Bagong Maynila

To be able to go out and/or meet friends seemed to be a privilege since the city is still under General Community Quarantine (be vigilant and follow health related procedures). 

I looked forward to this day, as this is my first time meeting friends after the quarantine announcement last March and it has been years since I've been to Binondo.

To add, I can't even remember the exact time when we've last seen each other.

Anyway, here's a quick summary of our get together around some areas in Manila:

      

Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz (Binondo Church)

As I am the first who arrived at our meeting place, I went inside the church and prayed first.

Alcohol is provided for sanitation and your body temperature should be scanned before providing your details in the logbook.


The Great Buddha

Only few restaurants are open for dine-in. We are lucky that this restaurant is open.
It is located near the church, second floor of UBE building.

We ordered a few dishes in the hopes of checking other dimsum places after.


EngBeeTin

Within the same UBE building, this branch is on the 1st/ground floor. We bought few hopia and mochi too.


Ying Ying Teahouse

They are open but accepts takeaway orders only. We thought of buying frozen dimsums at first, but end up not buying since they sell it per kilo.


William A. Jones Memorial Bridge

Built in 1916, designed by Juan M. Arellano, the bridge connects Binondo to Intramuros, making travel and business related aspects easier and faster.

The original bridge was destroyed during WWII.

References: CulturEd Philippines and lougopal


Manila Central Post Office

Also designed by Juan Arellano along with Ralph Doane and Tomás Mapúa. It was completed in 1926 in the neoclassical style.

It was located near Jones Bridge and Pasig river for convenience (c/o Daniel Burnham).

Reference: Arielle Abrigo


Intramúros

Also known as 'walled city' was built in 1571 under Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, where Raha Soliman resided.

Back then, only Spaniards can live within the walled city except for Filipino workers. Later on, Intramuros became Manila.

Reference: CulturEd Philippines


Lagusnilad Underpass

The underpass connects Intramuros to Manila City Hall and was renovated and re-opened last 24 Aug 2020.

Thomasian architect Juanito Malaga, alumni John Benedict Fallorina, Sean Patrick Ortiz and Leon Centeno Tuazon, helped in redesigning the underpass.

I now assume that the bookstore that we saw was actually the known 'Books from Underground.'

The artworks were really nice and was said to be in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Gerilya Artist Collectice, inspired by the works of Carlos 'Botong' Francisco.

Reference: UST website

We plan to go back in Intramuros once we are sure that museums are open.

We then went to our next goal, Kapetolyo! ☕

Youtube Playlist: Limayon Local

Mari❤