Unplanned Photo Shoot and Walking Tour of San Miguel, Manila

A text message from Ferdz on a Friday night asking for information on San Miguel, Manila, the row millionaires, the seat of power in the Philippines that is Malacanang Palace and the birthplace of eponymous beer: San Miguel Beer, took shape with Tutubi accompanying Ironwulf on a photo shoot on the streets of San Miguel district of Manila.

Tutubi, accompanied by J who joined also on a moments notice, waited for Ferdz at San Sebastian Church in Quiapo, took a few pictures of the all steel church then walked towards Legarda St and Mendiola to San Beda College's Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat by the Benedictine monks. The abbey was closed but the attendant let the group in for picture taking of the dark abbey.

picture of Abbey of Montserrat dark interiors, what more with the lights on? Tutubi, as usual, was too lazy to bring a tripod, only Ferdz did :P

Due to growling stomachs, the threesome took a quick snack at KFC at the corner of Mendiola and Concepcion Aguila, proceeded to ask the guards at the gate of Malacanang Palace for directions, didn't go inside for a peek of St. Jude Church (also nearby were Holy Spirit School, La Consolation, V. Mapa, and Centro Escolar University (CEU)) then dragged their itchy feet to San Rafael St, a place known for cheapest dentures, braces and retainers in Manila due to the presence of numerous dental technicians and students of dentistry.

A few meters away entered another world that seemed not to belong to the Manila most people know where grand mansions stood, caught sight of La Cocina de Tita Moning, a fine dining restaurant tucked away in the hidden enclave that is not part of Tutubi's radar screen due to the pricey menu. (Only Ferdz was audacious enough to take pictures of the American era mansions and majestic homes since Tutubi saw guards from a distance in this highly-secured environs)

At the end of San Rafael corner J.P. Laurel St. is a memorial, called Freedom Park, to the victims of the Battle for the Liberation of Manila during the second World War honoring the dead. The memorial is an obelisk about ten meters tall with a dove perched on top.

They turned right as the logical choice since the cynical guards guarding the official residence of the iron lady were watching. This is such a disappointment since the place is so picturesque and should belong to the Filipino people.

On reaching San Miguel Church, a church that was the temporary seat of the Archdiocese of Manila when the Manila Cathedral was bombed to smithereens during World War 2, a wedding was taking place so proceeded only to take pictures of the facade and the bronze statue of St. Michael the Archangel.

Facade of San Miguel Church

The bronze sculpture of St. Michael slaying the serpent-devil in front of San Miguel Church

Since it was getting dark, they decided to call it day, boarded a jeepney bound for Quiapo, walked J to the terminal of Lealtad-bound jeepneys on Hidalgo St, took Lacson underpass to Plaza Miranda then to the vendor-filled Hidalgo Photographer's Haven, unto SM Sta Cruz, Isetann and LRT Carriedo Station fora ride back to Makati via MRT.

Thus ended another unplanned walking tour of Manila. Sorry Ferdz, your Tutubi-guided tour of Pasig River Ferry will come next time.


If you want a guided tour of San Miguel, you may get in touch with Ivan ManDy. You will be surprised to learn about the history of the secluded place as well sample the menu of La Cocina de Tita Moning.

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How to get to San Miguel, Manila

In Quiapo, near the area under Quezon Bridge, the Quiapo-San Miguel jeepneys pass by Arlegui St then Globo de Oro (where the Golden Mosque is) going to San Miguel. The jeep loops through San Miguel even in front of San Miguel Church.

From LRT Doroteo Jose Station, board jeepneys going to Cubao (via Sta Mesa) on C.M. Recto and alight on Mendiola (when you see barbed wires, it's Mendiola)

Directions by car from Makati, make your way to Ayala Bridge, on reaching P. Casal, turn right to Arlegui St. where you can also pass by San Miguel Church looping through Alfonso St.