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Our Lady of Remedies Parish, Malate, Manila

Only a few people know or care about the history of that quaint little church by Manila Bay.

The Parish of Our Lady of Remedies, popularly known as Malate Church, was built by the Augustinian Order during the late 16th century, making it one of the oldest churches in Manila outside of Intramuros. In 1591, Malate had only one church and one convent, both of which were severely damaged during the 1645 earthquake. In 1667, it again suffered destruction on orders of the 24th Governor-General of the Philippines, Sabiniano Manrique de Lara. It was done under duress due to the threat of Chinese pirate attacks led by the dreaded Koxinga.

A decade later, Fr. Dionisio Suárez began reconstructing a new church and convent made of bricks and stone. Fr. Pedro de Mesa completed the construction in 1680. The church was occupied and vandalized by the British when they invaded Manila in 1762. Further destruction happened in 1868 during an immense typhoon. Fr. Francisco Cuadrado reconstructed the church in 1864. This third church is the Malate Church that we know. Fr. Nicolás Dulanto made some restoration work on the church, including the completion of the façade’s upper part.

Trefoil blind arches are at the church’s façade, indicating Moorish art influence. The attached belltowers give an impression of solidity and strength by its massiveness (emphasized by very few openings), as if to “squeeze” the middle part of the façade. Solomonic columns superpositioned over the Romanesque columns give Malate Church its baroque feel.

During World War II, both Japanese and (especially) Americans wreaked havoc all over Manila, making the city the most devastated city next to Warsaw, Poland. Malate Church wasn’t spared; only its walls remained after the hostilities. But the Columban priests –the current residents and caretakers of the church– restored it to its original beauty and splendor during the 1950’s.

A Valentine's Day mass was ongoing.

The image of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios was brought here from Spain in 1624 by Fr. Juan de Guevara, O.S.A.

Faithful Manileños.


At the church's western wall.

Spread the love! =)

Anunciamos tu muerte. Proclamamos tu resurrección. Ven Señor Jesús

Agua bendita.

Street vendors selling their wares around the church area.

Already working at a young age. =(

Reynaldo Alano personally selling his obras.

The church looming behind the verdure.

Spread the love! Malate love! (Malate, Manila)


3 responses »

  1. Pingback: Spread the love! Malate love! PT. 6 (Malate, Manila) « FILIPINO eSCRIBBLES

  2. Pingback: Spread the love! Malate love! PT. 7 (Malate, Manila) « FILIPINO eSCRIBBLES

  3. Pingback: The importance of organized religion « FILIPINO eSCRIBBLES

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