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manila cathedral mass today manila cathedral history manila cathedral intramuros manila cathedral address manila cathedral - youtube manila cathedral mass schedule when was manila cathedral built manila cathedral wedding

This church standing in Intramuros is one of the most famous old and historic churches not only in Manila, but in the Philippines.


The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception or mostly known as the Manila Cathedral is considered as the Mother of all Churches, Cathedrals and Basilicas of the Philippines. 

Inside Manila Cathedral

The Manila Cathedral-Basilica is the Premier Church of the Philippines because of all the Churches in the archipelago, it was the one chosen to become the Cathedral in 1581 when the Philippines was separated from the Archdiocese of Mexico and became a new diocese with its episcopal seat in Manila.

Learn more about Manila Cathedral as you read more below.

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Since I am not a Manilenyo (someone residing in Manila), I rarely visit the city, especially Intramuros. I only visited this church 3x in total. The last time was last month when I took advantage of free ferry ride from San Joaquin, Pasig to Escolta Station in Manila and toured around some of the notable places in Manila and a short tour around the north and center parts of Intramuros. I brought my DJI Action 2 with me to take some photos for my social media page and some video clips for my #LakadNiJuan episodes on my YouTube channel.

For those who are visiting Manila Cathedral, they recently opened Belfry Cafe which is operating under the Ground Bell of the church. I also visited the La Cathedral Cafe which is located at the back of the church. 

Check out my list of Instagrammable Cafes in Manila.

ABOUT MANILA CATHEDRAL

The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Filipino: Basilika Menor at Kalakhang Katedral ng Kalinis-linisang Paglilihi; Spanish: Basílica Menor y Catedral Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción), also known as the Manila Cathedral (Spanish: Catedral de Manila), is the cathedral of Manila and basilica located in Intramuros, the historic walled city within today's modern city of Manila, Philippines. It is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Patroness of the country. The cathedral serves as the episcopal seat of the Archbishop of Manila.

The cathedral was originally a parish church in Manila under the Archdiocese of Mexico in 1571, until it became a separate diocese on February 6, 1579 upon the issuance of the papal bull, Illius Fulti Præsido by Pope Gregory XIII. The cathedral was damaged and destroyed several times since the original structure was built in 1581 while the eighth and current structure of the cathedral was completed in 1958.

The basilica has merited a papal endorsement from Pope Gregory XIII and three apostolic visits from Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis. On April 27, 1981, Pope John Paul II issued papal bull Quod Ipsum designating the cathedral as a minor basilica by his own Motu Proprio.

Facts about Manila Cathedral

  • Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture
  • Architect: Fernando Ocampo
  • Rector: Reginald R. Malicdem
  • Construction cost: ₱70 million 2012–2014 restoration
  • Closed: February 7, 2012 to March 25, 2014
  • Founded: 1571

Manila Cathedral History

Manila Cathedral's history has been recorded since 1500's. For complete details, I have written a separate article for Manila Cathedral History.

Here are the highlights of Manila Cathedral's history:

The Church before it became a Cathedral: 1571

The Church of Manila was established by the secular Juan de Vivero who had the honor of baptizing Rajah Matanda.


The First Cathedral 1581 - 1583
As Spain firmly established herself in the new colony through the succeeding years, so did the Church which witnessed the creation of the Diocese of Manila. On February 6, 1579, Pope Gregory XIII issued in Rome the Papal Bull establishing the Bishopric or the Diocese of Manila, suffragan to the Archbishopric of Mexico.

On May 22, 1579, part of the tithes belonging to the king during a period of ten years was given for the construction of the Manila Cathedral. With such amount and support, the construction of the cathedral began. This support from the monarchy continued until the 18 th century when the cathedral, a victim of natural disasters and time, underwent repairs and reconstructions.


The first Cathedral of Manila was constructed by Fray Bishop Domingo de Salazar out of wood, bamboo, and nipa – materials which were used in all houses and other basic community services in the city. It was on December 21, 1581 that the parish church of Manila was raised formally into a cathedral.


The Second Cathedral 1591 - 1600
In 1591, at the age of 76 years, Bishop Salazar sailed from Manila to Spain, accompanied by the Dominican Fray Miguel de Benavides, to work for the erection of Manila into an archdiocese. He left the cathedral building in a state of near completion, enough for mass to be celebrated in it. The first stone cathedral had a central nave and two collateral ones.


The Third Cathedral 1614 - 1645
Archbishop Benavides initiated the rebuilding of the Manila Cathedral in stone but he never lived long enough to see the cathedral finished. He passed away on July 26, 1605, two years after his ascension to the archbishopric. The cathedral project was left in the hands of his successor, Diego Vasquez de Mercado, who became archbishop on June 1, 1610.


The Fourth Cathedral 1681 - 1751
The process of reconstruction of the whole cathedral was to start only after some years upon the arrival of Miguel de Poblete in 1653. On July 24, 1653, the new archbishop Miguel de Poblete entered the city of Manila after arriving in the port of Cavite from Acapulco and sadly viewed the ruins of the old cathedral and the temporary camarin which served as the cathedral in the middle of the plaza.

From 1658 to 1659, work on the cathedral was hastened. At this stage, contributions began pouring in. The Spanish monarch donated 22,000 pesos from the Royal Treasury of Mexico. Supporting the completion of the project were the products of the vacancies of the archbishopric. When all the donations were spent, the Archbishop sold his silverware, his pectoral cross and ring just to keep the construction going.

Cheapest Flights and Airline Tickets Online Booking

The Fifth Cathedral 1760 - 1852
Archbishop Pedro de la Santisima Trinidad Martinez de Arisala became Manila’s vicar in 1747. He saw the dilapidated state of the cathedral and decided to have it reconstructed by a fine architect to avoid any future defects in the edifice every time natural disasters struck the city. The archbishop requested Nueva España to send a good maestro who could handle the work and in 1748 informed the Spanish monarch that a new cathedral should replace the present one.

The Fifth Cathedral 1760 - 1852

The 1751 Reconstruction by Fray Juan de Uguccioni
The Manila Cathedral underwent a major transformation under the hands of the Italian architect Juan de Uguccioni and the obrero mayor Don Estevan Roxas y Melo. Don Estevan was a native of Lima, Peru, and was secretary to Archbishop Rodriguez since 1736. After the death of the archbishop, Roxas opted to stay permanently in this colony and was appointed eventually as medio racionero and later as canonigo de gracia in the Cathedral. 

The cathedral in 1792, by Fernando Brambila


The Sixth Cathedral 1858 - 1863
A year after Grajales’ report, Governor General Antonio de Urbiztondo ordered the Cuerpo de Yngenieros or Corps of Engineers led by its commandant and chief Don Nicolas Valdes and commandant Fernando Fernandez de Cordoba to conduct another inspection of the cathedral since Urbiztondo had lost confidence in Grajales.


By October 1854, bids for the project were submitted. Contractors who joined the bidding for the cathedral renovation and reworks were Don Manuel Asuncion, Don Luciano Oliver who was a renowned architect, Don Antonio Fua, Don Sixto Ejada Obispo, Don Esteban Transfiguracion, and Don Antonio Canals y Llinas, who was the director and owner of the Establecimiento Artistico in Arroceros.


The Seventh Cathedral 1879 - 1945
On April 13, 1870, Governor Carlos Maria de la Torre issued a directive giving the necessary authorization to begin the leveling of the cathedral ruins and empowering the eccelesiastical governor, Mateo Yague y Mateos, in the absence of Archbishop Gregorio Meliton Martinez who was attending the Concilia Vaticano in Rome, to designate the Arquitecto de la Administracion Local, Don Luciano Oliver, to be the dor director of works for the cathedral reconstruction.

The Seventh Cathedral 1879 - 1945

On April 18, 1870, during solemn rites in the Church of Santo Domingo, an eloquent discourse on the cathedral brought out the desired reaction from the faithful who pledged to pay for the daily wages of the laborers employed in the reconstruction.


The Secularization Issue and the Execution of Gomburza
The Manila Cathedral was witness to the movement to Filipinize parishes and to the tragic aftermath of its persecution. The issue of secularization in the Philippines had long been a source of conflict among the religious regulars and church seculars. Among those who advocated strongly for the rights of the secular clergy were Fathers Pedro Pelaez of the Manila Cathedral and Mariano Gomez of Cavite.

The GomBurZa

A few years later, on January 20, 1872, a mutiny broke out at the Cavite Arsenal over the unreasonable deductions in the salaries of the arsenal workers due to Gov. Gen. Izquierdo’s new tax imposition. Sympathizers for the workers mutineed that night causing the death of Sgt. La Madrid, the mutiny leader, and the fort commander whose wife was also injured.

The government arrested Fr. Gomez, along with the outspoken advocate of secularization, Fr. Jose Burgos, a young doctor of canon law, and Fr. Jacinto Zamora. They were healed to a one-sided trial and publicly executed by mechanical strangulation at Bagumbayan on February 17, 1872.



The Earthquake of 1880
In 1880, the cathedral fell victim again to another earthquake. Its bell tower which survived the 1863 earthquake crumbled to the ground and a makeshift one of wood replaced it. The dome underwent repairs after this incident.

The collapsed belfry after the 1880 earthquake

However, the cathedral would remain without a bell tower for many eyras, in spite of plans and proposals to have it restored, until its merciless destruction by war in the middle of the twentieth century.


The Late 19th Century
The closing of the nineteenth century were turbulent ones, not only for the Church but also for the entire colony. The Philippine Revolution of 1896 and the Filipino-American War, 1898-1902, saw the transition of colonial power from Spain to the United States.

The cathedral in 1899


The First Half of the 20th Century
As the twentieth century unfolded, a whole new ear dawned for the Archdiocese and Cathedral of Manila. The few years of this century saw the last Spanish prelate of Manila Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda holding on to the reins of the Catholic hierarchy.

In the Manila Cathedral were held important religious ceremonies to celebrate the coronation of the Popes and their demise. In 1907, a significant celebration was held to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, an important event for the cathedral under whose titular patronage it was. Special rites were also performed in the cathedral to observe the First national Eucharistic congress held on December 11-15, 1929 and the 33 rd International Eucharistic Congress held on February 3-7, 1937. The cathedral also witnessed the Te Deum for the safe arrival of Calvo and Arnaiz, the first Spanish aviators who flew from Spain to Manila. A solemn Te Deum and a special mass to mark the occasion of the inauguration of the Philippine Commonweath in 1935 were held in the Manila Cathedral.

Manila Cathedral Prior to World War II
During the period before World War II, the Cathedral was described to be a lovely church replete with ornaments, furniture, statues, and images of remarkable antiquity and beauty. It had several chapels dedicated to St. Joseph, Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Peter, Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Mercy, St. John Nepomuceno, and Our Lady of Guidance. This latter chapel was also known as the Parroquia del Sagrario, the chapel which served as the parish church of Intramuros and home of the image of Nuestra Señora de Guia before her transfer to Ermita Church. The Cathedral also sheltered the Virgin of Antipolo in 1647, for a period of time, some years after the church was sacked and burned down during the Chinese revolt in 1639, until her eventual installation again in Antipolo Church.


The Eight Cathedral 1958 - Present
The present Manila Cathedral rose phoenix-like from the desolate ruins of the old cathedral, which was bombed mercilessly along with the rest of the Walled City during the Battle of Liberation in 1945. Asserting back its distinction and dignity as Manila’s premier temple and metropolitan seat of the Archdiocese, the present structure emerged in the midst of the pathetic remnants of Intramuros, its open spaces colonized by squatters and its ancient ruins converted into cargo warehouses.

Cathedral ruins after destruction

For many years after the war, the shell of the Manila Cathedral stood before the gaze of the statue of Carlos IV in Plaza Roma. The ruins of its famous façade remained. There was the rose window without the colored glass and the three portals with their receding arches and the cathedral’s historical marker.

The Manila Cathedral covers an area of almost 3,000 square meters. The present structure has a Latin-cross plan which closely follows the distribution of spaces of the previous cathedral-aisles are separated from the nave by arcaded colonnades, and several chapels flank the nave.

The beauty and wonder of marble as a building material stand out in the Manila Cathedral. The chapels are paved by highly polished Carrara marble prefabricated in Italy. The main altar, which has a two-meter high statue of the Immaculae Conception, is featured with lovely columns built out of green Carrara marble. Paving the rest of the cathedral floor are cream slabs of marble. Marble also found its way in the altars of the side chapels where reliefs and mosaic panels add further decorative accents. Likewise, the pulpit and the Episcopal throne are made out of Italian marble.

The Manila Metropolitan Cathedral was solemnly consecrated on December 7, 1958 before the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a tribute to Our Lady under whose guidance and patronage the Cathedral of Manila was able to reign as queen of the Walled City, refuge of Manila’s denizens, and symbolic seat of the Catholic Church in Manila.


Pope Paul VI’s Visit to the Philippines
In the 1970s, the most memorable event that brought thousands upon thousands to the mother church of the country was perhaps the visit to the Philippines of Pope Paul VI in November 1970. A marker at the base of the main altar commemorates his pastoral visit in the presence of the ancient venerated image of Nuestra Señora de Guia.


Pope John Paul II’s Visit; Beatification of Lorenzo Ruiz
Undoubtedly, one of the most significant religious events in the Philippine ecclesiastical history was the beatification of the first Filipino martyr Lorenzo Ruiz on the occasion of the visit of Pope John Paul II to the Philippines in February 1981. The much-loved Pope came amidst cheers of Totus Tuus from the crowd to celebrate his first Mass on Philippine soil at the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral. Shortly thereafter, he told Cardinal Sin that he wanted the cathedral to be a Basilica.


2012 renovation and 2014 reopening
Reliquary-calendar with fragment bone of St. Caesarius of Terracina, deacon and martyr, Manila Cathedral. In photo, cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle next the new icon of Saint Caesarius.
The cathedral underwent repairs for earthquake retrofitting and subsidence prevention in 2012.

During this time, the San Fernando de Dilao Church was designated as the temporary official church (pro-cathedral) of the Archdiocese of Manila. However, Msgr. Nestor Cerbo stated that the cathedral would finish its renovations on March 25, 2014.

Panorama of the cathedral interior

Some added features and changes include the installation of CCTV cameras, large flat screen television screens (similar to those found in Baclaran Church), improved audio-video systems, and improved interior and exterior LED lightings. The cathedral completed its restoration on the said date and was reopened to the general public on April 9, 2014 after two years of renovation.


The visit of Pope Francis
On January 16, 2015, Pope Francis celebrated his first Papal Mass in the country at the cathedral as part of his apostolic visit to the Philippines. The mass was celebrated for the bishops, priests, and the clergy in three languages: Latin, English, and Filipino.

Front view of The Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila as of April 2015

Details of the Shrine

The northwest façade is a replica of the façade of the previous cathedral, along with statues of famous saints sculpted in Roman travertine stone. Several of the artworks inside the basilica were made by Italian artists. In the previous cathedral, they were originally made of molave wood. The statue of Saint Rose of Lima was sculpted by Angelo Fattinanzi; Saint Jacob, Saint Andrew, and Saint Anthony the Abbot by Livia Papini; and Saint Francis Xavier and Saint Polycarp by Alcide Tico.

Inscription on the tympanum of the main portal

The tympanum above the central northwest doors bears the Latin inscription Tibi cordi tuo immaculato concredimus nos ac consecramus (English: "To thy Immaculate Heart, entrust us and consecrate us").

The papal arms were
added in 1981 to signify
the cathedral's status as
a basilica.

Prior to 1988, the bronze statue of the Immaculate Conception in the main altar, by national Italian sculptor Vincenzo Assenza, was painted gold until 1988 (though the twelve star halo-aureola is solid gold). Inscribed on the baldachin above the statue of the Immaculate Conception is the Latin antiphon Tota pulchra es, Maria, et macula originalis non est in Te (English: "Thou art all-beautiful, Mary, and the original stain [spot] (of sin) is not in thee.").

The baptismal font and angel-shaped holy water fonts are also made of solid bronze by Publio Morbiducci; the prominent mosaic of Saint Jude Thaddeus was made by Marcello Mazzoli. The 134 modern stained glass windows were made in 1964 by Filipino artist Galo Ocampo. The window set, which was a programme of Marian themes, was commissioned and funded by Cardinal Santos.

The artistic designs of the stained glass windows of the Manila Cathedral are mostly products of the creative genius of Ocampo, one of the most versatile contemporary Filipino artists during his time and a recipient of the 1964 Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award from the city government of Manila.

The marble floors on the center aisle near the altar bears the coat of arms of four cardinal archbishops of Manila: Rufino Santos, Jaime Sin, Gaudencio Rosales, and Luis Antonio Tagle.

The patinated dome surmounted by a four-armed cross

Cathedra
The cathedra or episcopal throne of the Archbishop of Manila was installed during the postwar reconstruction in 1958. It is made of Mexican onyx and marble from Carrara, Italy, and was designed and made by the Istituto Internazionale d’Arte Liturgica in Rome.

The cathedra, newer high altar, pulpit, and altar rail

The original cathedra bears the coat of arms of then Archbishop Rufino Santos before he was created a cardinal. His coat of arms and the Mexican onyx was covered by a stone until its restoration in 2021. 

Shrine Rectors

  • Artemio Gabriel Casas, (1956–1962)
  • Jose C. Abriol, P.A. (1962–1975)
  • Augusto Pedrosa, H.P. (1975–1985)
  • Domingo A. Cirilos Jr., P.C. (1985–1996)
  • Hernando M. Coronel, P.C. (1996–2002)
  • Nestor C. Cerbo, P.C. (2002–2015)
  • Reginald R. Malicdem, (2015–present)

Burials and Funerals

The cathedral crypt is the resting place for former archbishops of Manila and a few other prelates:
  • Michael J. O'Doherty, the last foreign archbishop of Manila
  • Gabriel M. Reyes, the first Filipino archbishop of Manila
  • Rufino J. Cardinal Santos, the first Filipino cardinal
  • Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, a prominent leader of the 1986 People Power Revolution
  • Dom Ambrose Agius, bishop and Apostolic Delegate to the Philippines (until 1945; remains transferred to the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, Mendiola Street, Manila)

Two former presidents were permitted to lie in state under the cathedral dome:
  • Carlos P. Garcia, 8th president of the Philippines (1957–1961) (d. 1971)
  • Corazon C. Aquino, 11th president of the Philippines (1986–1992) (d. 2009)

Manila Cathedral Schedule of Masses

  • Mondays to Fridays - 7:30 AM and 12:10 PM
  • Saturdays - 7:30 AM ONLY
  • Sundays - 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 6:00 PM

Manila Cathedral Office Hours

  • Tuesdays to Saturdays - 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Sundays - 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
  • Closed on Mondays and Holidays

HOW TO GET TO MANILA CATHEDRAL

For those who are coming with private vehicles, taking a taxi ride, TNVS or if you are taking a walk tour around Intramuros, you can easily search "Manila Cathedral" on Waze or Google Maps for directions.

By Public Commuting
If you’re taking public transportation, it’s best to ride LRT. From your stop, get off at Taft Station and then take another northbound train trip to Monumento. The LRT and the MRT are interlinked. Get off at Carriedo Station, then ride a jeepney in front of Santa Cruz Church bound to Pier and get off in front of Manila Cathedral.


ATTRACTIONS TO SEE IN MANILA 

Klook.com

The Manila Cathedral

Address: Cabildo cor. Beaterio St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines 1002
Open Hours: 7am to 5pm daily
Contact Nos.: (632) 8 527-3093, (632) 8 527-1796, (632) 8 527-3889, (632) 8 527-3876
Email Address: mlacathedral58@gmail.com (Donna Santos, Section Head - Office Services)

ALSO IN MANILA


ACTIVITIES AND TOURS IN MANILA


WEDDING REQUIREMENTS

RESERVATION REQUIREMENTS
  • Reservation fee
  • Attendance at the Orientation on Wedding Rules and Regulations
  • Photocopy of the baptismal certificate of both party
  • Proof of inquiry/visit at the Chancery Office for foreigners or divorcees
  • Church Marriage Certificate (For Renewal of Vows during wedding anniversaries)

BASIC REQUIREMENTS
  • ORIGINAL COPIES OF THE BAPTISMAL and CONFIRMATION CERTIFICATES of the bride and groom with the notation “For Marriage Purposes.” (Valid for 6 months)
  • MARRIAGE BANNS: to be brought to the respective parishes of the couple to be posted for three (3) consecutive Sundays
  • Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) from NSO (For Filipinos only)
  • CANONICAL INTERVIEW
  • PRE-CANA SEMINAR
  • MARRIAGE LICENSE: to be secured from the Civil Registry of the city or town of either couple. (Valid for 120 days or 4 months only)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS (FOR CERTAIN CASES)
  • For Civilly Married couples:
    • NSO copy of the Marriage Contract.

  • For one who has lived in another place for six months or more aside from his/her permanent residence immediately prior to the wedding
    • For Filipinos residing in the Philippines
      • Marriage Banns from the parish/es where he/she resided for six months or more
    • For Filipinos residing abroad
      • Marriage banns from the parish of present residence OR Certificate of Freedom to Marry to be issued by the parish of present residence abroad for six months or more immediately prior to the wedding OR Affidavit of Free Status to Marry (for one who is NOT land-based, ex., seafarer, flight attendant.
    • For Foreigners residing in the Philippines
      • Marriage banns from the parish of domicile in the Philippines
      • Affidavit of Free Status to Marry
    • For Foreigners residing Abroad
      • Certificate of Freedom to Marry from the parish of present residence abroad for six months or more immediately prior to the wedding OR Affidavit of Free Status to Marry

  • For Foreigners
    • Clearance from the Chancery Office, Arzobispado de Manila
    • Certificate of Free Status to Marry / Legal Capacity from the Embassy of the country of origin
    • Certificate of Freedom to Marry to be secured from the parish of permanent residence in the country of origin

  • For Divorced/Divorcees
    • Clearance from the Chancery Office, Arzobispado de Manila
    • Certified true copy of LEGAL PAPERS proving the absolute decree of divorce

  • For one whose Previous Marriage was declared Null and Void
    • Certified true copy of the Final Declaration of Nullity from a Matrimonial Tribunal
    • Approval from the Chancery Office, Arzobispado de Manila

  • For Mixed Marriage or Disparity of Cult
    • Promissory Note duly signed the Priest Interviewer and approved by the Local Ordinary
    • Certificate of Active Membership from his/her religious affiliation (Mixed Marriage)

  • For Widows or Widowers
    • Newly issued NSO copy of the Death Certificate of the deceased spouse

OTHER CHURCHES TO VISIT IN MANILA

  • San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila
  • Basilica of the Black Nazarene a.k.a. Quiapo Church in Manila
  • Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz a.k.a. Binondo Church
  • San Sebastian Church in Quiapo, Manila
  • Our Lady of Remedies Parish (Malate Catholic Church)

WHERE TO STAY IN MANILA


Pearl Manila Hotel

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IMPORTANT NOTE: The rates, contact details and other information indicated in this post are accurate from the time of writing but may change without IMFWJ's notice. Should you know the updated information, please let us know by leaving a message in the comment box below.

WHERE TO STAY IN MANILA
 manila cathedral mass today manila cathedral history manila cathedral intramuros manila cathedral address manila cathedral - youtube manila cathedral mass schedule when was manila cathedral built manila cathedral wedding  manila cathedral intramuros manila cathedral mass today manila cathedral address manila cathedral - youtube manila cathedral history when was manila cathedral built manila cathedral mass schedule manila cathedral priests

MANILA CATHEDRAL: Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (History, Mass Schedule & Wedding Rates)

manila cathedral mass today manila cathedral history manila cathedral intramuros manila cathedral address manila cathedral - youtube manila cathedral mass schedule when was manila cathedral built manila cathedral wedding

This church standing in Intramuros is one of the most famous old and historic churches not only in Manila, but in the Philippines.


The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception or mostly known as the Manila Cathedral is considered as the Mother of all Churches, Cathedrals and Basilicas of the Philippines. 

Inside Manila Cathedral

The Manila Cathedral-Basilica is the Premier Church of the Philippines because of all the Churches in the archipelago, it was the one chosen to become the Cathedral in 1581 when the Philippines was separated from the Archdiocese of Mexico and became a new diocese with its episcopal seat in Manila.

Learn more about Manila Cathedral as you read more below.

Loading...

Since I am not a Manilenyo (someone residing in Manila), I rarely visit the city, especially Intramuros. I only visited this church 3x in total. The last time was last month when I took advantage of free ferry ride from San Joaquin, Pasig to Escolta Station in Manila and toured around some of the notable places in Manila and a short tour around the north and center parts of Intramuros. I brought my DJI Action 2 with me to take some photos for my social media page and some video clips for my #LakadNiJuan episodes on my YouTube channel.

For those who are visiting Manila Cathedral, they recently opened Belfry Cafe which is operating under the Ground Bell of the church. I also visited the La Cathedral Cafe which is located at the back of the church. 

Check out my list of Instagrammable Cafes in Manila.

ABOUT MANILA CATHEDRAL

The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Filipino: Basilika Menor at Kalakhang Katedral ng Kalinis-linisang Paglilihi; Spanish: Basílica Menor y Catedral Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción), also known as the Manila Cathedral (Spanish: Catedral de Manila), is the cathedral of Manila and basilica located in Intramuros, the historic walled city within today's modern city of Manila, Philippines. It is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Patroness of the country. The cathedral serves as the episcopal seat of the Archbishop of Manila.

The cathedral was originally a parish church in Manila under the Archdiocese of Mexico in 1571, until it became a separate diocese on February 6, 1579 upon the issuance of the papal bull, Illius Fulti Præsido by Pope Gregory XIII. The cathedral was damaged and destroyed several times since the original structure was built in 1581 while the eighth and current structure of the cathedral was completed in 1958.

The basilica has merited a papal endorsement from Pope Gregory XIII and three apostolic visits from Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis. On April 27, 1981, Pope John Paul II issued papal bull Quod Ipsum designating the cathedral as a minor basilica by his own Motu Proprio.

Facts about Manila Cathedral

  • Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture
  • Architect: Fernando Ocampo
  • Rector: Reginald R. Malicdem
  • Construction cost: ₱70 million 2012–2014 restoration
  • Closed: February 7, 2012 to March 25, 2014
  • Founded: 1571

Manila Cathedral History

Manila Cathedral's history has been recorded since 1500's. For complete details, I have written a separate article for Manila Cathedral History.

Here are the highlights of Manila Cathedral's history:

The Church before it became a Cathedral: 1571

The Church of Manila was established by the secular Juan de Vivero who had the honor of baptizing Rajah Matanda.


The First Cathedral 1581 - 1583
As Spain firmly established herself in the new colony through the succeeding years, so did the Church which witnessed the creation of the Diocese of Manila. On February 6, 1579, Pope Gregory XIII issued in Rome the Papal Bull establishing the Bishopric or the Diocese of Manila, suffragan to the Archbishopric of Mexico.

On May 22, 1579, part of the tithes belonging to the king during a period of ten years was given for the construction of the Manila Cathedral. With such amount and support, the construction of the cathedral began. This support from the monarchy continued until the 18 th century when the cathedral, a victim of natural disasters and time, underwent repairs and reconstructions.


The first Cathedral of Manila was constructed by Fray Bishop Domingo de Salazar out of wood, bamboo, and nipa – materials which were used in all houses and other basic community services in the city. It was on December 21, 1581 that the parish church of Manila was raised formally into a cathedral.


The Second Cathedral 1591 - 1600
In 1591, at the age of 76 years, Bishop Salazar sailed from Manila to Spain, accompanied by the Dominican Fray Miguel de Benavides, to work for the erection of Manila into an archdiocese. He left the cathedral building in a state of near completion, enough for mass to be celebrated in it. The first stone cathedral had a central nave and two collateral ones.


The Third Cathedral 1614 - 1645
Archbishop Benavides initiated the rebuilding of the Manila Cathedral in stone but he never lived long enough to see the cathedral finished. He passed away on July 26, 1605, two years after his ascension to the archbishopric. The cathedral project was left in the hands of his successor, Diego Vasquez de Mercado, who became archbishop on June 1, 1610.


The Fourth Cathedral 1681 - 1751
The process of reconstruction of the whole cathedral was to start only after some years upon the arrival of Miguel de Poblete in 1653. On July 24, 1653, the new archbishop Miguel de Poblete entered the city of Manila after arriving in the port of Cavite from Acapulco and sadly viewed the ruins of the old cathedral and the temporary camarin which served as the cathedral in the middle of the plaza.

From 1658 to 1659, work on the cathedral was hastened. At this stage, contributions began pouring in. The Spanish monarch donated 22,000 pesos from the Royal Treasury of Mexico. Supporting the completion of the project were the products of the vacancies of the archbishopric. When all the donations were spent, the Archbishop sold his silverware, his pectoral cross and ring just to keep the construction going.

Cheapest Flights and Airline Tickets Online Booking

The Fifth Cathedral 1760 - 1852
Archbishop Pedro de la Santisima Trinidad Martinez de Arisala became Manila’s vicar in 1747. He saw the dilapidated state of the cathedral and decided to have it reconstructed by a fine architect to avoid any future defects in the edifice every time natural disasters struck the city. The archbishop requested Nueva España to send a good maestro who could handle the work and in 1748 informed the Spanish monarch that a new cathedral should replace the present one.

The Fifth Cathedral 1760 - 1852

The 1751 Reconstruction by Fray Juan de Uguccioni
The Manila Cathedral underwent a major transformation under the hands of the Italian architect Juan de Uguccioni and the obrero mayor Don Estevan Roxas y Melo. Don Estevan was a native of Lima, Peru, and was secretary to Archbishop Rodriguez since 1736. After the death of the archbishop, Roxas opted to stay permanently in this colony and was appointed eventually as medio racionero and later as canonigo de gracia in the Cathedral. 

The cathedral in 1792, by Fernando Brambila


The Sixth Cathedral 1858 - 1863
A year after Grajales’ report, Governor General Antonio de Urbiztondo ordered the Cuerpo de Yngenieros or Corps of Engineers led by its commandant and chief Don Nicolas Valdes and commandant Fernando Fernandez de Cordoba to conduct another inspection of the cathedral since Urbiztondo had lost confidence in Grajales.


By October 1854, bids for the project were submitted. Contractors who joined the bidding for the cathedral renovation and reworks were Don Manuel Asuncion, Don Luciano Oliver who was a renowned architect, Don Antonio Fua, Don Sixto Ejada Obispo, Don Esteban Transfiguracion, and Don Antonio Canals y Llinas, who was the director and owner of the Establecimiento Artistico in Arroceros.


The Seventh Cathedral 1879 - 1945
On April 13, 1870, Governor Carlos Maria de la Torre issued a directive giving the necessary authorization to begin the leveling of the cathedral ruins and empowering the eccelesiastical governor, Mateo Yague y Mateos, in the absence of Archbishop Gregorio Meliton Martinez who was attending the Concilia Vaticano in Rome, to designate the Arquitecto de la Administracion Local, Don Luciano Oliver, to be the dor director of works for the cathedral reconstruction.

The Seventh Cathedral 1879 - 1945

On April 18, 1870, during solemn rites in the Church of Santo Domingo, an eloquent discourse on the cathedral brought out the desired reaction from the faithful who pledged to pay for the daily wages of the laborers employed in the reconstruction.


The Secularization Issue and the Execution of Gomburza
The Manila Cathedral was witness to the movement to Filipinize parishes and to the tragic aftermath of its persecution. The issue of secularization in the Philippines had long been a source of conflict among the religious regulars and church seculars. Among those who advocated strongly for the rights of the secular clergy were Fathers Pedro Pelaez of the Manila Cathedral and Mariano Gomez of Cavite.

The GomBurZa

A few years later, on January 20, 1872, a mutiny broke out at the Cavite Arsenal over the unreasonable deductions in the salaries of the arsenal workers due to Gov. Gen. Izquierdo’s new tax imposition. Sympathizers for the workers mutineed that night causing the death of Sgt. La Madrid, the mutiny leader, and the fort commander whose wife was also injured.

The government arrested Fr. Gomez, along with the outspoken advocate of secularization, Fr. Jose Burgos, a young doctor of canon law, and Fr. Jacinto Zamora. They were healed to a one-sided trial and publicly executed by mechanical strangulation at Bagumbayan on February 17, 1872.



The Earthquake of 1880
In 1880, the cathedral fell victim again to another earthquake. Its bell tower which survived the 1863 earthquake crumbled to the ground and a makeshift one of wood replaced it. The dome underwent repairs after this incident.

The collapsed belfry after the 1880 earthquake

However, the cathedral would remain without a bell tower for many eyras, in spite of plans and proposals to have it restored, until its merciless destruction by war in the middle of the twentieth century.


The Late 19th Century
The closing of the nineteenth century were turbulent ones, not only for the Church but also for the entire colony. The Philippine Revolution of 1896 and the Filipino-American War, 1898-1902, saw the transition of colonial power from Spain to the United States.

The cathedral in 1899


The First Half of the 20th Century
As the twentieth century unfolded, a whole new ear dawned for the Archdiocese and Cathedral of Manila. The few years of this century saw the last Spanish prelate of Manila Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda holding on to the reins of the Catholic hierarchy.

In the Manila Cathedral were held important religious ceremonies to celebrate the coronation of the Popes and their demise. In 1907, a significant celebration was held to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, an important event for the cathedral under whose titular patronage it was. Special rites were also performed in the cathedral to observe the First national Eucharistic congress held on December 11-15, 1929 and the 33 rd International Eucharistic Congress held on February 3-7, 1937. The cathedral also witnessed the Te Deum for the safe arrival of Calvo and Arnaiz, the first Spanish aviators who flew from Spain to Manila. A solemn Te Deum and a special mass to mark the occasion of the inauguration of the Philippine Commonweath in 1935 were held in the Manila Cathedral.

Manila Cathedral Prior to World War II
During the period before World War II, the Cathedral was described to be a lovely church replete with ornaments, furniture, statues, and images of remarkable antiquity and beauty. It had several chapels dedicated to St. Joseph, Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Peter, Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Mercy, St. John Nepomuceno, and Our Lady of Guidance. This latter chapel was also known as the Parroquia del Sagrario, the chapel which served as the parish church of Intramuros and home of the image of Nuestra Señora de Guia before her transfer to Ermita Church. The Cathedral also sheltered the Virgin of Antipolo in 1647, for a period of time, some years after the church was sacked and burned down during the Chinese revolt in 1639, until her eventual installation again in Antipolo Church.


The Eight Cathedral 1958 - Present
The present Manila Cathedral rose phoenix-like from the desolate ruins of the old cathedral, which was bombed mercilessly along with the rest of the Walled City during the Battle of Liberation in 1945. Asserting back its distinction and dignity as Manila’s premier temple and metropolitan seat of the Archdiocese, the present structure emerged in the midst of the pathetic remnants of Intramuros, its open spaces colonized by squatters and its ancient ruins converted into cargo warehouses.

Cathedral ruins after destruction

For many years after the war, the shell of the Manila Cathedral stood before the gaze of the statue of Carlos IV in Plaza Roma. The ruins of its famous façade remained. There was the rose window without the colored glass and the three portals with their receding arches and the cathedral’s historical marker.

The Manila Cathedral covers an area of almost 3,000 square meters. The present structure has a Latin-cross plan which closely follows the distribution of spaces of the previous cathedral-aisles are separated from the nave by arcaded colonnades, and several chapels flank the nave.

The beauty and wonder of marble as a building material stand out in the Manila Cathedral. The chapels are paved by highly polished Carrara marble prefabricated in Italy. The main altar, which has a two-meter high statue of the Immaculae Conception, is featured with lovely columns built out of green Carrara marble. Paving the rest of the cathedral floor are cream slabs of marble. Marble also found its way in the altars of the side chapels where reliefs and mosaic panels add further decorative accents. Likewise, the pulpit and the Episcopal throne are made out of Italian marble.

The Manila Metropolitan Cathedral was solemnly consecrated on December 7, 1958 before the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a tribute to Our Lady under whose guidance and patronage the Cathedral of Manila was able to reign as queen of the Walled City, refuge of Manila’s denizens, and symbolic seat of the Catholic Church in Manila.


Pope Paul VI’s Visit to the Philippines
In the 1970s, the most memorable event that brought thousands upon thousands to the mother church of the country was perhaps the visit to the Philippines of Pope Paul VI in November 1970. A marker at the base of the main altar commemorates his pastoral visit in the presence of the ancient venerated image of Nuestra Señora de Guia.


Pope John Paul II’s Visit; Beatification of Lorenzo Ruiz
Undoubtedly, one of the most significant religious events in the Philippine ecclesiastical history was the beatification of the first Filipino martyr Lorenzo Ruiz on the occasion of the visit of Pope John Paul II to the Philippines in February 1981. The much-loved Pope came amidst cheers of Totus Tuus from the crowd to celebrate his first Mass on Philippine soil at the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral. Shortly thereafter, he told Cardinal Sin that he wanted the cathedral to be a Basilica.


2012 renovation and 2014 reopening
Reliquary-calendar with fragment bone of St. Caesarius of Terracina, deacon and martyr, Manila Cathedral. In photo, cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle next the new icon of Saint Caesarius.
The cathedral underwent repairs for earthquake retrofitting and subsidence prevention in 2012.

During this time, the San Fernando de Dilao Church was designated as the temporary official church (pro-cathedral) of the Archdiocese of Manila. However, Msgr. Nestor Cerbo stated that the cathedral would finish its renovations on March 25, 2014.

Panorama of the cathedral interior

Some added features and changes include the installation of CCTV cameras, large flat screen television screens (similar to those found in Baclaran Church), improved audio-video systems, and improved interior and exterior LED lightings. The cathedral completed its restoration on the said date and was reopened to the general public on April 9, 2014 after two years of renovation.


The visit of Pope Francis
On January 16, 2015, Pope Francis celebrated his first Papal Mass in the country at the cathedral as part of his apostolic visit to the Philippines. The mass was celebrated for the bishops, priests, and the clergy in three languages: Latin, English, and Filipino.

Front view of The Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila as of April 2015

Details of the Shrine

The northwest façade is a replica of the façade of the previous cathedral, along with statues of famous saints sculpted in Roman travertine stone. Several of the artworks inside the basilica were made by Italian artists. In the previous cathedral, they were originally made of molave wood. The statue of Saint Rose of Lima was sculpted by Angelo Fattinanzi; Saint Jacob, Saint Andrew, and Saint Anthony the Abbot by Livia Papini; and Saint Francis Xavier and Saint Polycarp by Alcide Tico.

Inscription on the tympanum of the main portal

The tympanum above the central northwest doors bears the Latin inscription Tibi cordi tuo immaculato concredimus nos ac consecramus (English: "To thy Immaculate Heart, entrust us and consecrate us").

The papal arms were
added in 1981 to signify
the cathedral's status as
a basilica.

Prior to 1988, the bronze statue of the Immaculate Conception in the main altar, by national Italian sculptor Vincenzo Assenza, was painted gold until 1988 (though the twelve star halo-aureola is solid gold). Inscribed on the baldachin above the statue of the Immaculate Conception is the Latin antiphon Tota pulchra es, Maria, et macula originalis non est in Te (English: "Thou art all-beautiful, Mary, and the original stain [spot] (of sin) is not in thee.").

The baptismal font and angel-shaped holy water fonts are also made of solid bronze by Publio Morbiducci; the prominent mosaic of Saint Jude Thaddeus was made by Marcello Mazzoli. The 134 modern stained glass windows were made in 1964 by Filipino artist Galo Ocampo. The window set, which was a programme of Marian themes, was commissioned and funded by Cardinal Santos.

The artistic designs of the stained glass windows of the Manila Cathedral are mostly products of the creative genius of Ocampo, one of the most versatile contemporary Filipino artists during his time and a recipient of the 1964 Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award from the city government of Manila.

The marble floors on the center aisle near the altar bears the coat of arms of four cardinal archbishops of Manila: Rufino Santos, Jaime Sin, Gaudencio Rosales, and Luis Antonio Tagle.

The patinated dome surmounted by a four-armed cross

Cathedra
The cathedra or episcopal throne of the Archbishop of Manila was installed during the postwar reconstruction in 1958. It is made of Mexican onyx and marble from Carrara, Italy, and was designed and made by the Istituto Internazionale d’Arte Liturgica in Rome.

The cathedra, newer high altar, pulpit, and altar rail

The original cathedra bears the coat of arms of then Archbishop Rufino Santos before he was created a cardinal. His coat of arms and the Mexican onyx was covered by a stone until its restoration in 2021. 

Shrine Rectors

  • Artemio Gabriel Casas, (1956–1962)
  • Jose C. Abriol, P.A. (1962–1975)
  • Augusto Pedrosa, H.P. (1975–1985)
  • Domingo A. Cirilos Jr., P.C. (1985–1996)
  • Hernando M. Coronel, P.C. (1996–2002)
  • Nestor C. Cerbo, P.C. (2002–2015)
  • Reginald R. Malicdem, (2015–present)

Burials and Funerals

The cathedral crypt is the resting place for former archbishops of Manila and a few other prelates:
  • Michael J. O'Doherty, the last foreign archbishop of Manila
  • Gabriel M. Reyes, the first Filipino archbishop of Manila
  • Rufino J. Cardinal Santos, the first Filipino cardinal
  • Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, a prominent leader of the 1986 People Power Revolution
  • Dom Ambrose Agius, bishop and Apostolic Delegate to the Philippines (until 1945; remains transferred to the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, Mendiola Street, Manila)

Two former presidents were permitted to lie in state under the cathedral dome:
  • Carlos P. Garcia, 8th president of the Philippines (1957–1961) (d. 1971)
  • Corazon C. Aquino, 11th president of the Philippines (1986–1992) (d. 2009)

Manila Cathedral Schedule of Masses

  • Mondays to Fridays - 7:30 AM and 12:10 PM
  • Saturdays - 7:30 AM ONLY
  • Sundays - 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 6:00 PM

Manila Cathedral Office Hours

  • Tuesdays to Saturdays - 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Sundays - 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
  • Closed on Mondays and Holidays

HOW TO GET TO MANILA CATHEDRAL

For those who are coming with private vehicles, taking a taxi ride, TNVS or if you are taking a walk tour around Intramuros, you can easily search "Manila Cathedral" on Waze or Google Maps for directions.

By Public Commuting
If you’re taking public transportation, it’s best to ride LRT. From your stop, get off at Taft Station and then take another northbound train trip to Monumento. The LRT and the MRT are interlinked. Get off at Carriedo Station, then ride a jeepney in front of Santa Cruz Church bound to Pier and get off in front of Manila Cathedral.


ATTRACTIONS TO SEE IN MANILA 

Klook.com

The Manila Cathedral

Address: Cabildo cor. Beaterio St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines 1002
Open Hours: 7am to 5pm daily
Contact Nos.: (632) 8 527-3093, (632) 8 527-1796, (632) 8 527-3889, (632) 8 527-3876
Email Address: mlacathedral58@gmail.com (Donna Santos, Section Head - Office Services)

ALSO IN MANILA


ACTIVITIES AND TOURS IN MANILA


WEDDING REQUIREMENTS

RESERVATION REQUIREMENTS
  • Reservation fee
  • Attendance at the Orientation on Wedding Rules and Regulations
  • Photocopy of the baptismal certificate of both party
  • Proof of inquiry/visit at the Chancery Office for foreigners or divorcees
  • Church Marriage Certificate (For Renewal of Vows during wedding anniversaries)

BASIC REQUIREMENTS
  • ORIGINAL COPIES OF THE BAPTISMAL and CONFIRMATION CERTIFICATES of the bride and groom with the notation “For Marriage Purposes.” (Valid for 6 months)
  • MARRIAGE BANNS: to be brought to the respective parishes of the couple to be posted for three (3) consecutive Sundays
  • Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) from NSO (For Filipinos only)
  • CANONICAL INTERVIEW
  • PRE-CANA SEMINAR
  • MARRIAGE LICENSE: to be secured from the Civil Registry of the city or town of either couple. (Valid for 120 days or 4 months only)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS (FOR CERTAIN CASES)
  • For Civilly Married couples:
    • NSO copy of the Marriage Contract.

  • For one who has lived in another place for six months or more aside from his/her permanent residence immediately prior to the wedding
    • For Filipinos residing in the Philippines
      • Marriage Banns from the parish/es where he/she resided for six months or more
    • For Filipinos residing abroad
      • Marriage banns from the parish of present residence OR Certificate of Freedom to Marry to be issued by the parish of present residence abroad for six months or more immediately prior to the wedding OR Affidavit of Free Status to Marry (for one who is NOT land-based, ex., seafarer, flight attendant.
    • For Foreigners residing in the Philippines
      • Marriage banns from the parish of domicile in the Philippines
      • Affidavit of Free Status to Marry
    • For Foreigners residing Abroad
      • Certificate of Freedom to Marry from the parish of present residence abroad for six months or more immediately prior to the wedding OR Affidavit of Free Status to Marry

  • For Foreigners
    • Clearance from the Chancery Office, Arzobispado de Manila
    • Certificate of Free Status to Marry / Legal Capacity from the Embassy of the country of origin
    • Certificate of Freedom to Marry to be secured from the parish of permanent residence in the country of origin

  • For Divorced/Divorcees
    • Clearance from the Chancery Office, Arzobispado de Manila
    • Certified true copy of LEGAL PAPERS proving the absolute decree of divorce

  • For one whose Previous Marriage was declared Null and Void
    • Certified true copy of the Final Declaration of Nullity from a Matrimonial Tribunal
    • Approval from the Chancery Office, Arzobispado de Manila

  • For Mixed Marriage or Disparity of Cult
    • Promissory Note duly signed the Priest Interviewer and approved by the Local Ordinary
    • Certificate of Active Membership from his/her religious affiliation (Mixed Marriage)

  • For Widows or Widowers
    • Newly issued NSO copy of the Death Certificate of the deceased spouse

OTHER CHURCHES TO VISIT IN MANILA

  • San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila
  • Basilica of the Black Nazarene a.k.a. Quiapo Church in Manila
  • Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz a.k.a. Binondo Church
  • San Sebastian Church in Quiapo, Manila
  • Our Lady of Remedies Parish (Malate Catholic Church)

WHERE TO STAY IN MANILA


Pearl Manila Hotel

Here's a list of hotel accommodation you can book in Manila:


IMPORTANT NOTE: The rates, contact details and other information indicated in this post are accurate from the time of writing but may change without IMFWJ's notice. Should you know the updated information, please let us know by leaving a message in the comment box below.

WHERE TO STAY IN MANILA
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Church Historical Site Historical Structure Intramuros Manila Philippines

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