza del Carmen, Quiapo, Manila), Baclayon Church (Baclayon town, Bohol), Loboc Church (Loboc town, Bohol), Paoay Church (Laoag, Ilocos Norte), Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino (Cebu City), Miag-ao Church (Iloilo), Valladolid Church (Valladolid, Negros Occidental), St. Martin de Tours (Taal, Batangas).
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- Front details of Sta. Ana Church, Manila City
These churches provide a living testament to the rich history of the Philippines, as well as serve as great venues for weddings and other religious occasions.
In and around Metro Manila, I’ve been to the Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church (both in Intramuros, Manila), Barasoain Church (Malolos, Bulacan), Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church (Makati City), and, recently, the Church of Santa Ana.
It’s not easy to find the Church of Santa Ana. It’s found in the Santa Ana district of Manila City. It’s surrounded by the Pasig River, the Paco and Pandacan districts of Manila City, and Makati City. I only know one way to get there, through Makati City, and I’d probably get lost if I take some other road (but it’s just as easy to be lost in Makati City). At the other end of Pasong Tamo Avenue, just after the Philippine Daily Inquirer office and JP Rizal Avenue, is already Santa Ana.
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- Altar at Sta. Ana Church, Manila City
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- Belltower of Sta. Ana Church, Manila City
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- Stained glass cross at Sta. Ana Church, Manila City
The roads leading to the Church of Santa Ana are narrow, a sign of really old localities, probably when central planning wasn’t a major concern. It doesn’t help that there are a number of one-way streets, which means you can’t just go around and retrace your way if you’re lost (or maybe I’m just mistook them for one-way streets, brought about by years living in Makati City). I’m just thankful that people around the place are helpful when asked for directions, as I had no idea how to get there. Thank God for small mercies.
I wouldn’t have braved the narrow streets except that I had to attend the baptism of a friend’s daughter. It’s a normal progression as one gets older: first, you attend your friends’ weddings, then the baptism of their children, then the birthdays of their children, then the children’s weddings, then you’re friends’ funerals (assuming you don’t go first). Sad, but that’s life.
The church stands on the site of the first Franciscan mission established outside Manila in 1578. The permanent marker on the outside wall of the church, placed by the Historic Research and Markers Committee in 1936, reads:
First Franciscan Mission established outside Manila, in 1578. Present church built under the supervision of Vicente Ingles, O.F.M. Cornerstone laid on September 12, 1720, by Francisco de la Cuesta, Archbishop of Manila and Acting Governor of the Philippines.
I made it a point to come earlier than the scheduled start of the baptism because I don’t know the place, which is a good thing because the small parking area still had many vacant spaces. Perhaps more important is the fact that it gave me some time to go around the place, marvel at its beauty and take pictures. Only God can make a tree, but man can sure construct beautiful churches.
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I am one of the few that had really lived in the Santa Ana distirct of Manila.
We lived then @ the corner of Tejeron and Revillen Sts., and my sisters, brother and
a cousin all went to Santa Ana Academy, a Catholic school on Herran across the Pasig
River.
My fond memories of that district of Manila. was inclusive of the church which seems to be mounted on a rotunda (guess hi-elevation was necessary to avert flood waters
into the Church. The church then was run by Spaniards, and there were still rmmnants of the old Spanish clergy residing by the church. In particular, a basque
priest by the name of Padre Miguel & a youthful Padres Jesus.
The Sta Ana Academy was run by a prolific Administrator, a Mother Artes from the Cebu area and her nieces and nephew taught there too, and was it well run considering the availability of academc materials.
From what the rumor indicated, the school was very mcuh helped by a prominent
businessman of that time, Joseph Arcache, whose members of household attended
the school also.
I still fell sort of nostalgic of those yaers past, when going home from school, one
passes by some of the older houses on Revillen, some residence of my school mates.
Some the the kids I went to school with (grade school to 2nd yr. hi-school) are well
into their senior years now, or some might have gone south already (euphemism),
but when I think about those yotuhful years, I can’t help but wish that one day, after
55 years in the United States, some shades of that romantic past mgiht still be available for me to reconcile then with now. I certainly would like to see some
cestiges of what I had known that might whisper softly to me, “hey, I’ve been here
even before you, and I’m still around.”
@Art, thank you for sharing your memories of Sta. Ana, the church and its surroudings. We were browsing through the comments and noticed that we’ve missed your comment. It’s easy to see that nauna po kayo sa duyan, so to speak, and you’ve witnessed a treasure of history that we only dream of reading in some hidden book . . . i only blogs were present then. =)
panu po sumali sa org ng sta ana church as choir member?
Kanino po ako lalapit. kung sakali, pede niyo po ako matulungan?
Actually its really very easy to get to Sta. Ana Church from any direction. And, you’re right, the people are very helpful. I should know, I was raised in the area. Unfortunately, I was not able to go to any of the “local” schools. But, nevertheless, I have very fond memories of the place. Its a place which they call, part of Manila yet retains a certain rural atmosphere. Just walk around Lamayan, Revellin, Leiva or Isabel streets. Even the place where I grew up, Medel and Del Pan streets. Sometimes its eerie, like going back in time. And, predictably, it has its share of haunted houses, real or not. Just the same, Sta. Ana will always play a very important part in my life. Friends, still with us and some who have gone to the other side, will always be remembered.My only regret is having left the place.I hope one day I will come back to stay. Friends from Del Pan and Medel, may you live forever.
@Ruben, thank you for dropping by and sharing your memories. We hope to hear more from you in the future.
I recently passed by Sta. Ana Church the other day, and I am really impressed by the renovations done there. Its also nice to see the old mural painting still existing and preserved.
While going around the area I was reminded of my boyhood days, and those who are true blue Sta. Ana natives will not fail to recall Tandocs store in Sta. Ana Market, where you can buy almost anything from toys to school supplies.
And who does not know Mang Teroy of Kasarinlan street, those who did not have bikes of their own need only to go to his bike rental store, and for .25 cents, you can rent a balloon tire bike for thirty minutes.
Those who were fond of reading comic books surely know Cesar’s store right in from of Sta. Ana Elementary School, at the corner of La Torre street. There you can buy or rent any comic book from imported Superman, Batman, Lawman comics to Liwayway, Bulaklak, Kislap and the local comic books of the time.
And, when we were hungry for some Halo-halo, where else to go but at the Three Roses stand in Sta. Ana Market? From the other stalls you can taste their wicked Goto, Sotanghon, and Palabok.
There are lots more memories but I would not want to pour them all out in one go. It would spoil the fun wouldn’t it?
If you want to tell more, please tell me and Ill do my best.
i just want to ask, hw much its cost for the wedding?pls send some details or requirement….tnx a lots….Godbless
i miss sta. ana… i used to live there ..in garrido st were i grew up. i used to hang out s lamayan st. and plaza hugo.. but its a very long time ago.ang daming memories from sta. ana
REALLY.. theres no place like sta. ana
i was born in trinity general hosp in sta. ana but was raised in brgy carmona, makati. we always go to church here and my aunts and cousins live in zamora st. now we’re renting in medel st. a lil high 9,500 pesos a month for only the 2nd floor of an old house but nonetheless it is nice to live in sta.ana. and yes it is eerie when i get home from work at wee hours in the morning and i pass by revillen from tejeron to get to medel. so scary at times but love it
hi pau! we also rented an old house 2nd floor lang din sa medel and delarosa street, baka same house lang din un…
does anyone know kng panu pnta ng sta.ana church from terminal 3???? thnx mch poh
My authorization po ba ang mga nagseserve sa simbahang na magsolicite gamit ang pangalan ng simbahan.May mga nagsosolicite po kasi dito sa
amin para daw sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo.If i’m correct kung may donation kami,we could go directly sa office ng church to donate,di po ba? Delia dela fuente ang pakilala niya sa amin.We are from brgy 874.
bakit po masyadong mahigpit ang simbahan pagdating sa dress code?