Manila: Misa de Gallo at San Agustin Church

San Agustin Peeking Through

San Agustin Peeking Through the door

Just a short walk from Manila Cathedral is another church where people flock for the Misa de Gallo. Inside the walls of intramuros stands the oldest church in the Philippines – The San Agustin Church, one of the Baroque Churches classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This church built in 1607 now sports a new paletada and is aglow with simple drop line of lights on its facade. Honestly, this church need not to be extremely adorned for it sports one of the most beautiful church interiors I’ve seen.

San Agustin Simbang Gabi

San Agustin Simbang Gabi

Just a word on security, a personnel near the Manila Cathedral questioned me about taking pictures. It would seem they are wary of ‘large’ cameras and told me that it’s prohibited to take Video in the vicinity. He didn’t actually want me to put my camera on a tripod since it looks like I’m taking a Video. I explained to him that I need it to keep my pictures still. He left me alone but he told me if it was daylight it would be a different story. I find this a bit funny prohibiting photos and videos is somewhat out of place. How bout if foreigners are carrying cameras like mine would you warn them as well? I asked. He told me that they only allow ‘small’ cameras in Intramuros with no tripods. DOT or security are simply ignorant lately on how technology advance gadgets are. Some small compacts even have very good video capabilities and can take high quality pictures as well. Well just the point of prohibiting taking pictures of historical sites as this would make it hard to appreciate the place. A sure turn off to some photo enthusiast tourist.

Simbang Gabi San Agustin Doors

San Agustin aglow

Another sad fact that during Simbang Gabi, some unlawful individuals would take advantage of sleepy or half awake church goers and attempt to rob them of their belongings. lagal[og] was almost a victim of this while he was walking towards San Agustin Church good thing nothing happened. There was a ruckus however nearby when someone was snatched of his/her cellphone nearby. It’s a good thing there were some police patrols regularly roaming nearby. So be very careful and alert at this times.