Konted's Make My Day 2

Thursday, 20 February 2014

The Church of Santa Cruz

Old photo of Sta Cruz Church

The Church of Santa Cruz

Every year, the Black Nazarene of nearby Quiapo Church steals the thunder. Millions join the procession in paying homage to the black statue of Jesus Christ carrying the cross. And it is beamed live nationwide throughout the day-long procession that starts from the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta and snakes its way through the principal streets of Quiapo district. Relegated to the background and, seemingly, playing second fiddle is the statue of Nuestra Senora Del Pilar.

The Carriedo Fountain in front of the Church is now one of the main attractions of Plaza Sta Cruz.

The Carriedo Fountain was originally located at the foot of Nagtahan Bridge near Sta Mesa.

The third Welcome Arch of Chinatown. It stands across Sta Cruz Church.

1961 photo of Plaza Sta Cruz which is in front of Sta. Cruz Church. (Nostalgia Manila photo)

Nuestra Senora Del Pilar, otherwise known as Our Lady of the Pillar, is housed in an old church locked by two plazas at the district of Santa Cruz in Manila. Sta Cruz Church's original structure was built by the Jesuits in 1608 for the Chinese immigrants who were clustered in a place called Binondo. In front of the Church is Plaza Sta. Cruz while at the rear is Plaza Goiti. Sta Cruz then was the premier district of the City of Manila.

Sta. Cruz Church today. It is said that the Church's architecture resembles the churches built by the Spaniards in California.

The bell tower at right enhances the beauty of the Church.

Brick-like tiles were added to the exterior walls of the Church.

Right flank of the Church

About Santa Cruz Church

Nuestra Senora Del Pilar, like the Black Nazarene, has devotees who frequent the Church to ask favors or divine intercession. There was even a time when religious veneration or devotion was so intense that a cult was said to have been formed. At the height of her popularity, Nuestra Senora del Pilar was lavishly dressed and had ornaments decorated with gold and diamonds especially during processions. Drawing attention is an old beautiful water fountain fronting the Church. It is called Carriedo Fountain named after the rich man responsible for installing Manila's water system. One distinguishing feature of Santa Cruz Church is its proximity to Escolta which was then the premier business center of Manila.

Church interior

Closer shot of main altar

Statue of Nuestra Senora del Pilar at right side of the Church

Saint Peter Julian Eymard is the second patron saint of Sta Cruz Church. The French saint was the founder of the Blessed Sacrament Congregation.

Statue near main entrance

Different statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At right is Nuestra Senora del Pilar with a devotee in deep prayer.

Old crypts inside Sta Cruz Church

My favorite rig driver was waiting near the Church. Mang Willie, who hails from San Carlos City in Pangasinan, parked his calesa at the western side. There was nothing that blocked the view. He made sure we could see him at once. We were holding at the big wheel as we embarked: Idiretso mo diyan sa Dasmarinas. Hanggang dulo. Tas liko mo sa Escolta. Dahan dahan lang tayo sa Escolta. Tas bahala ka na kung saan tayo. And then there was that sound I have always wanted to hear: tigitac, tigitac.... I was back to my own little world. Even for a brief moment.

Mang Willie and his calesa wait across the Church.

Taking hold of the horse's reins. Feeling like Ben Hur, not Ben Hur Luy, but Judah Ben Hur as played by Charlton Heston. (Ha ha)

The ride starts near Dasmarinas Bridge

You pull the left abaca rope if you intend to turn left. And you pull the right rope to make a right turn.

Another calesa overtakes at Dasmarinas Street.

The old Capitol Theater along Escolta Street

Mid part of Escolta Street

Syvel's Department Store had closed shop many, many years ago.

The old Regina Building. It was designed by a son of Juan Luna.

Escolta in the old days (g'gle)

Berg was one of several department stores located along Escolta Street. (google)

- Konted

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Sunday, 16 February 2014

Masuki: Since 1930

Masuki: Since 1930

From the LRT 2 train terminal, we crossed Avenida Rizal, turned left at Tomas Mapua St. and turned right at Soler St. From there, we were tracing Benavidez St. To make things easier, we asked a fruit vendor: Dalawa po yang madadaanan nyo na tulay. Bago dumating yung pangalawang tulay, Kalye Benavidez po yon. Matamis po itong mga Ponkan. We passed by Peace Hotel and Golden Fortune Restaurant. A light green calesa was waiting for passengers by the side of the road: Sasakay kami mamaya. Hintay mo kami. Kakain lang kami sa Masuki Mami House.

Travel time from the LRT terminal in Santolan, Pasig to the Recto Terminal is approximately 20 minutes. Fare is P15 per person. P12 if you are a senior citizen. A section is reserved for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and employees of LRT on duty. The following are stations where one can board or alight: Santolan, Katipunan, Anonas, Cubao, Betty Go Belmonte, Gilmore, J. Ruiz, V. Mapa, Pureza, Legarda and Recto.

Rizal Avenue is one of the principal streets of Santa Cruz District. It is more commonly known as Avenida Rizal.

Benavidez St. is one of the busiest streets of Binondo. Ask vendors or barangay tanods and they will surely tell you where it is.

Calesa waiting for passengers

Fire trucks are stationed at strategic areas for any eventuality.

Masuki is near Peace Hotel and Golden Fortune Seafood Restaurant.

Masuki boasts of serving delicious mami and siopao. And as highlighted in the ads, Masuki has been in the business since 1930. They have been selling mami and siopao even before the Commonwealth of the Philippines was established and even before World War II. Its original name was Ma Kong and it was only recently that the owners changed it to Masuki. Framed photos and news clips adorn the walls of the restaurant. Pointing to an old photo, I asked a waiter and got a quick reply: Yan po ang may-ari. Yung tatay nila, pamangkin ni Ma Mon Luk.

Masuki Mami House at Benavidez Street

Steaming mami as Masuki's logo

Masuki's one and only entrance

Masuki is one of the more popular restaurants in Chinatown.

Masuki's dining area is generally clean.

Where food is prepared

Masuki helper cuts noodles and meat using scissors.

It is called "gupit".

Masuki's original name was Ma Kong

Owner of Masuki (right) being interviewed

Masuki is known for its generous servings of Chicken, Beef and Original Mami. Its siopao is bigger than the usual siopaos of other noodle houses. The choices are Asado and Bola Bola. While Masuki's siopao is comparable to that of the original Ma Mon Luk, I cannot, for the moment, say the same for its mami. You see, at Masuki, you add the condiments such as spring onions, soy sauce, white pepper and asado sauce. And I am not one good in mixing condiments. I was supposed to add that asado sauce but I didn't. The mami broth was bland. I suspend passing judgment on Masuki's chicken mami. I have to try it again and do the right thing.

Soy Sauce, fish sauce, white pepper and hot sauce as condiments

Asado sauce

Spring onions

Free Chinese tea

Masuki's Original Mami

Chicken Mami. You have to add condiments.

Asado siopao

Generous servings at Masuki

I forgot to ask the waiter what those Chinese letters stand for. Next time.

The green calesa was no longer there. We looked for another one. There was a commotion near the bridge. The lady owner of a vehicle was in a panicky mode: Asan yung sasakyan ko? Asan? The watch-your-car boy answered: Nahatak po. Hinatak ng wrecker. Puntahan po natin doon. Onlookers started gathering around. We boarded a red calesa after crossing the bridge: Iikot ikot mo kami diyan. Basta sa simbahan ng Sta. Cruz kami bababa. Bahala ka na. And then I heard again the sound of the galloping horse.

- Konted